Maryann should have gotten a bigger shout out for sure – sure, she made coconut pies on an island full of coconut… but where did she get the other ingredients for the pie? or the pie tin. or the oven. or a way to chill that pie on a tropic isle? The woman was amazing!
The usual story is that Tina Louise had it in her contract that no one be billed after her in the opening. The two prime positions were first (the lead) and last (the featured star, too significant to be lost in the list.) Louise’s billing is offset by the words ‘And also starring.’ Jim Backus gets ‘Also starring’ without the ‘and,’ suggesting that he is equal to Bob Denver (billed as ‘Starring’) and Alan Hale, yet lesser than Louise.
The parts of the Professor and Mary Ann were in flux- with the actors being cast late in the process- and relegated to end theme status. Bob Denver reportedly threatened to have his name moved to the end of the show if Dawn Wells were not added to the opening. They were shown together, offset by the word ‘featuring.’ This, of course, meant that Louise lost her ‘final name in the credits’ status. But by the second season she must have figured out that a show called ’Gilligan’s Island’ was about Gilligan more than it was about Ginger.
Mysterious are the ways of billing. Check out the way actors are billed in the Harry Potter movies, and see how often it has little to do with how large their roles are. A large chunk of it is simply alphabetical, but why are Tom Felton and Mathew Lewis still relegated to a lower tier than that? Again, it’s not the size of their roles.
I can not claim to writing this, but someone emailed it to me years ago and for some reason, at the time I was saving little things like this to notepad documents.
Take it in good humor, please!
Years ago, CBS had a popular little series called GILLIGAN’S ISLAND.There is, however, a dark secret about this “comedy” you may never have realized.
The island is a direct representation of hell. Nobody on the island wants to be there, yet none are able to leave. Each one of the characters represents one of the 7 deadly sins:
Ginger represents LUST – she wears skimpy outfits, is obsessed with her looks, and is a borderline nymphomaniac.
Mary Ann represents ENVY – she is jealous of Ginger’s beauty.
The Professor represents PRIDE – he is an annoying know-it-all.
Mr. Howell represents GREED – no explanation needed.
Mrs. Howell represents SLOTH – she has never lifted a finger to help on any of their escape plans.
The Skipper represents two sins: GLUTTONY – again, no explanation needed and ANGER – he violently hits Gilligan on each show.
This leaves Gilligan. Gilligan is the person who put them there. He prevents them from leaving by foiling all of their escape plots.
Also, it is HIS island. Therefore, Gilligan is SATAN.
TheDOCTOR over 5 years ago
I was going to post the Other age old question involving the Castaways but I decided not to.
Adiraiju over 5 years ago
I remember when the actor playing the professor showed up in MST3K a couple times; as Crow put it, “What’s this ‘All the Rest’ crap?!”
DebUSNRet Premium Member over 5 years ago
Good bit of trivia here!
EowynWolfmoon over 5 years ago
Maryann should have gotten a bigger shout out for sure – sure, she made coconut pies on an island full of coconut… but where did she get the other ingredients for the pie? or the pie tin. or the oven. or a way to chill that pie on a tropic isle? The woman was amazing!
scottartist creator over 5 years ago
The usual story is that Tina Louise had it in her contract that no one be billed after her in the opening. The two prime positions were first (the lead) and last (the featured star, too significant to be lost in the list.) Louise’s billing is offset by the words ‘And also starring.’ Jim Backus gets ‘Also starring’ without the ‘and,’ suggesting that he is equal to Bob Denver (billed as ‘Starring’) and Alan Hale, yet lesser than Louise.
The parts of the Professor and Mary Ann were in flux- with the actors being cast late in the process- and relegated to end theme status. Bob Denver reportedly threatened to have his name moved to the end of the show if Dawn Wells were not added to the opening. They were shown together, offset by the word ‘featuring.’ This, of course, meant that Louise lost her ‘final name in the credits’ status. But by the second season she must have figured out that a show called ’Gilligan’s Island’ was about Gilligan more than it was about Ginger.
Mysterious are the ways of billing. Check out the way actors are billed in the Harry Potter movies, and see how often it has little to do with how large their roles are. A large chunk of it is simply alphabetical, but why are Tom Felton and Mathew Lewis still relegated to a lower tier than that? Again, it’s not the size of their roles.
Teto85 Premium Member over 5 years ago
Dawn Wells is the only one still alive, IIRC. I might be incorrect.
WTFrank over 5 years ago
I can not claim to writing this, but someone emailed it to me years ago and for some reason, at the time I was saving little things like this to notepad documents.
Take it in good humor, please!
Years ago, CBS had a popular little series called GILLIGAN’S ISLAND.There is, however, a dark secret about this “comedy” you may never have realized.
The island is a direct representation of hell. Nobody on the island wants to be there, yet none are able to leave. Each one of the characters represents one of the 7 deadly sins:
Ginger represents LUST – she wears skimpy outfits, is obsessed with her looks, and is a borderline nymphomaniac.
Mary Ann represents ENVY – she is jealous of Ginger’s beauty.
The Professor represents PRIDE – he is an annoying know-it-all.
Mr. Howell represents GREED – no explanation needed.
Mrs. Howell represents SLOTH – she has never lifted a finger to help on any of their escape plans.
The Skipper represents two sins: GLUTTONY – again, no explanation needed and ANGER – he violently hits Gilligan on each show.
This leaves Gilligan. Gilligan is the person who put them there. He prevents them from leaving by foiling all of their escape plots.
Also, it is HIS island. Therefore, Gilligan is SATAN.
Crazy? He does wear red in every episode …!!!
Pedmar Premium Member over 5 years ago
I’m surprised that no one has made a theatrical movie version yet.