I’m Toby O’Brien and this… is ‘2020’.
Even though the artificial demarcation of Time known as 2020 is not any kind of anniversary for the Inner Toob blog, I always thought there was something cool about the idea of the year; maybe it was just its look when printed out.
So I thought I would celebrate 2020 with a special theme this year – the last week of every month I would induct TV shows from our world, Earth Prime, which have counterparts in Toobworld, AKA Earth Prime-Time into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame as the last Friday Hall of Famer. Just a little something to make the year memorable….
Who knew 2020 wasn’t going to need my little contribution to be memorable?
I’m not sure if the entry each month will tie into the general tradition of their particular month. But so far it has – January is Classic TV, so ‘Star Trek’ was brought into the fold. Black History Month is February, and since I had already inducted both Odafin Tuatola and Ice-T into the Hall, I chose ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ as the honoree With March, celebrating the “League of Themselves”, ‘Tonight with Johnny Carson’ seemed like a logical choice.
And now here we are in April, the month of the Fool. We kicked off the month with a salute to the Skipper, Jonas Grumby, so why not continue that tradition by bringing the sitcom about the greatest ship of fools into the fold?
From Wikipedia:
‘Gilligan's Island’ is an American sitcom created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz. The show had an ensemble cast that featured Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Russell Johnson, Tina Louise, and Dawn Wells. It aired for three seasons on the CBS network from September 26, 1964, to April 17, 1967.
The series followed the comic adventures of seven castaways as they attempted to survive on an island on which they had been shipwrecked. Most episodes revolve around the dissimilar castaways' conflicts and their unsuccessful attempts, for whose failure Gilligan was frequently responsible, to escape their plight.
‘Gilligan's Island’ ran for 98 episodes. All thirty-six episodes of the first season were filmed in black and white and were later colorized for syndication. The show's second and third seasons (62 episodes) and the three television movie sequels (aired between 1978 and 1982) were filmed in color.
The show received solid ratings during its original run, then grew in popularity during decades of syndication, especially in the 1970s and 1980s when many markets ran the show in the late afternoon. Today, the title character of Gilligan is widely recognized as an American cultural icon.
I depend on the IMDb Connections sections to find all of the TV shows which make reference to the shows I want to honor; I had to accept that a lot of TV shows which should be sharing the same universe might mention each other as being TV shows so then I had to find the splainin as to why some shows had TV shows made about them, which was especially difficult when the lives of the characters were – well, not so much bland but certainly not interesting enough to be worthy of national attention.
‘Gilligan’s Island’ doesn’t have that problem. Within the reality of the TV Universe, the mystery of a missing tour boat would have captured the public’s attention, at least for a few news cycles, if only because a multi-millionaire and a Hollywood actress of some fame were both on board the S.S. Minnow.
Like I said, I depend on the Connections section of the IMDb and according to that, the first pop culture reference for ‘Gilligan’s Island’ didn’t occur until 1972. I’m sure it had to come up at least once before then, if only in Johnny Carson’s monologue. But since I don’t count the ‘Tonight’ show as a defining qualification - even if it is now a member of the Hall itself – I’m not going to worry about it.
But if that holds up, it would mean the televersion of Sherwood Schwartz might have waited a few years before tackling a TV sitcom about such a tragedy.
What we saw on our screens here in the Trueniverse was Toobworld’s Reality – what actually happened to the Castaways. Our ‘Gilligan’s Island’ is not the same as that seen by the viewers in Toobworld. First off, there were less than 100 episodes of the sitcom for us, but in Toobworld, there were over 3,000… at least according to Al Bundy. So any weird plot lines which are mentioned in other TV shows may have actually be seen by those viewers, but more than likely never did happen.
But then again…
Our view of what was happening on that island ended in 1967; the Castaways returned to civilization about ten years later. For Toobworld, the series might have continued for those ten years, adding to the total of episodes. And once they came back, letting their experiences be known to the public, the producers of that sitcom would have more grist for the script mill. (That is, if they weren’t sued by the Castaways for their share of the profits.)
But to actually get 3,000 episodes? They would have had to have at least switched the format to be more like a soap opera, broadcasting every day to even come close. Had they stayed with the original schedule, figuring on about 26 episodes a year…. It would take over a hundred years to get that many. So yeah, Al Bundy was exaggerating.
Since the Castaways returned in Toobworld time, any reference to ‘Gilligan’s Island’ could be about their version of the sitcom, or to the actual “real-life” events of the Castaways’ lives on the island recounted by the Castaways.
My favorite reference comes from ‘Cheers’ when the gang at the bar was watching an episode with Rebecca’s father, a Naval officer. Commander Howe remarks that had the other Castaways had killed Gilligan, they would have been off the island quickly. To me, this combined both options. There was the sitcom made from suppositions about what happened to the Castaways and then the Commander’s estimation could have been based on what he learned about them after they returned.
Here is a list of some of the references made over the years about ‘Gilligan’s Island’:
Men of Crisis:
The Harvey Wallinger Story (1972)
Harvey Wallinger claims that US Vice President Spiro Agnew has been extremely upset over television ever since Gilligan's Island (1964) was cancelled.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show:
Who's in Charge Here? (1972)
Reruns of the show are listed as part of WJM's program schedule. (This happens in several episodes.)
The Mary Tyler Moore Show:
Mary's Father (1975)
a promo for the show is heard following an WJM documentary
Happy Days:
It Only Hurts When I Smile (1981)
Mr. and Mrs. C. and the Fonz watch this show on television.
(So we know the show's timeline reaches at least into late 1964)
The A-Team:
Bad Time on the Border (1983)
Murdock is singing the theme song while steering the boat.
Family Ties:
Diary of a Young Girl (1984)
Mallory: "'Gilligan's Island' is on now.’
Newhart:
Desperately Desiring Susan: Parts 1&2 (1986)
Susan mentions that it was her favorite show growing up. (Dr. Hartley’s dream was influenced by his own experiences, so he watched it as well.)
Perfect Strangers:
Babes in Babylon (1986)
In the beginning of the episode, Balki talks to Gilligan and Skipper on the TV.
Silver Spoons:
Let It Snow, Let It Snow (1987)
Brad is watching an episode of the series
Growing Pains:
Carnival (1987)
Heidi says that her mom is "the one who looks like Mary Ann from 'Gilligan's island,'" when in fact her mother is played by Dawn Wells, the actress who played Mary Ann on that show.
ALF:
Somewhere Over the Rerun (1987)
ALF dreams being on Gilligan's Island.
Full House:
Sea Cruise (1987)
Jesse says it's like spending an evening with Thurston Howell III.
Day by Day:
The Lost Weekend (1989)
When his girlfriend asks him to recite a poem, Ross recites the theme song.
Full House:
Luck Be a Lady: Part 1 (1989)
Michelle says instead of watching her father's talk show she'd prefer to watch 'Gilligan' and such comments as 'They're never going to get off that island' are said later
Doogie Howser, M.D.:
Simply Irresistible (1989)
One of the pseudonyms that Doogie applies to the Gonzales
Saved by the Bell:
The Election (1989)
Mr. Belding mentions that Gilligan received six write-in votes in the election.
Night Court:
Futureman (1990)
"Buddy, we couldn't very well tell people that you spent a year tryin' to figure out ways to get Gilligan off the island."
Perfect Strangers:
Nightmare Vacation (1990)
Balki: "This is nicer than the Howells' hut on 'Gilligan's Island.'"
Acropolis Now:
Shakespeare Was a Greek (1990)
Jim and Ricky were in a stage production of 'Gilligan's Island' in school.
Saved by the Bell:
House Party (1990)
Screech says, "I usually dream that I'm on 'Gilligan's Island,' surrounded by beautiful girls."
Roseanne:
Bird Is the Word (1990)
Jackie says, "Say guys, your son just gave Gilligan the Finger." Dan says "Well he's the reason they're still stuck on that island."
Wings:
All in the Family (1991)
In a fight with Roy, Lowell mistakenly states that John Denver played Gilligan in Gilligans Island.
The Golden Girls:
What a Difference a Date Makes (1991)
A minstrel sings the theme song to this series in the style of a medieval ballad.
Hi Honey,
I'm Home: Make My Bed (1991)
Mike asks Honey what Gilligan is like in real life. (We're talking alternate dimensions now.)
Saved by the Bell:
The Surgery (1991)
Screech says: "Gilligan's Island is on."
Perfect Strangers:
Going Once, Going Twice (1992)
Balki and Larry attend an auction for the estate of "Howell Thurston," which references Thurston Howell III of "Gilligan's Island." (I’ll have to find this somewhere. Could it have been pronounced as “Howell, Thurston”?)
Growing Pains:
The Truck Stops Here (1992)
Jason: "It's just three hours." Ben: "That's what they told Gilligan!" (I could see his knowledge of that being based on a tell-all book written after their return.)
Married... with Children:
The Goodbye Girl (1992)
Mentioned as a show Marcy used to watch.
Roseanne:
Don't Make Me Over (1992)
"It's your choice, Deej, you can either grow up to be Gilligan or the Professor."
Cheers:
Heeeeeere's... Cliffy! (1992)
Frasier is watching the show on the TV at Cheers.
Saved by the Bell:
Screech's Spaghetti Sauce (1992)
Screech suggests "Gilligan's Island: The Next Generation" for the student TV show.
Saved by the Bell:
The Will (1992)
Screech claims that his locker combination, 10-22-42, is the date of Gilligan's birthday. (Did that ever come up on the show?)
Roseanne:
Halloween IV (1992)
Roseanne's high school costume is 'Ginger from Gilligan's Island, if they never found the island'
Saved by the Bell:
School Song (1992)
Screech suggests "The Complete Gilligan's Island Video Library" as the senior class gift.
Cheers:
Daddy's Little Middle-Aged Girl (1992)
Commander Howe mentions that Gilligan is the reason the rest are stranded on the island.
Married... with Children:
You Can't Miss (1993)
Kelly wonders: "What did Gilligan do when he had magnesia?" (She actually means 'amnesia'.) Later Peggy mentions Bud's interest in Ginger and Mary Ann.
Married... with Children:
Hood in the Boyz (1993)
When Al apparently can't wait to sleep with her Peggy says: "Well, I haven't seen you like this since Ginger week on 'Gilligan's Island'."
Saved by the Bell: The College Years:
Guess Who's Coming to College? (1993)
Zack quotes the theme song to Leslie when he tries to explain his past with Kelly, and Slater tells Mr Rogers he "got an A in Gilligan's Island".
Saved by the Bell: The New Class:
Belding's Baby (1993)
Weasel sings the theme tune of the series to Zack Belding.
Married... with Children:
The Worst Noel (1993)
Al says an episode of this show is on TV.
Home Improvement:
Reel Men (1994)
Tim watches the show on his portable TV while ice fishing with Al
Saved by the Bell: The College Years:
Marry Me (1994)
Zack reminds Screech of "the tragedy of the S.S. Minnow."
The Nanny:
Schlepped Away (1994)
Maxwell and Niles watch the show on TV.
Married... with Children:
Kelly Knows Something (1994)
While Kelly is studying sports trivia, she's shown thinking of Gilligan and the Skipper.
Married... with Children:
Business Sucks (1994)
Miranda: "Since it's 4 a.m. you're either watching 'Gilligan's Island' or you're on it."
The George Carlin Show:
George Gets Caught in the Middle (1994)
George murmurs "Ginger... Maryann..." in his sleep.
Saved by the Bell: The New Class:
Belding's Prize (1994)
Screech is a member of the "Gilligan's Island" fan club.
Married... with Children:
The Naked and the Dead, But Mostly the Naked (1995)
At the nudie bar Al asks "Ginger or Mary Ann?", followed by "Gilligan or Mrs. Howell?".
Married... with Children:
Ship Happens (1995)
When they discuss who knows the most about the sea, Al says: "And two, I watched all 3000 episodes of 'Gilligan's Island'."
Married... with Children:
How Bleen Was My Kelly (1995)
Kelly says she'd make a more convincing Ginger or Mary Ann than a fake scientist. Later she calls a fellow scientist "Gilligan."
High Society:
Tomb with a View (1995)
Ellie talks about how she emulated Mr. and Mrs. Howell when she was a child.
Married... with Children:
I Can't Believe It's Butter (1995)
When they talk about who they pretend the other one to be during sex, Peg calls Al "Fabio" and Al calls Peg "Ginger... and Mary Ann".
The Red Green Show:
The Satellite Dish (1995)
Harold says this is his second favorite show
Married... with Children:
Turning Japanese (1996)
Mr. Shimokawa thinks that the D'Arcys serving him Sushi is "like Gilligan getting off the island and being offered a coconut."
Friends:
The One with Phoebe's Ex-Partner (1997)
When Monica tells Joey that Ginger called him, she calls Ginger "the movie star".
Married... with Children:
Birthday Boy Toy (1997)
Peg distracts Al with a hologram picture that shows Ginger and Mary Ann.
Breaker High:
Radio Daze (1997)
Sean organises a Gilligan's Island (1964) theme night.
Teen Angel:
Marty Buys the Farm (1997)
Steve asks Marty if he's stuck in the same outfit forever, and Marty replies, "Yeah, I'm just like Gilligan!"
NewsRadio:
Look Who's Talking (1998)
Joe mentions a line of Mrs. Howell's while rehearsing with Beth
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show:
Honey, Meet the Barbarians (1998)
Wayne recites the lyrics to the theme song to entertain the barbarians.
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place:
Two Guys, a Girl and a Guy (1998)
Waitress calls Berg and Pete 'Thurston and Luvey' after they order Martinis.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch:
Fear Strikes Up a Conversation (1998)
Zelda temporarily thinks she is Ginger from Gilligan's Island.
Hang Time:
Nothing in Common (1998)
Hammer says, "I look like something that washed up on Gilligan's Island (1964)." Betty later refers to him as "Gilligan."
CA:
Scott's Old Girlfriend (1998)
Mentioned by Samantha.
That '70s Show:
First Date (1999)
The gang watches it in the beginning of the episode.
Big Wolf on Campus:
The Bookmobile (1999)
Dean watches the series on television.
Harsh Realm:
Inga Fossa (1999)
Pinocchio calls the protagonist and the hacker Gilligan and Mary Ann.
That '70s Show:
I Love Cake (1999)
Eric compares Donna's parents' separation to an episode of Gilligan's Island.
That '70s Show:
Sleepover (1999)
Fez asks Eric if he wants to watch this show.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit:
The Third Guy (2000)
A suspect refers to "that Gilligan's Island looking guy"
Farscape:
Crackers Don't Matter (2000)
John says, "Gilligan and Mary Ann. Maybe you're Ginger."
Friends:
The One with the Proposal (2000)
Chandler looks at Joey dressed like a Captain and says: "I was making a coconut phone with the Professor."
Dark Angel:
Heat (2000)
Cindy compares Eric to Gilligan
The King of Queens:
Fatty McButterpants (2000)
Doug watches this show on TV and says: "I'm fatter than Skipper."
That '70s Show:
Radio Daze (2001)
Red is watching Gilligan's Island
The King of Queens:
Queens'bro Bridge (2003)
Doug says it's like he and Carrie have been on Gilligan's Island for the last five years.
That '70s Show:
Join Together (2003)
Eric mentions to Donna it's the last time they see the show together before she would go to college.
Tru Calling:
Brother's Keeper (2003)
While watching "Jeopardy!" Gardez says to Tru: "The only questions I know are about 'Gilligan's Island."
The King of Queens:
Frigid Heirs (2004)
Doug and Carrie make the observation that, when Arthur wears one of his hats, he "looks like a 90-year-old Gilligan".
Arrested Development:
Best Man for the Gob (2004)
Ira Gilligan is the Bluth Company's accountant. When framed by Gob for the death of a stripper, Gob says "Gilligan killed the skipper...the stripper!" Ira also dresses like Gilligan in the final scene.
Stargate SG-1:
It's Good to Be King (2005)
Daniel says the planet has "no phones, no lights, no motor cars".
House:
Control (2005)
Foreman asks Cameron if she ever watches "'Gilligan's Island' reruns and really, really thinks they're gonna get off the island this time?"
That '70s Show:
Fun It (2005)
The gang are watching the show.
The Office:
Booze Cruise (2006)
Michael sings the theme and compares the regulars to "Gilligan" regulars.
That '70s Show:
Leaving Home Ain't Easy (2006)
Fez thinks about breaking Jackie's TV as payback for the damage she caused to his property, but decides not to because he'll miss the show.
Stargate SG-1:
200 (2006)
Vala starts a story which Martin identifies as being from Gilligan's Island
Dirt:
Ovophagy (2007)
Julia is instructed to refer to her sitcom costar as "Thurston Popeye, III," which is a reference to Thurston Howell.
Everybody Hates Chris:
Everybody Hates Cutting School (2007)
referring to Greg's overstuffed backpack, Chris tells Greg they're going to the movies, not to Gilligan's Island
Gilmore Girls:
Will You Be My Lorelai Gilmore? (2007)
Kirk says, "You can be Ginger to Lulu's Mary Ann" to Lorelai.
George Lopez:
George Is Lie-able for Benny's Unhappiness (2007)
George asks where Gilligan and the Skipper are going to sleep
Scrubs:
My Rabbit (2007)
J.D. suggests "Gilligan" for the baby's middle name.
Hannah Montana:
Knock Knock Knockin' on Jackson's Head (2009)
Jackson says, "What do you think this is, an episode of Gilligan's Island?"
Supernatural:
Lucifer Rising (2009)
Zachariah offers to hook Dean up with Ginger & Mary Ann
Psych:
Death Is in the Air (2010)
Shawn refers to Ginger from "Gilligan's Island" as "a filthy pirate hooker."
Royal Pains:
Mulligan (2011)
Hank talks about Evan going on a three hour tour on the yacht he won, and then starts singing the Gillian's Island theme song.
State of Georgia:
Locked Up, a Broad (2011)
Georgia: "No one escapes from Gilligan's Island!"
Raising Hope:
Prodigy (2011)
Burt and Virginia and their doctor discuss Gilligan Island.
How I Met Your Mother:
Tick Tick Tick (2011)
Robin says "It's a 3 hour boat ride; what can happen?” And then Barney says "I'm sure that's what Gilligan said"
Hot in Cleveland:
Tangled Web (2012)
Victoria mentions Gilligan's Island and the amount of luggage Ginger brought on the trip
Bones:
The Friend in Need (2013)
crossword answer
The Cinema Snob:
I Spit on Your Grave: Part 1 (2013)
"This reminds me of that episode of 'Gilligan's Island' where Mr. Howell had Gilligan stab that prostitute who made him coconuts". (This doesn't fit the preferred format of Toobworld, but I included this only because the line makes me laugh.)
The Mysteries of Laura:
The Mystery of the Morning Jog (2016)
Mentioned in dialogue by Leo Diamond: "I needed a little me time. But before I sent them upstairs, the boys and I watched two solid hours of 'Gilligan's Island' reruns. Still holds up."
The Great Indoors:
Friends Like These (2017)
Jack compares Rachel's friends to the characters on the show.
Difficult People:
The Silkwood (2017)
Julie and Arthur discuss the series
Big Mouth:
Requiem for a Wet Dream (2017)
"Hey, Gilligan. What...are we doing here?"
Fresh Off the Boat:
Do You Hear What I Hear? (2017)
Jessica says if she wanted to see white people sink a boat she'd watch 'Gilligan's Island'.
Curb Your Enthusiasm:
Insufficient Praise (2020)
Leon says that Larry's sex doll looks like Mary Ann from this show.
There were other TV shows which made references to ‘Gilligan’s Island’; most of these consist of a character calling other characters by the names of the Castaways. (“Gilligan” was the obvious choice to indicate somebody was a dumbass, but several of the others were cited as well.)
Other references included:
Bones, Revenge, Dexter, General Hospital, Charles In Charge, Miamin Vice, NCIS: Los Angeles, Webster, Community, Lou Grant, Growing Pains, Joan of Acadia, Mad Love, Corner Gas, Silver Spoons, Full House, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, Blossom, Happily Divorced, Clarissa Explains It All For You, California Dreams, Homicide: Life On The Streets, Smart Guy, Chuck, Lost, Seventh Heaven, Dawson’s Creek, Scrubs, Becker, Freaks and Geeks, ER, Malcolm In The Middle, The Wire, Primetime Glick, Modern Family, Mom, Mad Men, Fargo, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Better Call Saul, The Goldbergs, Still The King, NCIS, SEAL Team, Glow, Young Sheldon, Grace & Frankie, The Kids Are Alright, Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, The X-Files
I did not include TV series from Skitlandia, the Tooniverse, or alternate dimensions... as far as I know.
And I’m sure there will be more in years to come.
Yeah, it was silly; it was dumb. But what does that say for all of us who keep it alive in syndication by watching it?
Basically, Obi Wan Kenobi phrased that type of question better....
Congrats, ‘Gilligan’s Island’! Welcome to a very select group….
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