<p>I’ll chime in! Gilligan’s Island was a staple in our house when I was growing up. It was the only time when my mom let us eat on the floor in the frontroom because GI came on at dinner time. The ballad would start up…Just sit right back, and you’ll hear a tale…, and BAM, we were glued to the carpet in front of the TV. We did not want to miss when the tiny ship was tossed, and wonder again if the Minnow would be lost. </p>
<p>I was in college when I first saw an episode of Dobie Gillis. It was the first TV sitcom I had seen that portrayed teenagers in a way other than drooling, hormonal idiots. They were way ahead of their time, with a great ensemble cast, including Sheila James, who played Zelda, the girl with brains, hopelessly in love with the popular guy. Okay, that was me, along with every other smart girl I hung out with in high school. The show was a kinder, gentler predecessor to Animal House, which tapped into every red-blooded, American teenager’s sense of humor and disrespect for administrative authority (e.g., “double-secret probation”).</p>
<p>Maynard G. Krebs was the original slacker. Clever, irreverent, and likable, he represented what parents feared most would happen to their teenagers, and perhaps, still do. The guy would shriek like a pretty lady every time the word, “work,” was mentioned, and that still makes me laugh.</p>
<p>To create such lasting and memorable characters is a real feat for any actor. I thank you, Mr. Denver. Now, I’m going to put on a coconut bra and play my bongos. Work?!! :eek:</p>