Russell Johnson what a great actor, lived a very long life, 89.

I still love this show. RIP

[www.tmz.com]

...even though I only started watching Gilligan's Island it in the 70s in reruns, because it was already off the air before I was even 'conscious' of TV shows.

I bought the DVDs for my kids to watch, and they love it...good wholesome programming for the little'uns.


Very weird feeling when someone you don't know, that has been there all your life and you 'feel like' you know, passes away.

Joining the Skipper, little buddy and Mr. & Mrs. Howell now.



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2014-01-24 21:37 by bv.

I've been enjoying the DVDs myself lately. I'm into season 2 and will be delving into more episodes this weekend. Great stuff. There was a full documentary on the show in 2001 that surviving members--except Tina Louise, of course--took part in, a behind the scenes recreation of how the show came to be and the course in which it progressed.





Watching the show now, though I never questioned it when I first watched it in re-runs in the early 70s, it was funny how Russell Johnson's character Roy Hinckley was known as "the Professor", since he was supposed to be a high school science teacher. But I guess "the professor" sounds more colorful than "the teacher" and reflects the character's penchant for erudite logic to surmise the scope of a tricky problem and inventiveness in tight situations.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-01-17 02:00 by stonehearted.

...the professor and Marianne...

I loved that show too, and same thing, watched the reruns practically every day after school.

Sad that he's gone, but inevitable, eh?

In terms of typecasting, it seems that after Gilligan's Island none of the actors from that show ever seemed to go on to accomplish anything else, despite several of the cast having distinguished themselves before. Was it just that the show was so unique, or was it that the actors were so perfectly cast that we couldn't think of them as anyone else?

As a 6 or 7 year old in the early 70s, after already having begun watching Gilligan's Island, I realized that Russell Johnson had been appearing in various science fiction movies like It Came From Outer Space. At one point during the movie my first thought was, "Hey! The Professor's just been eaten by aliens!"

I know what you mean about that stonehearted, I think a lot of people in the early days of TV suffered from typecasting.

You want your show to be successful, but not TOO successful.

I think of Don Adams of Get Smart, or George Reeves for Superman, or Adam West for Batman.

Great shows but each of the leads didn't get much else going after their initial success.

I think audiences have become more sophisticated so it's much less of a problem, if a problem at all nowadays.

Since you mention Adam West, I've recently also picked up the first season of Bewitched and was surprised to find that he was actually in an episode in season 1. The most amazing thing: I didn't even realize it until the end of the episode when the credits were shown (as Darrin's advertising colleague Kermit from episode 13, Love Is Blind). Another great show to own on DVD if you don't already. It's a huge package, as it contains 8 seasons worth, though the early ones with Dick York are the best.

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stonehearted
Since you mention Adam West, I've recently also picked up the first season of Bewitched and was surprised to find that he was actually in an episode in season 1. The most amazing thing: I didn't even realize it until the end of the episode when the credits were shown (as Darrin's advertising colleague Kermit from episode 13, Love Is Blind). Another great show to own on DVD if you don't already. It's a huge package, as it contains 8 seasons worth, though the early ones with Dick York are the best.

Yeah they had a great deal on this at Christmas time, all the seasons for $19.99 on Amazon.ca.

I was going to buy it but I noticed it was already on Netflix so I started the kids watching it on there. I almost bought it anyway but I need to stop buying everything!

As a kid I loved the show but have not seen it since the late '60s (Christ, I'm dating myself) Thanks Russell. Rest easy...

Actually, Bob Denver was successful before Gilligan's Island as Maynard G. Krebs on Dobie Gillis.

[en.wikipedia.org]

Saw Tina Louise on TV discussing lots of on set sex! I always preferred Mary Ann over Ginger though ........ Menage, anyone?

The CBS news guy said something like 'the professor was a brilliant man who could build a radio from a coconut but he couldn't plug a hole in the damn boat!'

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gimmelittledrink
The CBS news guy said something like 'the professor was a brilliant man who could build a radio from a coconut but he couldn't plug a hole in the damn boat!'

Russell used to say that himself in interviews, and comedians used variations of it for decades.

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Elmo Lewis
Actually, Bob Denver was successful before Gilligan's Island as Maynard G. Krebs on Dobie Gillis.

[en.wikipedia.org]

Saw Tina Louise on TV discussing lots of on set sex! I always preferred Mary Ann over Ginger though ........ Menage, anyone?

Who with? I'm thinking Mr. Howell.

Boyfriends, not cast! She might have been a gold digger though!

First episode and first scene...in glorious black and white!

This is where we hear the Skipper's and Professor's real names (beginning at 2:25).

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Jah Paul
First episode and first scene...in glorious black and white!

This is where we hear the Skipper's and Professor's real names (beginning at 2:25).

Classic, man. I saw these episodes as reruns during the mid 1970s (along with a ton of others). They were all great, American t.v. shows. They tend to lose charm as the seasons wore on, but still great.

RIP Professor.

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gimmelittledrink
The CBS news guy said something like 'the professor was a brilliant man who could build a radio from a coconut but he couldn't plug a hole in the damn boat!'

Actually, he did in season 1, episode 8 (Goodbye Island), where Gilligan finds a tree sap for pancakes that turns out to be more like glue. The Professor concocts a formula to repair the boat and at one point Gilligan spreads the glue mixture all over the boat. At the end of the episode, just as the castaways are set to board and ship out, it is revealed that the glue is only temporary--as the entire boat proceeds to split apart, piece by piece, right down to the ship's wheel.

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stonehearted

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gimmelittledrink
The CBS news guy said something like 'the professor was a brilliant man who could build a radio from a coconut but he couldn't plug a hole in the damn boat!'

Actually, he did in season 1, episode 8 (Goodbye Island), where Gilligan finds a tree sap for pancakes that turns out to be more like glue. The Professor concocts a formula to repair the boat and at one point Gilligan spreads the glue mixture all over the boat. At the end of the episode, just as the castaways are set to board and ship out, it is revealed that the glue is only temporary--as the entire boat proceeds to split apart, piece by piece, right down to the ship's wheel.

Didn't Gilligan discover that though, or am I mixing up episodes. There was one episode that the syrup they made for their pancakes was like concrete, and so they used it to patch up the boat.

Either that or my memory is fading very quickly!

If only they had tied up Gilligan or something, they would have left the island much quicker. That's what annoyed me about the whole thing.

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treaclefingers

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stonehearted

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gimmelittledrink
The CBS news guy said something like 'the professor was a brilliant man who could build a radio from a coconut but he couldn't plug a hole in the damn boat!'

Actually, he did in season 1, episode 8 (Goodbye Island), where Gilligan finds a tree sap for pancakes that turns out to be more like glue. The Professor concocts a formula to repair the boat and at one point Gilligan spreads the glue mixture all over the boat. At the end of the episode, just as the castaways are set to board and ship out, it is revealed that the glue is only temporary--as the entire boat proceeds to split apart, piece by piece, right down to the ship's wheel.

Didn't Gilligan discover that though, or am I mixing up episodes. There was one episode that the syrup they made for their pancakes was like concrete, and so they used it to patch up the boat.

Either that or my memory is fading very quickly!

Yes, that's the one--season 1, episode 8. Gilligan makes the discovery, then the professor cooks up the application. He had to keep testing it in a heated pot on the beach and Gilligan kept fumbling about, getting glued to the Skipper at one point.

But the professor does manage to patch up the holes, and Gilligan then decides to give the entire boat a brushing over just to be safe. After that it comes completely apart and Gilligan is left holding the wheel--the only part of the boat that didn't get shellacked with that temporary glue resin.

I always thought the Professor and Mary Ann would make a good couple. Of course, it never happened. On the other hand, I think the Professor would've had more fun in bed with Ginger.

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stonehearted

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treaclefingers

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stonehearted

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gimmelittledrink
The CBS news guy said something like 'the professor was a brilliant man who could build a radio from a coconut but he couldn't plug a hole in the damn boat!'

Actually, he did in season 1, episode 8 (Goodbye Island), where Gilligan finds a tree sap for pancakes that turns out to be more like glue. The Professor concocts a formula to repair the boat and at one point Gilligan spreads the glue mixture all over the boat. At the end of the episode, just as the castaways are set to board and ship out, it is revealed that the glue is only temporary--as the entire boat proceeds to split apart, piece by piece, right down to the ship's wheel.

Didn't Gilligan discover that though, or am I mixing up episodes. There was one episode that the syrup they made for their pancakes was like concrete, and so they used it to patch up the boat.

Either that or my memory is fading very quickly!

Yes, that's the one--season 1, episode 8. Gilligan makes the discovery, then the professor cooks up the application. He had to keep testing it in a heated pot on the beach and Gilligan kept fumbling about, getting glued to the Skipper at one point.

But the professor does manage to patch up the holes, and Gilligan then decides to give the entire boat a brushing over just to be safe. After that it comes completely apart and Gilligan is left holding the wheel--the only part of the boat that didn't get shellacked with that temporary glue resin.

Indeed. I forgot about that episode. There goes the whole "couldn't fix it" bit. I prefer the color episodes. I still watch them. Got them on DVD. It was fun show, before people took TV way too seriously.
Johnson was in two marvelous Twilight Zone episodes, too.

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Elmo Lewis
Actually, Bob Denver was successful before Gilligan's Island as Maynard G. Krebs on Dobie Gillis.

[en.wikipedia.org]

Saw Tina Louise on TV discussing lots of on set sex! I always preferred Mary Ann over Ginger though ........ Menage, anyone?

Tina was the big cliffhanger death on the first mini season of Dallas.

One of the best episodes was when the professor had everyone talk or sing into the mouths of a fish and he would listen on that transistor radio.

This guy?

Who could beat this?

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More Hot Rocks
Who could beat this?

Ah yes...from "the mosquito's" episode...true classic

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treaclefingers

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Elmo Lewis
Actually, Bob Denver was successful before Gilligan's Island as Maynard G. Krebs on Dobie Gillis.

[en.wikipedia.org]

Saw Tina Louise on TV discussing lots of on set sex! I always preferred Mary Ann over Ginger though ........ Menage, anyone?

Who with? I'm thinking Mr. Howell.

Not with each other. Tina Louise was well known to have loud sex in her trailer with various people until she married Les Crane, who then was the only loud sex partner she had. She thought the series was going to star her and the rest were her supporting cast, but when she found out otherwise and it went into production she decided to still act like a star and do whatever and whoever she wanted.

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Long John Stoner

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treaclefingers

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Elmo Lewis
Actually, Bob Denver was successful before Gilligan's Island as Maynard G. Krebs on Dobie Gillis.

[en.wikipedia.org]

Saw Tina Louise on TV discussing lots of on set sex! I always preferred Mary Ann over Ginger though ........ Menage, anyone?

Who with? I'm thinking Mr. Howell.

Not with each other. Tina Louise was well known to have loud sex in her trailer with various people until she married Les Crane, who then was the only loud sex partner she had. She thought the series was going to star her and the rest were her supporting cast, but when she found out otherwise and it went into production she decided to still act like a star and do whatever and whoever she wanted.

No wonder Mary Anne is the 'preferred' girl by most on the show.

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Sipuncula
If only they had tied up Gilligan or something, they would have left the island much quicker. That's what annoyed me about the whole thing.

Him and Dr Smith. As a kid I always wondered WTF with those two? Then later in life I realized without those two there would be no drama, conflict or show... so, wadyagonnado?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-01-19 22:05 by Max'sKansasCity.

The original theme.