The Real Gilligan’s Island 2: A Preview

Well, just like in the movie Rescue from Gilligan’s Island, Gilligan and the other castaways are rescued from the uncharted desert isle but then are mysteriously lured back to the island that they once called home.

And, just like Ginger in that movie, the actors playing the roles of the characters will all change.

Cable station TBS brings us the second season of the their hit reality show, The Real Gilligan’s Island, in which real-life counterparts to the memorable TV characters will compete against each other for $250,000 and other prizes. The new season starts on June 8th.

If this season follows the format of the first season, there will be two “copies” of each character in the game. Each week, one pair of characters will face off against each other and the losing player will be banished from the game. When the group is down to seven players (one for each main character), the castaways will begin competing against the entire group for rewards and immunity. Immunity will be needed, since one player will be voted off each episode, Survivor style, until only three players are left. Those three players will then compete in an obstacle course to see who gets to the rescue helicopter first and wins the game.

So, let’s take a quick look at the players. As in the first season, each character will be played by a person who fits the role of the character in real life. In other words, a real actress will play the part of Ginger, a real ship’s captain will play the part of the skipper, and so on.

Gilligan Shawn says he doesn’t really know anything about the outdoors and hates getting sand stuck to him. Gilligan Zac claims to be naively innocent.

Skipper Charlie is a harbormaster in Louisiana, has a beer belly, and loves to joke around. Skipper Ken is a former naval officer and loves good food and beautiful women.

Millionaire Howie owns a Bentley and an airplane. He strives to always be as comfortable as possible. His wife, Melissa, performs in cabaret shows and enjoys a good bottle of $1500 Bordeaux.

Millionaire Jim loves cash and once bought a $45,000 automobile with $100 bills. His wife, Donna, likes shopping and visiting their apartment in Newport Beach.

Professor Tiy-e calls himself the professor’s “Ebony Twin.” He enjoys spending time with his children, keeping fit, and dancing. Professor Andrew plays guitar and competes in triathlons.

Mary Ann Randi hails from Kansas and says that she has never lived anywhere else. She says she was the ninth grade spelling bee champion at her school. Mary Ann Mandy hails from Tennessee and enjoys the simple things in life. She has a genuine interest in helping others and enjoys dancing, running, and baseball.

Ginger Angie Everhart has had plenty of experience appearing on reality TV. She was the mole in Celebrity Mole: Yucatan. She has appeared in more than 30 movies and TV series. Some of the interesting titles in the list are Lingerie Bowl, Mad Dog Time, and Gunblast Vodka.

Ginger Erika Eleniak has more than 35 movie and TV appearances to her credit. Browsing her list of movies, I can’t say that I recognize many of the titles, except for Baywatch and The Beverly Hillbillies movie, where she played, ironically enough, Elly May Clampett – a part that seems a lot closer to Mary Ann than Ginger. Some of the other movie titles in the list that sound interesting are Dracula 3000, A Pyromaniac's Love Story, and Bordello of Blood.

So, will this season have the excitement of the first season? Will the new millionaire named Donna have the same fiery opinions that landed the first season’s Donna in the Reality TV Hall of Shame? Will this season’s Gilligan fall in love with Mary Ann, as last season’s did? Will the millionaire again win $250,000 in “pocket change?”

Tune in to TBS on June 8th to find out how the new castaways handle their tropical island nest.

Bill (bing@paxentertainment.com) is a huge reality show fan. He owns a hat from every season of Survivor.

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