This is a highly entertaining, light-hearted romp that captures the spirit of the mid-sixties from the generation gap to the clothes to especially the music. A little over a year after the phenomenon of Beatlemania, four other mop-topped lads land on the island. There are the usual plot holes and gaps in logic, but the episode is so silly and enjoyable that it's easy to overlook them.
The plot is simple: The Mosquitoes have landed on the isle to seek refuge from their rabid fan base. Unfortunately, they pick an island with outsourced groupies. Gilligan is their number one fan; the girls literally get in their hair, and Mrs. Howell chases them with clippers. Despite the castaways' overzealousness, the band likes the isle enough to settle down for a month of R and R. Of course, the castaways' agenda is for the band to take them back to civilization, and the more the band digs in its heels and plays its rock music, the more desperate the castaways get, and the funnier the proceedings get.
First, they scheme to drive the Mosquitoes off the island by making it as loud and congested as civilization, borrowing a plot point from The Return of Wrongway Feldman. All of the castaways crash their guest hut and, in a faint echo of the Marx Brothers, turn it into a cramped state room. The plan only succeeds in driving the band into the jungle. When the Mosquitoes come out of hiding, they extend their stay to another two months.
Next, the men form a singing group to front for the Mosquitoes when they return to the mainland. The Gnats, led by drummer Gilligan in John Lennon-style glasses, sing incomprehensible gibberish and fail to impress their guests. Their set may be a predictable train wreck, being that only our lead is familiar with the music they're attempting, but it works comedically.
Lastly, the episode features its most iconic moment as the girls form their own group, the Honeybees, led by Ginger, and wow the Mosquitoes with their talent and flair. They look great, their song is catchy, and they can actually sing. Their skills are so crazy good, in fact, that their set has the opposite effect on the boy band that is intended, and, like in Castaways Pictures Presents, the castaways are done in by their own ingenuity.
But at least they now have a house band.
COCONOTES:
The stock footage of the helicopter in the cold open only has room for the pilot and one band member.
Bingo, the ringleader played by Les Brown, Jr., could sub for George Harrison.
The crazed head-bopping reactions of Gilligan and Mary Ann to the Mosquitoes music and the Skipper's irritated reaction to them are both priceless.
Mr. Howell smiling serenely at the end of their second number because he's wearing ear plugs is a great touch.
To write a Beatle-lesque song lyric, add 'yeah' to the end of the lyric and stir.
Love the Honeybees go go outfits.
Dawn Wells had her singing voice dubbed by Carol Conner.
The plot is simple: The Mosquitoes have landed on the isle to seek refuge from their rabid fan base. Unfortunately, they pick an island with outsourced groupies. Gilligan is their number one fan; the girls literally get in their hair, and Mrs. Howell chases them with clippers. Despite the castaways' overzealousness, the band likes the isle enough to settle down for a month of R and R. Of course, the castaways' agenda is for the band to take them back to civilization, and the more the band digs in its heels and plays its rock music, the more desperate the castaways get, and the funnier the proceedings get.
First, they scheme to drive the Mosquitoes off the island by making it as loud and congested as civilization, borrowing a plot point from The Return of Wrongway Feldman. All of the castaways crash their guest hut and, in a faint echo of the Marx Brothers, turn it into a cramped state room. The plan only succeeds in driving the band into the jungle. When the Mosquitoes come out of hiding, they extend their stay to another two months.
Next, the men form a singing group to front for the Mosquitoes when they return to the mainland. The Gnats, led by drummer Gilligan in John Lennon-style glasses, sing incomprehensible gibberish and fail to impress their guests. Their set may be a predictable train wreck, being that only our lead is familiar with the music they're attempting, but it works comedically.
Lastly, the episode features its most iconic moment as the girls form their own group, the Honeybees, led by Ginger, and wow the Mosquitoes with their talent and flair. They look great, their song is catchy, and they can actually sing. Their skills are so crazy good, in fact, that their set has the opposite effect on the boy band that is intended, and, like in Castaways Pictures Presents, the castaways are done in by their own ingenuity.
But at least they now have a house band.
COCONOTES:
The stock footage of the helicopter in the cold open only has room for the pilot and one band member.
Bingo, the ringleader played by Les Brown, Jr., could sub for George Harrison.
The crazed head-bopping reactions of Gilligan and Mary Ann to the Mosquitoes music and the Skipper's irritated reaction to them are both priceless.
Mr. Howell smiling serenely at the end of their second number because he's wearing ear plugs is a great touch.
To write a Beatle-lesque song lyric, add 'yeah' to the end of the lyric and stir.
Love the Honeybees go go outfits.
Dawn Wells had her singing voice dubbed by Carol Conner.