NOW FEATURING "PRESIDENT GILLIGAN" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

lm · 01-08-2008, 01:34 PM

First of all, did any of you out there who do not know that Maryann likes Gilligan ever see this episode? How can you doubt it?

It's interesting that Gilligan votes for himself when he didn't even want to be president. It's also wierd that he does not vote for the Skipper--didn't it look as if he was supporting the Skipper in the election earlier on. This isn't one of the times where Gilligan can't give in to the Skipper because it would be unfair (as with the hot water or his diary). Isn't this a bit of a stretch--I know it was necessary for the plot--i.e., to have Gilligan elected President. I wonder if there was some other way they could have arranged the votes to achieve this result.

I know this is back in the 60's and it's somewhat understandable given the time period but this is probably the most sexist episode if one is charting sexism in GI. No one even seems to consider voting for a women. I know, even now, people are skittish about a woman president but they're on an island, isolated from the world, where back-home rules need not apply all the time.

In the Ginger vamp scene, what is wrong with Gilligan when Ginger first approaches him--he looks despondent, looking off into the distance at something. Gilligan doesn't really seem very depressed about being on the island, so what's going on?

It's wierd that Maryann and the Professor are swimming in the lagoon (support for the MAPs)--recall that Ginger is doing her hair. I have trouble seeing the two of them doing that alone at any time.

lm · 01-09-2008, 02:18 PM

Another thought on this episode:
It's also interesting that no one votes for the Professor, who is so capable
and intelligent. Of course, again, Gilligan had to be the winner, but still...

mrs.gingerhinkley · 01-09-2008, 08:44 PM

without any direct relation to this episode, concerning your last post Im...
yeah, I'd vote for the Professor... probably. Since they're just on the island, and there's only seven of them, how involved around politial parties is it going to be anyway? But what I was saying... I think although the Skipper naturally assumes the role as the leader (since he was the captain of the wrecked ship). However, in truth, I believe the Professor is the real "leader" of the island.
thoughts....?

callensensei · 02-26-2009, 10:22 PM

In my book, this episode and "Gilligan Goes Gung Ho" tie for worst episodes of the series because the writers commit the unpardonable sin of having characters act out of character. I can forgive the occasional outlandish plotline, improbable sight gag or unfunny joke, but when the writers start monkeying around with our beloved castaways, watch out.

In "Gilligan Goes Gung Ho," I cannot believe that Gilligan, whom the Skipper called the "sweetest, kindest little guy in the whole world" and whom Mary Ann called the "sweetest, most gentle boy I've ever known" could turn into such a bull-headed bully. That he would actually use physical force against a woman (grabbing Ginger's arm) and threaten Mary Ann ("I wouldn't do that if I were you, Mary Ann!") makes me think that Gilligan's Russian double has popped up on the island again.

In "President Gilligan," it's everybody else who acts out of character, with the possible exception of Mr. Howell. Indeed, even Gilligan does a flip-flop when he votes for himself. Gilligan would never betray his best friend like that. And how can he claim in the next scene, "I was on your side, Skipper?" And why would he even want to be leader?

The other Gilligan votes are equally non-sensical. Mrs. Howell not wanting her husband to win is understandable, but why would that make her vote for Gilligan? Isn't the Skipper the one far more likely to defeat her husband? Why waste her vote? Obviously she hasn't been watching Survivor. And although it's clear Mary Ann votes for Gilligan because she has a crush on him, why would she presume that he wants to be the leader? Isn't this a big imposition on her part?

And I cannot accept the selfish, childish and disrespectful behaviour of the castaways once Gilligan is elected. They act like their not-so-pleasant counterparts from the animated series. They yammer and interrupt during Gilligan's speech, fool around while he does all the important work and basically act like spoiled brats. I could see Mr. Howell and Ginger behaving this way, but the Skipper, the Professor and Mary Ann are far too practical, and the latter two and Mrs. Howell too well-mannered. What rotten people has Dr. Boris Balinkoff switched the castaways' minds with?

And as several people have pointed out, the Professor was obviously the island's leader. As soon as a crisis rears its head, what does everybody yell? "Professor!"

Sacrificing character to get a laugh just doesn't work, because the best comedy arises from the characters. We laugh with them because we love and know them so well.

01-08-2008, 01:34 PM	#1
lm Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 469	NOW FEATURING "PRESIDENT GILLIGAN" First of all, did any of you out there who do not know that Maryann likes Gilligan ever see this episode? How can you doubt it? It's interesting that Gilligan votes for himself when he didn't even want to be president. It's also wierd that he does not vote for the Skipper--didn't it look as if he was supporting the Skipper in the election earlier on. This isn't one of the times where Gilligan can't give in to the Skipper because it would be unfair (as with the hot water or his diary). Isn't this a bit of a stretch--I know it was necessary for the plot--i.e., to have Gilligan elected President. I wonder if there was some other way they could have arranged the votes to achieve this result. I know this is back in the 60's and it's somewhat understandable given the time period but this is probably the most sexist episode if one is charting sexism in GI. No one even seems to consider voting for a women. I know, even now, people are skittish about a woman president but they're on an island, isolated from the world, where back-home rules need not apply all the time. In the Ginger vamp scene, what is wrong with Gilligan when Ginger first approaches him--he looks despondent, looking off into the distance at something. Gilligan doesn't really seem very depressed about being on the island, so what's going on? It's wierd that Maryann and the Professor are swimming in the lagoon (support for the MAPs)--recall that Ginger is doing her hair. I have trouble seeing the two of them doing that alone at any time.

01-09-2008, 08:44 PM	#3
mrs.gingerhinkley Bette Davis Fan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 2,478	without any direct relation to this episode, concerning your last post Im... yeah, I'd vote for the Professor... probably. Since they're just on the island, and there's only seven of them, how involved around politial parties is it going to be anyway? But what I was saying... I think although the Skipper naturally assumes the role as the leader (since he was the captain of the wrecked ship). However, in truth, I believe the Professor is the real "leader" of the island. thoughts....?
	__________________ Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. -Edgar Allen Poe God Bless Our Troops

01-09-2008, 02:18 PM	#2
lm Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 469	Another thought on this episode: It's also interesting that no one votes for the Professor, who is so capable and intelligent. Of course, again, Gilligan had to be the winner, but still...

02-26-2009, 10:22 PM	#4
callensensei Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 31, 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 233	In my book, this episode and "Gilligan Goes Gung Ho" tie for worst episodes of the series because the writers commit the unpardonable sin of having characters act out of character. I can forgive the occasional outlandish plotline, improbable sight gag or unfunny joke, but when the writers start monkeying around with our beloved castaways, watch out. In "Gilligan Goes Gung Ho," I cannot believe that Gilligan, whom the Skipper called the "sweetest, kindest little guy in the whole world" and whom Mary Ann called the "sweetest, most gentle boy I've ever known" could turn into such a bull-headed bully. That he would actually use physical force against a woman (grabbing Ginger's arm) and threaten Mary Ann ("I wouldn't do that if I were you, Mary Ann!") makes me think that Gilligan's Russian double has popped up on the island again. In "President Gilligan," it's everybody else who acts out of character, with the possible exception of Mr. Howell. Indeed, even Gilligan does a flip-flop when he votes for himself. Gilligan would never betray his best friend like that. And how can he claim in the next scene, "I was on your side, Skipper?" And why would he even want to be leader? The other Gilligan votes are equally non-sensical. Mrs. Howell not wanting her husband to win is understandable, but why would that make her vote for Gilligan? Isn't the Skipper the one far more likely to defeat her husband? Why waste her vote? Obviously she hasn't been watching Survivor. And although it's clear Mary Ann votes for Gilligan because she has a crush on him, why would she presume that he wants to be the leader? Isn't this a big imposition on her part? And I cannot accept the selfish, childish and disrespectful behaviour of the castaways once Gilligan is elected. They act like their not-so-pleasant counterparts from the animated series. They yammer and interrupt during Gilligan's speech, fool around while he does all the important work and basically act like spoiled brats. I could see Mr. Howell and Ginger behaving this way, but the Skipper, the Professor and Mary Ann are far too practical, and the latter two and Mrs. Howell too well-mannered. What rotten people has Dr. Boris Balinkoff switched the castaways' minds with? And as several people have pointed out, the Professor was obviously the island's leader. As soon as a crisis rears its head, what does everybody yell? "Professor!" Sacrificing character to get a laugh just doesn't work, because the best comedy arises from the characters. We laugh with them because we love and know them so well.