I love how they made fun of the whole British invasion style music in this episode. Another bonus is the girls singing 'You Need Us' as the female trio 'The Honeybees'. Tina Louise and Dawn Wells in tight pants and turtlenecks are so hot! This is a classic episode in this wonderfully silly classic TV series that's a favorite of me and many others worldwide. The whole improbability of their situations and their endless wardrobe changes (they had a TON of clothes for a three hour tour!) and how many times the castaways 'almost' got rescued by visitors like The Mosquitoes, Don Rickles, Phil Silvers, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Vito Scotti and more guest stars....oi vey! I still love this show a lot.
8 Reviews
Gilligan meets Mosquitomania.
Ralphkram13 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is a highly entertaining, light-hearted romp that captures the spirit of the mid-sixties from the generation gap to the clothes to especially the music. A little over a year after the phenomenon of Beatlemania, four other mop-topped lads land on the island. There are the usual plot holes and gaps in logic, but the episode is so silly and enjoyable that it's easy to overlook them.
The plot is simple: The Mosquitoes have landed on the isle to seek refuge from their rabid fan base. Unfortunately, they pick an island with outsourced groupies. Gilligan is their number one fan; the girls literally get in their hair, and Mrs. Howell chases them with clippers. Despite the castaways' overzealousness, the band likes the isle enough to settle down for a month of R and R. Of course, the castaways' agenda is for the band to take them back to civilization, and the more the band digs in its heels and plays its rock music, the more desperate the castaways get, and the funnier the proceedings get.
First, they scheme to drive the Mosquitoes off the island by making it as loud and congested as civilization, borrowing a plot point from The Return of Wrongway Feldman. All of the castaways crash their guest hut and, in a faint echo of the Marx Brothers, turn it into a cramped state room. The plan only succeeds in driving the band into the jungle. When the Mosquitoes come out of hiding, they extend their stay to another two months.
Next, the men form a singing group to front for the Mosquitoes when they return to the mainland. The Gnats, led by drummer Gilligan in John Lennon-style glasses, sing incomprehensible gibberish and fail to impress their guests. Their set may be a predictable train wreck, being that only our lead is familiar with the music they're attempting, but it works comedically.
Lastly, the episode features its most iconic moment as the girls form their own group, the Honeybees, led by Ginger, and wow the Mosquitoes with their talent and flair. They look great, their song is catchy, and they can actually sing. Their skills are so crazy good, in fact, that their set has the opposite effect on the boy band that is intended, and, like in Castaways Pictures Presents, the castaways are done in by their own ingenuity.
But at least they now have a house band.
COCONOTES:
The stock footage of the helicopter in the cold open only has room for the pilot and one band member.
Bingo, the ringleader played by Les Brown, Jr., could sub for George Harrison.
The crazed head-bopping reactions of Gilligan and Mary Ann to the Mosquitoes music and the Skipper's irritated reaction to them are both priceless.
Mr. Howell smiling serenely at the end of their second number because he's wearing ear plugs is a great touch.
To write a Beatle-lesque song lyric, add 'yeah' to the end of the lyric and stir.
Love the Honeybees go go outfits.
Dawn Wells had her singing voice dubbed by Carol Conner.
The plot is simple: The Mosquitoes have landed on the isle to seek refuge from their rabid fan base. Unfortunately, they pick an island with outsourced groupies. Gilligan is their number one fan; the girls literally get in their hair, and Mrs. Howell chases them with clippers. Despite the castaways' overzealousness, the band likes the isle enough to settle down for a month of R and R. Of course, the castaways' agenda is for the band to take them back to civilization, and the more the band digs in its heels and plays its rock music, the more desperate the castaways get, and the funnier the proceedings get.
First, they scheme to drive the Mosquitoes off the island by making it as loud and congested as civilization, borrowing a plot point from The Return of Wrongway Feldman. All of the castaways crash their guest hut and, in a faint echo of the Marx Brothers, turn it into a cramped state room. The plan only succeeds in driving the band into the jungle. When the Mosquitoes come out of hiding, they extend their stay to another two months.
Next, the men form a singing group to front for the Mosquitoes when they return to the mainland. The Gnats, led by drummer Gilligan in John Lennon-style glasses, sing incomprehensible gibberish and fail to impress their guests. Their set may be a predictable train wreck, being that only our lead is familiar with the music they're attempting, but it works comedically.
Lastly, the episode features its most iconic moment as the girls form their own group, the Honeybees, led by Ginger, and wow the Mosquitoes with their talent and flair. They look great, their song is catchy, and they can actually sing. Their skills are so crazy good, in fact, that their set has the opposite effect on the boy band that is intended, and, like in Castaways Pictures Presents, the castaways are done in by their own ingenuity.
But at least they now have a house band.
COCONOTES:
The stock footage of the helicopter in the cold open only has room for the pilot and one band member.
Bingo, the ringleader played by Les Brown, Jr., could sub for George Harrison.
The crazed head-bopping reactions of Gilligan and Mary Ann to the Mosquitoes music and the Skipper's irritated reaction to them are both priceless.
Mr. Howell smiling serenely at the end of their second number because he's wearing ear plugs is a great touch.
To write a Beatle-lesque song lyric, add 'yeah' to the end of the lyric and stir.
Love the Honeybees go go outfits.
Dawn Wells had her singing voice dubbed by Carol Conner.
Never Trust Anyone Over 30
cutterccbaxter7 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
If I were stuck on a deserted isle and were allowed only one episode from one TV show to watch, this might be the one. A hilarious satire on the then current music scene which was kick started by The Beatles a couple of years earlier. If you watch a lot of TV from the Sixties you'll notice an undercurrent of uneasiness at the blossoming youth culture of the day. With the long hair, weird clothes, and loud music, that the young people embraced, the "older" generation saw the future of America to be in deep jeopardy (for an extremely paranoid vision of this outlook see "Dragnet"). "Don't Bug the Mosquitoes" pokes fun at the trappings surrounding the band from a perspective that finds the musical style rather alien and its appeal perplexing. It's fun to watch the Castaways try and out Mosquito the Mosquitoes in the battle of the bands, which of course backfires on their desire to get off the island. We ultimately learn that Mrs. Thurston Howell the 3rd is one groovy chick.
Get Us Off the Island. Yea! Yea! Yea!
kmcelhaney00523 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
The Mosquitoes, the most popular rock band right now (back then) decide to get some R & R on a deserted island that just happens to have Gilligan 'n crew.
An excellent send-up of The Beatles, the British rock invasion and the youth culture, this episode hits on all cylinders.
Highlights include Gilligan jamming out to the songs while the Skipper gets more and more furious, Mr. Howell's almost sliding entrance when first seeing The Mosquitoes, in fact, all of Mr. Howell's reactions to the Mosquitoes are priceless, the girls reaction to first seeing the band and Mrs. Howell trying to give them haircuts, the initial concert with Mary Ann and Gilligan nearly freaking out, the conga line the castaways form when thinking they are going home the next day, the Skipper ranting about having to be put in an isolation ward, the absolutely horrible singing group formed by the men and the absolutely wonderful group formed by the girls, Mr. Howell's Ed Sullivan impersonation as he introduces the Honeybees, and the epilogue scene that pretty much wraps up the show.
While this episode stretches reality even further in some ways than far out episodes like, "Smile, You're on Mars Camera", it really works. The band itself is a thinly veiled reference to The Beatles, even down to the head-shaking and the songs are actually pretty good. There are lots of big laughs and many little comedy bits which will make you smile. This is arguably the best Gilligan's Island episode ever.
Tidbits & Trivia
An excellent send-up of The Beatles, the British rock invasion and the youth culture, this episode hits on all cylinders.
Highlights include Gilligan jamming out to the songs while the Skipper gets more and more furious, Mr. Howell's almost sliding entrance when first seeing The Mosquitoes, in fact, all of Mr. Howell's reactions to the Mosquitoes are priceless, the girls reaction to first seeing the band and Mrs. Howell trying to give them haircuts, the initial concert with Mary Ann and Gilligan nearly freaking out, the conga line the castaways form when thinking they are going home the next day, the Skipper ranting about having to be put in an isolation ward, the absolutely horrible singing group formed by the men and the absolutely wonderful group formed by the girls, Mr. Howell's Ed Sullivan impersonation as he introduces the Honeybees, and the epilogue scene that pretty much wraps up the show.
While this episode stretches reality even further in some ways than far out episodes like, "Smile, You're on Mars Camera", it really works. The band itself is a thinly veiled reference to The Beatles, even down to the head-shaking and the songs are actually pretty good. There are lots of big laughs and many little comedy bits which will make you smile. This is arguably the best Gilligan's Island episode ever.
Tidbits & Trivia
- This episode starts during the daytime and NOT at the lagoon, which is a real change of pace.
- Even Mr. Howell knows who The Mosquitoes are? Shoot, they must be huge.
- We are suppose to believe that the tiny helicopter carried all four band members, equipment and luggage to the island...really? Well, I suppose if I can buy that they are playing their guitars without any electricity, amps or speakers....
- If the Mosquitoes are only a recent phenomenon, then how can Gilligan possibly have all their albums? - Apparently, Irving is in the band for his looks because his bass playing ability is not exactly setting the world on fire.
- While being on the island another month may seem torturous, considering how long our castaways have already been on the island...
- While noise-making plan makes some sense, wouldn't it just be easier to find the transmitter they must have about?
- One of the Mosquitoes wears a hairnet to bed while the drummer has a great nightshirt. Irving it appears has no change of clothes and while he apparently doesn't talk, we do hear him scream as he is fleeing from Mrs. Howell.
- With the wig on, Bob Denver is a near-dead ringer for Ringo Starr.
- The name of the male "singing" group is "The Gnats".
- The Honeybees are really exceptional and even Mrs. Howell is strangely delightful and actually gets a rare close up.
- The final resolution in the epilogue is a rather cruel turn by the Mosquitoes...you'd think that they or perhaps the helicopter pilot would tell someone at some point about the castaways....
Tops for the second season
kevinolzak14 June 2016
"Don't Bug the Mosquitoes" undoubtedly ranks as the high point of the second season and, along with "Up at Bat," is the best remembered episode from the entire series. By December 1965, The Beatles had been on the scene in America for nearly 2 years, their influence spreading over every type of media, with even the pilot for THE MONKEES already in the can before this broadcast. GILLIGAN'S ISLAND truly digs into the British Invasion, satirizing the appeal of long hair, tight trousers, and 'toneless discord' (the Professor's description) with the arrival of The Mosquitoes, the world's most popular rock group, for a month or two away from civilization and the crushing demands of fame. Their leader is Bingo (Les Brown Jr., son of bandleader Les Brown), the other three (Bango, Bongo, and Irving) played by folk trio The Wellingtons, familiar as the group that performed the first season's theme song. From the screaming of Mary Ann and Ginger, to the delightfully withering comments from the Howells, things aren't very peaceful on the island, though a short concert performed by The Mosquitoes inspires the castaways to make their own music. The four bewigged men are a real hoot as The Gnats, though Gilligan easily fits in with his already able drumming and cool John Lennon glasses. Unfortunately, when the ladies perform as The Honeybees they manage to outshine even The Mosquitoes. Director Steve Binder had a history of musical shows, from "The T.A.M.I. Show" to HULLABALOO, and later helmed "The Second Ginger Grant," the episode where Mary Ann believes herself to be Ginger (apparently the singing voice of Dawn Wells was here dubbed by Jackie De Shannon). Unlike his famous father, Les Brown Jr. remained an actor, though with little recognition over his lengthy career, while The Wellingtons never again worked as anything but singers. The sheer comic invention in this episode continues to entertain over five decades later.
One of my fave "GI" episodes!
alshiretina25 April 2016
If you've never seen "Gilligan's Island," this is the first episode you should see. It is so funny! Everyone is at the top of their game and the plot hits every base on the field: Parent/teen battles over loud rock music, the British Invasion, the generation gap and the general finky behavior of people when you're at their mercy for help.
After driving everyone on the island crazy with his blaring rock music radio, Gilligan and the others realize they've been invaded by Mosquitoes...a Beatles-esque rock group that just arrived by helicopter.
Naturally, the castaways are delighted to have some visitors and excited to think they can go home when the Mosquitoes chopper comes back for them.
Things don't go as planned however, and the men decide to impress their guests by putting on their own show--with disastrous results. With "hippie" wigs and attire, the guys are hilarious--especially Alan Hale, whose tiny bowler hat (at jaunty angle) and blonde cherub wig make him look insanely ridiculous! You'll have a big smile on your face as he continues to wear the garb even as he's dejected over the "group's" failure to impress.
Next, the ladies try...and as the "Honeybees," their song, "You Need Us" is a highlight. Such fun and such great memories!
After driving everyone on the island crazy with his blaring rock music radio, Gilligan and the others realize they've been invaded by Mosquitoes...a Beatles-esque rock group that just arrived by helicopter.
Naturally, the castaways are delighted to have some visitors and excited to think they can go home when the Mosquitoes chopper comes back for them.
Things don't go as planned however, and the men decide to impress their guests by putting on their own show--with disastrous results. With "hippie" wigs and attire, the guys are hilarious--especially Alan Hale, whose tiny bowler hat (at jaunty angle) and blonde cherub wig make him look insanely ridiculous! You'll have a big smile on your face as he continues to wear the garb even as he's dejected over the "group's" failure to impress.
Next, the ladies try...and as the "Honeybees," their song, "You Need Us" is a highlight. Such fun and such great memories!
Bugged Out ~ Yea, Yea, Yea!
cmdahoust31 January 2022
To me this is the best episode for a number of reasons. By the end of 1965, The Beatles were the biggest thing on the planet. Several TV shows from this era reflected that with bands performing and the plots centered on that. Shows like The Beverly Hillbillies, Batman, F-Troop all had episodes featuring singing groups which were really homages to the Beatles and their influence ~ who can't remember the 'Way Outs' on the 'Flintstones'?
From the 'Mosquitos' hairstyles to the background guitar music throughout the episode, you could tell you were back in the mid 60's. The creators of Gilligan's Island produced a perfect time capsule of what music and pop culture were at this time in America. Everyone who saw this knew who these guys were supposed to be, and as side note less than a year later in August of 1966, The Beatles had stopped touring due to the demands. Life imitates art.
From the 'Mosquitos' hairstyles to the background guitar music throughout the episode, you could tell you were back in the mid 60's. The creators of Gilligan's Island produced a perfect time capsule of what music and pop culture were at this time in America. Everyone who saw this knew who these guys were supposed to be, and as side note less than a year later in August of 1966, The Beatles had stopped touring due to the demands. Life imitates art.
WHY COULDN'T WE BE RESCUED BY THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC??
tcchelsey25 June 2023
So says Mr. Howell when the castaways are invaded
by THE MOSQUITOES, the latest rock group sensation, a wacky take-off on the Beatles.
10 Stars.
This is a super fabulous episode, and a bit historical. The Mosquitoes were actually played by 60s folk group, The Wellingtons, who sang the famous theme song. They were also regulars on the popular 60s music show, SHINDIG. Excellent trivia question.
Of course, the story is framed around some sort of a rescue attempt, right? The gang again -- without fail -- while impressed with their famous guests, are also looking for a way off the island. Will it finally happen this time around?
What has always amazed me is the camp wardrobe the gang wears, often multiple changes (and don't forget, this also includes blankets and curtains?). Comes the timeless question, how much luggage did they all bring for what was to be a "Three Hour Tour"???
Les Brown, Jr, son of the famous band leader, makes an appearance as one of the group, who is still around today, hosting a 40s era show on Sirius Radio. Early director credit for Steve Binder, who produced dozens of historical tv musicals and rock-u-mentaries.
The Skipper with a blonde wig (in Gilligans new rock group) is a must. Ginger, Mary Ann and Mrs. Howell debut as THE HONEYBEES? Doing Mary Ann's voice is singer Jackie DeShannon (unbilled) who had a hit at the time, WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE.
For 60s music completists, and all us old DJs. SEASON 2 EPISODE 12 remastered color in all it glory.
10 Stars.
This is a super fabulous episode, and a bit historical. The Mosquitoes were actually played by 60s folk group, The Wellingtons, who sang the famous theme song. They were also regulars on the popular 60s music show, SHINDIG. Excellent trivia question.
Of course, the story is framed around some sort of a rescue attempt, right? The gang again -- without fail -- while impressed with their famous guests, are also looking for a way off the island. Will it finally happen this time around?
What has always amazed me is the camp wardrobe the gang wears, often multiple changes (and don't forget, this also includes blankets and curtains?). Comes the timeless question, how much luggage did they all bring for what was to be a "Three Hour Tour"???
Les Brown, Jr, son of the famous band leader, makes an appearance as one of the group, who is still around today, hosting a 40s era show on Sirius Radio. Early director credit for Steve Binder, who produced dozens of historical tv musicals and rock-u-mentaries.
The Skipper with a blonde wig (in Gilligans new rock group) is a must. Ginger, Mary Ann and Mrs. Howell debut as THE HONEYBEES? Doing Mary Ann's voice is singer Jackie DeShannon (unbilled) who had a hit at the time, WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE.
For 60s music completists, and all us old DJs. SEASON 2 EPISODE 12 remastered color in all it glory.
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