Oh, that Gilligan. He may have been the Skipper’s “little buddy” but he sure was a real twerp. He may have ruined everyone's chances of getting off the island, but at least we got more episodes of the show.
Gilligan's Island first premiered in 1964 and was a comedic outlet for many people during a stressful time in history. The show ran for three years, but its legacy still lives on today. Check out these crazy behind-the-scenes facts of Gilligan's Island!
We Loved Gilligan's Island Because...
We loved watching Gilligan "accidentally" sabotage their chances of rescue. (If it was every episode then it’s just around 100.) But it kind of does seem to be too many for it to be an accident. Perhaps Gilligan was secretly a diabolical masochist. We loved the Skipper, and Ginger, and the Professor. We loved the Millionaire and his wife. And, of course, we loved Mary Ann. Because how could you not? Keep reading to learn what producers hid about her.
Gilligan’s Island Origins
Gilligan’s Island aired for three seasons and a total of 98 episodes. It aired on CBS in the late 1960s. There were also three movies filmed, and then it was in syndication for much of the 1970s and 1980s. The series was spawned from the idea "What would you take with you on a desert island?" Sherwood Schwartz decided to take this social microcosm and make it into a comedy.
A Long Syndication
For people now in their 30s and 40s, this is what you watched when you were home from school sick, along with other syndicated TV shows at the time, such as Gomer Pyle, Fantasy Island, and Love Boat. Gilligan's Island was in syndication for over 20 years.
Keep reading to learn more about what your favorite characters were up to behind the scenes. You won't believe what the actress who played Mary Ann received in her fan mail. (Or what kind of trouble she later found herself getting into.)
Gilligan’s Babes
Perhaps Gilligan's evil plan was just to keep Ginger and Mary Ann to himself. His obvious lack of swagger would mean it be highly unlikely he would be able to mate with such ladies, or maybe even mate at all. It would most likely have to occur under other strange and dire circumstances.
Gilligan’s Island, Brought To You By...
Gilligan's Island was originally sponsored by Proctor & Gamble and Phillip Morris. Since this was your entertainment, they could advertise to you cleaning products, toothpaste and cigarettes. It may have been a fair trade.
No Love On Gilligan’s Island
There were times things almost happened. Even Mrs. Howell got in on the matchmaking once. But it didn’t turn out well, as Mr. Howell got pretty agitated and Gilligan was still forever alone.
Series Finale
What was to be a three-hour tour, turned into three years. Well, actually it was probably forever since the final episode ended just like all the other episodes. There was no known cancellation of the series at the time. So a series finale was never written.
It Began as a Fateful Trip
So sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip that started in this harbor port aboard this tiny ship. There were technically four boats used as the SS Minnow in the series. Somehow they could never repair that hole.
The Lie About the Mate
They say the mate was a mighty sailing man, the skipper brave and sure, and five passengers who sailed away on a three hour tour. This three hour tour likely took place near Hawaii.
The Ship Was Lost, But Not Sunk
The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed. If not for the courage of the fearless crew, The Minnow would be lost. Which technically it was, because no one rescued them. But they at least didn't drown.
The Skipper Loved His Uniform
The Skipper was payed by Alan Hale Jr. and his father was a famous movie star. Hale loved playing the Skipper so much he would sometimes show up dressed in character at his restaurant "The Lobster Barrel" in Los Angeles.
The Millionaire and His Wife
The Millionaire and his wife were Thurston Howell the Third and Eunice Lovell Wentworth Howell, or "Lovey" as he referred to her. They were played by Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer. Backus, who voiced Mr. Magoo, another millionaire tycoon, used some of his mannerisms in the role.
The Movie Star
"The Movie Star," Ginger Grant, was played by Tina Louise in the series and by two different actresses in the films. She was to play the role as a Marilyn Monroe or Jayne Mansfield type.
The Two Professors
Professor Roy Hinkley, usually known simply as "the Professor" was played by Russell Johnson. In the pilot episode, he was played by John Gabriel, but the network decided Gabriel looked too young to have all the degrees the Professor was supposed to have.
Mary Ann: The Island's Girl Next Door
Mary Ann, played by Dawn Wells, was the epitome of the "girl next door." She was a country gal and was beloved by many. She always received numerous marriage proposals in her fan mail.
Here on Gilligan’s Island
"The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island" was created by Sherwood Schwartz and George Wyle. Professor and Marianne were also “and the rest” in the original season. But in episodes 2 and 3 they received credit.
Filing the Pilot
The original pilot was filmed on November 22, 1963 the day JFK was assassinated. The crew, despite knowing of this tragedy, had to continue work. The original pilot also only included four of the seven cast members and were referred to as “and the rest” in the song.
Themes Used on the Show
There were about five different recurring themes to Gilligan's Island. The most popular is where they are trying to escape but Gilligan messes it up. Some other themes include other people coming to the island, and random dream sequences.
The Professor's Inventions
Sometimes, they would also get news from the outside world on their radio that was about them or their loved ones. And of course the perilous random objects that would show up on the beach. It was pretty amazing what the Professor could whip up with some coconuts, bamboo and lost luggage.
Gilligan's Island Goes Native
Occasionally they mix it up and bring in some natives. Here, a native girl on the island wants to marry Gilligan. You could still call this a visitor, but really our lost crew would be the visitors then, and it's a whole different show.
That Voodoo You Do
The witch doctor didn't care for Gilligan... perhaps he could see into his soul. He stole personal items from each of the castaways and put some kind of voodoo curse on them, turning the Professor into a zombie briefly. Like many subplots on Gilligan's Island, this story was left unresolved.
Many Failed Escapes
"Failed escapes" was by far the most popular theme and what most people associate with the show. Clumsy Gilligan some how would cause a minor disaster that would prevent any opportunity for rescue or escape.
The Island's Visitors
The show featured lots of cameo appearances from popular stars of the time, in the form of visitors to the island. Some visitors included The Monkees, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and The Gorilla on the island (played by actor Janos Prohaska).
Random Dream Sequences
Random dream sequences were a nice break from island living. These fanciful dreams were sometimes brought on by weird berries, and they allowed the show to be more fanciful. Gilligan was usually a let-down in his own dreams as well, making you feel a little sorry for the fella.
All Dressed up with Nowhere to Go
Sometimes the characters got to wear fancy costumes and visit different time periods. They didn't play themselves and these were some of the actors' favorite episodes.
News from the Outside World
News from the outside world usually struck some type of discord. But it usually proved to be false. The characters would hear information about one of their own previous lives, or about life itself, only to find it retracted later.
Random Objects
Random objects would occasionally wash ashore. Usually there was an additional danger or challenge, such as when a crate washed up that turned out to be plastic explosives. Whoops, Gilligan shouldn’t have put that in his teeth!
Three Movies
Three films were made beginning 10 years after Gilligan’s Island stopped airing. All were made for television and none featured Tina Louise as Ginger, as there were contract disagreements. The films were to help add some closure to the sudden end to the show.
Rescue from Gilligan’s Island
In Rescue from Gilligan’s Island, the first film, the castaways actually leave the island. However, they have trouble reintegrating into society. Eventually, due to fate and circumstances, they wind up back on the island. In short: Gilligan's Island was the original Lost.
The Castaways of Gilligan’s Island
The Castaways of Gilligan’s Island was the second film from the series. This sequel aired in 1979, and they are rescued again. But they eventually decide to stop fighting fate. This time the Howells create a resort on the island.
All A Fantasy
The premise and story line on how they get on and off the island is pretty ridiculous. It involves planes they never noticed for 15 years, Gilligan parachuting, and his inevitable rescue. But in the end, the Howells run a beautiful resort in which all the castaways are made silent partners, and it becomes a bit like The Love Boat meets Fantasy Island.
The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island
One of the more interesting ideas for a sequel was using the entertaining Harlem Globetrotters in a television movie. This took place as a sequel to The Castaways of Gilligan’s Island on the now-resort island run by the castaways.
Globetrottin'
This third film was released in 1981. The famous Harlem Globetrotters and Martin Landau, who plays a villain, set to take over the island because of valuable resource. It involved robots and basketball.
Roseanne's Homage To Gilligan's Island
An episode of Roseanne titled "Sherwood Schwartz: A Loving Tribute" used a dream sequence where the main characters played characters from Gilligan’s Island. Dan was the Skipper, Jackie was Gilligan, Roseanne was Ginger, and Thurston Howell and “Lovey” were played by Roseanne’s Mom and Leon (Martin Mull).
Borrowed Costumes
The end of the episode featured Bob Denver, Tina Louise and Dawn Wells playing the opposite roles in the show (Jackie, Roseanne and Becky). The actors were even costumed in the cast members' wardrobe. It was a surprise ending for first time viewers.
The Ladies Could Dance & Sing
Some of the most endearing episodes on Gilligan's Island featured dance numbers from the three ladies. It added another type of fun and style to the show.
Mary Ann for the Win
The biggest question from the fans was not about how the batteries kept working on the radio, or why the hole in the boat could not be fixed. It was who do you prefer: Ginger or Mary Ann?
You Can Still Watch Gilligan's Island Now
If you want to enjoy time with your favorite castaways you can find all three seasons on DVD or for streaming on Amazon video. There is still an active fan club for fans of this nostalgic show.
The Cast of Gilligan's Island
The cast of Gilligan's Island featured seven iconic characters that definitely made for interesting dynamics within various plots of the show. Unfortunately for them, these roles pretty much typecast each actor to the roles they played on this show, which would end up being a struggle for those who wanted to branch out into diverse acting roles. Click on to see how these actors came to be on the show and what happened to them after the end of Gilligan's Island.
Mary Ann or Mary Jane?
In 2008, a 69-year-old Dawn Wells was busted with marijuana in Idaho and charged with driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. She was fined $410.50 and sentenced to five days in jail for the misdemeanor crimes. Wells served six months of probation as part of a plea deal.
The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree
They may not be blood related, but being on a show for so long together pretty much makes you family. Unfortunately for Bob Denver, who played titular character Gilligan, this sort of rings true as he, too, was arrested on charges of marijuana possession. A package of marijuana was delivered to his home in 1998, after which he was arrested and released on $1,000 bond. He reportedly had told authorities that the package was from his co-star Dawn Wells, but didn't name her when he was arraigned in court. Later, police allegedly found more of the drug paraphernalia in his home and he subsequently pleaded no contest, receiving six months of probation.
Where is Bob Denver Now?
Denver was a physical education, math, and history teacher before he landed his first acting gig as Maynard G. Krebs on the early 1960s sitcom, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, playing the titular character's best friend. During this time he had small roles on various films on other television shows, which allowed him more exposure to public audiences. By the time his first sitcom ended, he had landed the role of Gilligan on Gilligan's Island, which is what he is best known for to this day. He was not the producer's first choice for the role, as producers originally offered it to Jerry Van Dyke, who turned down the role because he thought the show would not take off. Boy, was he wrong.
Alan Hale Jr.'s Film and TV Career
Alan Hale Jr. boasted quite impressive acting credentials before his role as The Skipper on Gilligan's Island. His father was Rufus Edward McKahan, known professionally as Alan Hale the legendary actor and director, and his mother was Gretchen Hartman, a silent film actress. Hale Jr. made his acting debut in 1931 on Broadway and transitioned into film acting a couple years later. He had guests spots on numerous television shows such as Bonanza, Lassie, and The Andy Griffith Show. Hale Jr. even enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, which may have helped him when he landed the role as The Skipper.
Jim Backus Was More Than The Millionaire
Natalie Schafer's Little Secret
Schafer began her career on Broadway as early as 1927, often taking on supporting roles. In 1941, she moved to Los Angeles to forge a film career. She is best known for her role as "The Millionaire's wife," Eunice "Lovey" Wentworth Howell, on Gilligan's Island. She reportedly originally took the role since the pilot was filmed on location in Hawaii, which she saw as a free vacation. Little did she know, the show would take off and she would go on to reprise her role for spin-off shows and films after Gilligan's Island ended. It is reported that her contract stated that no close-up shots were allowed of her face, probably to mask her true age, which she was notorious for not revealing.
In Her Final Years...
Schafer was actually a millionaire in real life, after making some real estate investments that turned out to be quite profitable in the long run. She lived until the grand old age of 90, passing away due to liver cancer. In her later years, she lived with co-star Dawn Wells, who actually maintained excellent relationships with her fellow cast members. Wells was Schafer's caretaker while she was battling her ailments and when Schafer passed away, she reportedly left a good sum of her fortunes to Wells.
Dawn Wells Before Life on The Island
Dawn Wells was most popular for her role as Mary Ann Summers, the "girl-next-door" on Gilligan's Island. Before she was an actress, she actually was the girl-next-door type in real life, attending Stephens College in Missouri before she transferred to Seattle's University of Washington. During her tenure as a typical college student, she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and she earned her degree in theater arts and design in 1960. She went on to compete in pageants, being crowned Miss Nevada in 1959 and representing the state in the 1960 Miss America pageant.
Tina Louise Was a Diva
When Tina Louise was in high school, she was only known as Tina Blacker. She allegedly told her drama teacher at the time that she didn't have a middle name and he suggested Louise, which apparently stuck with her throughout her acting career. She was a model and Broadway actress before she made her Hollywood film debut in 1958, soon becoming a sought-after leading lady. In 1964, she left Broadway and film to play "The Movie Star" Ginger Grant on Gilligan's Island. She would end up being dissatisfied with the role, often clashing with producers over how Ginger should be portrayed. She made claims that the role has typecast her, ruining her career and other opportunities for serious roles.
Russell Johnson's Heroic Past
Before he was "The Professor" on Gilligan's Island, Johnson was actually a lieutenant bombardier for the U.S. Army Air Forces. He served during World War II earning various decorations for his time in the military, even a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged as first lieutenant in 1945, subsequently joined the Reserves, and used the G.I. Bill to pay for acting school. He, too, was typecast in due to his role in Gilligan's Island, but has accepted the fact and was still able to maintain a sufficient acting career in television.
Who Was on the Radio?
If you ever wondered who voiced the announcer on the radio that the castaways used to keep in touch with the rest of the world, then you can attribute that voice to actor and producer Charles Maxwell. He was frequently cast as a guest on westerns such as Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and The Rifleman. In 1968 he even appeared on an episode of Star Trek. Although most of his roles were very short lived, his longest running role was that of the radio announcer on Gilligan's Island, which he was not credited for.
Sherwood Schwartz's Legacy
So who is the mastermind who stranded these seven castaways on an uncharted island? You can thank television producer Sherwood Schwartz. Schwartz originally came to Southern California to pursue a Master's in Biology but began writing jokes for Bob Hope to earn extra money. The gig stuck, as Hope loved his work and offered him a job as a part of his writing staff. Schwartz went on to create two of American television's most iconic shows: Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch.
Inside the Studio
Gilligan's Crossovers: Alf
In addition to Roseanne as mentioned in previous slides, the castaways would often reprise their roles on other television shows. They were featured in an episode of the late 1980s sci-fi sitcom, Alf. In the episode, Alf is obsessed with the charm of Gilligan's Island, watching marathons and trying to relive the "endless fun" that the Gilligan's Island cast always seems to be having. He even goes so far as to create a lagoon in his family's backyard, getting punished for it by having to refill the hole. While completing the task, he falls asleep and dreams himself into the world of Gilligan's Island. It is present-day 1987 on the island, however, and he is dismayed to discover that Gilligan and the rest of the gang are not very happy to still be living on the island.
Gilligan on Baywatch?
Yup, Gilligan and some of the gang found themselves on the iconic 1990s action hit, Baywatch. In an episode of Baywatch's second season, Eddie hits his head after slipping in the sand, and after a series of events he ends up on an island where he encounters Gilligan and Mary Ann. After taking the two back to the Baywatch headquarters the rest of the Baywatch crew embarks on a journey to find the rest of the castaways, only to end up as castaways themselves. It takes time for them to repair the boat, but only two people can sail to freedom. After drawing straws, it is decided that Gilligan and Mary Ann will go, leaving everyone else behind. In the end, Eddie wakes up in the Baywatch headquarters again, wondering if it was all a dream.
The New Adventures of Gilligan
The success of Gilligan's Island and its sequels have sparked a few spin-off series. The New Adventures of Gilligan was an animated series produced by Filmation. It was one of the Saturday morning cartoons that aired on ABC from 1974 to 1977. All of the original cast was enlisted to voice the characters for the show, except for Dawn Wells, who was on the road for a play, and Tina Louise, who no longer wanted to be associated with the role of Ginger Grant. The cartoon featured a monkey sidekick for Gilligan and ended each episode with a lesson learned.
Gilligan's Planet
Gilligan's Planet was a follow-up to The New Adventures of Gilligan. Also produced by Filmation, the show originally aired on Saturday mornings but new episodes were made when it was put on syndication. In the show, the castaways managed to build a spaceship, launching into space, only to get stranded on a distant planet. The show aired on CBS from 1982 to 1983.
Dusty's Trail
The third spin-off was actually a series that was created by Sherwood Schwartz himself. Dusty's Trail aired from 1973 and 1974 and was about a 19th-century wagon train on its way to California. One of the wagons got separated from the train, leaving its two coachmen and five passengers to find their own way back. Although Dusty's Trail was not directly based off of Gilligan's Island, it's characters were all loosely based off the seven castaways featuring a wagon master, a scout for the wagon train, a rich couple, a science professor, a school teacher, and a saloon girl.
Gilligan's Island: The Musical
A musical stage production of Gilligan's Island was created in the early 1990s and features work from talented folks that aren't far off from Sherwood Schwartz. Schwartz's son, Lloyd Schwartz, wrote the script for the production and his daughter, Hope, wrote the songs with the help of her husband. Since 2001, various theaters throughout the United States have put on productions of the iconic series.
Concerned Citizens
Shortly after Gilligan's Island premiered, the U.S. Coast Guard actually received telegrams from citizens who claimed they saw American citizens stranded on an island in the Pacific Ocean. These telegrams urged the Coast Guard to come to the castaways' rescue, but the Coast Guard merely forwarded these odd messages to producer Sherwood Schwartz. Schwartz himself was baffled that there were viewers out there who believed that the cast was actually stranded and didn't realize that it was just a TV show.
The Show's Cancellation
During its three-year run on television, Gilligan's Island never saw itself in the top ten rankings. By 1967, it was struggling against another 1960s sitcom, The Monkees. Although CBS had assured everyone that they would pick up Gilligan's Island for a fourth year, it was canceled at the last minute when the network decided to keep the western Gunsmoke on the air. The series was canceled while the cast members were on vacation.
Guess Who Might Have Been Mary Ann?
During the casting process, Raquel Welch auditioned for the part of Mary Ann. But Welch, who was later ranked #3 by Playboy on their "100 Sexiest Stars of the Twentieth Century" list, doesn't really fit the "girl next door" look producers were going for. The classic “Ginger or Mary Ann” argument would have been very different with Ms. Welch on set.
Gilligan's Island Originated in a College Classroom
Gilligan's Island was a light-hearted and beloved sitcom which was so successful because of its premise. The whole idea of being stuck on an island came from a class the show's creator, Sherwood Schwartz, took at NYU. During the college course, an NYU professor asked this question: if you were stranded on a desert island, what one item would you like to have? Schwartz always had that question in the back of his mind and ended up pitching the concept as the premise of a TV show. That show became the sitcom known as Gilligan's Island.
Gilligan's First Name Is Willy
When CBS gave Sherwood Schwartz the green light, he knew he had to create some iconic names for his misfit cast. Schwartz combed through the phone book to find names for his characters, which is where he came up with "Willy Gilligan." Gilligan's first name isn't really said in the series, and Bob Denver swears that his characters first name is Gilligan (not his last name), but isn't that a fabulous name for such a goofy, dim-witted, but lovable character? Schwartz stands by his assertion that Gilligan was, is and always will be Willy Gilligan.
Natalie Schafer Did Her Own Stunts
Natalie Schafer was a total pro on the set on Gilligan's Island. She was extremely tough – which is not something you'd expect from a 60-year-old TV star. Though she was in her 60s during filming, she insisted on doing most of her own stunts – whichever the executive would allow. This included everything from jumping into lagoons or sinking in quicksand.
This is a huge contrast from Natalie's character. Natalie took the pilot because it was being filmed in Hawaii (hello free vacation), but she was the opposite of Eunice's prissy demeanor. She wasn’t afraid to get down into the nitty-gritty of things, though she didn’t like to reveal her true age. (What person does?)
The Skipper Was the Most Difficult To Cast
By now, we all know that Alan Hale was cast as the loveable Skipper. The Skipper was the last character cast on the show and the one casting directors seemed to have the most trouble with. Out of dozens of actors, they couldn't find a single person who fit the bill. It was a pretty tall order. Schwartz wanted an actor who was both short-tempered and bossy but able to show a soft side towards Gilligan – even after he'd already lost his temper. This required an actor who skilled with nuance and believably good-hearted underneath a tough exterior.
Alan Hale Auditioned for the Skipper While on Horseback
At the time, Hale was filming Bullet for a Bad Man in St. George, Utah. He left the set to audition for the Skipper but was pressed for time in order to make it back to Utah to finish filming his western. He ended up reading for the part while on horseback, hitchhiking, riding in a taxi cab, and flying on an airplane. He made it back in time to finish filming the following day and also landed the part as the Skipper. We're sort of wondering how it would've gone if Hale auditioned on an actual boat. We're guessing, it wouldn't be so smooth (at least if he was actually the Skipper).
The Millionaire was a Cheapskate in Real Life
Ironically, Jim Backus, who played the role of Thurston Howell the Third, the millionaire, was a total cheapskate in real life. Undoubtedly, Backus was loved by the cast. He often coached less-experienced actors on things like ad-lib and punchline delivery. He was a total pleasure to be around, but boy, was he cheap. Dawn Wells spoke about a time during Gilligan's Island's first season when Backus invited her and a friend to lunch. Conveniently, Backus left his wallet back at the studio, a trick he'd pull more than a couple times. Scandalous!
The Flags In Gilligan's Opening Segment are Perpetually Half Mast
The last part of the pilot of Gilligan's Island was shot in Hawaii on November 22, 1969 – the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and Lyndon Johnson was sworn in. Military installations were closed that day for a period of mourning, and this was reflected in the footage. If you look closely in the background of the opening of the show, there are flags on the ships behind the S.S. Minnow. Those flags are at half mast because of JFK's assassination, and they remained that way in every opening of the show.
Dawn Wells Continued To Get Paid For Her Role On Gilligan's Island
The actors on Gilligan's Island all signed pretty standard contracts. They each got a certain amount of money per original episode and a residual payment for each time the episodes re-aired (up to five times). This was not the case for Dawn Wells. Dawn Wells was a bit smarter. At the time, Dawn was married to Larry Rosen, an industry agent who advised her to ask for a different agreement – to be paid a residual every time the show ran reruns, not just the first five times. Because of this, Dawn was the only cast member who still got paid for her work on the show. Sadly, she passed away in December of 2020.
Gilligan's Island Was So Popular Fans Were Everywhere
Gilligan's Island may have never made into the number one spot for CBS, but it was still wildly popular. It appealed to such a wide range of people that cast members ended up meeting fans from all walks of life. Because of this Russell Johnson spoke at a biochemical conference in San Francisco (though we're not sure how much an actor would know about biochemical engineering). Bob Denver also had a weird – but flattering – encounter with some fans. When he showed up at a restaurant with his wife, the band went from playing classical music to the Gilligan's Island theme song.
The Skipper Broke His Arm on Set but Didn't Tell Anyone
We're not sure the Skipper got away with this one, but it proves he was insanely dedicated to his job. One day during filming, Alan Hale broke his arm falling out of a coconut tree. He didn't even mention it to the film crew because he didn't want to disrupt filming. During the next scenes, he had to literally lift Gilligan and heavy coconuts with a broken arm. Schwartz asked Hale, “How did you manage to heave coconuts and lift Bob Denver with a broken arm?” Hale replied, “It wasn’t easy.”
The Professor and Mary Ann Weren't in the Opening Credits
During the entire first season of Gilligan's Island, the opening credits ended with a photo of Ginger as the theme song went "movie star…and the rest." Unfortunately "the rest" didn’t include the Professor and Mary Ann. Louise, who played Ginger Grant (the movie star), had it in her contract that she would be the last name listed in the opening credits. When the show was renewed, Denver fought to add Russell and Dawn to the opening credits because the Professor and Mary Ann were important cast members. This lead to an argument over Louise's contract, where Denver threatened that his contract said he could put his name anywhere in the credits he wanted, so he could easily take Louise's coveted closing spot. An agreement was quickly made.
Tina Louise Wasn't The Star She Wanted to Be
Gilligan's Island wasn't without some spats on set – as is probably true for almost any TV show. Apparently, there was some on-set tension between major cast members and Tina Louise. Tina often removed herself from the rest of the cast. She would sit away from them while they joked and chatted. This was apparently because she was mad about her role. Her agent had told her she was going to be the star of the show, but when it came down to it, she had to share the spotlight.
The Gilligan's Island Pilot Was Quite Different from the Actual Series
A TV pilot is always a test to show network executives what your show has to offer. It's not uncommon for a pilot to totally change when it gets put into real episodes. Gilligan's Island changed a lot from the pilot episode to the actual series. The original cast of characters included two secretaries and a high school teacher. It also had a completely different theme song. In 1992 the pilot episode was finally aired and people got to see how the show originally was cast. Nothing can beat the magic of the original series.
The Original Theme Song Was Completely Different
Gilligan's Island had an iconic theme song – a theme song that almost never was. The pilot had a different theme song that had a totally different vibe than the second, tried-and-true version all of us remember. The song was composed by John Williams and sung by none other than Sherwood Schwartz, the show's creator. It was upbeat, kind of hokey and had definite calypso influenced. John Williams may not have been the accomplished film scorer then as he is today. He composed a never-used theme song for Gilligan's Island but went on to compose the music for Star Wars.
The Skipper's Name Was Jonah Grumby (and It Was Hardly Ever Said)
The Skipper's actual name wasn't Skipper – that's just a nickname! His real name was Jonah Grumby, and it was only ever uttered in full during the pilot episode of the show. The Skipper has an intense military background, which is perhaps why it's fitting that all the flags in the opening are held at half mast to honor JFK's death. The Skipper was supposed to have served with both John F. Kennedy and McHale's navy. We're still wondering if he was so well trained, how it was nearly impossible to fix a hole in the bottom of a boat? Oh well!
The Boat in Gilligan's Island Was Named After the Head of the FCC
Sherwood Schwartz was definitely taking a shot at the FCC with this one. Gilligan's Island never had the explicit content that's constantly under FCC scrutiny like modern shows such as South Park, but for some reason Schwartz still wanted to stick it to them. At the time, Newton Minow was the chairman of the FCC. He had described modern television as "a vast wasteland." Because of his description, Schwartz thought it'd be funny to name the broken boat the S.S. Minnow after Newton. That's a pretty good burn, right?
The Tour Was Originally a Whole Lot Different
The S.S. Minow was supposedly on a three-hour tour. It's kind of hard to imagine to a ship completely disappearing in just three hours, but such is the story of Gilligan's Island. In the original pilot, the tour was a lot different and a lot more believable. The S.S. Minow was supposed to have set out on a six-hour tour. In the original theme song (that hokey version penned by Star Wars' film scorer), the voice sang "a six-hour tour…a six-hour tour." It just doesn't sound the same.
The Wellingtons Were the Band that Sang the Theme Song
The Wellingtons sung the Gilligan's Island's theme song and appeared as The Mosquitos in an episode of Gilligan's Island They also had another popular theme song called "the Ballad of Davy Crocket" and were regulars on the TV series Shindig!
The Wellingtons were originally called the Lincolns and signed to Walt Disney to record a theme song for The Wonderful World of Color. The theme song for the TV mini-series Davy Crockett was their most popular work, which most recently, was added to the soundtrack of Fantastic Mr. Fox. Throughout the Wellington's career they toured with major acts like The Supremes and Stevie Wonder.
Martin Landau and Barbara Bain Last Appeared Together in Gilligan's Island
Gilligan's Island had a goofy TV movie starring the Harlem Globetrotters. Though most fans didn't get the plot, they did enjoy some of the actors' chemistry. Martin Landau and Barbara Bain were married. The couple was used to starring together and had previously had roles in Mission Impossible and Space 1999. The Gilligan's Island TV movie featuring the Harlem Globetrotters was the couple's last appearance together. The couple originally separated for some time in the '80s but in 1993, they decided to call it quits for good and got a divorce.
That Western Gilligan's Island Never Worked Out
Gilligan's Island was obviously a massive success. Schwartz was pretty unable to top his massive winning streak. While most of us would've thrown in the towel after the series called it quits and rested on our laurels, Schwartz wanted to go big or go home. Because of the success of Gilligan's Island, Schwartz decided to a show with the same premise, only this time it'd be a western. We're not sure how he could've possibly thought that would work out. The show was called Dusty's Trail, and you probably don't remember it because it was a massive flop.
Oh, Gilligan!
Who can say if they would have made it out if Gilligan wasn't there? He did save them from certain destruction almost as often as he caused it. But like many things in life, we will never know.
