The Catchy Binge is back this weekend with a marathon of Gilligan’s Island. The binge-fest will feature 84 episodes, 14 times longer than that fateful three-hour tour the characters regrettably took in the first episode.
The marathon kicks off at noon on February 10 with “Voodoo Something To Me,” as the Skipper convinces himself the island is under a spell and Gilligan has transformed into a chimp. Catch more episodes through the early Monday morning hours, such as when Mr. Howell loses $3 million to Gilligan in a golf competition. Or when the castaways almost ran out of fresh water to drink, and the tense episode when the Air Force chose their “uninhabited” island to test a new missile (yet failed to rescue them…). And reconsider your perfume selection along with Mrs. Howell, as she attracts unwanted affection during one of her many encounters with a gorilla.
The Gilligan’s Island Catchy Binge also features episodes with celebrity appearances, such as when Duke Williams rides a giant tsunami to the island. The binge concludes on February 12 at 5:30 a.m. ET with “Gilligan, the Goddess,” where King Kaliwani and his entourage arrive on the island in search of a “White Goddess.”
Gilligan’s Island follows the castaways after the SS Minnow is knocked off course during a storm. The characters vary wildly, from a skilled sailor to a ridiculously wealthy business couple. Show creator Sherwood Schwartz said each character represents one of the seven deadly sins. The group learns to work together to endure the elements, relieve boredom, and try repeatedly to find a way home.
The series was popular for its lighthearted humor and wild antics. The castaways didn’t get off the island enduring the show’s run. However, they did in films – and after only 15 years trapped in a tropical “paradise.” Three made-for-TV movies were made involving Soviet satellites and an appearance by the Harlem Globetrotters.
The show debuted on September 26, 1964, and ran for three seasons until April 17, 1967. Gilligan’s Island was popular on CBS and became a timeless classic sitcom during syndication through the 80s and 90s. The first season’s 36 episodes were filmed in black and white but later colorized for syndication.
The series starred Bob Denver as Gilligan, Dawn Wells as Mary Ann, Tina Louise as Ginger, Russell Johnson as The Professor, Alan Hale Jr. as The Skipper, Natalie Schafer as Eunice “Lovey” Howell, Jim Backus as Thurston Howell III. Louise left the franchise ahead of the 1978 film Rescue from Gilligan’s Island. Judith Baldwin took up the role from there.
Catchy Comedy hosts an extensive collection of classic sitcoms and variety shows spanning the 50s through the 90s. Each weekend, the channel hosts The Catchy Binge featuring a series, or three in this case, such as The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy, and Laverne & Shirley.
Visit Catchy Comedy to find where to watch in your area. Stream classic sitcoms for free online or through paid streaming services such as Frndly TV and Philo.
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