ClassyCo
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I searched this site and I cannot seem to find a thread about Gilligan's Island, which just happens to be one my absolute favorite sitcoms of all time. I first bought the box set several years ago, and I binge-watched the episodes right away. It almost instantly became a favorite of mine, and whenever I get in the right mood, I want to sit back and enjoy the goofiness offered up from those seven stranded castaways on Gilligan's Isle.
The best characters to me are snotty millionaire Thurston Howell III and his socialite wife Lovey Howell, played to perfection by the delightful Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer, respectively. Their one-liners, mannerisms, and their voices are all rolled into one delicious performances and I really cannot get enough of them. They're fabulous. It was a treat once I found out that Jim Backus ad-libbed a lot of his dialogue and he encouraged Natalie Schafer to do the same.
I don't mean to undermine the other members of the cast. Bob Denver and Alan Hale Jr. make for a classic comedy duo as Gilligan and the Skipper. They were evidently inspired by the comedy teams of Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello. They play well together. Russell Johnson has his moments too as the level-headed Professor, spitting out all that science jargon that I still say was made up. And we can't forget those two beauties in the mix: red-haired Tina Louise was the glamorous and occasionally flirtatious Hollywood actress Ginger Grant, and brown-haired Dawn Wells as the wholesome and sometimes shy Mary Ann. I once did my personal poll on who people found more attractive (or liked better) out of Ginger and Mary Ann. I like the variety of characters, and that the show is pretty much an ensemble. Many episodes focus on characters other shows might have bypassed or overlooked as "secondary", but this show gives each actor/actress the chance to be center stage and star in their own episodes.
Gilligan's Island is one of those pop culture shows that the critics tear apart. It was bashed when it was originally on, despite receiving solid ratings, and the reviews are not much better today. It has remained popular in syndication, however, and has garnered many fans since its initial network run concluded.
Any fans?
The best characters to me are snotty millionaire Thurston Howell III and his socialite wife Lovey Howell, played to perfection by the delightful Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer, respectively. Their one-liners, mannerisms, and their voices are all rolled into one delicious performances and I really cannot get enough of them. They're fabulous. It was a treat once I found out that Jim Backus ad-libbed a lot of his dialogue and he encouraged Natalie Schafer to do the same.
I don't mean to undermine the other members of the cast. Bob Denver and Alan Hale Jr. make for a classic comedy duo as Gilligan and the Skipper. They were evidently inspired by the comedy teams of Laurel and Hardy and Abbott and Costello. They play well together. Russell Johnson has his moments too as the level-headed Professor, spitting out all that science jargon that I still say was made up. And we can't forget those two beauties in the mix: red-haired Tina Louise was the glamorous and occasionally flirtatious Hollywood actress Ginger Grant, and brown-haired Dawn Wells as the wholesome and sometimes shy Mary Ann. I once did my personal poll on who people found more attractive (or liked better) out of Ginger and Mary Ann. I like the variety of characters, and that the show is pretty much an ensemble. Many episodes focus on characters other shows might have bypassed or overlooked as "secondary", but this show gives each actor/actress the chance to be center stage and star in their own episodes.
Gilligan's Island is one of those pop culture shows that the critics tear apart. It was bashed when it was originally on, despite receiving solid ratings, and the reviews are not much better today. It has remained popular in syndication, however, and has garnered many fans since its initial network run concluded.
Any fans?