Chapter 64

Ginger or Mary-Ann?

Sweetie and I don’t really watch a lot of TV. We cut the cable and satellite off, years ago. We don’t have any streaming or subscription services. It we do watch anything on the ‘idiot box’ it’s with a digital antenna that allows us to see the major local stations (ABC, CBS, NBC) as well as a few stations that are independent. These stations will usually play old shows from the 1960’s up through the early 1980’s. Most of which were decent, but long forgotten, as well as a few that were never decent and thankfully forgotten! (“Luv? Who in their right mind came up with ‘My Mother The Car’?) We can even pick up BBC, that she enjoys.

A few days back, an old rerun of Gilligan’s Island was playing in the background. As the episode ended and we heard the theme song begin, Sweetie looked over at me and said, “Y’know, the Professor could make a nuclear reactor out of a few coconuts and a dried up starfish. I bet he might have been able to make something to help those folks get rescued a lot faster!”

She had a point. Sort of. But then we wouldn’t have enjoyed the silliness of “seven stranded castaways” each week (my friend, you’re sure to get a smile!). So, to reflect and reminisce about a show we all loved, I offer the following. (And I will answer the age old question “Ginger or Mary-Ann?” at the end of this.)

Q: What was the name of the boat on Gilligan’s Island?
A: SS Minnow.

Q: Per the show theme song, how long was the boat tour supposed to take?
A: Three hours.

Q: What was the official name of the theme song to ‘Gilligan’s Island’?
A: “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Isle”

Q: How many stranded castaways were there?
A: Seven.

Q: ‘Gilligan’s Island’ creator Sherwood Schwartz also created what iconic sitcom?
A: The Brady Bunch.

Q: What was the Skippers nickname for Gilligan?
A: “Little Buddy”.

Q: Gingers last name was?
A: Grant.

Q: What is the Professor’s actual name on ‘Gilligan’s Island’?
A: Roy Hinkley.

Q: What is the Skipper’s actual name on ‘Gilligan’s Island’?
A: Jonas Grumby

Q: Jim Backus portrayed Thurston Howell III on ‘Gilligan’s Island.’ He is also known for voicing what famous cartoon character?
A: Mr. Magoo.

Q: What was the home state of Mary Ann on ‘Gilligan’s Island’?
A: Kansas.

Q: Gilligan’s Island originally aired for how many seasons?
A: Three

Q: How many seasons of Gilligan’s Island were produced in color?
A: Two.

Q: Before he played Gilligan, Bob Denver was best known as portraying what beloved sitcom character?
A: Dobie Gillis

Q: Sherwood Schwartz first offered the role of Gilligan to what notable sitcom actor (who turned down the role)?
A: Jerry Van Dyke

Q: During the first season of ‘Gilligan’s Island,’ what two castaways were NOT mentioned by name in the theme song lyrics?
A: The Professor and Mary-Ann (“And the rest!”)