Probably my favorite comedy show is an oldie — Gilligans Island. Featuring a relative unknown cast at the time, the adventures of Gilligan, the skipper Jonas Grumby, millionaire Thurston Howell III, Lovey Howell, Professor Roy Hinckley, movie star Ginger Grant and Kansas farm girl Mary Ann Sommers became great TV back in the 1960′s.
Unfortunately the show is now only available on channels through cable tv packages, and not very often at that. It has now created lasting memories for 3 generations of Americans, without the needless sex and violence too often leaned on today by writers of these types of programs.
One of the best episodes involved the arrival on the island of a double for Mr. Howell. He had been heard selling off the stocks on the only communication device the castaways had — a portable radio. After washing up on the shore, nobody could tell the original from the fake. He had all of the mannerisms and birthmarks that even Mrs. Howell couldn’t figure out which one was her real husband. It wasn’t until the professor decide to test that handwriting that the imposter ran away from the others, somehow getting off the island.
This was a classic show and while occasionally silly, had a great interaction among the cast. It was also easy to watch since the characters inspired genuine care among the viewers.