"President Gilligan" begins with the Skipper and Mr. Howell arguing over who should be the leader, Ginger suggesting an election to come up with a winner. Mr. Howell is of course eager to buy the election by promising exorbitant salaries for all cabinet members, while his opponent arrives at an appropriate slogan, 'don't change skippers in mid ocean.' The results find a write-in candidate victorious, as Gilligan clearly votes for himself, along with Mary Ann and Mrs. Howell (her husband forgives her for being a 'romantic schemer'). While the new president takes his job seriously, working on the construction of a new well to replenish the water supply, no one else on the island pays any attention to his ideas. The Skipper appoints himself Vice President, Mr. Howell delights in being granted Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Ginger is the Secretary of Health and Welfare, in charge of building the hospital, after which, due to the lack of doctors, she will build a medical school! Once Gilligan starts digging the well all by himself, he learns that his Chief Justice intends to start impeachment proceedings on charges of bribery! The cast members truly come into their own in this sixth episode, but Jim Backus shines brightest as he lists his accomplishments in applying for the position of Chief Justice: "the government has convicted me six times on antitrust suits, and I've been investigated every year for income tax evasion!" (Skipper: "any man who can stay out of jail with a record like that's got to know something about the law!"). Mr. Howell's first task is to investigate a plot to overthrow the government, the one he started right after the election! The only real disappointment about the idea is that there was never any follow up in the political ramifications, as no mention of the election would ever be brought up in future episodes.
5 Reviews
One of the Better 1st Season Episodes
kmcelhaney00523 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
A good, interactive episode among the cast as a question of leadership results in an election with surprising results. Naturally, when Gilligan is elected, no one seems to pay any attention to him and pretty soon he has to dig the well for the new water supply.
Mr Howell (Jim Backus) practically steals every scene he's in, which is typical of all his performances on Gilligan's Island. For example, when the Skipper declares that there is no room for dirty politics, Mr. Howell nudges the Professor and says under his breath "Well, maybe a little room...." which is perhaps the biggest laugh-getter in the episode.
It's nice to see all the cast members having something to do and they way they take their new-found positions seriously is something to behold. Overall, a very fine episode with some good laughs.
Mr Howell (Jim Backus) practically steals every scene he's in, which is typical of all his performances on Gilligan's Island. For example, when the Skipper declares that there is no room for dirty politics, Mr. Howell nudges the Professor and says under his breath "Well, maybe a little room...." which is perhaps the biggest laugh-getter in the episode.
It's nice to see all the cast members having something to do and they way they take their new-found positions seriously is something to behold. Overall, a very fine episode with some good laughs.
- In the election, we know that Mrs. Howell, Mary Ann and Gilligan voted for Gilligan. It also appears that Mr. Howell & the Skipper voted for themselves. If Ginger did indeed vote for Mr. Howell, then the Professor must have voted for the Skipper.
- Gilligan's declaration to the Skipper after the election that he was on the Skipper's side rings somewhat hollow since he voted for himself.
- It appears that Gilligan's new well is very close to the lagoon as we see in the background the distinctive horizontal tree that hangs over the lagoon.
Political intrigue even among just seven people.
mark.waltz25 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
There's definitely some thought put into the writing of this episode which sees the Skipper and the ruthless Thurston Howell III running against each other for president of the island (no real name outside the TV show's title) and finding corruption even among each other. At least Jim Backus makes Howell's determination to win the election hysterically funny to do so, and it's obvious that Ginger would sell her vote simply to get a leading role he promises her. But Mary Ann has scruples, the Professor doesn't have a corrupt bone in his body, and Gilligan, well, is Gilligan. But there's a surprise when the ballot box is emptied and counted, leading write-in votes for none other than the big G! Through the intelligence of actor Bob Denver, Gilligan actually has really great ideas, but the other six people have their own agendas of what they want to see on the island, and this leads to some very interesting situations. Every idea that Gilligan has that the other castaways approve of he ends up doing himself because the posts that the other six are assigned to has them working mainly on fulfilling their goals and not looking out for the welfare of everybody else. Through comedy, this shows what can happen when government is unorganized and people don't work together, and surprisingly 55 years later, this episode really holds up.
Gilligan meets bureaucracy.
Ralphkram21 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
In keeping with the political tone of this entry, President Gilligan is a promising episode that doesn't quite deliver on its promise. Oh, it has its moments, particularly in the first act, but unfortunately peters out in the second.
Fresh water is in scarce supply on the island. The solution is the digging of a well. It's a pressing need, but not pressing enough for the castaways to do any actual digging.
The Skipper taps Gilligan for the job, but Mr. Howell wants him to caddy instead, which causes a power struggle between them. They have a fun but fierce nose-to-nose argument over who exactly is 'running the island.' Ginger, quite randomly, decides the best way to settle the question is to put it to a vote.
Of course, being the castaways, it's not enough to just jot down their votes on slips of paper and put them in a hat. Oh, no; they have to turn the communal shower into a makeshift voting booth, and conduct all out campaigns for the nomination.
The campaigns, however, only amount to a couple of practice stump speeches which pad the running time. More fun is Mr. Howell's naked attempts at bribery. Mary Ann is too pure and honest to be swayed, but he buys Ginger's vote with talk of backing her Hollywood career.
By election day, Gilligan still can't decide between his big buddy and being Secretary of the Navy in a Howell administration. In a silly bid at drama, our lead pauses to consider each candidate before closing the curtain, and accidentally pulls the rope that tips over the water barrel for the shower.
The close of the first act is much better. The Professor reads the result of each soggy ballot. It all comes down to the tie-breaking vote owned by our lead, of course. Turns out he's a third party candidate, who humorously breaks the fourth wall to declare himself the isle's first president.
It's a promising note to end on. A Gilligan presidency? What could be funnier? Lots of things, it turns out. The Trump presidency, for starters.
As entertaining as the close of the first act is, the second act squanders the opportunity to do anything consequential. It's like writer Roland Wolpert makes Gilligan president and doesn't know what to do next. There is a half-hearted attempt at a coup by Mr. Howell, which amounts to little more than bluster. Gilligan's cabinet treats him no differently and loses interest in everything but their titles. No one assists with the well digging and he winds up doing all the work.
In other words, it's politics as usual.
Mr. Howell still threatens him with impeachment for some reason, even though the position has been rendered meaningless. Gilligan is just about to resign in frustration when he solves their shortage. He is a hero and a shoo-in for re-election.
Too bad his term only lasts for half an episode.
COCONOTES:
The argument between the Skipper and Mr. Howell is a nice carry over from Home Sweet Hut, the first episode directed by future Superman director Richard Donner.
We get a firm answer in this episode of why the castaways keep Gilligan around despite his penchant for bungling rescue attempts. Namely, they're too lazy and shiftless and self-important to do any manual labor, and leave all of the hard work to him.
Major plot hole: Lovey doesn't want her husband to become president because of the stress and she wants to take an early honeymoon. Understood, but why does she vote for Gilligan over the Skipper? The result would've been the same, no?
Gilligan-Mary Ann shipper alert: Once again, Mary Ann is the only one concerned over our lead's welfare, warming him up when he's shivering after his vote. And her reason for voting for him? "Gilligan's my man, too!"
Fresh water is in scarce supply on the island. The solution is the digging of a well. It's a pressing need, but not pressing enough for the castaways to do any actual digging.
The Skipper taps Gilligan for the job, but Mr. Howell wants him to caddy instead, which causes a power struggle between them. They have a fun but fierce nose-to-nose argument over who exactly is 'running the island.' Ginger, quite randomly, decides the best way to settle the question is to put it to a vote.
Of course, being the castaways, it's not enough to just jot down their votes on slips of paper and put them in a hat. Oh, no; they have to turn the communal shower into a makeshift voting booth, and conduct all out campaigns for the nomination.
The campaigns, however, only amount to a couple of practice stump speeches which pad the running time. More fun is Mr. Howell's naked attempts at bribery. Mary Ann is too pure and honest to be swayed, but he buys Ginger's vote with talk of backing her Hollywood career.
By election day, Gilligan still can't decide between his big buddy and being Secretary of the Navy in a Howell administration. In a silly bid at drama, our lead pauses to consider each candidate before closing the curtain, and accidentally pulls the rope that tips over the water barrel for the shower.
The close of the first act is much better. The Professor reads the result of each soggy ballot. It all comes down to the tie-breaking vote owned by our lead, of course. Turns out he's a third party candidate, who humorously breaks the fourth wall to declare himself the isle's first president.
It's a promising note to end on. A Gilligan presidency? What could be funnier? Lots of things, it turns out. The Trump presidency, for starters.
As entertaining as the close of the first act is, the second act squanders the opportunity to do anything consequential. It's like writer Roland Wolpert makes Gilligan president and doesn't know what to do next. There is a half-hearted attempt at a coup by Mr. Howell, which amounts to little more than bluster. Gilligan's cabinet treats him no differently and loses interest in everything but their titles. No one assists with the well digging and he winds up doing all the work.
In other words, it's politics as usual.
Mr. Howell still threatens him with impeachment for some reason, even though the position has been rendered meaningless. Gilligan is just about to resign in frustration when he solves their shortage. He is a hero and a shoo-in for re-election.
Too bad his term only lasts for half an episode.
COCONOTES:
The argument between the Skipper and Mr. Howell is a nice carry over from Home Sweet Hut, the first episode directed by future Superman director Richard Donner.
We get a firm answer in this episode of why the castaways keep Gilligan around despite his penchant for bungling rescue attempts. Namely, they're too lazy and shiftless and self-important to do any manual labor, and leave all of the hard work to him.
Major plot hole: Lovey doesn't want her husband to become president because of the stress and she wants to take an early honeymoon. Understood, but why does she vote for Gilligan over the Skipper? The result would've been the same, no?
Gilligan-Mary Ann shipper alert: Once again, Mary Ann is the only one concerned over our lead's welfare, warming him up when he's shivering after his vote. And her reason for voting for him? "Gilligan's my man, too!"
AND THE WINNER IS....
tcchelsey25 February 2024
I agree, Mr. Howell (or Jim Backus) steals lots of scenes here, and with some outrageous dialogue, as usual.
Since 1964 was, in fact, a presidential election year, why not hold a presidential election on the island?
Competing against each other --without too much surprise -- is the Skipper and Mr. Howell, and may the best man win. Naturally, Mr. Howell, with all his millions, promises lots of financial "rewards" to those who vote for him. Best line department; he casually mentions to Ginger, "I'm thinking of buying Hollywood!"
In a neat twist, Gilligan votes for himself! -- and so do Mary Ann and Mrs. Howell and he's elected president! The Skipper becomes his dutiful "assistant" and there's lots of work to do on the island, such as constructing a new well for fresh water.
Once again, as to where everybody gets the tools to dig a deep well is never fully explained, and best left at that if you are a true Gilligan fan. Actually, there's a super idea suggested by president Gilligan at the close -- build a lookout tower so the castaways can see boats and boaters can see them. But are the castaways in a building mood? Maybe for another episode.
Very good writing on the part of Roland Wolpert, who wrote for many sitcoms in the 60s, such as BEWITCHED. Director Richard Donner (LETHAL WEAPON) has fun with the cast, especially Jim Backus, it's so obvious. Donner was also directing PERRY MASON at the time.
Nice to see the episode colorized, though originally released in black and white. The color improved by the second season, later remastered beautifully, especially the third season episodes. SEASON 1 EPISODE 6.
Since 1964 was, in fact, a presidential election year, why not hold a presidential election on the island?
Competing against each other --without too much surprise -- is the Skipper and Mr. Howell, and may the best man win. Naturally, Mr. Howell, with all his millions, promises lots of financial "rewards" to those who vote for him. Best line department; he casually mentions to Ginger, "I'm thinking of buying Hollywood!"
In a neat twist, Gilligan votes for himself! -- and so do Mary Ann and Mrs. Howell and he's elected president! The Skipper becomes his dutiful "assistant" and there's lots of work to do on the island, such as constructing a new well for fresh water.
Once again, as to where everybody gets the tools to dig a deep well is never fully explained, and best left at that if you are a true Gilligan fan. Actually, there's a super idea suggested by president Gilligan at the close -- build a lookout tower so the castaways can see boats and boaters can see them. But are the castaways in a building mood? Maybe for another episode.
Very good writing on the part of Roland Wolpert, who wrote for many sitcoms in the 60s, such as BEWITCHED. Director Richard Donner (LETHAL WEAPON) has fun with the cast, especially Jim Backus, it's so obvious. Donner was also directing PERRY MASON at the time.
Nice to see the episode colorized, though originally released in black and white. The color improved by the second season, later remastered beautifully, especially the third season episodes. SEASON 1 EPISODE 6.
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