We often imagine how things might have turned out if instead of X, we’d done Y or Z, and so on. Imagine how TV show Gilligan’s Island might have turned out with this cast:
- Raquel Welch for the role of Mary Ann
- Jayne Mansfield as Ginger
- Carroll O’Connor as Skipper
- Jerry Van Dyke as Gilligan, and
- Dabney Coleman as the Professor.
Whoa. In fact, all the above auditioned for those parts in the show, but were rejected. And here’s Mary Ann in the alternate universe:
For the record, I’ve only ever watched a few episodes of Gilligan’s Island because boredom, and not since because brain bleed. With the above cast, I might have been tempted to watch more, and not just because of Raquel.
Here’s an exercise. Put your favorite modern actors (at any age) into those roles, and imagine how the show would have changed.
Here are my suggestions, by way of example, which I think would have made the show not only more grown-up, but more watchable (and funnier):
- Helena Bonham-Carter for the role of Mary Ann
- Kate Walsh as Ginger
- Bob Newhart as The Skipper
- Robin Williams as Gilligan
…but I can’t beat
- Dabney Coleman as the Professor.
Go on, it’s your turn (and it’s harder than you think).
Dabney Coleman? Surely you mean Carole Vordemann? Or, for elegance, Helen Mirren. Indeed a younger Helen Mirren would work for Mary Anne or Ginger.
I got nothing, My brain froze up at the thought of Jayne Mansfield as Ginger.
Maryann — Zooey Dechanel
Ginger — Julianne Moore
Skipper — H. Jon Benjamin
Gilligan — Chris Pratt
Professor — John Hamm
Mr. Howe — Fred Willard
Mrs. Howe — Jessica Walter
Kevin Spacey as Thurston Howell III.
M
Mark,
Go and stand in the corner.
Trying to be period-correct here.
Ginger – Ann-Margaret or Barbara Eden
Professor – Bob Newhart
Maryann – Donna Douglas or Sally Field
Skipper – Lorne Green
Gilligan – Don Adams
Mr Howell – George Burns
Mrs Howell – Gracie Burns
Jewel Staite for the role of Mary Ann
Christina Hendricks as Ginger
Nathan Fillion as Skipper
Chris Pratt as Gilligan, and
Alton Brown as the Professor.
Mary Ann – Jenna Coleman
Ginger – Diana Rigg (Avengers era)
Skipper – Jack Klugman
Gilligan – Ben Stiller
Professor – Stephen Fry