27 buoyant behind-the-scenes photos from The Love Boat

In case you needed any more proof that this was the ultimate '70s show…

If you had to make of list of celebrities who perfectly capture the spirit and culture of the 1970s, you might include names like the Village People, Sonny Bono, Charo, Loni Anderson, the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader and the Harlem Globetrotters.

There was one place you could find all those famous faces — and just about everyone else, too. That place was a boat, The Love Boat

The Aaron Spelling–produced romantic comedy series welcomed a who's-who of Seventies celebs. If you were anybody, you were aboard.

And there is photographic evidence to prove it was a good time for all. Cruise back to The Love Boat era with these charming behind-the-scenes pictures. No lifejacket required.

Wall Walkers

AP Photo/Liu Heung Shing

The cast walks along the Great Wall near Beijing, China, in 1983.


Pop Art

AP Photo

Gavin MacLeod poses with Joan Collins and Andy Warhol at a Love Boat party. Yes, Warhol was a guest star on the show.


In the Middle of Dallas

The Everett Collection

MacLeod sits with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.


It Takes a Village

The Everett Collection

Guest stars Loni Anderson (WKRP in Cincinnati) and the Village People strike a pose. Hey, they did have a hit song called "In the Navy."

Isaac the… Director

The Everett Collection

Ted Lange directed his first of several episodes in 1982. He continues to direct television today.


Cuchi-Cuchi Gang

The Everett Collection

Charo was a frequent guest star aboard The Love Boat.


Ping Pong Pals

AP Photo / George Brich

MacLeod and Ed Asner paddle along at a fund-raising ping pong tournament in 1980.


Prince Albert in a Boat

AP Photo

Prince Albert of Monaco sits with cast members Pat Klous and Jill Whelan.

One of Tewes

The Everett Collection

Lauren Tewes strikes a pose in denim.


European Vacation

The Everett Collection

Lange and Fred Grandy are two buddies in a dinghy off a scenic coastline.


Bring Your Daughter to Work Day

AP Photo / Nick Ut

Jamie Lee Curtis poses with mom Janet Leigh aboard the Pacific Princess.


A Kiss from Bono

The Everett Collection

Sonny Bono shows off his heavy metal side as "Deacon Dark" in a 1979. Of course, he would later become a Congressman, just like Fred "Gopher" Grandy.


The Van Dyke Show

The Everett Collection

Jerry Van Dyke poses with casts members from his bro's show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Richard Deacon, Morey Amsterdam and Rose Marie.

Reddy to Go

The Everett Collection

Helen Reddy of "I Am Woman" fame chats with Lange.


A Bonanza of Guest Stars

The Everett Collection

You can spot Lorne Greene in this group shot.


From Behind the Bar to Behind the Camera

The Everett Collection

Lange directed 12 episodes of The Love Boat.


Reynolds Wrap Party

The Everett Collection

Debbie Reynolds laughs with MacLeod.


High Fashion on the High Seas

AP Photo / Wally Fong

Designers and fashion icons Halston, Bob Mackie, Gloria Vanderbilt and Geoffrey Beene all appeared in a quite fashionable episode together.

Kopell Cabana

AP Photo / Wally Fong

Bernie Kopell points the way to the Caribbean.


The Andy Show

The Everett Collection

Andy Warhol appeared in the same episode as Andy Griffith. Two great Andys, brought together by The Love Boat.


Light Entertainment

The Everett Collection

MacLeod shares a smoke (we presume, eventually) with Barbara Rush.


Smiles Away from Shore

The Everett Collection

Grandy and Tewes enjoy the scenery in the 1980s.


Playing Papa

The Everett Collection

MacLeod and Whelan made for a great father-daughter team.


A Merman Sighting

The Everett Collection

MacLeod welcomes Ethel Merman aboard.

Boo Who?

The Everett Collection

Can you recognize the cast in their Halloween costumes?


Catch the Bouquet

The Everett Collection

Catch all these wonderful people aboard The Love Boat!


Watch The Love Boat on MeTV!

Sundays at 5 PM

*available in most MeTV markets
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14 Comments

Mgmbacklot 33 months ago
[image=https://weigel-comments.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/fHaNP-1641945090-FB_IMG_1638699114249.jpg]
Mgmbacklot 33 months ago
[image=https://weigel-comments.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/unNOt-1641945052-Resized_20190726_150450001.jpeg]
tvnutt76 39 months ago
The Dallas Cowboys episode, the first of two episodes for actor William Windom.
eddiec 60 months ago
It is nice to see Richard Deacon looking cheerful for a change.
JDnHuntsvilleAL 62 months ago
OK, very top photo, everyone around the piano. Who is that girl to the left of Gavin MacLeod? Looks very familiar but it's just not coming to me.
Jayme JDnHuntsvilleAL 60 months ago
Pamela Sue Martin. Maybe.
Melissa Sue Anderson (She played Mary on Little House on the Prairie)
Yes. Now that you tell me I recognize her.
Mgmbacklot Jayme 33 months ago
Incorrect
stephaniestavropoulos 64 months ago
R.I.P. Gloria Vanderbilt. She was truly one of a kind, independent, {she refused to ride on the coattails or trade in on her family's famous name, to achieve her success; she did it all on her own.} and free spirited woman. Anderson Cooper had a lot to be proud of and love about the woman he called "Mom."
UTZAAKE 64 months ago
Got a kick seeing Gavin MacLeod wearing a California Angels cap in the table tennis photograph.
Pacificsun 64 months ago
Awesome pictures! And some are truly behind-the-scenes!
SheriHeffner 64 months ago
I LOVE Ted Lange and Fred Grandy, Awww I loved all of the cast. But you have the wrong name in one photo. You put Gavin's name instead of Ted
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