TV Tale For 'Gilligan'?

[TJ]

JUST in time to milk the "Survivor" craze, ABC is talking to Sherwood Schwartz about developing a TV movie about the backstage antics on "Gilligan's Island," TV Guide says.

Schwartz tells TV Guide in an upcoming issue that he and ABC are talking about creating a two-hour movie about his popular '60 series about a wacky group of shipwrecked castaways starring Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr. and Jim Backus - and the battles Schwartz fought to keep the series on the air.

Schwartz also created another cult hit, "The Brady Bunch," which aired on ABC from 1969-74 and also spawned a behind-the-scenes movie, "Growing Up Brady," which aired last month on NBC.

Schwartz says he doesn't intend the "Gilligan" movie to be a titillating tell-all, but says it could touch on certain
elements from his book, "Inside Gilligan's Island."

In the book, Schwartz wrote that sultry Tina Louise (Ginger) hated her dumb-sexpot role and that Jerry Van Dyke ("Coach") was considered for the part of Gilligan - made famous by Denver and his white floppy hat.

"Gilligan's Island" aired from 1964-67.

In addition to Denver, Louise and Hale - who played the jolly Skipper - the show starred Natalie Schafer as blueblood Mrs. Howell; Dawn Wells as girl-next-door Mary Ann; and Russell Johnson as the brainy Professor.

Denver also wrote a book, "Gilligan, Maynard & Me," in which he painted an unflattering portrait of Louise.

from NY Post - http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/6533.htm