Welcome to the wacky world of Gilligan's Island!
For years, audiences laughed along with the castaways as they attempted to escape the
deserted island.
But what if we told you that not everything was as it seemed on the iconic show?
That's right, amidst the palm trees and coconuts, there were countless bloopers and mistakes
that slipped through the cracks.
And in this video, you're going to see them all.
Get ready to have your mind blown and your funny bone tickled, because you're about to
be treated to a rare glimpse into the hilarious mishaps that happened behind the scenes of
Gilligan's Island.
Factsverse Presents: This Photo is Not Edited, Look Closer at the Gilligan's Island Blooper
Boat Blunder
The opening credits of Gilligan's Island are classic, with the S.S.
Minnow setting sail for adventures still yet unknown.
But eagle-eyed viewers might notice something odd about the boat.
As the Minnow appears before the cruise and again after beaching on the island, it looks
different than the boat shown during the storm.
Specifically, there's no upper deck above the windows where the helm is, and the front
of the cabin is straight rather than pointed.
Island Magic
As the opening credits roll in the first season of Gilligan's Island, the Minnow can be seen
tilted on its left side as it lays stranded on the beach.
However, as the closing credits roll, the very same Minnow has mysteriously shifted
and appears to be standing upright as if by magic!
Perhaps the island has some unknown supernatural powers at play here...or maybe it's just a
simple continuity mistake.
Splish Splash
In one of Gilligan's Island's most memorable moments, as featured in the episode “So
Sorry, My Island Now”, our hapless hero Gilligan decides to take matters into his
own hands and seek help in a tiny Japanese submarine.
Of course, being Gilligan, things don't go exactly as planned as he leaves the top hatch
open, leading to some comical mishaps.
As Bob Denver filmed the scene, his legs and feet were clearly visible, splashing about
even though he was supposed to be inside the sub.
Yes, that's right – Gilligan's submarine escape plot was actually a little less daring
than we thought.
But hey, who needs realism when you've got laughs?
Mis-tanks Were Made
Ah, Gilligan's Island – a show that never failed to keep us on our toes, even in reruns.
In the very same episode that featured Gilligan’s little submarine kerfuffle, there was yet
another blooper to discover.
After Gilligan finally manages to close the hatch of his trusty submarine, he takes it
for a spin around the lagoon.
But as the periscope darts around, there's something a little off – a scuba tank, clearly
visible and moving around the periscope.
Was it a prop gone rogue?
A subtle nod to the show's behind-the-scenes magic?
We may never know for sure, but one thing's for certain: Gilligan's Island was always
full of surprises, no matter how many times you watched it.
Mic Troubles
In the episode "Home Sweet Hut," a small detail has been spotted by keen-eyed viewers that
reveals a minor slip-up in production.
If you pay close attention to the scene set in the Professor's hut, you'll notice the
shadow of an overhead microphone briefly appearing on the wall.
This shadow can be seen for just a moment before disappearing from view.
The Illusion Unfolds
From the very first episode of Gilligan's Island, “Two on a Raft”, there were clues
that not everything was as picture-perfect as it seemed.
If you looked closely, you might have noticed an accidental reveal when Gilligan and the
Skipper found themselves in a precarious situation – surrounded by hungry sharks.
As the Skipper valiantly threw the sail, an eagle-eyed viewer might have glimpsed something
unexpected: the false backdrop of the sky, visible behind the water tank.
The fabric of the backdrop was creased, revealing its artificial nature, and there was even
a noticeable gap between the water and the bottom of the backdrop.
Was it intentional - a subtle nod to the show's playful spirit?
Or simply an inadvertent accident?
You be the judge.
In A Blink Of An Eye
The castaways of Gilligan's Island are somehow always attracting interesting visitors, but
in the episode "Man With A Net," they encounter a rather shady lepidopterist in search of
a very specific butterfly.
Unfortunately, his exit from the island is a bit more dramatic than anyone planned.
As the lepidopterist bids the island farewell, he knocks out the seven castaways.
Although they're meant to be unconscious on the ground, viewers who are paying attention
might notice that Natalie Schafer, who played the ever-glamorous Mrs. Howell, slips up and
briefly opens her eyes.
Not So Deserted Island
Throughout the series, the castaways stumbled upon various individuals, some of whom had
apparently been stranded on the island for over a decade, including Wrongway Feldman,
Dubov the painter, and the jungle boy.
Interestingly, each of these characters believed themselves to be the only inhabitant of the
island until encountering the Minnow crew.
One can't help but wonder: how vast is this island that so many people can live there
for years without ever crossing paths?
Perhaps there are hidden corners of the island yet to be discovered...
Suspiciously Well-Equipped
It is often pointed out that the castaways, who were only on a "three-hour tour," seem
to have an endless supply of provisions.
Mary Ann and Ginger appear to have an entire wardrobe of clothes, while the Professor has
a vast collection of books and the Howells seem to have brought along an abundance of
luxury items.
Mystery Man
One of the most mystifying goofs seen in the show's opening credits potentially opens up
a whole new realm of storytelling possibilities.
As the Minnow leaves port in the sequence, and the lyrics declare, "Five passengers set
sail that day," viewers can count eight people aboard the boat: Ginger and Mary Ann up front,
Gilligan and the Skipper on the top deck, and the Howells and the Professor aft.
But there's also a mysterious man piloting the boat – so what ever happened to him?
Maybe he’s the one to blame for the Minnow’s unfortunate fate!
Mixed Signals
Listen closely to the radio announcer in some episodes, and you might hear something odd.
Whenever they announce the call sign of the station the castaways are tuning into, it
always starts with a "W".
Now, here's the thing: radio stations with call signs beginning with "W" are typically
located east of the Mississippi River in the United States.
But the castaways are stranded somewhere in the vast expanse of the South Pacific, with
only an AM radio to keep them company.
Even under the most perfect conditions, it's highly unlikely that they could pick up the
strongest AM signal from the eastern part of the US.
Gilligan’s Wedding Band
In the episode "They're Off and Running," as the Skipper and Gilligan engage in a thrilling
turtle race, viewers who are paying attention might notice something unexpected – a wedding
ring glinting on Gilligan's hand.
But wait, when did our little buddy get hitched?
Well.
it turns out that the answer is simple: he didn't.
The real culprit is none other than Bob Denver himself, who more than likely forgot to remove
his own wedding ring before filming the episode.
Not Too Far From Home
Just when you thought you had the island all figured out, there's another detail to add
to the mystery.
In the episode "The Friendly Physician," as the crew sets sail for home on a small boat,
something catches the eye of the observant viewer – the faint outline of buildings
peeking over the trees that surround the lagoon.
Are they part of the studio lot?
Or could they be a glimpse of the Los Angeles skyline in the distance?
Either way, these structures, whatever they may be, certainly break the illusion that
the gang is lost on a remote, uncharted island.
Speaking of…
Words Schmords
Although the opening lyrics of the show claim the castaways landed on a desert island, the
lush jungle surrounding them clearly indicates otherwise.
Additionally, Gilligan's lack of sailing prowess is at odds with the characterization of him
as a "mighty sailing man".
However, it's worth noting that the term "desert island" can be interpreted as a remote uninhabited
tropical island, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.
Running Out Of Steam
Although commonly referred to as the SS Minnow, the boat on Gilligan's Island is actually
a motor vessel, not a steamship, which would traditionally be designated with "SS".
Therefore, the correct nomenclature for the vessel would be MV Minnow, as it is powered
by a diesel or gas engine.
On a somewhat related note, The Minnow, which is shown as a 1964 Wheeler boat, had a maximum
cruising speed of 12 knots.
This implies that during their supposed three-hour tour, the boat could have covered a distance
of no more than approximately 40 miles.
Not Even A Sniffle
The episode "Feed the Kitty" established that Mrs. Howell is allergic to cats, but in "The
Friendly Physician," some fans have pointed out that a cat appears without her showing
any signs of allergies.
However, it should be noted that she does not share any scenes with the cat and her
brief contact with it is not enough to trigger her allergy.
Lowest Hanging Fruit
As much as we might wish it was, magic isn't real – even on Gilligan's Island.
In the episode "Personal Magnetism," pears and grapes appear to float across the dinner
table thanks to Gilligan's temoorary invisible powers.
But observant viewers might notice the distinct glint of wires used to lift the prop fruit,
reflecting light up near the roof of the hut.
Similarly, in the earlier episode, "It's Magic," the wires used to levitate the table at the
end are visible briefly if you look closely.
Bubble Breath
In the whimsical world of Gilligan's Island, even mealtime can be an adventure.
In the episode "Pass the Vegetables Please," as the cast sits down for a hearty dinner,
something strange happens – bubbles start flying from their mouths!
But before you start wondering if they've acutally started drinking soap, take a closer
look.
In one shot, behind Mary Ann's startled face, you can catch a glimpse of what appears to
be a metal clamp holding the effects hose that's responsible for the bubbly shenanigans.
Underqualified and Unquestioned
Throughout the show, the Professor often conducted medical procedures such as physical examinations,
administering injections, sedation, and treating injuries.
However, it's worth noting that he didn't have a medical degree or license to practice
medicine, yet his actions were never questioned by anyone on the island.
So, that’s about all we have for you today.
Did you enjoy taking a look back at these humorous Gilligan’s Island bloopers with
us?
We only covered just a small fraction of the countless goofs and the mistakes that can
be found in the show, but what we saw paints a pretty fascinating picture of what was going
on behind the scenes throughout the series’ production.
Can you think of any other bloopers or mistakes that can be seen in Gilligan’s Island?
And among the ones we reviewed, which stand out to you as being the funniest?
Let us know in the comments.
And as always, thanks for watching!