Thursday Television Review: Gilligan’s Island

The gang

Gilligan’s Island (1964-1967)

Starring: Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Russell Johnson, and Dawn Wells

Summary

The Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.) and first mate Gilligan (Bob Denver) run a tour boat and are taking five passengers on a three-hour tour. Along for the ride is the Professor (Russell Johnson), a movie actress, Ginger Grant (Tina Louise), a simple Kansan, Mary Ann (Dawn Wells), and a millionaire couple, Thurston Howell III and Lovey (Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer). Their ship, the S.S. Minnow, gets damaged in a storm and they land on a deserted tropical island.

The damaged S.S. Minnow

Living there, they pull together to make their life on the island pleasant. Attempting numerous ways to get off the island, they are always unsuccessful, usually due to Gilligan’s accidents. Gilligan tries his hardest to help, indeed, always wants to help. He’s very caring for those on the island and works hard, but somehow, can’t escape accidents. This usually annoys the Skipper and makes the others roll their eyes.

Gilligan, happy as always

Ginger Grant is a classic movie star, who thinks she can get her way by flirting with the men. Mary Ann is simple and sweet and always helps cook the meals, she is ambitious, but doesn’t need to be above everyone else. Mr. and Mrs. Howell represent their money well, indeed, their money is everything to them.

The Howells

Review

Gilligan’s Island is a fun, light-hearted, show that brings joy in the watching. The ingenuity that the seven come up with to make life comfortable is so interesting. There is some unique aspects that leave you wondering about the show, like how do they have so many changes of clothing, when they were going on a three-hour tour. 😉 However, you see each of the characters personalities and talents work together in a perfect way. Over the course of the series, numerous guest stars appear to add color to the episodes.

Always on the lookout for something new!

Although Gilligan is ridiculed all the time, he is the one person that is worth emulating. He is hard-working and willing to do what the others are not. If I was stuck on a deserted island, I would want it to be with Gilligan. Granted, he does make a lot of mistakes, but he knows how to fish, build homes and traps, he explores, and does so many other tasks on the island. Gilligan is somewhat child-like and that helps his view of life seem so much brighter! He’s probably the happiest one on the island, he enjoys life, and is perfectly willing to just catch butterflies. Many lessons on patience and love of life can be learned from Gilligan. Gilligan could care less about girls and is often put off by their flirtations.

Gilligan is squeamish

Overall, when you just want to dream of tropical islands and an easy, unclogged world, it’s nice to watch Gilligan’s Island. The Skipper can get overly annoyed at times, losing his temper almost always at Gilligan. In general, the six castaways (besides Gilligan) can be rather self-centered and it takes Gilligan to bring them back around. An interesting character study.

How can we get off this island?

**Note: Ginger and Mary Ann are known for wearing two piece clothing. Often as every day wear.

Ellen Nolan

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