The Real Gilligan's Island (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

The Real Gilligan's Island was a reality television series that aired two seasons on TBS in 2004 and 2005. Contestants on the show were forced to participate in challenges based off of plots from the 1960s television show. Both editions of the show were filmed on an island off the coast of Florida. Punk group Bowling for Soup covered the original Gilligan's Island theme for the show.

Combination format

The format of the show was a combination of CBS's Survivor and the original show from the 1960s. Contestants were divided into two teams of seven to start the show. Each team was composed of members that were expected to dress and act like their Gilligan's Island counterpart. Characters used were:

Gilligan,
Mary Ann,
Ginger,
the Skipper,
the Professor,
the Millionaire, and
the Millionaire's Wife.

Contestants were picked partly for their real-life resemblance to their characters--real-life millionaires, actresses, and boat owners played their counterparts.

Competitions of characters and teams

Initial round: paired competitions

In the first round, the teams would participate in a series of competitions that would pit one team's character against the other's (Team A's "Ginger" against Team B's "Ginger," for example) for the right to stay on the island and compete in the second phase of the show. The competitions were set up by having members from the teams venture to "Voodoo Village" to retrieve a chest that, when opened, would reveal a voodoo doll crudely done up to look like a character. The two contestants portraying that character would then compete.

Final round: Prizes, immunity, and alliances

Once the seven finalists were set, the show became very similar to Survivor. Contestants first competed in a challenge for a prize and a chance at immunity from the day's voting. Alliances and strategy was common. The contestants would then all travel to Voodoo Village and engage in a voting ceremony.

Final challenge

Once only three contestants were left, the show wrapped up with a challenge pitting the remaining players against each other. The first season was won by the Millionaire (Glenn Stearns.) The second season was won by the Skipper ("Crazy" Charlie Albert.)

Notable contestants

The "Ginger" role was filled by professional actresses. In 2004, Nicole Eggert and Rachel Hunter competed. In 2005, Erika Eleniak and Angie Everhart competed.

Winners

In season 1, the Millionaire won and was rescued. The Skipper won in season 2.

The Real Gilligan's Island