The Real Gilligan's Island
The Real Gilligan's Island is a reality television series that aired two seasons on TBS in 2004 and 2005. Contestants on the show were required to participate in challenges based on plots from the 1960s television show. Both editions of the show were recorded in the Mexican Caribbean on a location South from Cancun. Pop-Punk group Bowling for Soup covered the original "Gilligan's Island" theme for the show and the show also featured music from the music producer and songwriter Brett Epstein. Combination format. The format of the show was a combination  of CBS's "Survivor" and the original show from the 1960s. Contestants were divided into two teams of seven to start the show (14 total contestants). Each team was composed of members that were expected to dress and act like their "Gilligan's Island" counterpart. Characters used were: Contestants were picked partly for their real-life resemblance to their characters—real-life millionaires, actresses, and boat owners played their counterparts. Competitions of characters and teams. Initial round: paired competitions. In the first round, the teams would participate in a series of competitions that would pit one team's character against  the other's (Team A's "Ginger" against Team B's "Ginger," for example) for the right to stay on the island and compete in the second phase of the show. The competitions were set up by having members from the teams venture to "Voodoo Village" to retrieve a chest that, when opened, would reveal a voodoo doll crudely done up to look like a character. The two contestants portraying that character would then compete. Final round: prizes, immunity, and alliances. Once the seven finalists were set, the show became very similar to "Survivor". Contestants first competed in a challenge  for a prize and a chance at immunity from the day's voting. Alliances and strategy was common. The contestants would then all travel to Voodoo Village and engage in a voting ceremony. Final challenge. Once only three contestants were left, the show wrapped up with a challenge pitting the remaining players against each other. The first season was won by the millionaire Glenn Stearns. The second season was won by the Skipper ("Crazy" Charlie Albert). Notable contestants. The "Ginger" role was filled by professional actresses. In 2004, Nicole Eggert and Rachel Hunter competed. In 2005, Erika Eleniak and Angie  Everhart competed. In 2004, actress and television personality Mindy Burbano Stearns filled the role of "the Millionaire's Wife" along with her husband, Glenn Stearns, as "the Millionaire". Zac Turney, who was competing to be Gilligan on season two, was previously a contestant on "Legends of the Hidden Temple". The game. Season 1. Skipper Bob was forced to leave the game due to medical reasons. Season 2. Ginger Angie was forced to leave the game because of medical reasons. Therefore, there did not need to be a head-to-head for the Gingers.