The surprising parent complaint Sherwood Schwartz received on Gilligan’s Island

Fun fact: When Gilligan’s Island was at its peak sometime in 1965, show creator Sherwood Schwartz was visited by a certain US Coast Guard Commander Doyle. Apparently, the commander received many (joking) telegrams from his officers asking why a more concerted effort had not been made to find and rescue Gilligan and his shipwrecked comrades. This story was confirmed in a 1967 interview with the Sioux City Journal, conveniently transcribed by MeTV.

Gilligan’s Island, as TV history buffs may know, was a resounding success in its first two seasons, garnering as much attention from viewers as it did scorn from critics. Many saw “Gilligan’s Island” as too fluffy and frivolous, without a noticeable edge. The action of the series took place in the colorful world of cartoons, where there was no death, no pain, no real threats. The seven stranded on Gilligan’s Island never faced starvation, lack of resources, or insanity. Everyone pretty much got alongand their clothes were always clean. The physical and moral purity of “Gilligan’s Island” may have robbed it of any sense of real drama or danger, but it was the most appealing detail for viewers. Boredom was the worst situation the shipwrecked faced, and if you’re looking for more of the same, we have many recommendations.

Schwartz also revealed in that interview that “Gilligan’s Island” was especially interesting for children. He received a lot of fan mail from young viewers who said they enjoyed the show. The parents did not object because there was nothing objectionable about the series; it was a bloodless and sexless show, easy for first graders. However, he revealed that he received an angry letter from the father of a young Gilligan’s Island fan who, much to his father’s dismay, liked the show a bit too a lot. Indeed, he complained that his daughter refused to respond to her first name and instead wanted to be called Gilligan’s Island.

Schwartz’s usual response from children and parents was light and gentle, and usually quite positive. He said:

“(The kids) don’t have much to say about the show, just that they love it. (…) However, parents also write. They’re glad their kids like it because they say there’s no sex or violence. ”

But the most angry letter was from the father of the girl who wanted to be called Gilligan’s Island. No, she didn’t want to be called Gilligan. Not Mary Ann, the skipper, not the professor, not Ginger. She wanted to be called Gilligan’s Island. Of course, this is a sign. If this girl was 9 years old in 1965, she would be 70 now. I wonder where she is and if she still likes the Schwartz show. Unfortunately, Schwartz does not know how this saga unfolded. However, if there is a person who has legally changed their name to “Gilligan’s Island”, I would hazard a guess that it is the same person.

Schwartz intentionally came up with seven victims to keep things simple, knowing that among cartoon characters it is easier to identify favorites. It’s also easier to write for older people, and it’s definitely easier for little kids to pick their favorites. As Schwartz said:

“Of course my characters are broad, but I have six types whose patterns of social behavior make them respond to type no matter where they are. (…) The skipper is a physical wildness, then there is a rich man and his wife, a glamorous girl, an intellectual and a country girl, of course, 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 since the helm”. But he could certainly be proud of the show’s stunning success. The studio once wanted to fire himbut it’s 2025 and we’re still talking about his show. He must have done something right.