`GILLIGAN'S ISLAND' TURNS 35 (SEPT. 26)

`GILLIGAN'S ISLAND' TURNS 35 (SEPT. 26)

LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash) -- Sunday should be a shipshape day for couch potatoes -- it's the 35th anniversary of the day "Gilligan's Island" debuted on CBS. On September 26, 1964, the U.S.S. Minnow made its maiden voyage. At first, series star Bob Denver was skeptical a show that took place on a single island could last even one season -- but series creator Sherwood Schwartz changed Denver's mind by reeling off 60 plot ideas in just a few minutes. Other Gilligan goodies include... -- "Skipper" Alan Hale, Jr. once broke his arm on set, but didn't get it fixed until the season was finished. -- 30,000 people once petitioned the Hawaiian government to change the name of the island of Maui to "Gilligan's Island." -- And, finally, Carroll O'Conner auditioned to play the Skipper, Dabney Coleman came close to playing the Professor and Raquel Welch was considered for the part of Mary Anne.