Why did this show only last 3 seasons? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

happyfullhousedays · 08-05-2013, 08:42 PM

I think it could have lasted a good 2-4 more years.

bookandfilmnut · 08-06-2013, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happyfullhousedays

I think it could have lasted a good 2-4 more years.

It was unexpectedly cancelled by the network after the third season. At the end of the third season, the cast and crew was expecting to be around for a 4th (except Tina Louise, who was planning on jumping ship - no pun intended).

I don't remember the details, but executives at the network (who had been wanting to axe the show from the very start) made a decision to cancel, which, as I remember reading somewhere, caught the actors completely by surprise. Perhaps the fact that TL was not planning to renew her contract gave them an excuse they had been looking for, because of course a whole new character would have to be written in, or a new actress located to play Ginger (a la Dick Sargent on Bewitched).

I think it was best that it ended when it did, because if Tina Louise really did leave the series, I think it would have required a (probably) shark-jumping change in the cast. Since my childhood, I've been pretty happy with the 97 episodes we have!

DJM77 · 08-06-2013, 09:10 PM

My memory on this is vague, but didn't Bob Denver say that Gilligan's Island got cancelled because some network exec's wife wanted to watch Gunsmoke at a certain time or something of that sort?

Marvo301 · 08-07-2013, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM77

My memory on this is vague, but didn't Bob Denver say that Gilligan's Island got cancelled because some network exec's wife wanted to watch Gunsmoke at a certain time or something of that sort?

They had a half hour of prime time space on the schedule and Gunsmoke was a one hour show. So in order to keep Gunsmoke on the schedule another half hour show had to be cancelled to make room and Gilligan's Island was chosen to get the chop!

bookandfilmnut · 08-07-2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

They had a half hour of prime time space on the schedule and Gunsmoke was a one hour show. So in order to keep Gunsmoke on the schedule another half hour show had to be cancelled to make room and Gilligan's Island was chosen to get the chop!

Yes, I remember that now, they talked about it on the documentary they made about Gilligan's Island around 15 years ago or so.

Schmoopie · 08-09-2013, 03:46 AM

I think it's funny that it only ran three seasons because it's such a classic now that it seems like it was on for a lot longer than that!

bookandfilmnut · 08-14-2013, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I think it's funny that it only ran three seasons because it's such a classic now that it seems like it was on for a lot longer than that!

It ran back in the days where there were a lot more episodes per season. In only 3 seasons, they produced 97 episodes. With the current practice of producing 22 episodes per season, it would take 4 and half seasons for a current show to reach that number. That may be one reason why it surprises people that the show only lasted for 3 years.

Mace Dolex · 08-14-2013, 05:49 PM

^ Kind of like how the '66 Batman show had 120 episodes in 3 seasons because the first two seasons had double the episodes, it would've been neat had Gilligan's Island done that too.

Smilings · 08-15-2013, 12:26 AM

Maybe CBS just wanted to mess with the cast who, on the word that we’re coming back, had bought houses.
Or maybe CBS wanted to mess with Sherwood Schwartz, who had even planned 4th season episodes. Gilligan gets miniaturized. Gilligan adopts a baby dinosaur. Gilligan thinks he’s Dick Tracy. Visits from pirates, aliens and guest stars like Paul Lynde and Tab Hunter.
Maybe CBS just thought the best way to end with was Gilligan the Goddess where Gilligan fights becoming a native chief’s wife.

McGillicuddy · 08-15-2013, 12:42 AM

CBS never liked Gilligan's Island, even though it did well in the ratings.

bookandfilmnut · 08-15-2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smilings

Maybe CBS just wanted to mess with the cast who, on the word that we’re coming back, had bought houses.
Or maybe CBS wanted to mess with Sherwood Schwartz, who had even planned 4th season episodes. Gilligan gets miniaturized. Gilligan adopts a baby dinosaur. Gilligan thinks he’s Dick Tracy. Visits from pirates, aliens and guest stars like Paul Lynde and Tab Hunter.
Maybe CBS just thought the best way to end with was Gilligan the Goddess where Gilligan fights becoming a native chief’s wife.

Hmm. I think it's probably a good thing they stopped when they did. Gilligan turning invisible in one of the last dozen or so episodes was on the borderline of being too far fetched for me, as was the 6 foot spider in one another of the last few episodes. I no you are not supposed to take it serious, but I draw the line when they go into the area of the physically and scientifically impossible. Miniaturized Gilligan would have been a step too far for me!

Torgo · 08-15-2013, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookandfilmnut

Hmm. I think it's probably a good thing they stopped when they did. Gilligan turning invisible in one of the last dozen or so episodes was on the borderline of being too far fetched for me, as was the 6 foot spider in one another of the last few episodes. I no you are not supposed to take it serious, but I draw the line when they go into the area of the physically and scientifically impossible. Miniaturized Gilligan would have been a step too far for me!

But that giant spider was so realistic looking!

Smilings · 08-15-2013, 07:33 PM

I read somewhere that after pitching various impossible ideas, Sherwood Schwartz told CBS if ratings slip, he'd consider having a couple on Gilligan's Island marry and have a baby.

This shows how imaginative the show was. As a last resort, we'll consider what might actually happen!

Realistic premises on Gilligan's Island were as rare as Lovey closeups.

That's why I love the show.

Mace Dolex · 08-15-2013, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smilings

Maybe CBS just wanted to mess with the cast who, on the word that we’re coming back, had bought houses.
Or maybe CBS wanted to mess with Sherwood Schwartz, who had even planned 4th season episodes. Gilligan gets miniaturized. Gilligan adopts a baby dinosaur. Gilligan thinks he’s Dick Tracy. Visits from pirates, aliens and guest stars like Paul Lynde and Tab Hunter.
Maybe CBS just thought the best way to end with was Gilligan the Goddess where Gilligan fights becoming a native chief’s wife.

That would've been neat the more bizarre the better, Gilligan's Island wasn't known for it's clever writing but was way better than other shows of the time like I Dream Of Jeanie.

Samme · 08-16-2013, 01:27 AM

What's also strange is it seemed like more episodes than that and the reruns usually skipped the episodes from the first season. But it was a good cast and a fun show. And better than other shows that didn't get knocked as much.
I think CBS was looking for a reason to get rid of it. Seems it could've lasted a couple more seasons, but if Tina was gonna leave it was probably better it didn't. But she might have been talked out of that with more money or the promise of being featured in more episodes. In those days, people who left shows were often seen as ungrateful troublemakers.
And in this case, it might have been seen as an attempt to ruin the show. Whatever, the show did deserve more seasons.
It was a good fun show and has withstood the test of time.

08-05-2013, 08:42 PM	#1
happyfullhousedays Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 31, 2013 Posts: 85	Why did this show only last 3 seasons? I think it could have lasted a good 2-4 more years.

08-06-2013, 09:10 PM	#3
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,564	My memory on this is vague, but didn't Bob Denver say that Gilligan's Island got cancelled because some network exec's wife wanted to watch Gunsmoke at a certain time or something of that sort?
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri!

08-09-2013, 03:46 AM	#6
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I think it's funny that it only ran three seasons because it's such a classic now that it seems like it was on for a lot longer than that!
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

08-15-2013, 12:26 AM	#9
Smilings Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 09, 2012 Location: California Posts: 417	Why the sudden cancellation? Maybe CBS just wanted to mess with the cast who, on the word that we’re coming back, had bought houses. Or maybe CBS wanted to mess with Sherwood Schwartz, who had even planned 4th season episodes. Gilligan gets miniaturized. Gilligan adopts a baby dinosaur. Gilligan thinks he’s Dick Tracy. Visits from pirates, aliens and guest stars like Paul Lynde and Tab Hunter. Maybe CBS just thought the best way to end with was Gilligan the Goddess where Gilligan fights becoming a native chief’s wife.

08-15-2013, 07:33 PM	#13
Smilings Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 09, 2012 Location: California Posts: 417	the last resort I read somewhere that after pitching various impossible ideas, Sherwood Schwartz told CBS if ratings slip, he'd consider having a couple on Gilligan's Island marry and have a baby. This shows how imaginative the show was. As a last resort, we'll consider what might actually happen! Realistic premises on Gilligan's Island were as rare as Lovey closeups. That's why I love the show.

08-14-2013, 05:49 PM	#8
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,669	^ Kind of like how the '66 Batman show had 120 episodes in 3 seasons because the first two seasons had double the episodes, it would've been neat had Gilligan's Island done that too.

08-15-2013, 12:42 AM	#10
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	CBS never liked Gilligan's Island, even though it did well in the ratings.

08-16-2013, 01:27 AM	#15
Samme Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 679	What's also strange is it seemed like more episodes than that and the reruns usually skipped the episodes from the first season. But it was a good cast and a fun show. And better than other shows that didn't get knocked as much. I think CBS was looking for a reason to get rid of it. Seems it could've lasted a couple more seasons, but if Tina was gonna leave it was probably better it didn't. But she might have been talked out of that with more money or the promise of being featured in more episodes. In those days, people who left shows were often seen as ungrateful troublemakers. And in this case, it might have been seen as an attempt to ruin the show. Whatever, the show did deserve more seasons. It was a good fun show and has withstood the test of time.