28 years after we first met the passengers and crew of the
shipwrecked "S.S. Minnow" on their "uncharted desert isle,"
"Baywatch," the action/adventure series about L.A. lifeguards is
flashing back to the original hit series "Gilligan's Island."
In this special program, lifeguard Eddie Kramer (Billy
Warlock) gets hit on the head and dreams he's on "Gilligan's
Island."
Bob Denver and Dawn Wells ("Gilligan" and "Mary Ann"), from
the 1964 -- 1967 series, reprise their roles in this episode of
"Baywatch." The other "Gilligan's Island" characters are played
by "Baywatch" regulars with Erika Eleniak as "Ginger," Monte
Markham as "Thurston Howell III," Tom McTigue as the "Professor"
and Gregory Alan-Williams as the "Skipper."
To re-create the look and feel of "Gilligan's Island," much
of the original set was used in the fabrication of the new set
under the direction of Sherwood Schwartz, creator and executive
producer of "Gilligan's Island." This includes the familiar palm
trees, bamboo huts and contraptions that surrounded the
"castaways." The lightinq, wardrobe and style of photography are
also true to the original series.
Teaming up to make this special "Baywatch" program a family
affair are Sherwood Schwartz, his nephew Doug Schwartz and his
son Lloyd Schwartz. Doug, director of this episode and co-
executive producer of "Baywatch," once served as dialogue coach
on "Gilligan's Island." Lloyd, who wrote this episode, was also a
writer on "Gilligan's Island."
"Baywatch," starring David Hasselhoff, revolves around the
lives and adventures of a dedicated group of Los Angeles
lifeguards as they face life and death situations patrolling the
scenic and often dangerous Southern California coastline.
When Mitch finds his entire staff glued to the headquarters TV watching their favorite
"Gilligans Island" characters in re-runs, he scolds them and sends them out to their
respective assignments.
Later, an amorous couple go a little too far in front of Eddie's tower, he trots down the
ramp to break them up. Suddenly he slips on some sand and hits his head on the tower
ramp. He seems alright, but after he and Shauni take the Scarab out to help a stranded
Jet-Skier, everything goes a little crazy. Their boat doesn't start and they have to spend
the night on Anacapa Island waiting for help. When Eddie spots a man wearing a red
shirt and sailor's cap, he can't help.but notice his resemblance to his favorite re-run
character, "Gilligan." Eddie chases after the fleeing man and they both fall off a cliff,
saved only by a handy vine. To Eddie's surprise, it is actually "Gilligan," and it turns
out that he and "Mary Ann" are both stuck on the island. He explains that the
"Professor" crafted a boat big enough for only two, and he and "Mary Ann" soled
toward the mainland to find help. Shipwrecked on Anacapa Island, they don't even
knew how close to land they are.
The next day, Eddie repairs the Scarab and he and Shauni return to headquarters with
"Gilligan" and "Mary Ann." Things are even crazier there. Captain Thorpe has won
the lottery and in the spirit of capitalism decides to produce a TV movie about
"Gilligan" and "Mary Ann." To keep the ending up-beat, he buys a yacht, the
"Minnow II," and sets out with Garner, Shauni, Eddie, "Gilligan," "Mary Ann" and
Harvey to find the rest of "stranded castaways" on "Gilligan's Island.' Shortly after
they embark, a huge storm breaks and the "Minnow II" is shipwrecked on a deserted
island. While the group settles in, Eddie falls for "Mary Ann" and Shauni makes a play
for "Gilligan." The couples make hasty wedding plans and ask Garner to perform the
ceremony. Before the weddings can take place," Harvey, always a fan of the
"Professor," finishes work on a small boat, the "Minnow III," and the castaways draw
straws to see which two will sail to freedom. When "Gilligan" and "Mary Ann" draw
the longest straws, Eddie and "Mary Ann" exchange a heartfelt good-bye and the
remaining castaways head back to their huts. While looking for food, Eddie gets
clipped by a coconut and awakes to find himself at Baywatch headquarters. But was it
all a dream?
