CBS
Television sitcoms have a long-standing tradition of incorporating holiday-themed episodes. From Halloween to Thanksgiving and Christmas, nearly every long-standing series has dedicated at least one episode to these festive occasions. Some shows, like “The Big Bang Theory”, have even made it a regular practice. These episodes often serve as a lens into the character’s past holidays or as a window into their struggle to find the perfect costume or prepare a memorable feast. Christmas episodes, in particular, often blend festive cheer with a hint of wistfulness. This mix of emotions can be quite comforting to viewers who may be feeling lonely or remorseful during the holiday season.
However, if you’re seeking a sitcom that grapples with life’s challenges in a profound manner, “Gilligan’s Island” might not be your first choice. This Sherwood Schwartz creation, featuring seven castaways stranded on a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean, is among the most outrageously comedic sitcoms television has ever seen. The characters are rather two-dimensional, fulfilling their narrative roles in an utterly predictable manner in each episode. Despite this, the show was designed for a long run (which was prematurely ended to keep the less popular “Gunsmoke” on air). As a viewer, you’d tune in to each episode fully aware that regardless of how elaborate the characters’ escape plan might be, they’d still be on the island by the end of the episode.
Nonetheless, Schwartz and his team managed to infuse a hint of sentimentality into their singular Christmas episode during the first season.
Santa Claus drops by Gilligan’s Island
CBS
The twelfth episode of the show, titled “Birds Gotta Fly, Fish Gotta Talk”, begins with the castaways adorning a bamboo tree for Christmas. Gilligan wishes for their rescue and soon they hear a radio announcement about a U.S. Navy destroyer spotting a group of people stranded on an island. As they eagerly await their rescue, they reminisce about their initial days on the island. Since the pilot episode of the series was never aired, this episode offers the viewers a rare glimpse of one of the characters (the Professor) before a casting change (Russell Johnson replaced John Gabriel who didn’t quite fit the ensemble dynamic).
The episode takes an unexpected turn when the characters learn that the destroyer had rescued a different group of castaways. Just when they’re bracing themselves for a gloomy Christmas, the Skipper shows up dressed as Santa Claus. After lifting his companions’ spirits, he exits into the jungle to get back on his sleigh. But as he departs, the Skipper appears from the opposite side. It seems impossible for him to have discarded his costume and looped back so quickly. As the castaways ponder over what just transpired, they hear sleigh bells in the sky.
Though “Gilligan’s Island” is far from being a sophisticated sitcom, this episode was a rare instance where the show hit a sentimental chord that resonated with viewers.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
