Next Big Idea
Before the show ended, the producers hoped to combat its decline with a new character. They hoped that could be enough to spice things up. Apparently, they wanted a friendly dinosaur, but that was going to cost too much. Sherwood Schwartz remembered CBS TV programming executive Hunt Stromberg Jr. saying, “Gilligan and his pet dinosaur! It’s our answer to ‘Mr. Ed.’”
Next Big Idea
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A Wild Ride
Alan Hale Jr.’s journey to his Gilligan’s Island audition is one for the books! To start with, he hopped on a horse from another set in Utah. Next, he hitchhiked to Las Vegas. Then, from Vegas, he flew into Los Angeles where he auditioned for Jonas ‘The Skipper’ Grumby. Thank goodness he made the long trip because we can’t picture a better Skipper!
A Wild Ride