Gilligans and Brady Bunch creator honoured

Sherwood Schwartz, creator of Gilligan’s Island and The Brady Brunch has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

There by his side were Florence Henderson (Carol Brady) and Dawn Wells (Mary-Ann) two stars from his most popular creations.

“To me, Dawn will always be Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island and Florence will always be Mrs. Brady,” said Schwartz, 91.

Schwartz’s career started by accident after he moved to Southern California from New York in 1938. In need of work, he started writing jokes for Bob Hope’s radio show.

“Bob liked my jokes, used them on his show and got big laughs. Then he asked me to join his writing staff,” Schwartz said. “I was faced with a major decision — writing comedy or starving to death while I cured those diseases. I made a quick career change.”

He went on to write for The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and created Gilligan’s Island in 1963.

After the show ended in 1967, Schwartz created the blended family comedy The Brady Bunch, for which he also wrote the theme song.

Syndicated reruns of both shows have made them longtime TV comedy staples. Schwartz wrote, or re-wrote, and/or produced more than 700 TV shows.

“The title of the winning film at the Oscars this year was wrong. Who says this is ‘No Country For Old Men?'” Schwartz joked.

Source: AAP