I loved the Waltons, still do. It was a must see in my Christian home back when I was a kid. I will correct you on one point, my mother did know that Will Geer was gay. She was around in the 30s and she knew somehow. Didn't seem to bother her, which was odd.

I love the fact that the actors were just that, actors who did a damn good job on a great show. The fact that their lives may have been a little more "colourful" than the characters they portrayed makes it even better.