The premise of Sherwood Schwartz's '60s sitcom "Gilligan's Island" is laid out clearly in its theme song. Five passengers set sail on the S.S. Minnow with its captain and first mate, hoping to enjoy a three-hour tour of Hawaii. The ship hit rough weather, however, was dragged many miles off course, and washed up on the shores of an uncharted tropical island. The seven characters had to use their wits to survive, along with the contents of the inexplicably massive suitcases they all brought along. "Gilligan's Island" took place in a broad, slapstick universe, so any concerns of actual survival weren't addressed in any kind of meaningful way; Gilligan (Bob Denver) seemed to gain sustenance from energy-producing pratfalls.
One of the castaways was Ginger Grant (Tina Louise), a glamorous professional actor who brought along a lifetime supply of eyeliner. Throughout the series, Ginger would tell stories about...
One of the castaways was Ginger Grant (Tina Louise), a glamorous professional actor who brought along a lifetime supply of eyeliner. Throughout the series, Ginger would tell stories about...
- 5/4/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Sherwood Schwartz's 1963 sitcom "Gilligan's Island" was a high-concept series that, thanks to the gods of syndication, remained in the public consciousness for decades after it went off the air. The show's impeccable theme song, written by Schwartz and George Wyle, may be the best theme in television history, as it handily explains the premise using a hummable sea shanty: five tourists boarded the S.S. Minnow -- manned by Captain Jonas Grumby (Alan Hale) and his first mate Gilligan (Bob Denver) -- for a three-hour tour off the coast of Honolulu. When the tiny ship hit some bad weather, the seven characters landed on a desert island, stranded. The series followed their merry attempts to survive.
"Gilligan's Island" ran for 98 episodes, ending its initial run in 1967, but reruns continued to air well into the 1990s. Yes, there was a time when "Gilligan's Island" was a reliable TV staple, occupying...
"Gilligan's Island" ran for 98 episodes, ending its initial run in 1967, but reruns continued to air well into the 1990s. Yes, there was a time when "Gilligan's Island" was a reliable TV staple, occupying...
- 2/8/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Gilligan’s Island fans likely can’t imagine a scenario in which Mary Ann wasn’t part of the group stranded on a deserted island. Mary Ann, played by Dawn Wells, stole the hearts of fans for all three seasons of the original series and in multiple T.V. movies. Mary Ann, however, was not originally part of the plan and neither was Wells. The character did not appear in the original pilot. Instead, a character named Bunny, rounded out the cast.
Mary Ann was not part of the original ‘Gilligan’s Island’ plot
Dawn Wells was not originally part of the Gilligan’s Island cast but appeared in the second episode. That second episode, “Two on a Raft,” is the episode most people consider the series’s pilot. Still, there was one test pilot filmed before that. In the original pilot, the cast looked a bit different. Namely, Wells was not Mary Ann.
Mary Ann was not part of the original ‘Gilligan’s Island’ plot
Dawn Wells was not originally part of the Gilligan’s Island cast but appeared in the second episode. That second episode, “Two on a Raft,” is the episode most people consider the series’s pilot. Still, there was one test pilot filmed before that. In the original pilot, the cast looked a bit different. Namely, Wells was not Mary Ann.
- 7/12/2023
- by Andrea Francese
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Gilligan’s Island is a classic 1960s TV sitcom about a group of stranded castaways. The cast featured a unique mix of TV, film, and theater actors. Look at the life and careers of the cast members, and find out who had the highest net worth.
Gilligan’s Island cast I CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images What is ‘Gilligan’s Island’ star Bob Denver’s net worth?
Before stepping into the shoes of the clumsy first mate, Bob Denver was already a TV star. The actor was best known for his supporting role of Maynard G. Krebs on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. One year after the show’s cancellation, Denver was cast as the title character on Gilligan’s Island.
Denver was a hit as the Minnow’s first mate, a role that would become synonymous with his career. After the show ended, Denver landed small roles in TV shows and films like Back to the Beach.
Gilligan’s Island cast I CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images What is ‘Gilligan’s Island’ star Bob Denver’s net worth?
Before stepping into the shoes of the clumsy first mate, Bob Denver was already a TV star. The actor was best known for his supporting role of Maynard G. Krebs on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. One year after the show’s cancellation, Denver was cast as the title character on Gilligan’s Island.
Denver was a hit as the Minnow’s first mate, a role that would become synonymous with his career. After the show ended, Denver landed small roles in TV shows and films like Back to the Beach.
- 2/11/2023
- by Carol Cassada
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Dawn Wells, the actress who portrayed Mary Ann on the beloved Sixties sitcom Gilligan’s Island, has died at the age of 82. Wells’ publicist confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that the actress died from complications related to Covid-19.
A former beauty queen — she represented Nevada in the 1960 Miss America pageant — the Reno-born Wells moved to Hollywood in the early Sixties, appearing in bit roles before reportedly beating out over 200 actresses for the role of Mary Ann in Gilligan’s Island, the iconic sitcom about a group of castaways marooned together on a desert island.
A former beauty queen — she represented Nevada in the 1960 Miss America pageant — the Reno-born Wells moved to Hollywood in the early Sixties, appearing in bit roles before reportedly beating out over 200 actresses for the role of Mary Ann in Gilligan’s Island, the iconic sitcom about a group of castaways marooned together on a desert island.
- 12/30/2020
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
There are so many great Gilligan’s Island episodes that picking the best one is almost impossible. There’s the one where a mad scientist on a nearby island switches all the characters’ brains around (“The Friendly Physician”), the one where Gilligan’s exact double comes onto the island (“Gilligan vs. Gilligan”), the one where Ginger’s exact double comes onto the island (“The Second Ginger Grant”), the one where Gilligan’s mouth becomes a radio (“Hi-Fi Gilligan”) and the one where radioactive vegetables give everyone superpowers (“Pass the Vegetables, Please...
- 12/30/2020
- by Andy Greene
- Rollingstone.com
Dawn Wells, who played Kansas-born farm girl Mary Ann Summers on the classic TV sitcom Gilligan’s Island, died peacefully on Wednesday as a result of complications related to Covid-19. She was 82.
Prior to her three-season existence as one of Gilligan’s hapless castaways, Wells — a Reno native who in 1959 represented Nevada in the Miss America pageant — guested on numerous TV series including Maverick, Wagon Train, 77 Sunset Strip and Hawaiian Eye.
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Prior to her three-season existence as one of Gilligan’s hapless castaways, Wells — a Reno native who in 1959 represented Nevada in the Miss America pageant — guested on numerous TV series including Maverick, Wagon Train, 77 Sunset Strip and Hawaiian Eye.
More from TVLineRatings: ABC Rocks New Year's Eve as Always, Fox Slips With New HostsChilling Adventures of Sabrina: Every Riverdale Reference in Part 4, Plus the Insane Crossover That's Still...
- 12/30/2020
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
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