Sherwood Schwartz’s bizarre parental complaint about Gilligan’s Island

A fun bit of trivia: When “Gilligan’s Island” was at the height of its popularity, sometime in 1965, the show’s creator Sherwood Schwartz received a visit from Commander Doyle of the U.S. Coast Guard. Apparently the commander was receiving a lot of (joking) telegrams from his officers, asking why a more concerted effort had not been made to locate and rescue Gilligan and his fellow outcasts. This story was confirmed in a 1967 interview with the Sioux City Journal, It was easily copied by MeTV.

As television history buffs know, “Gilligan’s Island” was a runaway success in its first two seasons, attracting as much attention from audiences as it did derision from critics. Many saw “Gilligan’s Island” as too bland and trivial, lacking any notable merit. The series takes place in a colorful cartoon world where there is no death, pain, or threats in the real world. The seven castaways stranded on Gilligan’s Island have never faced starvation, lack of resources, or insanity. Everyone pretty much got alongTheir clothes were always clean. The physical and moral cleanliness of “Gilligan’s Island” may have robbed it of any sense of real drama or danger, but they were the details most appealing to viewers. The worst plight the outcasts faced was boredom, and if you’re looking for more like him, We have lots of recommendations.

Schwartz also revealed in that interview that “Gilligan’s Island” was of particular interest to children. He received a lot of fan letters from young viewers, saying they loved the show. Parents didn’t mind, because there wasn’t anything completely objectionable about the series; It was a bloodless, non-sexual show that first graders could easily consume. However, he revealed he received an angry letter from the father of a young ‘Gilligan’s Island’ fan who liked the show quite a bit, much to the father’s consternation. also a lot. In fact, he complained that his daughter refused to answer to her name, instead wanting it to be called Gilligan’s Island.

Schwartz’s usual reaction from kids and parents was easy, kind, and usually very positive. He said:

“(The kids) don’t have anything specific to say about the show, just that they like it. (…) Parents are writing too. They’re happy that their kids like it because they say there’s no sex or violence.”

But the angriest letter was from the father of the girl who wanted to name it Gilligan’s Island. No, she didn’t want to be called Gilligan. Nor Mary Ann, the Skipper, the Professor, or Ginger. She wanted it to be called Gilligan’s Island. Sure, that’s a sign. If that little girl had been nine years old in 1965, she would be 70 years old now. I wonder where she is and if she still likes the Schwartz show. It’s unfortunate that Schwartz doesn’t know how this saga developed. If there is someone who has legally changed their name to “Gilligan’s Island”, I would hazard a guess that it is the same person.

Schwartz intentionally invented The Seven Untouchables to be simple, knowing that it is easier to identify favorites among cartoon characters. It’s also easier to write for larger-than-life people, and certainly easier for younger children to pick their favorites. As Schwartz said:

“It is true that my characters are wide-ranging, but I have six types whose social behavior patterns make them interact with the type no matter where they are. (…) The captain is the physical brute, then there is the rich man and his wife, the charming and cultured girl and the country girl who is of course the innocent.

Schwartz himself admitted that “Gilligan’s Island” was not a work of genius; He even admitted in 1965 that Gilligan was certainly not “the greatest thing since the wheel.” But he can certainly be proud of the show’s overwhelming success. The studio once wanted to fire himBut now we’re in 2025, and we’re still talking about his show. He must have done something right.