Gilligan's Island Was Only A Hit Because There Were No Other Choices?!? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-21-2011, 12:53 AM

He illustrated this handily by suggesting that today a sitcom such as Gilligan's Island would never achieve the ratings it did back then. In a two-channel universe we watched the "three-hour tour" only because we had no other choice.

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entert...628/story.html

The Flying Dutchmans · 06-21-2011, 01:39 AM

I competley 100% disagree with that guy. People always have a choice. they can watch something or read a book, or even take a walk to the park. I suppose even back in the days of GI that people had those choices. Someone once told me that even the Greatest American Hero would be a flop today. I didn't agree. I said to him, that it would be a hit today because of the mixture of adventure, comedy and superhero, and a teacher trying to make sense of this super suit. I think GI would stand a chance today. Didn't they do a reality series on it?

TV Knowledge Fan · 06-21-2011, 01:55 AM

...but he's wrong.

Keep in mind that when "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND" originally premiered in the fall of 1964, it was on Saturday nights at 8:30pm(et), right after "JACKIE GLEASON AND HIS AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE", which was a top-rated show. Its network competition was "THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW" on ABC- usually #1 in its time period, and NBC's "KENTUCKY JONES", a comedy-drama starring Dennis Weaver that never found its audience...because most of them were watching Gilligan and his castaway friends. Well, it did better than anyone expected...including James T, Aubrey, CBS' president and chief programmer, who really didn't want it on the air in the fist place (he was forced to keep it on the schedule through its two powerful sponsors, Procter & Gamble and Philip Morris)...and it stayed on long after he was fired from the network in February 1965. Two further changes in day and time didn't stop "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND" from finding and keeping its audience; it was only after William Paley decided to give "GUNSMOKE" one more chance on Monday nights in the fall of 1967 by sacrificing "GILLIGAN'S" potential fourth season did the original series come to an end.

So there!

Teebs · 06-21-2011, 08:06 AM

No-one can say that if GI was made now, no-one would watch it. I'm a new fan from the UK who only got the DVDs a few months ago and I watch it all the time. It's better than any of the cynical, aren't-we-clever crap on TV nowadays. You watch something for three minutes until the commercials come on and then start channel surfing out of boredom and never return to the thing you were watching in the first place because it's all so instantly forgettable.

When something works nowadays they have to copy it a million times. A million different CSIs, a million different Law and Orders, three million superhero movies with countless sequels. Compared to all that, GI still sparkles with originality, wit and fine comic acting.

The GI cast were, for the main part, consummate professionals who had been in the business for years. They knew their craft. Nowadays it's all about instant fame, maximum publicity (good and bad, it's all the same), grab the money and run.

People yearn for the simplistic innocence of shows like GI now, even if they pretend they don't because it's 'not cool'. People are still watching GI, and in my opinion they always will, as long as it's around, people will watch it AND enjoy it and wish they still made shows like that today.

Marvo301 · 06-21-2011, 01:39 PM

There must be more to Gilligan's Island than "there was no other choice". Otherwise it would not have been so successful in syndication. There wouldn't have been all those reunion movies. It wouldn't have been released on DVD. And it wouldn't have inspired a reality TV show.

The Flying Dutchmans · 08-01-2011, 01:46 AM

Theres one more thing I would like to point out, which has to do with the sitcoms today compared to the ones of the past.

When Nick@Nite started they were showing sicoms from the 50s, 60s, and
70s. I think that's what made Nick a hit, they started to slow down on those old sitcoms. They finally gave ratings over to TV Land, and what was TV land showing when they started to get the ratings? The same shows Nick started with.

The shows today (Sitcoms) Try too hard to be funny and end up being stupid.
Some are good, but back then most were good. There is never gonna be another Gilligans Island. Or a Get Smart or Even Lucy.

Big3sCompanyFan · 01-03-2012, 06:05 PM

Gilligan's was a hit because of the ambience and atmosphere.

Plus there was great chemistry among the cast!

TV_on_the_Porch · 01-03-2012, 07:07 PM

Hmm, strange how GI didn't exactly sink without a trace in syndication. I guess there was no other choice in all those markets for all those years....

Big3sCompanyFan · 01-04-2012, 04:26 AM

It's true though how it would never work today since people are too much into reality TV/Lady Goo Goo crap!

James28 · 05-12-2014, 04:29 AM

"Gilligan's Island was only a hit because there were no other choices?!"

Wasn't there another "choice" on CBS during the season it debuted (1964-65): Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.? Or Bewitched, over at ABC?

tlc38tlc38 · 05-12-2014, 07:24 AM

"GI" was and will always be a hit with the general population because the characters are relateable. There's someone on the show that everyone can identify with. Long live Gilligan!

06-21-2011, 12:53 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	Gilligan's Island Was Only A Hit Because There Were No Other Choices?!? He illustrated this handily by suggesting that today a sitcom such as Gilligan's Island would never achieve the ratings it did back then. In a two-channel universe we watched the "three-hour tour" only because we had no other choice. http://www.thestarphoenix.com/entert...628/story.html
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-21-2011, 01:39 AM	#2
The Flying Dutchmans Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 30, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,017	I competley 100% disagree with that guy. People always have a choice. they can watch something or read a book, or even take a walk to the park. I suppose even back in the days of GI that people had those choices. Someone once told me that even the Greatest American Hero would be a flop today. I didn't agree. I said to him, that it would be a hit today because of the mixture of adventure, comedy and superhero, and a teacher trying to make sense of this super suit. I think GI would stand a chance today. Didn't they do a reality series on it?
	__________________ 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 Last edited by The Flying Dutchmans; 08-01-2011 at 01:38 AM.

06-21-2011, 01:55 AM	#3
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	I don't know who "He" is... ...but he's wrong. Keep in mind that when "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND" originally premiered in the fall of 1964, it was on Saturday nights at 8:30pm(et), right after "JACKIE GLEASON AND HIS AMERICAN SCENE MAGAZINE", which was a top-rated show. Its network competition was "THE LAWRENCE WELK SHOW" on ABC- usually #1 in its time period, and NBC's "KENTUCKY JONES", a comedy-drama starring Dennis Weaver that never found its audience...because most of them were watching Gilligan and his castaway friends. Well, it did better than anyone expected...including James T, Aubrey, CBS' president and chief programmer, who really didn't want it on the air in the fist place (he was forced to keep it on the schedule through its two powerful sponsors, Procter & Gamble and Philip Morris)...and it stayed on long after he was fired from the network in February 1965. Two further changes in day and time didn't stop "GILLIGAN'S ISLAND" from finding and keeping its audience; it was only after William Paley decided to give "GUNSMOKE" one more chance on Monday nights in the fall of 1967 by sacrificing "GILLIGAN'S" potential fourth season did the original series come to an end. So there!

06-21-2011, 01:39 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	There must be more to Gilligan's Island than "there was no other choice". Otherwise it would not have been so successful in syndication. There wouldn't have been all those reunion movies. It wouldn't have been released on DVD. And it wouldn't have inspired a reality TV show.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-12-2014, 04:29 AM	#10
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,981	"Gilligan's Island was only a hit because there were no other choices?!" Wasn't there another "choice" on CBS during the season it debuted (1964-65): Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.? Or Bewitched, over at ABC?
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

06-21-2011, 08:06 AM	#4
Teebs Dusty nut Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 30, 2011 Location: Are we there yet? Posts: 454	No-one can say that if GI was made now, no-one would watch it. I'm a new fan from the UK who only got the DVDs a few months ago and I watch it all the time. It's better than any of the cynical, aren't-we-clever crap on TV nowadays. You watch something for three minutes until the commercials come on and then start channel surfing out of boredom and never return to the thing you were watching in the first place because it's all so instantly forgettable. When something works nowadays they have to copy it a million times. A million different CSIs, a million different Law and Orders, three million superhero movies with countless sequels. Compared to all that, GI still sparkles with originality, wit and fine comic acting. The GI cast were, for the main part, consummate professionals who had been in the business for years. They knew their craft. Nowadays it's all about instant fame, maximum publicity (good and bad, it's all the same), grab the money and run. People yearn for the simplistic innocence of shows like GI now, even if they pretend they don't because it's 'not cool'. People are still watching GI, and in my opinion they always will, as long as it's around, people will watch it AND enjoy it and wish they still made shows like that today.

08-01-2011, 01:46 AM	#6
The Flying Dutchmans Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 30, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,017	Theres one more thing I would like to point out, which has to do with the sitcoms today compared to the ones of the past. When Nick@Nite started they were showing sicoms from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I think that's what made Nick a hit, they started to slow down on those old sitcoms. They finally gave ratings over to TV Land, and what was TV land showing when they started to get the ratings? The same shows Nick started with. The shows today (Sitcoms) Try too hard to be funny and end up being stupid. Some are good, but back then most were good. There is never gonna be another Gilligans Island. Or a Get Smart or Even Lucy.

01-03-2012, 06:05 PM	#7
Big3sCompanyFan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2003 Posts: 2,493	Gilligan's was a hit because of the ambience and atmosphere. Plus there was great chemistry among the cast!

01-03-2012, 07:07 PM	#8
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	Hmm, strange how GI didn't exactly sink without a trace in syndication. I guess there was no other choice in all those markets for all those years....

01-04-2012, 04:26 AM	#9
Big3sCompanyFan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2003 Posts: 2,493	It's true though how it would never work today since people are too much into reality TV/Lady Goo Goo crap!

05-12-2014, 07:24 AM	#11
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,258	"GI" was and will always be a hit with the general population because the characters are relateable. There's someone on the show that everyone can identify with. Long live Gilligan!
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.