CNBC's Francis far away from the prairie

Marketwatch media columnist Jon Friedman examines the career of CNBC anchor Melissa Francis, who appeared on “Little House on the Prairie” as a child actor.

Friedman wrote,”Despite her relative fame, quick wit and on-air poise, Francis has been somewhat overshadowed by her more famous colleagues. You could make a case that her CNBC bosses have overlooked her, too, even though they have given her her own show.

“For her part, Francis is happy to hold down the 7 p.m. slot and evidently has a good time doing interviews with a variety of people. The subjects range from frivolous to serious, and she handles them all with aplomb.

“Francis has come a long way since her ‘Little House’ days, although she remembers them fondly. ‘It was really fun because there were a ton of kids around,’ she recalled. ‘I was a ham! I loved getting the attention.’

“Even as a little kid, Francis saw the strange nature of the show. ‘I had to say things like ‘Pa’ and ‘reckon,'” she said. ‘Who talks like that?'”

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