The song Gilligan’s Island once sparked the subject of a bizarre lawsuit

When it returned for a second season in September 1965, “Gilligan’s Island” was broadcast in color for the first time. The show happened to cross the line between CBS’ transition from black-and-white to color broadcasts, and thus its first season remains forever remembered in monochrome, although attempts were made to color it in syndication. But color wasn’t the only new addition to the show in its second season. The famous “Gilligan’s Island” theme, originally sung The Wellingtons have swapped out for a brand new title song.

“The Ballad of Gilligan’s Isle,” written by executive producer and show creator Sherwood Schwartz and songwriter George Weil, was recorded by The Wellingtons (who actually played Mosquito Squad in a later episode of “Gilligan’s Island”) in a mad rush in director Mel Shavelson’s home studio. But for Season 2, the song must include the names “The Professor” and “Mary Ann”, previously referred to as “The Rest” in the original Season 1 theme. This time, a band called The Eligible Ones took over, and a new version of the classic sea shanty was produced for the color debut of “Gilligan’s Island.”

This is the version most fans are familiar with, as its lyrics not only neatly sum up the entire premise of the show, but introduce each member of the group in a marvel of catchy and utilitarian songwriting. Since then, the “Gilligan’s Island” theme has become a beloved part of television history that instantly conjures fond memories of the early 1960s sitcom. Unless you’re a neighbor of billionaire Bill Gross. What do this one percent and his disagreements with his neighbors have to do with “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island?” Let me tell you what remains of an indecent stain on the history of one of television’s greatest series and its legendary theme song.

“Gilligan’s Island” lyrics. It is certainly ingrained in the memory of an entire generation, inextricably linked to the warm memories of gathering around a television to watch Gilligan’s Surprises of Bob Denver and the Stranded Crew. SS Minnow – so named For FCC Chairman Newton Minow, who infuriated show creator Sherwood Schwartz by imploring networks to take greater creative control over their programming.

But for a tech entrepreneur and his wife, “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Isle” will forever conjure up painful memories of overcoming the hissing fits of a billionaire neighbor. That neighbor is Bill Gross. Describe it CNN As a “billionaire, bond investor, philanthropist, and avid stamp collector,” Gross was the founder of Pacific Investments Management Co. (PIMCO), one of the largest mutual funds in the world. After retiring in 2019, Gross appeared to be free to enjoy his oceanfront property in Laguna Beach on a private stretch of coast. However, as CNN According to reports, things took a turn after Gross and his partner, Amy Schwartz, decided to set up an art installation in their backyard.

At first, the 22-foot-tall sculpture, created by blown glass artist Dale Chihuly, didn’t cause any problems for Gross’ neighbor, Mark Tawfiq, CEO of data center developer Nextfort Ventures. However, after Gross installed a protective net over the structure, Tawfiq and his wife, Carol Nakahara, complained that their view of the ocean was obstructed, and eventually called the city of Laguna Beach to investigate. The city deemed the netting and lights that illuminated the statue a violation of city code, and ordered Gross to seek the necessary permits to preserve the statue.

You would think that would be the end of it, but it was just the beginning, as Gross apparently had plans to use the power of Sherwood Schwartz’s immortal song in his ongoing battle against Tawfiq and his wife.

The recording of the theme song for “Gilligan’s Island” was as slapstick as the show itselfwith Sherwood Schwartz and The Wellingtons having only one hour to record the sea shanties before they were kicked out of Mel Shavelson’s home studio. When the Season 2 version was created, things were less rushed. But this updated iteration of “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Isle” will be at the center of some ridiculous antics when Bill Gross deploys it as part of his miserable little war against Mark Tawfiq.

according to ForbesThe total is worth $1.7 billion, but it seems that unbelievable wealth does little to improve the triviality. After Gross was asked to remove the nets covering his art installation and obtain the appropriate permits, according to Tawfiq and his wife, the billionaire began retaliating by playing “loud music and strange audio recordings at excessive levels” at different times of the day and night. A lawsuit filed by Tawfiq and Carol Nakahara alleged that Gross would blast the theme song “Gilligan’s Island” on a loop as part of their vocal attack. According to Wall Street JournalThe complaint also alleged that Gross and Amy Schwartz “began dancing on their balcony facing our property and making gestures that appeared to taunt us.”

Tawfiq’s lawsuit actually followed Gross and Schwartz’s own complaint, filed on October 13, 2020, which alleged that Tawfiq was “peeping” on Gross and Schwartz and sought a restraining order against the CEO of Nextfort Ventures. Tawfiq and Nakahara subsequently filed a countersuit on October 14, 2020, alleging that Gross and Schwartz embarked on a “targeted campaign of harassment and abuse,” which Gilligan and the gang appear to have been their battle cry.

By the time Bill Gross and Mark Tawfiq filed suit against each other, it was clear that they had tried to settle the issue head-on, with Tawfiq asking his neighbor to turn down the music only to receive the following message: “Peace on all fronts or fine (sic) just set up a Nightly concerts, big boy.” According to Wall Street JournalGross’s choice of the TV theme song to wage psychological warfare resonated with Tawfik’s memories of “Gilligan’s Island,” as the tech entrepreneur recalls: “We had a black-and-white TV. I remember we would all watch it once a week.” “It kind of ruined it for us, but it’s still a good show.”

However, Tawfiq mostly came out on top. as Los Angeles Times Gross was reported in 2022, and issued an ostensibly triumphant statement, claiming that he was “delighted” that Laguna Beach had approved his artwork, even though the piece itself was never the issue — rather, it was the network that blocked Tawfik’s vision. Gross also couldn’t help but criticize his neighbors in the statement, writing: “The approval of the Laguna Beach Design Review Board and the City of Laguna Beach reveals the true intent (of Tawfiq and Carol Nakahara) in this rather ridiculous situation.” The statement is just as bizarre as the rest of this debacle. , as Tawfiq and Nakahara have already reached the top. Not only did Gross have to remove the grille that caused the problem in the first place, but he also withdrew his plans for a permanent glass-and-steel cover. The billionaire was also ordered not to light the statue after 10 p.m

Furthermore, an Orange County Superior Court judge found that Gross and his wife, according to the Los Angeles Times, harassed their neighbors with their musical attacks, and ordered the couple to adhere to Laguna Beach’s noise laws. Perhaps not surprisingly, Gross and his wife did not adhere to these rulings, and were found to be in contempt of court, resulting in them receiving community service in the process.

Why did Gross choose the subject of “Gilligan’s Island”? This remains unclear, but Sherwood Schwartz certainly did not envision his sea shanty being at the center of this shameful little affair when he wrote it. Fortunately, no matter how many billionaires try to use this topic for nefarious purposes, “Gilligan’s Island” remains one of the most popular… Best sitcoms of all time.