I remember watching The Rifleman as a 10-year old and thinking how I wanted to be like the young McCain, and also the character of Ernie Douglas, played by the young Barry Livingston on My Three Sons...Billy Mumy in Lost In Space, even the cartoon character of Jonny Quest...However, I did grow up watching the reruns of most of those and the real world was nothing at all like those portrayed in the old shows, especially Gilligan’s Island (So, nothing ever happened between Gilligan, Maryann and Ginger?...Okaaay)...On the other hand and at the same time there were the new shows like Laugh-In, Flip Wilson and the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, 60 Minutes, Pubic Television, Ed Sullivan, etc., that had less ridiculousness going for them, except for Sesame Street. I knew when I saw Sesame Street that things were changing. From Romper Room and Bozo the Clown to Sesame Street and The Electric Company, it was the first time I felt somewhat alienated by the popular culture. Fortunately though, I knew I could always count on one or more of my uncles to have the latest issue of MAD Magazine within reach. MAD is dead. Long live MAD!
I was always impressed by Mark’s riding ability. Also wondered who Lucas should have taken for a wife, Miss Millie (General Store) or Miss Lou (Mallory Hotel). Both attractive. Both interested in Luke.
Of course not. Gilligan was the Skipper's "Li'l Buddy".