What a real witch she was! Always had her nose in things she shouldn't have, and her mouth was never shut. Her character, while providing some of the comic relief of LHOTP, demonstrated (on a more serious note) a lot of the common prejudices of the day. Reminds the viewing audience of the very traits that are not becoming to anyone. Her daughters Nellie and Nancy were just like her. Fortunately, though, Nellie changed when she fell in love with (and married) Percival Dalton. Harriet's reaction was funny when Percival revealed he was Jewish!

Since we are rating the characters, and not the actors abilty to interpret them, I can only give Harriet a three. Honestly, she had so few tolerable and redeeming qualities that it just wasn't worth being her friend, or husband or whatever. Every so often she would give a glimpse of compassion but too little to really make us care for her. The highlight of almost every show was seeing Harriet Oleson get her comeuppance.

will give a four not because I liked Harriet but she was good for the show. there has to be some nasty folk on the show and she was one of them. a snobby, ignorant gossip. she had the worst brats. was rotten to her husband and difficult to everyone else she encountered. Katherine macgregor? was very good as Harriet Olsen. I always liked it when Harriet got hers.

Katherine MacGregor played the part of Harriet Oleson very well. Her character was actually very sad... always out to make trouble for someone else. Sadly enough, her character is very real for a lot of people in this world.