While Gilligan’s Island has maintained a hefty fan following to this day, it was never able to win over critics in the same way it did television viewers. According to one of the show’s stars, without the love of audiences, the series may have never survived as long as it did on air.

During an interview with the Oroville Mercury Register, Russell Johnson, better known as The Professor, revealed that before Gilligan’s Island aired its first episode, he was approached by several people in the entertainment industry.

“I hear you’re thinking about going into Gilligan’s Island,” they said. “Forget it— that bomb will never last 13 weeks.”

Watch Gilligan's Island on MeTV!

Sundays 3 & 3:30 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

Of course, they were wrong. The series lasted 99 episodes, not to mention the various sequel projects that were developed after the series ended in 1967. Johnson himself never allowed naysayers to break his stride. He knew Gilligan’s Island was destined for success because he never lied to himself about the true purpose of the series.

“All right, so we’re not curing cancer,” said Johnson. “We’re just doing a show, trying to entertain people. In this business, you don’t play Hamlet ALL the time.”

The actor was grateful for the series, not only for its success, but also for the recognition it gave him.

“Now I know exactly what a successful show can do for you,” said the actor. “People know me wherever I go. No, they don’t say ‘There’s Russell Johnson.’ But they do say: ‘Hey, there’s that guy from the Gilligan show!’”

Moreover, Johnson loved working with his co-stars. “What’s more, Bob Denver and the rest of the cast are a great bunch,” said the actor. “It isn’t always fun to do a show, and I’ve been on some where you could cut the atmosphere with a knife...but life on this series has really been a ball.”