By Jeff Salter
One of the eternal questions which guys are asked – and it comes up more than you’d probably imagine – has to do with choices … of two very different female personalities. I’ve heard both, about equally: Which girlfriend would you rather have — Ginger or Mary Ann? And the variant: would you prefer Betty or Veronica?
Well, that’s no contest for me, but I won’t reveal my answer until the end of this column. For now, there’s a writing prompt to set up … and I’m turning the tables on the ladies reading this text. But before you get to choose from the male candidates, I have a few questions you need to consider.
Writing Prompt
If you had to choose from these two, would you set your next novel in Riverdale … or on Gilligan’s Island?
Which genre would you select for this new novel?
For plot ‘conflict’, would it be easier to write about perpetual adolescence (in high school) or perpetual isolation (on an “uncharted isle’)?
If you picked Riverdale, would you let them finally graduate? If you selected Gilligan’s Island, would you finally let them be rescued?
Which female character would be your story’s heroine … and why?
Which male character would be your story’s hero … and why?
Pick a Man … Any Man
If you were stuck in endless high school at Riverdale, which of the following would you prefer as YOUR boyfriend: indecisive Archie, conniving Reggie, goofy Jughead, or muscular Moose?
If you were stranded on the uncharted Island, which of the following would you prefer as YOUR boyfriend: naive Gilligan, the intellectual Professor, the bumbling Skipper, or urbane Thurston Howell III?
Disclosure
Well, I promised I’d reveal my choices, so here they are (with no hesitation). I’d much prefer Betty over Veronica … because Betty is more down-to-earth, not nearly as vain, and not spoiled. And from the island duo, I’d far prefer Mary Ann over Ginger … for mostly the same reasons.
Question:
Even if you had no intention of writing about it (and assuming you were not otherwise encumbered), which of the eight men mentioned here would YOU choose … for your boyfriend? And … why?
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
LOL!! What a great post! It’s Gilligan’s Island all the way, mostly for the coconuts. ;-D That professor might have some great books tucked away under his hammock. Glad to see you chose “WHOM would you choose” too.
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I figured the Prof. would generate some ‘hits’ … he had a lot more going for him than mere resourcefulness. Ha.
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Oh,no question, unhesitatingly The Island and The Professor! Man, was he my type! That beautiful island, clear water, fruits of all kinds and that good-looking man who could do anything and knew everything?Are you kidding??? You would probably have me write my first romance novel, with a female that I could very easily describe,(wink-wink)…Mary Ann would probably be a rival, at least in my mind. The Professor and the girl very much like me would be co-heroes, saving the day, getting everyone off the island and going back together,(As Prof.& Mrs.Roy Hinkley, yes, The Professor had a name), to build a house there to continue studying …whatever.
BTW-I actually called the studio in the 1970’s when Russell Johnson was being interviewed on a local talkshow and he trashed The Professor.I couldn’t tell him off personally, but I gave them a message to relate to him, that he had better appreciate his Professor role.
I figured you to be a Mary Ann type fella…but you’d never say no if Ginger were the only girl around; even I know that Tina Louise had ‘something’.
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LOL. Tonette & the professor …. sitting in a tree … K I S S I N G.
But I’m kinda with you about actors expressing disdain over the roles which made them stars. There some, like Jerry Matthers, who played the Beaver, who grow old gracefully while embracing the fans and being grateful for the role that brought him fame and (presumably) wealth. Others spend their lives running from those roles.
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Yep, I’m with everyone else so far. The island and the Professor. One, because he’s the best chance for getting us all off the island and two, because he’s so preoccupied, he’d leave me alone to write. lol (okay, just as an fyi that is NOT a statement about my husband, who is wonderfully supportive). 🙂
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I don’t know, Laurie. I think the Prof. likely had a romantic streak in him. After he got through inventing everything that the island needed to be self-sustaining. I’m sure he was warm-blooded. LOL
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Well, I’d have to make it unanimous so far, and go with the Professor all the way! For one thing, the Riverdale gang is MUCH too young and immature for me, and of the whole bunch, the Professor seems like the only one I could actually have an intelligent conversation with, which is an imperative for me. Give me brains over brawn (or cute innocence) any day! (Yes, I LOVED Revenge of the Nerds!)
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Okay, I have to admit I’m slightly surprised that nobody — so far — wants to live in perpetual high school. Ha. But amazed that 4 out of 4 respondents would rather, um, spend time with the Prof. … than the urbane & self-involved Thurston Howell III. Ha.
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Mary Ann and the island. Nuff said.
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Well, I figured this would pull you out of hibernation, Scott.
I’m still lukewarm about the island vs. Riverdale … but definitely agree about Mary Ann.
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The professor and the island! And I think Laurie nailed the deep instinctive reason for choosing him as a hero. Of all those men, hooking up with the professor offers the best chance of survival.
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Aw, Chris … you wouldn’t want to spend time with the cuddly, bumbling Skipper? LOL.
You know, it’s an interesting psychological dilema on this blog today: trying to eke out survival on a deserted island … versus remaining an adolescent forever (though in relative comfort and safety). Hmmm
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Knowing me, you probably already figured I’d pick the island. Heck, I’m packing up for my ‘3 hour tour’ right now. My man? It would have to be the Professor. There’s more to him than meets the eye. And besides, look at the choices. It’s a no-brainer. He’s smart, handsome, can use his muscles when he needs to, and knows how to make lots of things with coconuts. In fact, I bet he could get us off the island…if we wanted to leave, that is. *wink, wink*
Like the others, I had you pegged as a Betty/Mary Anne type, Jeff.
Jenn!
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Okay, that’s SIX votes for the brainy Prof.
And TWO votes for Mary Ann.
Is nobody interested in GILLIGAN?
Poor vain Ginger will be so lonely.
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If it makes her feel better, I used to be Ginger when we kids played Gilligan’s Island. *shrug*
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LOL, Jenn. I never knew anybody did any Gilligan Island role-playing.
I prob. would’ve played Gilligan. Ha.
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I didn’t think I’d be in the minority, but I didn’t realize the majority would be so overwhelming either! If I were a guy, definitely Mary Anne and Betty. They were attractive and not high maintenance. You could actually probably have fun with them. As for me, oh my, of course the island and the Professor. Yes, the brains are appealing, but let’s not forget that he was also the best looking guy on the island too. Lovey Howell didn’t have it too bad though! Thurston bought her lots of stuff!
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Yes, the Prof. had those classic good looks. He definitely cut a more handsome visage than Gilligan or the Skipper.
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I’d have to join with those who chose the island and the professor. I wouldn’t have the patience for the others on a long-term basis. I did appreciate the skipper’s cheerfulness, and I think my husband is more like him. But this is a fantasy, right?
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Definitely fantasy, Patty. In real life, I doubt I’d last a week in either Riverdale or the Island. Yeah, that Skipper was jolly much of the time … when he wasn’t chastising Gilligan for yet another bone-headed mistake. But somehow the Skipper didn’t seem to have the grit that I’d expect of a skipper … even of a small touring vessel like the Minnow.
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Can I combined muscular Moose with the intelligent Professor? Hey, if I’m going to be stuck on an Island indefinitely, brainy might get a little boring and muscles might spice things up a bit! Oh, and for my writing prompt, I might want to combine the two (again) – high schoolers stuck on an Island – kind of Lord of The Flies-ish!
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Yes, Meredith — perfect solution! the Riverdale gang stranded on Gilligan’s Island. What a culture shock. Imagine Veronica Lodge coping with the island’s limitations! Well, I guess she’d manage as well as Ginger did … provided she always had fresh, elegant clothing and makeup. Ha.
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Well, Jeff, we are highly literate gals here, who else would we want? Thurston is too self-absorbed, the Skipper is cute as heck,(and cuddly, and cheerful), but unless you only want to talk about the sea,I think you’d be out of luck. Gilligan? I can’t imagine any of us having any patience whatsoever with him!
Um,Laurie,I figure I’d get the Prof’s mind on me,(I think Jenn is in this midset!) But one trick for you…he could probably make papyrus for you to write on, and ink from squid or berries. Hmmm…I’d like that,too.
It’s a good thing we gals here aren’t all on G’s Island… what a scramble for the Professor’s attentions!
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Yeah, in real life, I suppose the Prof. could get himself elected as king of that island. They’d prob. elect Gilligan as the jester.
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Count me amongst the multitude! The island and the Professor (intellect not looks) is my choice too! Although I did give Gilligan a second thought. He was kooky but always so sweet. Perpetual adolescence- perish the thought.
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Thanks for visiting again, Llew. Well, this island will be chock full of ladies who appreciate the Professor’s resourcefulness and brains. And, his classic features to some.
Still kinda surprised that NOBODY wants to hang out at Riverdale High. Mrs. Grundy seems like a really nice teacher and that malt shop always seemed like a lively place.
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I’m glad to see you like the down to earth gals! makes me happy. AND I’m a professor all the way kind of girl. I like a man with brains!!!
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seems like it’s unanimous. Everybody prefers the brainy professor … except for Scott & me, who prefer Mary Ann. LOL
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I always thought Mary Ann and the prof would be the ideal couple. I was rooting for them!
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I’m a bit surprises that the show’s writers didn’t explore that avenue. Or, did they … and I just forgot about it?
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I am releived that you and Scott aren’t vying for the Prof’s attention as well,Jeff! Jillian, I once answered a radio show that asked what women fond most attractive in men; I said I found intelligence the most attractive. I bought The Husband an “Egghead” teeshirt, which he wears proudly!
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That’s cool about the tee shirt!
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