If you were stranded on a deserted island, which episode of Gilligan’s Island would you take with you?

Click to enlarge: Top: Richard Kiel is The Ghost in the Gilligan’s Island episode “Ghost a Go-Go,” 1966, my all-time Gilligan favorite. Middle: After Gilligan chops the head off the totem pole, Kupa-kai headhunters arrive on the island and swear vengeance.“High Man on the Totem Pole," Season 3, Episode 23. Bottom: The fair Kalani (Midori) becomes Gilligan's slave after he saves her from drowning. Season 3, Episode 26, ”Slave Girl”

There are a handful of Gilligan episodes that actually are quite good, and I’m not joking - especially Season 3: Lord Beasley and the pussycat swallowtail, radioactive vitamins, Phil Silvers as film producer Harold Hecuba.

And as much as I’m tempted to choose a favorite from among the many “cannibal” episodes, my vote would have to go to "Ghost a Go-Go", Season 2, Episode 27, starring Richard Kiel as The Ghost (yes, that Richard Kiel, Jaws from James Bond).

 

By this time in the series, the ensemble cast were friends and acting well together; the incidental music connected without drawing attention to itself; and the stories were tight and written around the actors.

 

 

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Honorable Mentions

• “High Man on the Totem Pole," in which Gilligan believes he’s descended from Kupa-kai headhunters, Season 3, Episode 23.

• “Slave Girl” in which Gilligan saves a Matoba girl from drowning and she becomes his slave, Season 3, Episode 26.

• "Don't Bug the Mosquitoes," Season 3, Episode 23.

Gilligan episode guide >

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I wanted to share "Ghost a Go-Go" with you, but alas, this 47 year old TV show is still copyrighted. I'd like to apologize to one of the Warner brothers. I wonder which one is in charge of copyrighted material that no one watches anymore?

 

 

 

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Why Gilligan Was Cancelled

Want to know why Gilligan was cancelled? CBS president Bill Paley’s wife, Babe Paley, was fond of Gunsmoke, which at that time ran 90 minutes, and programming changes in the coming season would have forced it to a 1-hour format. Hmmmm. Where do we find an extra 30 minutes to save Gunsmoke? Despite Gilligan’s Island being at the height of its popularity and getting respectable ratings, it was cancelled.

If I may be allowed a (prejudicial) observation, Gilligan and the seven stranded castaways have left an impression on the TV landscape that will be remembered long after Bill Paley or Gunsmoke are forgotten.

Pulu see bagumba.

[2013-09-10]

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