Bob Denver, Dawn Wells Brought Characters To ‘Baywatch’

In the Baywatch episode “Now Sit Right Back, and You’ll Hear a Tale” of February 1992, Bob Denver and Dawn Wells appeared as Gilligan and Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island. The episode was written by Lloyd J. Schwartz, son of the original show’s creator, Sherwood Schwartz.

It combined the goofy charm of Baywatch with the timeless nostalgia of Gilligan’s Island and reminded fans of the lighthearted fun that both shows were known for. Denver and Wells also seemed to have good chemistry on that set as they delivered a memorable performance.

What was Bob Denver and Dawn Wells’ ‘Baywatch’ episode about?

Bob Denver dawn wells Baywatch — GILLIGAN’S ISLAND, from left, Dawn Wells, Bob Denver, 1964-67 (1964 photo). ph: Ron Thal / TV Guide / courtesy Everett Collection

In “Now Sit Right Back, and You’ll Hear a Tale,” lifeguards Eddie and Shauni, played by Billy Warlock and Erika Eleniak, discover a mysterious island while rescuing a jet skier. On the island, they find Gilligan and Mary Ann, who reveal that their adventures on the uncharted desert isle were real. Gilligan and Mary Ann explain that they reached this new island after the Professor built a small vessel to escape their original home.

Unfortunately, they got stranded again and never found rescue, until now. After being brought back to the mainland, they meet Monte Markham’s Captain Thorpe, who is a lottery winner and a devoted Gilligan’s Island fan. Thorpe decides to recreate the show with the original castaways and Baywatch characters, turning himself into Mr. Howell and hilariously assigning new roles to his team.

The ‘Gilligan’s Island’ episode of ‘Baywatch’ was not exactly real

While this episode delivered laughs and nostalgia, it did not actually take place in Baywatch reality. Eddie’s run-in with Gilligan and Mary Ann was just a wild dream. At the start of the episode, Eddie slips on the lifeguard ramp and gets knocked out, conjuring up an alternate world where he meets his childhood TV heroes.