CBS (ended 1967)
I would have liked to see Gilligan shrink, meet a genie and an alien and see why Ginger--but none of the others--was rescued (in the fourth season).A couple years ago, TV Land did a top ten countdown of the most popular theme songs. Gunsmoke didn't make it, but guess which theme song was #1? Yep. Gilligan!
| SoccerMax86 wrote: |
A couple years ago, TV Land did a top ten countdown of the most popular theme songs. Gunsmoke didn't make it, but guess which theme song was #1? Yep. Gilligan! |
"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale..." It's probably the greatest theme song ever!
I every kid I went to school with knew the words to the theme song. The song was attributed to a folk group the Wellingtons and I am pretty sure they released some singles. I remember going through my uncle's suitcase of 45's and I am pretty sure I cam across a Wellington's recording.
Originally, "Gunsmoke" was cancelled because of its declining ratings, and "Gilligan's Island" was renewed for a fourth season. As posted previously, someone's wife tied to a high level CBS executive got upset that "Gunsmoke" was being cancelled and threw a hissy-fit about it. There wasn't enough room on the '67-'68 CBS schedule as initially proposed to re-add "Gunsmoke" without another show being axed. "Gilligan's Island" was the show that got trimmed from the '67-68 CBS fall schedule. That explains why there wasn't any sort of "closure" episode for "Gilligan's Island" in the '66-'67 season finale, because it was a spur-of-the-moment cancellation after show producers were told before season end that the show was being renewed. Oddly, "Gunsmoke", after being spared the electric chair, found renewed life from it & actually became a ratings success again for several years.
The reason GILLIGAN'S ISLAND was canceled as it was: The studio or network wanted to air Gunsmoke, or another western, and they decided to cancel GI to make room. It was still doing well in the ratings, too! The cast didn't even know it was going to be canceled & I don't think Sherwood Schwartz, did either, until late on. That's why, most likely, that they were still on the island at the premature ending to the awesome, classic show. Foolish to cancel a successful show to make room for a gamble. Sounds like something the CW would do (Though I like Smallville, Supernatural, One Tree Hill & even Vampire Diaries. They still should have either kept REAPER, or kept the cast together for the then potential transfer of the series to ScyFi).
| gilliganfanatic wrote: |
| yes they needed an extra spot on the schedule so they decided that Gunsmoke needed a new audience at an earlier time so they took GI spot and a new pilot that was picked up at first called Doc. Tina Louise wasted off so I am glad it ended after three seasons. For me it is all the castaways or none of them. |
Oh yeah I agree I mean did u see rescue movie? I own it and love it except the new Ginger. What a ditz. I mean it was such a slap to Ginger, Tina played her very smart and very sexy and also a brat sometimes but she was at least lovable. New girl, not so much in fact 1-10 she gets a 1 and Tina has 10 I was so glad the rest returned so new actress didnt totally kill it for me
I think it had to do with the president of NBC (or ABC?) had a new show (Bonanza maybe?) that needed a pre prime-time time slot. Since the president's wife liked Bonanza, she got her way and Gilligan's Island was out.
The network was CBS, and it was Gunsmoke, not Bonanza. William S. Paley, founder and chairman of CBS, and his wife were big Gunsmoke fans, and GI was cancelled so Gunsmoke could be shown in the time slot that GI occupied.
| mcabbyforever wrote: | ||
Oh yeah I agree I mean did u see rescue movie? I own it and love it except the new Ginger. What a ditz. I mean it was such a slap to Ginger, Tina played her very smart and very sexy and also a brat sometimes but she was at least lovable. New girl, not so much in fact 1-10 she gets a 1 and Tina has 10 I was so glad the rest returned so new actress didnt totally kill it for me |
