Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Ballad of Gilligan's Island (1964)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This is about the fateful cruise of the S.S. Minnow. If you had a boat, what would christen it?

For me, in reality, this sort of decision would require months of angst, considering all options for the perfect name, but I would name it something funny with a pun in it, like Miss Behavin.

2) "No phone! No lights! No motorcar! Not a single luxury!" To Sam, those sound more like everyday essentials than luxuries. If you were shipwrecked with the gang, what standard amenity would you miss the most? 

the internet

3) The uncharted isle was in the Pacific, near Hawaii. Have you ever been to our 50th state?

Yes. One of my favorite vacations ever, and I wasn't even that thrilled about going! I thought it would be a heaping crapload of money to go to "just another beach." It was not like that at all. It's really a different culture, and so many varied types of terrain and the friendliest people. There was the big island, with its other-worldly volcano setting. The luaus and hulas and kalua pig. Pearl Harbor, such a moving memorial. Shave ice. Sealife Park, with its up-close and personal attractions. The pineapple maze. Beautiful rainforests. Afternoon rain. Several of the most gorgeous beaches (including a black sand beach) known to man. Dreamy and amazing!

4) Natalie Schafer, who played Mrs. Howell, refused to divulge her age. Are you honest about how old you are? Or do you fudge it?

I am honest about it. When I was around 35, I went through a few years where I avoided mentioning it. I felt a little old and looked younger than my age, so it worked for me, but even then, I never lied if I was asked.

5) Gilligan's Island featured many dream sequences. (Like the one where Gilligan dozes off and dreams that he's Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk.) Have you had any vivid dreams lately?

I always have vivid dreams when I wake up early in the morning and fall back asleep. In this morning's dream, I had a meeting at the office. When I got there, my boss escorted me to an auditorium, where I was expected to give a project update on stage, to about 300 people. (We actually have only about 40 folks in Austin.) Bonus- I had no idea what was going on with this particular project.

6) The pilot was filmed in November, 1963, in Honolulu. The cast and crew were actually onset when they learned of President Kennedy's assassination. Because on location filming was so expensive, they couldn't afford to take any time off. Tell us about a time when you had to work, even though your heart and head weren't in it. 

There were several times in high school when I had to hostess at the restaurant during a football game or other event. Sometimes my friends would come up after the game and we would sit in the bar and drink sodas and listen to the band. It wasn't too bad!

7) During the show's run, Mary Ann (Dawn Wells) was the clear fan favorite, receiving twice as many love letters as Ginger (Tina Louise). Have you ever written a fan letter (or posted a fan tweet or Facebook post)?

My friend and I ran a huge fansite for almost four years. Good times. I've never written to a celebrity. I've posted fan posts on Facebook a few times.

8) Sam chose this week's song because it was going through her head, over and over again! Tell us a song that burrows into your head and stays there.

"Sit Still Look Pretty" Daya. The chorus. The bridge. The whistling. Any of those can get stuck in my head!

9) Random question: You went to a discount store and got an amazing bargain -- a pair of dress shoes for just $4.99. You go to a formal event and someone compliments you on those great shoes and asks where you got them. Do you tell the truth?

Yep! Always happy to get (and share) a bargain.