I saw an article prior to Minnow’s death that the producers of Gilligan’s Island didn’t like Minnow saw they named the SS Minnow after him. I had the same response as A & J. What I didn’t know, he was a big supporter of PBS and educational TV on commercial TV as part of their FCC license. I think Big Bird mourned his passing.
The narrative is not from Arlo. It’s a TV show they’re watching and find it boring until the information RE Gilligan’s Island is presented. JJ is being sarcastic.
Naming it the Minnow was more than an inside joke. He (Minnow) wasn’t popular with his Wasteland comment among other things in the television community so it was a bit of a put down
I was never really able to get into the show, it just seemed after Giliigan messing up them getting rescue all the time just made it get boring to me. I think I may have seen half a season and after that I quit.
What a sweet tribune to a real dynamo, the late Newton Minow, a good friend of the late, great Congressman and Justice Abner Mikva, a mentor of mine from childhood. They were both giants in their respective fiedls.
Da'Dad 11 months ago
On one hand we do not like getting lectured, and yet, we do enjoy the odd tidbit of something new.
alasko 11 months ago
Figures. Newton would be a bad boat name. DYSWIDT?
Tyge Premium Member 11 months ago
Some things do get through their filter of interest!
SpacedInvader Premium Member 11 months ago
The professor could make all sorts of things except a boat repair or a working radio.
smurf764 11 months ago
I saw an article prior to Minnow’s death that the producers of Gilligan’s Island didn’t like Minnow saw they named the SS Minnow after him. I had the same response as A & J. What I didn’t know, he was a big supporter of PBS and educational TV on commercial TV as part of their FCC license. I think Big Bird mourned his passing.
Homerville Premium Member 11 months ago
Arlo is a wealth of knowledge.
dlkrueger33 11 months ago
I love trivia like that! I never would have suspected the boat was named after a person. I figured, "small boat equals ‘minnow’ "
AnneFackler 11 months ago
I’m with you, Janis. I started yawning at panel 1. Woke up for panel 4.
1504jarvis 11 months ago
Always bothered me that it was the SS Minnow. Should have been the MV Minnow.
cleaman301 Premium Member 11 months ago
What was in that bowl in the second frame?
Just-me 11 months ago
I learn something new pretty much every day here on GC.
The Orange Mailman 11 months ago
We love trivia more than the meta narrative.
Meg: All Seriousness Aside 11 months ago
Interesting? It’s fascinating.
Prescott_Philosopher 11 months ago
The narrative is not from Arlo. It’s a TV show they’re watching and find it boring until the information RE Gilligan’s Island is presented. JJ is being sarcastic.
Ignatz Premium Member 11 months ago
Here’s the creator of Gilligan’s Island saying that the boat was named after Newton Minow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlk86NVeWPI&t=358s
shorzy 11 months ago
Gerry Mander’s book ‘Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television’ is still a classic written by an ad exec…
Uncle Bob 11 months ago
C’mon! … really?
jarvisloop 11 months ago
Evidently, Minow was unaware of a basic truth of humankind: “One person’s wasteland is another’s paradise.”
Not everyone wants – or is able, as is my case – to become an intellectual.
FassEddie 11 months ago
Sherwood Schwartz (GI’s producer)wouldn’t disagree with the vast wasteland statement. He was farming it.
MuddyUSA Premium Member 11 months ago
Please stop with this stuff…………………..
Rich_Pa 11 months ago
That radio they had lasted for years on the same battery.
paranormal 11 months ago
I was going to say what is in the last panel…
I'm Sad 11 months ago
I love a good factual history lesson!!!! Need more of this stuff!!!
Ken Norris Premium Member 11 months ago
Hundred’s of channels and streaming services and still only a few things worth watching…
someotherotherguy 11 months ago
Wonder what he’d make of TV now that it’s vaster and more wasted.
mjpalmer 11 months ago
Yes that is where we are today……heads under the sand….
David Huie Green LosersBlameOthers&It'sYOURfault 11 months ago
I could well be wrong but I’m a disbeliever.
chief tommy 11 months ago
Naming it the Minnow was more than an inside joke. He (Minnow) wasn’t popular with his Wasteland comment among other things in the television community so it was a bit of a put down
amaryllis2 Premium Member 11 months ago
Interesting. Then Minow would have known my late in-law who was on the board of the FCC around then. Thanks!
Daeder 11 months ago
I bet C-Dog knew that.
oakie817 11 months ago
cool
Sambora1 11 months ago
I was never really able to get into the show, it just seemed after Giliigan messing up them getting rescue all the time just made it get boring to me. I think I may have seen half a season and after that I quit.
Spooky D Cat 11 months ago
Steve Allen had a newt in an aquarium behind his desk on his show back then. He named it Minnow. Minnow the newt.
tomfromthe50s 11 months ago
Gilligan’s Island was part of the vast wasteland!
dlauber Premium Member 11 months ago
What a sweet tribune to a real dynamo, the late Newton Minow, a good friend of the late, great Congressman and Justice Abner Mikva, a mentor of mine from childhood. They were both giants in their respective fiedls.