The unexpected story behind the iconic S.S. Minnow from 'Gilligan's Island' reveals a hilarious Hollywood insider tidbit.
beat sheet
The boat's name was actually a sly reference to Newton Minow, the FCC chairman who famously called TV a 'vast wasteland' - a jab at the show's critics
Gilligan's Island creator Sherwood Schwartz admitted the name choice was 'a little dig' at Minow, whose harsh assessment of the industry inspired the punny boat name
call sheet
Newton Minow, Sherwood Schwartz, Gilligan's Island