Back in the mid-Sixties, both Gilligan's
Island and The Beatles were the rage, infiltrating the public
consciousness. Five decades onward, both remain singularly distinctive and
arresting public icons whose golden legacy continues to endure and richly
thrive.
Gilligan's Island-The Complete Second Season (Warner Home Video)
reveals the wacky affiliation between The Fab Four and everyone's favorite
lost castaways. As with any new minted phenomenon sweeping the globe, pop
culture is reflected, reconfigured and recontextualized in all forms of
media. Included on this nifty 3-DVD set is "Don't Bug The Mosquitoes," a
cleverly written episode which centers upon The Mosquitoes, a Beatles-like
group, replete with electric guitars, shaggy mop tops and cheeky scouse
humor. The band--Bingo, Bango, Bongo and Irving have escaped the clutches
of their oppressive global fandom and landed on...
where else?... Gilligan's
Island. Farce and fun ensue in this highly enjoyable comedic romp as The
Mosquitoes are routinely bugged, berated and bamboozled by the castaways,
eventually splitting the island, leaving the Gilligan et al with only a
record album.
Filmed at the height of Beatlemania in 1965, the show features a real
life recording act (The Weavers) in the role of the Mosquitoes. This
Beatles spoof includes the 'band' performing an authentic British Invasion
sounding track ("Don't Bug Me") plus an extra aural and visual treat. A
song named "You Need Us" is ably performed by The Honeybees-- Maryann,
Ginger and Mrs. Howell who wears an oversized Beatles wig. With its catchy
chorus including such choice lyrics as:
"You
need us
You need us
Like a Bee needs it's Buzz"
the track comes off well, sounding like a lost Sixties pop nugget that
could have been sung by one of the many popular girl groups of the day
like The Shangri-las, The Shirelles, and The Ronettes.
Fans of the Beatles and pop culture enthusiasts will enjoy this particular
show which pokes fun at the Four Lads From Liverpool and the other 31
comedic classics contained on this must-have collection of television
history. Highly recommended.
