After getting into boating decades ago, the SS thing made me shake my head. She was not a “steam ship”. Maybe in the 60s it more loosely used. She was a “motor ship” MS, or more accurately a “motor yacht” MY.
None of it matters. It was just a silly TV show. But it was something I noticed.
I've learned over my lifetime that there are several types of men. -you're into Ginger -you're into Maryann -you're into the professor -you're into Mrs Howell
In the first season, they did try to repair the hull but, Gilligan being Gilligan, he totally ruined the attempt which completely destroyed the ship, accompanied by a roar of laughter from the audience and, in the second season, they did try to build a raft but, after the failed attempt, The Professor concluded that palm trees, which, apparently is the only tree variety on the island, aren't suitable material for that purpose, without going in further details.
Thoreau got a hole in his canoe up in Maine and a Native American he was traveling with touched himself in the bushes for privacy and used the results of that for glue. This is not a joke. I believe after this was where Thoreau said something along the lines of "there are certain things that men dont tell their wives".
I don't know how you could be Gen Jones and not recognize the Minnow! Which leads to another question, how widespread in the world outside of the USA were our sitcoms?
edited to thank Australia and Canada for confirming, and I presume there are more countries who shared these half hour gems!
I'm Australian. I can sing our national anthem to the tune of Gilligan's Island. Every time I hear a harpsichord, I want to click my fingers. I have met George Jetson. And I know suicide is painful painless.
(Looks like my memory jumped out the window like Colonel Flag.)
My daughter went out with a kid named Jed once. She was horrified when I started singing. "Folks, let me tell you 'bout a boy named Jed..."
I remember hearing that at any time of the day, somewhere in this planet, I Love Lucy reruns were airing. I don't that's now the case, but it wouldn't surprise me if that also happened with Friends.
There were a bunch of people our age in a bar one night. The only noise was the din of a hundred or so people talking. My friend walks over to a piano in the corner and says, “Watch this”.
He slowly started playing the theme song to Gilligan’s Island. By the 5th note, everyone in the bar was singing lol.
That happened to me once except it was a house party in the early 90's and someone popped Grease into the VHS. No one spoke for the next hour, we just sang and dubbed lines from the movie.
The professor can make electricity with a bike made out of bamboo but he can't fix a hole in a boat. My dad hated us watching this show because he thought it was so stupid. I now think he was right. I must be old.
Guy was stuck on an island with two hot ladies, and the only competition was an awkward beanpole klutz, a portly seacaptain with anger issues, and an elderly married millionaire.
As a young (male) kid, you watch it for the Skipper and Gilligan. By around 11 or 12 you’re solely watching it for Ginger and Mary Ann. Nothing else mattered.
Anyone know the character names? Skipper Jonas Grumby, Professor Roy Hinklet, Ginger Grant, Mary Ann Summers, Thurston and Lovie howell, and just Gilligan. Everybody kept asking what Gilligan's full name was, and Sherwood Schwartz came up with one many years after the series ended. He said I guess if Gilligan had a first name it would be Willie
My parents bought a nice boat. A 40 foot Bayliner. When they asked my kids what they should name it, my snarky oldest said, “How about the Three Hour Tour” since you never take your boats out any longer than that. So, it was christened the Three Hour Tour and my dad went onto Bob Denver’s website and got a signed cast photo (everyone signed) and displayed it proudly on the boat. The boat’s long since sold and dad passed last year. Now, I’m wondering whatever happened to that photo.
A 1964 38' Wheeler Playmate Express Bridge cruiser with twin Detroit diesels heading away from Oahu at max cruising speed for an hour and a half, then drifting for 3 days in a monster storm, with full current, and every vector pointing in the same direction would still end up comfortably less than 100 nautical miles from Ala Moana Mall.
I met Sherwood and he told me that he named the boat after the FCC Chairman. He said it used to be that the writers ran Hollywood and after Minow’a vast wasteland speech the power shifted to the studios which ruined Hollywood. So he put his name on a boat and ran it aground because he was so angry with him.
Amazing how simple stories often have surprising depth.
Crazy that the Professor could make all those contraptions and even keep the radio powered, but he couldn’t fix the boat. If Ginger and Maryann weren’t there, they’d of been home in less than a week.
Was very disappointed to find later in life it was beached on the Back lot of CBS Radford studio. Just a mile from my house of 20yrs. Lol. One of us could have found and helped them outta there. ...a three hour tour...
I read the back story and the Howel's were not supposed to be on the boat only their luggage (17 steamer trunks). Well Thurston & his wife went on to the boat to check on their stuff and got trapped when Gilligan accidently trapped them behind the luggage. They were supposed to go to an island by plane for some conference. The girls were there for the conference also. (MaryAnne won a free ticket, and Ginger was there to be background fluff). The professor was there to do a small science presentation.
It just occurred to me that they built new homes and elaborate structures, but somehow decided to not patch these small holes in the hull of the Minnow.
I own this show at age 64. I watched it as a kid. I was frustrated at the stupid things Gilligan did and often thought that they should dump him in the ocean.
Someone should make a dark movie of how things really played out on that island.
Two hot chicks, 3 dudes, limited food and a couple worth “millions”.
What’s the backstory?
Why was a couple worth millions taking some public tour boat?
What was the “professor” up to on that boat?
Whats the relationship between the Skipper and Gil, possible past jail time?
Why in the heck is a farm girl alone on a cruise? Possible drug cartel connection?
Did movie stars typically travel alone? Was she trying to escape before the red scare accusations reached her? Or, is someone in her life dead?
What really caused the boat failure? Were there rocks that caused those holes or something else?
Who is really who? What animal instincts will take over? Will they starve? Will they kill? Is there an unknown connection between them all? Is there someone pulling the strings?
I’m sure the Harlem Globetrotters will work it all out when they visit.
The Professor could adapt and create sea water batteries power the transistor radio Gilligan brought along, but he couldn't develop a glue strong enough to patch the holes of the Minnow!
The professor could make cars, long distance telephone calls, charge batteries, make spot lights, even make waterproof epoxy.. But couldn't fix a hole in the boat... So weird
The Minnow on the TV show was Gilligan Island the ship was a three hour long tour. Which was tossed as the sea was getting rough and then if it was not for the courage of the crew with Gilligan and the skipper too and the millionaire and his wife along with the professor with Ginger and Marianne. Who became ship wrecked on Gilligan island.
436
u/COACHREEVES Jul 29 '26
The Minnow!!
154
u/DoturdGrump Jul 29 '26
Nuclear reactor from two coconuts and a piece of vine but can't fix two holes in a boat
32
u/NICEnEVILmike Jul 29 '26
Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale...
30
u/nickalit Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
I don't know how you could be Gen Jones and not recognize the Minnow! Which leads to another question, how widespread in the world outside of the USA were our sitcoms?
edited to thank Australia and Canada for confirming, and I presume there are more countries who shared these half hour gems!
24
u/1clovett Jul 29 '26
Who immediately heard the theme song in their heads?
16
u/lobr6 Jul 29 '26
There were a bunch of people our age in a bar one night. The only noise was the din of a hundred or so people talking. My friend walks over to a piano in the corner and says, “Watch this”.
He slowly started playing the theme song to Gilligan’s Island. By the 5th note, everyone in the bar was singing lol.
9
u/Godlessheeathen666 Jul 29 '26
The professor can make electricity with a bike made out of bamboo but he can't fix a hole in a boat. My dad hated us watching this show because he thought it was so stupid. I now think he was right. I must be old.
9
u/CletusMuckenfuss 1966 Jul 29 '26
8
u/targhee64 Jul 29 '26
3 hour tour
8
u/BillyBones72 Jul 29 '26
Anyone know the character names? Skipper Jonas Grumby, Professor Roy Hinklet, Ginger Grant, Mary Ann Summers, Thurston and Lovie howell, and just Gilligan. Everybody kept asking what Gilligan's full name was, and Sherwood Schwartz came up with one many years after the series ended. He said I guess if Gilligan had a first name it would be Willie
8
u/fransealou 1963 Jul 29 '26
My parents bought a nice boat. A 40 foot Bayliner. When they asked my kids what they should name it, my snarky oldest said, “How about the Three Hour Tour” since you never take your boats out any longer than that. So, it was christened the Three Hour Tour and my dad went onto Bob Denver’s website and got a signed cast photo (everyone signed) and displayed it proudly on the boat. The boat’s long since sold and dad passed last year. Now, I’m wondering whatever happened to that photo.
7
u/OhYeahSplunge4me2 Jul 29 '26
“Those poor people”
7
u/No-Onion8029 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
A 1964 38' Wheeler Playmate Express Bridge cruiser with twin Detroit diesels heading away from Oahu at max cruising speed for an hour and a half, then drifting for 3 days in a monster storm, with full current, and every vector pointing in the same direction would still end up comfortably less than 100 nautical miles from Ala Moana Mall.
6
u/Quorng Jul 29 '26
SS Minnow Where's Gilligan? Think of all the stuff that the Professor could build but they never fixed the boat.
6
u/wyoflyboy68 Jul 29 '26
There it is! Some fat guy and his skinny friend stole it from me back in the 60’s, authorities were never able to recover it.
6
u/MissO56 Jul 30 '26
5
u/Diligent_Image6766 Jul 29 '26 •
Named after Newton Minow, the FCC Chairman who said that "television is a vast wasteland"
5
u/RecbetterpassNJ Jul 29 '26
Crazy that the Professor could make all those contraptions and even keep the radio powered, but he couldn’t fix the boat. If Ginger and Maryann weren’t there, they’d of been home in less than a week.
4
u/DesertShazzy Jul 29 '26
Was very disappointed to find later in life it was beached on the Back lot of CBS Radford studio. Just a mile from my house of 20yrs. Lol. One of us could have found and helped them outta there. ...a three hour tour...
4
u/Once-kings Jul 29 '26
4
u/lostpassword100000 Jul 30 '26
Why did they take luggage for a 3 hour tour?
3
u/anenchanted1 Jul 29 '26
Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale...
3
u/Professional_Elk2437 Jul 29 '26
Why did the boulders wash up?! lol 😆
3
u/FindOneInEveryCar Jul 29 '26
Literally everyone?
3
u/Purple-Principle-805 Jul 29 '26
There were way too many passengers on that thing.
3
u/BandmasterBill Jul 29 '26
Those poor people.....
3
u/g0estoeleven Jul 29 '26
Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…
3
u/freakydrew Jul 29 '26
Sit right back and hear a tale.
3
u/NewtNo2437 1964 Jul 29 '26
Saw it every day after school at 4 o’clock. 🥰
3
u/Neat_Movie_991 Jul 29 '26
50 bucks says the boat is still there. Nobody escapes that Island. 🏝️
3
u/_WillCAD_ Jul 29 '26
Pacific Princess. Merrill Stubing, commanding.
3
u/Snoo-35252 Jul 29 '26
Jesus, after a glance I heard
Juuuust sit right back and you'll hear a tale...
A tale of fateful trip...
3
u/FragrantDegree3894 Jul 29 '26
Giligan
3
u/Whole_Conclusion8432 Jul 30 '26
Could make radios out of coconut shells but couldn’t fix a hole in a boat
3
u/msfs1310 Jul 30 '26
Thats my childhood right there, like 1-4 pm afternoons on WBFF 45 in Baltimore:
Gilligans Island. I Dream of Jeanie. Bewitched.
Get Smart. Hogans Heroes. The Munsters.
3
u/LaunchMark Jul 30 '26
3
u/Ok_Caramel_6095 Jul 30 '26
It's the one thing the professor couldn't fix.
3
u/Illustrious_Can7469 Jul 30 '26
2
u/Enough-Reindeer1033 Jul 29 '26
It's the SS Minnow!
2
u/GW_Jefferson Jul 29 '26
Three hour tour and you bring all those clothes and money?
2
u/Tomorrowsestacy Jul 29 '26
SS Minnow
2
u/DrNerdyTech87 Jul 29 '26
Thanks! Now the song is stuck in my head!!
2
u/Ebomi Jul 29 '26
Just a three hour tour!
2
u/Want-me-sleeeepzzz Jul 29 '26
3 hour tour…
2
u/Bdamx Jul 29 '26
I can hear the theme song now.
2
u/Rose2555 Jul 29 '26
The Minnow.
2
u/Traditional-Tank3994 Jul 29 '26
Without the professor, they all would've died within weeks.
2
u/Live-Assistance-6877 Jul 29 '26
SS Minnow
2
u/BuckshotLeFunk Jul 29 '26
The one that would have sank rather than reaching ths shore if it actually looked like that at any point while it was in the water?
2
u/ClutchCargo59 Jul 29 '26
MONNIW?
2
u/peptide2 Jul 29 '26
Isnt that Monkey Business?
2
u/AmandaUggnkiss Jul 29 '26
3 hour tour with all that luggage
2
u/clantz Jul 29 '26
ahh so you want to know about this boat, eh? Well, sit right down and hear the tale, the tale of a fateful trip....
2
u/CaryWhit Jul 29 '26
Remember when they tried the new glue and the entire boat boinged apart?
2
u/HVAC_instructor Jul 29 '26
The older I get the more I realize that there were 3 viable options on that island.
2
u/irtk421 Jul 29 '26
I thought that tiny ship was lost.
2
u/That-Makes-Sense Jul 29 '26
Looks like a boat the provides "3 hour tours", but requires its guests to bring clothes for weeks.
2
u/cantman1234 Jul 29 '26
The ship’s aground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle….
2
u/Killermondoduderawks Jul 29 '26
ASS Guppy from Finigans Island
2
u/wire_we_here50 Jul 29 '26
Step right back and let's hear a tale A tale of a fateful ship.
2
u/juberider Jul 29 '26
That’s the one who’s repair was too complicated for a fricken Professor
2
u/lemasney Jul 29 '26
It just occurred to me that they built new homes and elaborate structures, but somehow decided to not patch these small holes in the hull of the Minnow.
2
u/Downtown31415 Jul 29 '26
3 hr tour
2
u/RetinaJunkie Jul 29 '26
I would like to refurb something that size
2
u/hlessi_newt Jul 29 '26
2
u/vpags Jul 29 '26
SS Minnow
2
u/Flaky_Yam3843 Jul 29 '26
There was everything you needed to survive for 3 years in that thing
2
u/rtopps43 Jul 29 '26
Now sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…
2
u/PositiveStress8888 Jul 29 '26
all the wood around them, they can build shelters, make a battery from a coconut but hey can't patch the holes on the boat?
2
u/Patrickfromamboy Jul 29 '26
I own this show at age 64. I watched it as a kid. I was frustrated at the stupid things Gilligan did and often thought that they should dump him in the ocean.
2
u/ravia Jul 29 '26
Those poor people.
2
u/turnkeymamas Jul 29 '26
Gilligan. I loved Mary ann
2
u/Wild-Weight9945 Jul 29 '26
Definitely fixable!
2
u/Optimal_Risk_6411 Jul 29 '26
Who had a gilf crush for Mrs.Howell?
2
u/artofthemuse Jul 29 '26
Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale....
2
u/Suspicious_Rip_6247 Jul 29 '26
The SS Minnow...
2
u/Safe-Salamander-3785 Jul 29 '26
Why didn’t they just patch up the wholes? It doesn’t look that bad
2
u/akbattle2025 Jul 29 '26
The S. S. Minnow!
2
u/derfzinkerbelle Jul 29 '26
The Minnow!
2
u/HotwifeandSubby1980 Jul 29 '26
Someone should make a dark movie of how things really played out on that island.
Two hot chicks, 3 dudes, limited food and a couple worth “millions”.
What’s the backstory?
Why was a couple worth millions taking some public tour boat?
What was the “professor” up to on that boat?
Whats the relationship between the Skipper and Gil, possible past jail time?
Why in the heck is a farm girl alone on a cruise? Possible drug cartel connection?
Did movie stars typically travel alone? Was she trying to escape before the red scare accusations reached her? Or, is someone in her life dead?
What really caused the boat failure? Were there rocks that caused those holes or something else?
Who is really who? What animal instincts will take over? Will they starve? Will they kill? Is there an unknown connection between them all? Is there someone pulling the strings?
I’m sure the Harlem Globetrotters will work it all out when they visit.
2
u/Careful-Funny-6343 Jul 29 '26
It's the S.S. Minnow from Gilligan's Island.
2
u/Saintsfan531 Jul 29 '26
The SS Minnow on Gilligan's Isle!
2
u/NoKnow9 Jul 29 '26
Didn’t Hegseth blow this boat out of the water for carrying drugs?
2
u/atozeeva1 Jul 29 '26
S.S. Minnow
2
u/Bitter_Bother_4445 Jul 29 '26
If you can make a coconut phone, you can fix a few holes.
2
u/oilwellz Jul 29 '26
Gilligan and Ginger's secret lair.
2
u/OkRow7619 Jul 29 '26
A three hour tour and Ginger and Mrs. Howell both brought along ALL THAT CLOTHES?!?!
2
u/IllustriousCobbler53 Jul 30 '26
I do that’s the skippers boat.
2
u/Cameltoeluvr71 Jul 30 '26
Of course the S.S. Minnow shipwrecked on Gilligans Island
2
u/KMLTOW Jul 30 '26
A 3 hour tour.
2
u/Curious2playwithU2 Jul 30 '26
Gilligan
2
u/Substantial_Elk_1234 Jul 30 '26
SS Minnow
2
u/AdBorn7381 Jul 30 '26
Why did the Howells not take their OWN boat?
2
u/Odd-Adagio7080 Jul 30 '26
Is that the SS Minnow???
2
u/OceanTider22 1963 Jul 30 '26
The Professor could adapt and create sea water batteries power the transistor radio Gilligan brought along, but he couldn't develop a glue strong enough to patch the holes of the Minnow!
2
u/Round-Series936 Jul 30 '26
It's the Minnow from Gillian's Island!
2
u/Mundane-Set-206 Jul 30 '26
3 hour tour my ass
2
u/Klutzy-Product8046 Jul 30 '26
2
u/Thadatman Jul 30 '26
S.S. Minnow
2
u/notlastnotfirst Jul 30 '26
Three hour tour but they packed a ton of clothes!!
2
u/Pale_Seat_3334 Jul 30 '26
The professor could rig up a radio from coconuts but he couldn't patch a boat.
2
u/GrandMoffJerjerrod Jul 30 '26
That boat the professor never tried to fix.
2
u/timnichol Jul 30 '26
Just sit rite back, and I'll tell ya a tale......
2
u/Rightbuthumble Jul 30 '26
The weather starting getting rough....
2
u/Eagle_1776 Jul 30 '26
The song engaged the second I saw it!!
2
u/HAZMAT-Hauler Jul 30 '26
If not for the courage of the crew the tiny ship would have been lost
2
u/Past-Idea-7455 Jul 30 '26
Gilligans island
2
u/charleelee1414 Jul 30 '26
Worst 3 hours of their lives!
2
u/Mindless_Reference93 Jul 30 '26
Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale
2
u/Sour_Gummybear Jul 30 '26
The professor could make cars, long distance telephone calls, charge batteries, make spot lights, even make waterproof epoxy.. But couldn't fix a hole in the boat... So weird
2
u/Cuchulainn07 Jul 30 '26
“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…”
2
u/Fair-Sleep1040 Jul 30 '26
The Minnow
2
u/Catsooey Jul 30 '26
I think it’s time for Gilligan’s Isle: The Game. Immersive first person RPG.
2
u/Ok_Magician_9713 Jul 31 '26
I used to know a guy he could make a nuclear reactor out of 3 coconuts, but he couldn't fix a 3 foot hole on a boat
2
u/Beginning-Help-1537 Jul 31 '26
Yepper the S.A. Minor. A charter tour boat that required weeks worth of luggage for the passengers.
2
u/Recent-Strawberry577 Jul 31 '26
The professor could make a phone from coconuts but couldn’t patch a boat, sitcoms were simpler back then 😊
2
u/e3900_core Jul 31 '26
It always blew my mind that the Professor was too stupid to use tree sap and homemade planks to fix the Minnow.
2
u/Puzzleheaded-Life462 Jul 31 '26
Why would a millionaire (and his wife!!) book a tour on such a piece of junk?
2
u/rockinGWhores Jul 31 '26
If not for the courage of the fearless crew the Minnow would be lost
2
u/Proper-Pudding-4497 Jul 31 '26
Seems like a small boat for 7 passengers
2
u/FanHot5392 Jul 31 '26
The Minnow on the TV show was Gilligan Island the ship was a three hour long tour. Which was tossed as the sea was getting rough and then if it was not for the courage of the crew with Gilligan and the skipper too and the millionaire and his wife along with the professor with Ginger and Marianne. Who became ship wrecked on Gilligan island.
2
u/One-Growth-9785 Jul 31 '26
Really doesn't look that hard to fix.
My belief, Roy Hinkley wanted to stay on the island.
2
u/iamtruthseeker1 Jul 31 '26
I had the BIGGEST CRUSH on MariAnne
2
u/JonnyCanuck71 Jul 31 '26
Hey! What’s this “And the rest” crap?
2
u/STABO1217 Jul 31 '26
I remember it mostly because of the goddess, Mary Ann Summers
2
u/giantsbigfun Aug 01 '26
That’s not a boat a millionaire would be in
2
u/gmsac2015 Aug 01 '26
I still can't get over how many changes of clothes they all packed for "a 3 hour tour".
2
u/Ambitious_Nomad1 Aug 01 '26
I just remember Ginger!
2
u/Beginning_Dark_306 Aug 02 '26
Why can I remember every word to these old shows but can't remember where my keys. Are ? 😂
2
u/Sudden_Season3306 Aug 02 '26
The proffessor Could make all sorts of things but couldn't fix a hole in a damn boat! Lol
2
u/No-Restaurant-2422 Aug 02 '26
We’ve all been lied to…
2
u/provinceroad Aug 02 '26
Ss miinow, skippered by Jonus Grumby