30 Years Ago Today: The Harlem Globetrotters Invaded 'Gilligan's Island' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-15-2011, 11:46 AM

May 15th, 1981 - "Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island" was aired

Retro4Life · 05-15-2011, 01:26 PM

Yep, I remember this one. Back in the day when they really weren't afraid to put some berserk stuff on during sweeps month, lol.

It was pretty dreadful, really, but well intentioned. Worst part of it was the cameo at the end by Jim Backus. He was obviously quite ill and it would be the last time we'd ever see him on screen.

The Flying Dutchmans · 05-15-2011, 01:27 PM

I didn't exactly like this TV Movie that much. I liked The Harlem Globetrotters back then, I just didn't think they belong on Gilligans Isalnd. The producers and writers could have taken this time to put GI back into a weekly series. Of course since Backus was not well, it wouldn't have been the same without him.

Why was it canceled in the first place? I heard it was doing great with viewers. I mean look at how it has done in syndication. It has to be one of the most watched TV sitcoms of all time.

Retro4Life · 05-15-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Flying Dutchmans

I didn't exactly like this TV Movie that much. I liked The Harlem Globetrotters back then, I just didn't think they belong on Gilligans Isalnd. The producers and writers could have taken this time to put GI back into a weekly series. Of course since Backus was not well, it wouldn't have been the same without him.

Why was it canceled in the first place? I heard it was doing great with viewers. I mean look at how it has done in syndication. It has to be one of the most watched TV sitcoms of all time.

You know, I felt that way at the time, and pined for a new series. But really, I can't see how it would have succeeded. As you mention, it would have had to have gone on without Backus, and he was a major part of the show IMO. And while I personally liked the two ladies who subbed for Tina Louise in the last two movies, something was definitely gone without her. For one, the actresses playing Ginger seemed to be about the same age as Ginger in the 60's, not the 70's and early 80's. It just didn't seem appropriate. And finally, I think the time when the more innocent, screwball antics of the castaways could have garnered high ratings was past. It worked for an occasional reunion but as a weekly...probably not.

Teebs · 05-19-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Why was it canceled in the first place? I heard it was doing great with viewers. I mean look at how it has done in syndication. It has to be one of the most watched TV sitcoms of all time.

The Head of CBS, Bill Paley, realised that while Gilligan had been renewed for a fourth season, Gunsmoke had been cancelled. Gunsmoke was his wife's favourite show, so he got all

and demanded it be reinstated. They needed to make room for it in the schedule, so Gilligan, which Paley didn't like anyway, got cancelled instead.

They were all set to go. They had scripts and everything. But I believe Tina Louise didn't want to return for a fourth season so Ginger may have ended up being replaced anyway.

comedyfreak · 05-19-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teebs

The Head of CBS, Bill Paley, realised that while Gilligan had been renewed for a fourth season, Gunsmoke had been cancelled. Gunsmoke was his wife's favourite show, so he got all

and demanded it be reinstated. They needed to make room for it in the schedule, so Gilligan, which Paley didn't like anyway, got cancelled instead.

You'd think they could have used their brains and used G.I. as a mid season replacement at least.

Teebs · 05-19-2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

You'd think they could have used their brains and used G.I. as a mid season replacement at least.

Brains...network chiefs...hmmm.

It's a crying shame. Why wasn't it even picked up by any other network? It was doing well. So the critics didn't like it- what do they know anyway. I'm pretty sure the suits all enjoyed raking in the money from re-runs. And the cast, who worked so hard, never saw a single penny.

old grouch · 05-19-2011, 09:50 AM

For CBS and fans of 'Gunsmoke' it was a good move. The show shot back into the top five, stayed on the air for another eight years, and found a new audience of younger viewers who before couldn't watch it because it was on too late. However, it wasn't so great for 'Gilligan's Island', which could have lasted for another two or three years.

Liza · 05-26-2011, 09:41 PM

It'd be nice if they'd release the movie on DVD. I've only ever seen bits and pieces of it. Not that I'm expecting a great work of art, but I would like to actually see the whole thing!

And as I recall, my favorite person in the world, the great Scatman Crothers, was in it.

The Flying Dutchmans · 05-28-2011, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teebs

Brains...network chiefs...hmmm.

It's a crying shame. Why wasn't it even picked up by any other network? It was doing well. So the critics didn't like it- what do they know anyway. I'm pretty sure the suits all enjoyed raking in the money from re-runs. And the cast, who worked so hard, never saw a single penny.

All I can telll you about the critics is, when they don't like a sitcom, a viewer usually can't tune in to see it fast enough. So your right. Critics are a waste of time. LMAO.

Teebs · 05-28-2011, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liza

It'd be nice if they'd release the movie on DVD. I've only ever seen bits and pieces of it. Not that I'm expecting a great work of art, but I would like to actually see the whole thing!

And as I recall, my favorite person in the world, the great Scatman Crothers, was in it.

Yes, he is, he's the Globetrotters coach.

You can watch this and the other movies, Rescue from Gilligan's Island and Castaways on You Tube. I was watching Rescue just the other day.

Flying Dutchmans, I'm always reminded of the quote- "Those who can, do. Those who can't, criticise."

lm · 06-17-2012, 12:02 PM

I agree about the age thing (someone mentioned this about Ginger) being a problem. Since these movies were kind of one-shot deals (ok. There were 3 but big deal--and they were all pretty different from one another), viewers would probably want to see the castaways as iconic as possible--as what they remembered--so even though the Professor, Skipper and Howells obviously looked older (and Lovey was magically given a son), they tried to make the three youngest look as much the same as they could. There was no discussion that I recall of their difference in age now, just of their length of time on the island. The 2nd Ginger could pull off, perhaps a well-preserved 40 year old Ginger but the 3rd one looked like someone in her 20's. However, had the show continued and the castaways aged accordingly in the script (think of sitcoms like "The Cosbys," where the kids get older, e.g.), they couldn't do these "GI revival" type movies. When they did that Brady revival movie (the tongue-in-cheek one), they naturally didn't use the real Maureen McCormick to play Marcia, but got an actual young girl to play her. Yet, there were also those Bradys come home for Christmas movies that included the original actors, I think, years later but, of necessity, the issues were now marriage problems, going into labor, jobs, etc. This was meeting the Bradys "where they are now" rather than trying to re-create the original tv show with necessarily older people.

05-15-2011, 11:46 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	30 Years Ago Today: The Harlem Globetrotters Invaded 'Gilligan's Island' May 15th, 1981 - "Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island" was aired
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05-15-2011, 01:26 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Yep, I remember this one. Back in the day when they really weren't afraid to put some berserk stuff on during sweeps month, lol. It was pretty dreadful, really, but well intentioned. Worst part of it was the cameo at the end by Jim Backus. He was obviously quite ill and it would be the last time we'd ever see him on screen.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

05-15-2011, 01:27 PM	#3
The Flying Dutchmans Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 30, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,017	I didn't exactly like this TV Movie that much. I liked The Harlem Globetrotters back then, I just didn't think they belong on Gilligans Isalnd. The producers and writers could have taken this time to put GI back into a weekly series. Of course since Backus was not well, it wouldn't have been the same without him. Why was it canceled in the first place? I heard it was doing great with viewers. I mean look at how it has done in syndication. It has to be one of the most watched TV sitcoms of all time.
	__________________ A strange red light as of a phantom ship all aglow, in the midst of which light the mast, spars and sails of a brig 200 yards distant stood out in strong relief." The Flying Dutchman

05-19-2011, 09:50 AM	#8
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	For CBS and fans of 'Gunsmoke' it was a good move. The show shot back into the top five, stayed on the air for another eight years, and found a new audience of younger viewers who before couldn't watch it because it was on too late. However, it wasn't so great for 'Gilligan's Island', which could have lasted for another two or three years.

05-26-2011, 09:41 PM	#9
Liza BestYearsofOurLives Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 24, 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,537	It'd be nice if they'd release the movie on DVD. I've only ever seen bits and pieces of it. Not that I'm expecting a great work of art, but I would like to actually see the whole thing! And as I recall, my favorite person in the world, the great Scatman Crothers, was in it.

06-17-2012, 12:02 PM	#12
lm Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 29, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 469	I agree about the age thing (someone mentioned this about Ginger) being a problem. Since these movies were kind of one-shot deals (ok. There were 3 but big deal--and they were all pretty different from one another), viewers would probably want to see the castaways as iconic as possible--as what they remembered--so even though the Professor, Skipper and Howells obviously looked older (and Lovey was magically given a son), they tried to make the three youngest look as much the same as they could. There was no discussion that I recall of their difference in age now, just of their length of time on the island. The 2nd Ginger could pull off, perhaps a well-preserved 40 year old Ginger but the 3rd one looked like someone in her 20's. However, had the show continued and the castaways aged accordingly in the script (think of sitcoms like "The Cosbys," where the kids get older, e.g.), they couldn't do these "GI revival" type movies. When they did that Brady revival movie (the tongue-in-cheek one), they naturally didn't use the real Maureen McCormick to play Marcia, but got an actual young girl to play her. Yet, there were also those Bradys come home for Christmas movies that included the original actors, I think, years later but, of necessity, the issues were now marriage problems, going into labor, jobs, etc. This was meeting the Bradys "where they are now" rather than trying to re-create the original tv show with necessarily older people.