The wonderful thing about creating something that will last forever is that, at the time, those involved are none the wiser. During an interview with David Letterman, Bob Denver actually once expressed his own incredulity about the lasting impact of what many consider to be his series, Gilligan's Island.

Denver stated, "I had a good time doing it. I just didn't think it would rerun for sixteen years."

Admittedly, at just three seasons, the original run of Gilligan's Island might seem like small potatoes to some, especially to viewers who are used to a typical series run seeing at least five or even six seasons in some cases. However, it's important not to equate quality with quantity. With what little they had, the cast and crew of Gilligan's Island were able to make an iconic television series with reruns that still entertain many to this day.

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Bob Denver or John Denver?

In an interview with the Associated Press, Denver took some time to acknowledge the impact that the series had, not only on television but on his own career. While playing Gilligan was the actor's ticket to stardom, it was difficult to shake the character after the series had ended. At the time of the 1992 interview, however, Denver had seemingly made peace with Gilligan's celebrity status, especially with the newer generation of Gilligan's Island fans.

He stated, "When you realize it's not going away, it's entertaining more people every year, you kind of accept it."

Still, Denver was also quick to pay special attention to the long-enduring fans of the series, who enjoyed Gilligan's Island when it first aired on television and saw the cast as a key part of their adolescence.

Denver explained, "People say, thanks, you were part of my childhood.'"

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