Gunsmokeis one of the greatest Western TV shows of all time, but after being saved from its first early cancellation, the iconic sitcom,Gilligan’s Island, ended up biting the dust instead. Spanning 20 seasons,Gunsmokeisthe longest-running Western show of all time, and is a masterpiece of the genre, with nothing coming close untilDeadwoodin the early 2000s.
Starting out as a radio show before becoming a TV series,Gunsmokeendured for decades, with even the threat of a cancellation a little over halfway through the show’s run. 50 years after the show ended,Gunsmokehas continued to see success in the streaming era, showing just how iconic it has always been.
How Gunsmoke Was Almost Canceled
Gunsmoke Was Briefly Cancelled After Season 12
Despite being one of the most enduring TV shows of all time, there was a time whenGunsmokewas actually cancelled for a brief period of time. This came after season 12 of the series in 1967 when CBS president James T. Aubrey decided to pull the plug on the Western series for reasons such as a decline in viewership and possibly declining quality (viaSlashFilm).
This came as a shock to many, asGunsmokehad successfully made the jump from starting as a radio show in 1952 to becoming the most prominent Western on television. Few series in the genre were able to match what the show had done for 12 seasons. The cast and crew ofGunsmokereceived cancellation notices with a teary-eyed wrap party.
During its run,Gunsmokefeatured guest appearances from actors who had celebrated Hollywood careers, including William Shatner, Harrison Ford, and Burt Reynolds.
In the bookHow I Escaped from Gilligan’s Island, author William Froug, writer and producer ofGilligan’s Island, talked about the cancellation ofGunsmoke, detailing the behind-the-scenes power struggle that came with the show’s future. According to Froug, Aubrey had actually cancelled the show without consulting CBS executive William S. Paley.
Paley had been championingGunsmokesince it began on the radio prior to the television series being made. Froug explained thatPaley was not happy with the decision and immediately ordered that the show be renewed. The cancellation backfired a bit as several ofGunsmoke’s stars renegotiated contracts for higher salaries, but the series was saved.
A CBS Executive’s Wife Reportedly Saved Gunsmoke
Barbara Paley Might Have Been The Driving Force Behind The Decision To Renew The Show
It turns out that Paley’s decision to bring backGunsmokeso quickly may have been because of his wife, Barbara “Babe” Paley. Many viewedBarbara Paley as the main driving force behind wanting to getGunsmokerenewed following its cancellation, which could have influenced her husband.
In a 2013 interview withEsquire, Dawn Wells, who played Mary Anne inGilligan’s Island, opened up about the cancellation of Gunsmoke. She talked about the role that Barbara Paley had in getting it renewed and what that eventually meant for Wells' own show, which ended up being canceled after only three seasons.:
What happened wasGunsmokewas canceled and we were moved into their time slot. Mrs. Paley—the wife of the board chairman—had been on vacation whenGunsmokewas canceled, and when she got home, she said, ‘You can’t cancelGunsmoke.It’s my favorite show.’
Wells isn’t the only person who has alluded to Barbara Paley playing a significant role inGunsmokegetting renewed. In the bookInside ‘Gilligan’s Island’, the series creator, Sherwood Schwartz, talked about the Paleys and how they were embarrassed aboutGilligan’s Island, and were the main reason for the show being shuffled through multiple timeslots throughout its run.
According to Schwartz, the Paleys had received the final CBS schedule while they were on vacation in the Bahamas. William Paley was reportedly furious about seeing thatGunsmokehad been cancelled given that it was his and his wife’s favorite show. If Barbara Paley hadn’t lovedGunsmokeas much as she did, it’s likely it would not have been renewed.
Gunsmoke Ended Up Taking Gilligan’s Island’s Timeslot
Unfortunately forGilligan’s Island, the renewal ofGunsmokehad a direct effect on its own cancellation, ending the series after only three seasons, with the characters left on the island. After bouncing around timeslots during its first three seasons,Gilligan’s Islandwas set for another, butGunsmokeended up taking its timeslot when it was quickly renewed.
Whether Barbara Paley’s affinity forGunsmokewas the true reason why it ended up being quickly renewed or not, the fact that it was renewed is the main reason thatGilligan’s Islandended up on the chopping block. Of course, the series was nearly universally reviled by critics, which could have been another reason it was cancelled onceGunsmokewas back.
WhileGilligan’s Islandwas never given the chance to be a long-running series, it ended up finding much more success when it went into syndication. Reruns in the ’70s and ’80s helped to make it a classic in many viewers' eyes. Compared to its initial run, it showed the sitcom could always have had an audience.
BothGunsmokeandGilligan’s Islandare fascinating looks at how series can eventually grow into classics of television. Whether it was a well-received and long-running show or critically panned with a short-lived initial run, both are important staples in TV history. IfGunsmokehad been cancelled andGilligan’s Islandcontinued, things could have been quite different.
Gunsmoke
Cast
Set in the American West, Gunsmoke follows Marshal Matt Dillon as he maintains law and order in Dodge City, Kansas. This Western drama explores the challenges of frontier justice and the complex relationships between settlers, outlaws, and Native Americans during the settlement period.
Gilligan’s Island
Gilligan’s Island is a classic sitcom that aired from 1964 to 1967, created by Sherwood Schwartz. The show follows seven castaways, including the bumbling first mate Gilligan, stranded on a deserted island after a shipwreck. The ensemble cast includes Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, and Tina Louise. Each episode revolves around the group’s comedic attempts to escape the island, often thwarted by Gilligan’s ineptitude.
