I love stories that reveal things I never knew about old TV shows I used to watch, but this one is really something.

It digs in behind the scenes of the old "Gilligan's Island," a show critics hated but audiences mostly loved. It only lasted three seasons (cancelled to save Gunsmoke, a story recounted in the article) but there was enough going on behind the scenes that you'd almost think this comedy was a drama!

Among the revelations:

-The original Gilligan's Island didn't even have Bob Denver as Gilligan
-The sad reason Natalie Shafer (aka Mrs. Howell) had to have costumes and clothing made especially for her
-The real reason Tina Louise (the movie star Ginger) hated doing the show
-Why the original Professor almost wasn't played by Russell Johnson
-Why Phil "Sgt. Bilko" Silvers was an important part of the show
-The strange and estranged real life Thanksgiving dinner between Marianne and Ginger and
-The sequel that might have been.

It's a long piece but what a read with some great revelations.

The Shocking Real Story Behind ‘Gilligan’s Island’—Casting Drama, Lost Credits and Cancelation