Since the death of Russell Johnson a couple weeks ago I've been watching "Gilligan's Island" reruns on TV. A show I've not watched since I was a kid, and have always felt myself a Mary Ann guy. But watching more of this show in my adult mind... I may find myself going to Ginger's side. Mary Ann is beautiful, sure, but there's just "something" about Ginger.
Agreed on all counts. I used to prefer Jeannie over Samantha (on the pretext that Jeannie's rules would prevent her from arbitrarily using her powers against someone) but finally decided that the whole "master" thing just really creeps me the hell out.
Eh, there were plenty of times Jeannie would get in a huff and do something to Major Nelson against his wishes/request. But then Samantha did once turn her husband into a completely different person without him (or anyone else for that matter) noticing. So how far can HER power extend? Samantha also had a very annoying family.
I really like Barbara Eden, she's a great comic actress. It's mostly the awful brainless master/servant way of speaking Jeannie was given that's the big turn-off. [edited to delete] How about Cousin Serena or "Bad Jeannie"?
Hey, don't look at me, I'm only considering the rules propounded by the show itself. It's been awhile since I've seen it but I always assumed that Jeannie couldn't use her abilities arbitrarily, like Samantha can. I thought she could only do something if Tony told her to. If this is incorrect, then forget it. And as I said, this whole master/servant thing is just way too creepy for my liking, so that's why I like Samantha better.
This. So much. I had such a huge crush on Bailey. Give me the girl next door over the bombshell any day of the week. Also, Betty > Veronica. And Willow > Cordelia.
Side note about Samantha: She married Darrin for love, didn't she? Meaning, she didn't use her powers to make him love her? Did Darrin ever bring this up on the show?
This is incorrect. Jeannie used her powers on her own initiative plenty of times, some times when it was expressly against Tony's wishes. It's just that she preferred granting his wishes because she liked him a whole bunch, so she did so whenever possible. As for my choices: Ginger: Taller, curvier, hotter. Mary Ann was a farmgirl, but that's all. Samantha: Not because of any gender issues. Elizabeth Montgomery was just hotter than Barbara Eden. Jennifer Marlowe: Bailey, people? Seriously? He never did and he never had to. It was shown in the pilot that they met and fell in love naturally and I only recall once in the entire series when she used magic to influence his thinking. (The ep where he was so tired of trying to keep her magic a secret he considered telling everybody.)
Bailey Quarters was a dirty, dirty little minx. Jennifer Marlowe was a bit of a tease who knew what she had & simply flaunted it. Bailey used it & liked it. Incidentally, I saw a woman today who looked like Andy Travis in drag.
Agreed. And let's not forget Kotter's wife, either. Or Pam Dawber as Mindy. All from the same general mode.
Mary Ann. It's not just the fact that I find her adorable, it's also that Ginger's personality turns me way off. Mary Ann seems more like a confident, intelligent, funny, sweet person, one who is capable of taking care of herself, and I find that immensely appealing.