Pernell Roberts was never shy about telling the press how he felt about Bonanza. The actor had starred in the series for roughly six years. At that time, the Western series became a television staple and a worldwide sensation. However, Roberts frequently voiced his dissatisfaction with the quality of the series.

According to an interview with The Dayton Daily News, Roberts claimed that he had been misled by those hiring him for the series. Roberts was interested in pushing the envelope in television, a goal that he felt the series simply didn't share.

"They told me the four characters would be sharply defined, and the scripts carefully prepared," said the actor. "What I objected to most was the objective of the show. There had been an obvious effort to play it safe, to make Bonanza a good family show that would offend no one and hit a consistent level of mediocrity."

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Roberts knew that he had earned the reputation of a bit of a pot stirrer on the set of Bonanza. "I know they think I'm a troublemaker," said Roberts. "Well, maybe I do rock the boat when I don't like the way it's sailing."

Eventually, Roberts was freed from his acting obligation and left Bonanza, going on to star in projects like Trapper John, M.D.

"People say, 'Why worry?' You can laugh all the way to the bank,'" said Roberts. "If I'm doing something I don't believe in, I would cry all the way to the bank. Money isn't that important to me. My needs are primarily artistic. Mainly, I'm interested in my own peace of mind, in knowing who I am and what I am."