Despite critical barbs as sharp as a Maroobi spear, Gilligan's Island has proven unsinkable. Its first season was 1964's top-rated show. The expository theme song is one of television's most quoted, and its characters--the Skipper (Alan Hale Jr.), first mate Gilligan (Bob Denver), the millionaire (Jim Backus) and his wife (Natalie Schaefer), a movie star (Tina Louise), "and the rest" (Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells, as the Professor and Mary Ann, wouldn't get their opening credit props until season two)--are pop culture icons. Revisiting the first season's episodes is a not-guilty-at-all pleasure. Some sure and surprising hands piloted these inaugural episodes, including Ida Lupino, Jack Arnold (The Creature from the Black Lagoon), Christian Nyby (The Thing), and Richard Donner (who went on to direct Superman and Lethal Weapon).

Cast and Characters

• Bob Denver as Gilligan
• Alan Hale, Jr. as Jonas Grumby (The Skipper)
• Jim Backus as Thurston Howell III
• Natalie Schafer as Mrs. Lovey Howell
• Tina Louise as Ginger Grant
• Russel Johnson as Roy Hinkley (The Professor)
• Dawn Wells as Mary Ann Summers

Broadcast History, Episode Guide & TV Schedule

First Telecast: September 26, 1964
Last Telecast: September 4, 1967
Original Network: CBS
Number of Seasons: 3
Number of Episodes: 98
View the Gilligan's Island Episode Guide
Original Primetime TV Schedule:

• September 1964- September 1965, CBS, Saturday 8:30-9:00pm
• September 1965- September 1966, CBS, Thursday 8:00-8:30pm
• September 1966- September 1967, CBS, Monday 7:30-8:00pm

Theme Song Lyrics and Intro

"The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle" by George Wyle and Sherwood Schwartz

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, A tale of a fateful trip That started from this tropic port Aboard this tiny ship. The mate was a mighty sailing man, The skipper brave and sure. Five passengers set sail that day For a three hour tour, a three hour tour. The weather started getting rough, The tiny ship was tossed, If not for the courage of the fearless crew The minnow would be lost, the minnow would be lost. The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle With Gilligan The Skipper too, The millionaire and his wife, The movie star The professor and Mary Ann, Here on Gilligans Isle. So this is the talel of the castways, They're here for a long, long time, They'll have to make the best of things, It's an uphill climb. The first mate and the Skipper too, Will do their very best, To make the others comfortable, In the tropic island nest. No phone, no lights no motor cars, Not a single luxury, Like Robinson Crusoe, As primative as can be. So join us here each week my freinds, You're sure to get a smile, From seven stranded castways, Here on "Gilligan's Isle."

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Gilligan's Island On DVD

Season 1

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