45 Trivia Items About Classic TV Shows You Probably Didn’t Know

Set during the Great Depression and WWII, The Waltons series traces its origins to Earl Hamner Jr.’s 1961 novel Spencer’s Mountain. Inspired by Hamner’s upbringing, this heartwarming saga immortalizes the phrase “Goodnight, John-Boy,” showcasing a family’s enduring spirit.

Inspired by his life in rural Virginia, Earl Hamner Jr.’s novel paints the portrait of unity and resilience within a family. Transitioning to television as The Waltons, it preserved the soul of Hamner’s writings, celebrating deep familial love and steadfast perseverance.