# Gilligan goes on permanent 3-hr tour. Bob Denver dead at 70 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 6, 2005, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383 "2005-09-06T18:36:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/21 "2005-09-06T19:33:45Z")
[somewhat relevant hijack] By the way, does anyone know where the name Gilligan came from? Was it his first or last name? (sorry if it’s a stupid question–I rarely saw the show, 'cause I grew up in house full of books, with limited TV watching. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/22 "2005-09-06T19:34:12Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > So is that 4 or five of the castmembers that are gone? > > Mary Ann and Ginger are still alive, but I can’t remember if Russell Johnson is dead (I think he is). Russell Johnson is still alive. So 3 left. [Gilligan’s Island on IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057751/) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/23 "2005-09-06T19:35:18Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > [somewhat relevant hijack] > > By the way, does anyone know where the name Gilligan came from? Was it his first or last name? > (sorry if it’s a stupid question–I rarely saw the show, 'cause I grew up in house full of books, with limited TV watching. Last Name. Full name was Willie Gilligan Complete credited cast: Bob Denver … Willie Gilligan (1964-1967) Alan Hale Jr. … Jonas Grumby (The Skipper) (1964-1967) Jim Backus … Thurston Howell III (1964-1967) Natalie Schafer … Mrs. Lovey Howell (1964-1967) Tina Louise … Ginger Grant (1964-1967) Russell Johnson … Roy Hinkley (The Professor) (1964-1967) Dawn Wells … Mary Ann Summers (1964-1967) ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/24 "2005-09-06T19:36:50Z")
Pretty sure Russell Johnson is still alive. And as Bob stepped before the Great White Throne & the Glowing Faceless Giant declared “Bob, My son, receive My Eternal Blessings for the laughter you have brought to millions through your great work-” “WORK!?!?” ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/25 "2005-09-06T19:44:07Z")
That’s too bad. Now it’s too late to have him on a celebrity Survivor. He never would have gotten voted off the island. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/26 "2005-09-06T19:45:44Z")
> [@kingpengvin](#): > > It’s strange. They mention he was 70 and for some reason I can’t wrap my head around that… To me he will always be a Gilliganish 20 odd. Actually he was 29 the first year of GI. Which I can’t wrap my head around. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/27 "2005-09-06T19:56:21Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > Russell Johnson is still alive. > So 3 left. > [Gilligan’s Island on IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057751/) I’m glad to know I was wrong. I’m sure Mr. Johnson is also glad. ---
**Author:** ![5que](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/3bc359/32.png) [@5que](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5que)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/28 "2005-09-06T20:10:10Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > But Maynard G. Krebs was a role model. I’m with you on that one, **kunilou**. Growing up I had a cat with a white face but a black “goatee” – his name was Maynard, _of course_. Writing this, I just realized we are now going to find out the old farts on SDMB. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/29 "2005-09-06T20:35:14Z")
> [@jrfranchi](#): > > Last Name. Full name was Willie Gilligan > Complete credited cast: > Bob Denver … Willie Gilligan (1964-1967) Not really. In the original script treatments they did use Willie as a first name, but before they started filming they dropped that and he was only referred to as Gilligan, with no indication of first or last name. [Wiki link](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilligan's_Island) It is still controvesial and refuses to die, but I don’t think you can call Willie or Willy his first name since it never aired. Bye, bye little buddy. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/30 "2005-09-06T21:02:40Z")
Bob Denver insisted that Gilligan was the first name (Source: [Snopes](http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/gilligan.asp)). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/31 "2005-09-06T21:25:50Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Couldn’t stand Gilligan. > > But Maynard G. Krebs was a role model. > > RIP, Bob. Work! ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/32 "2005-09-06T21:26:26Z")
I don’t know Rufus, but Maynard G. Krebs (the “G” stands for Walter) was one of the greatest characters ever put onto television. And it was all Bob Denver’s doing, as the few episodes where he was replaced by Michael J. Pollard proves. I’ve never understood the Gilligan worship; it was a nothing role by comparison. But for Maynard, and in memory of Dobie and Zelda and the rest, a fond forewell. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/33 "2005-09-06T21:30:15Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > Oh, yeah, George Bernard Shaw had _nuthin’_ on Sherwood Schwartz. Why you could write a sociological treatise on the “Mary Ann gets conked by a coconut” or “fat native loves Gilligan” episodes alone! Yeah, I snorted at that when I read it in the NYT. Sometimes a TV show is just a TV show. In fact, almost all of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/34 "2005-09-06T21:48:25Z")
> [@Exapno Mapcase](#): > > I’ve never understood the Gilligan worship; it was a nothing role by comparison. Gilligan was more like the every-schmoe who wanted to do the right thing, but was just not equipped to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/35 "2005-09-06T21:54:11Z")
It is my theory that the name of Maynard G. Krebs kept the goatee at abeyance for decades. Anyone who wore one didn’t face being written off as “trying to look cool or rebelious” which is how they would have wanted to be written off. They were facing being compared to Maynard G. Krebs, a goofy kid from a TV show they never saw played by the guy who, they were told, later became better known as Gilligan. My conjecture is that the fading memory of Maynard G. Krebs made it possible to view a goatee as ‘hip’ again. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/36 "2005-09-06T22:43:38Z")
I was truly sorry to hear this news. On the other hand, if one more person says “I thought he was already dead - oh, no, wait, that was _John_ Denver”, I’m going to pop them one. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/37 "2005-09-06T22:45:56Z")
I thought Bob Denver died in a plane crash yonks ago! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/38 "2005-09-06T23:07:47Z")
Gilligan’s Island was a source of inspiration to kids of my generation. Heck, with some vines, a few cocoanut hulls, and some bamboo, they’d whip together a bicycle-powered dynamo, and Gilligan would invariably be sitting there, pedalling like a madman. A couple of my friends have the habit of working to assemble something and when the moment of turning it on or starting it arrives will say, “OK-hit it, Professor!” Thanks, Gilligan, for some good clean entertaining TV. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/39 "2005-09-06T23:09:36Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Heck, with some vines, a few cocoanut hulls, and some bamboo, they’d whip together a bicycle-powered dynamo, and Gilligan would invariably be sitting there, pedalling like a madman. I wanted the bamboo pedal car. Still do. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383/40 "2005-09-07T00:29:14Z")
> [@Johnny Angel](#): > > It is my theory that the name of Maynard G. Krebs kept the goatee at abeyance for decades. Anyone who wore one didn’t face being written off as “trying to look cool or rebelious” which is how they would have wanted to be written off. They were facing being compared to Maynard G. Krebs, a goofy kid from a TV show they never saw played by the guy who, they were told, later became better known as Gilligan. My conjecture is that the fading memory of Maynard G. Krebs made it possible to view a goatee as ‘hip’ again. On the other hand, in [_Venice West_](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0813519659/qid=1126053165/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-2818998-0394421?v=glance&s=books&n=507846), the providentially named author John Maynard suggests that the MGK character was supposed to be merely a would-be hipster or poseur, rather than the real thing. As evidence he cites the weakness of the goatee and the absence of moustache, suggesting that he was barely a man at all. _Dobie_ was before my time, but from the one or two episodes I’ve seen MGK only affected the mannerisms of Beat, and made whatever statements he thought would substantiate his status as a hipster. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gilligan-goes-on-permanent-3-hr-tour-bob-denver-dead-at-70/320383.md?page=3)