Gilligan's Island

Surviving Gilligan's Island is a 2001 made-for-television docudrama film based on the 1964–1967 television sitcom Gilligan's Island. Originally airing on CBS, the film stars three cast members from the 1960s series: Bob Denver, Dawn Wells, and Russell Johnson. These performers tell their stories, while other actors re-enact old scenes from the series. The plot of the film depicts the attempts of Gilligan's Island producer Sherwood Schwartz to make Gilligan's Island a hit television series. It portrays the networks turning him down as well as the filming of the pilot episode. It also portrays the changes the cast went through after the pilot episode received negative feedback. Denver, Wells, and Johnson share stories about the show and its status in pop culture. The film also discusses the question of whether Ginger or Mary Ann was more attractive. An informal poll of twenty-one people was conducted, in which Mary Ann won by a single vote. The film has been released on both VHS and DVD in one region only. Special features of the DVD release include the casting of the performers, a trivia game, and other information about the behind-the-scenes look at the cult classic series.