Sherwood Schwartz (1916–2011)

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship.

The mate was a mighty sailing man,
The skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day
For a three hour tour, a three hour tour.

The Ballad of Gilligan's Island by George Wyle and Sherwood Schwartz

Sherwood Schwartz created two of the most iconic and influential TV series with Gilligan’s Island (1964 – 1967) and the Brady Bunch (1969 – 1974). Prior to show more his work as a show-runner, he worked on My Favorite Martian, the Bob Hope Radio Show, and the Red Skelton Show. Inside Gilligan’s Island: from creation to syndication chronicles the trials and tribulations of creating a TV series during the reign of the Big Three (NBC, ABC, and CBS). Schwartz recreates a radically different time, both in terms of production, broadcast, and sensibilities. It is hard even for this reviewer, raised on the variety of cable programming and the immediate accessibility of the VCR, to conjure a world where a viewer only had three choices.

To put things in perspective, CBS finally broadcasts Gilligan’s Island on page 161 of a 313-page book. (That’s counting the two appendices.) Prior to the network debut, Schwartz assembles a writing crew, the cast, and produces a pilot. Cue inevitable executive meddling. The altered pilot gets rejected by CBS. Schwartz then re-cuts, re-edits, and re-submits the pilot. In an unprecedented move, CBS accepts the pilot they initially rejected. At this time in network history, CBS stood at the top of the ratings battle with fourteen out of fifteen shows. A ratings record that has never been repeated.

William Paley plays a small but pivotal role in Gilligan’s conception and annihilation. During the first meeting, Schwartz explains the series as a “social microcosm.” The word confuses Paley, Chairman of the Board at CBS. Schwartz takes it all in stride, since the title of Chapter 1 is “The Importance of Being Illiterate.” Schwartz, a veteran writer for Bob Hope and Red Skelton, peppers the tale of Inside Gilligan’s Island with a fair share of groaners, puns, and jokes for the country club. Paley plays a part in the show’s demise because he didn’t want to see Gunsmoke cancelled. Despite Gilligan’s Island receiving the top ratings for three years in a row (after having its time slots switched year after year) and a study exhibiting the power of the urban consumer over the rural consumer, Paley persisted in keeping Gunsmoke on the air.
Gilligan’s Island made TV history with Rescue from Gilligan’s Island. Airing on October 14 and 21, 1978, it became one of the first “reunion shows” on network TV. It also received a 52 share in the ratings. It was one of the highest rated shows in TV history, made bittersweet since its abrupt cancellation denied Gilligan’s Island a proper season finale. By way of comparison, the finale of Seinfeld received a 58 share.

Gilligan’s Island remains in syndication and has been in repeats on various channels since its initial airdate. It is also a TV show that remains within the American consciousness, a stand-by pop cultural reference in everything from the Simpsons to Space Ghost Coast to Coast. Schwartz achieved the timeless with his melding of social commentary with broad humor. The Gilligan character, a hapless loveable dope, is the template viewers see in far-ranging characters like Matthew from Newsradio and Michael Scott from the Office.

Inside Gilligan’s Island is a fascinating piece of TV history. Schwartz came of age during a simpler time, at least in terms of business and sensibility. He wrote the book in 1988, prior to the conglomerates taking control of the three networks and the rise of cable TV. Out of the trials and tribulations, Schwartz created two iconic TV series. Gilligan’s Island is one of them.

http://driftlessareareview.wordpress.com/2011/06/05/inside-gilligan%E2%80%99s-is... show less

Sherwood Schwartz is a comedy writer and creator of "Gilligan's Island" and the "Brady Bunch." In this book he relates the trials and tribulations involved in bringing "Gilligan's Island" to television. His background in comedy makes this an entertaining read. Where most people would have been driven insane by the stress caused by C.B.S. executives, Mr. Shwartz found humor in the endless meetings and backstabbing.

What I found fascinating is that the people in charge of Hollywood still have show more the same attitudes that they had back in the 1960's. No one wants to back a new idea, even if test audiences prove it will be a hit. C.B.S. didn't have faith in "Gilligan's Island" even when it continually landed in the ratings top ten. Television executives don't want to take chances with a new concept. They want shows taken from already proven source material such as movies, books, and other shows.

Some of the references in this book are a bit dated, as it is a reprint of a text that was originally published in 1988. Television has changed significantly since the 1980's. The sitcom is basicly dead and reality television rules the air waves. This book would have benefited from a new introduction by Mr. Schwartz. I am sure he would have much to say about the state of television today. Instead we have a foreword made up of comments by the original cast. This is rather creepy since only three of the "castways" are still alive; Russ Johnson, Tina Louis, and Dawn Wells.

There is a very useful episode synopsis at the back of this edition. I enjoyed skimming through the descriptions and picking out my favorite episodes. This book is a must for die hard "Gilligan's Island" fans and those who long for the family friendly television shows they grew up watching. show less

Interesting view of behind the scenes, not only of Gilligan's Island, but of making TV shows in the 1960's. From the interfering executives that wanted to make Ginger a housewife and keep them all on the boat sailing around from episode to episode, to having to defend providing backstory in the themesong, to the eventual cancellation (it was very popular and getting great ratings, and they'd already been told they were obviously renewed when the decision was made to cancel it for an show more astoundingly stupid reason).
It's well-written and entertaining, even as he's describing his frustration with the various obstacles and critics.
Spurred enough interest for me to go out and buy the complete series on DVD -- my family is half-way through the second season now. show less

Inside Gilligan's Island: from Creation to Syndication
Sherwood Schwartz
Mcfarland & Company, Inc.
1988 (2011 reprint)

A Librarything Early Reviewer book.
Wow! It has been 47 years since Gilligan's Island premiered, and not only did I read a book about it, but I really enjoyed it. Mr. Schwartz, the creator of the show, wonderfully tells the story of Gilligan's Island; from the first idea, to pitching the show to the studio, to filming, to cancellation, and beyond. Most of the chapters are show more humorous vignettes that captured the attention of this reader. Towards the end of the memoir, Mr. Schwartz does drift off topic and discusses modern television (1988) and the dangers of sex and violence. This section seems not to belong with the rest of the memoir and makes him sound like a cranky old man talking about "those crazy kids of today".

4 stars. The writing is compelling and the stories are fun. If you enjoyed Gilligan's Island, you'll love this behind the scenes look at the show. show less