GILLIGAN
You know what sucks most about getting older? When people who meant a lot to you pass away. Now, it's always terrible when a loved one goes and the incredible tragedy of New Orleans just leaves you standing with your jaw hanging, but then there are your childhood heros. The day Vincent Price died, I felt like crawling under the bedclothes and sleeping all day. In his various incarnation as many, many beloved characters (including his own "Vincent Price" persona), to know the world had to go on without this amazing person left a little bruise in my heart that I hoped I wouldn't have to feel again.
I was wrong. Today, I read with shock that Bob Denver has passed away. GILLIGAN'S ISLAND was one of my absolute favorite shows, and to a degree, still is (although I snobbishly prefer the black-and-white episodes). There was real love between the people on that island, both in front of and behind the camera, and you could tell. I saw a TV documentary about gays and television favorites recently, and it was suggested that one of the reasons we like shows like THE GOLDEN GIRLS is that THAT'S how we see ourselves at that age...living with and surrounded by our friends. Our friends are our substitute family and will ultimately become the people we want to live with in our old age. But if that is the case, I don't think it must necessarily be limited to that age. I think we look for substitute families at almost every age, and for me, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND provided that extended family, even though it was imaginary and for 30 minutes a day. Everyone loved each other, no matter how bad a mistake you made. Everyone cared for each other, no matter the risk involved. And this was all centered on Gilligan, the show's kid-figure. There's no doubt in my mind that if Gilligan hsd told everyone he was gay, it would not have mattered a bit.
Gilligan was expertly played by Bob Denver, an actor I've always liked, both in this and his other shows THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS, DUSTY'S TRAIL and THE GOOD GUYS. I've enjoyed his movies WHO'S MINDING THE MINT?, DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE TRAVELLING SALESLADY? and a rare dramatic turn in THE SWEET RIDE (in the latter, he pretends to be gay, wearing a pink boa and carring a little lap dog to try and get out of the draft). And now, he's gone.
I think I'll crawl back in bed and pull the covers up.
Rest in peace. little buddy.
JBK
I was wrong. Today, I read with shock that Bob Denver has passed away. GILLIGAN'S ISLAND was one of my absolute favorite shows, and to a degree, still is (although I snobbishly prefer the black-and-white episodes). There was real love between the people on that island, both in front of and behind the camera, and you could tell. I saw a TV documentary about gays and television favorites recently, and it was suggested that one of the reasons we like shows like THE GOLDEN GIRLS is that THAT'S how we see ourselves at that age...living with and surrounded by our friends. Our friends are our substitute family and will ultimately become the people we want to live with in our old age. But if that is the case, I don't think it must necessarily be limited to that age. I think we look for substitute families at almost every age, and for me, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND provided that extended family, even though it was imaginary and for 30 minutes a day. Everyone loved each other, no matter how bad a mistake you made. Everyone cared for each other, no matter the risk involved. And this was all centered on Gilligan, the show's kid-figure. There's no doubt in my mind that if Gilligan hsd told everyone he was gay, it would not have mattered a bit.
Gilligan was expertly played by Bob Denver, an actor I've always liked, both in this and his other shows THE MANY LOVES OF DOBIE GILLIS, DUSTY'S TRAIL and THE GOOD GUYS. I've enjoyed his movies WHO'S MINDING THE MINT?, DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE TRAVELLING SALESLADY? and a rare dramatic turn in THE SWEET RIDE (in the latter, he pretends to be gay, wearing a pink boa and carring a little lap dog to try and get out of the draft). And now, he's gone.
I think I'll crawl back in bed and pull the covers up.
Rest in peace. little buddy.
JBK
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