Before it became a TV show in 1977, ABC wanted to test the audience’s response to the story, so they decided to make three made-for-TV movies first. The idea was that each of these movies would serve as pilot episodes if the ratings were high enough. The movies, “The Love Boat,” “The Love Boat II,” and “The New Love Boat,” ended up being a massive success.
So, in 1977, the network gave the green light for the show, and “The New Love Boat” was pretty much the pilot for the finalized show, which aired on September 24th, 1977. The cast was already in place, as Gavin MacLeod, Fred Grandy, and Bernie Kopell had already starred in the movies.
Bernie Kopell Named His Son After His Character
One of the main characters of “The Love Boat” was Dr. Adam Bricker, the quirky ship doctor that was always on the lookout for a new girlfriend – despite having been married and divorced six times. Despite being described as the ship’s Casanova, Bricker was as cheesy as they come, trying to sweet-talk female passengers with the corniest lines.
The actor who played the famous doctor for 10 years was Bernie Kopell, and in real life, he only got married twice. He also had two kids, one of whom he named “Adam,” after his character on the show. We imagine that after playing him for a decade, Kopell got attached to his character and grew to love the name; what better way to remember your peak acting years than to name your son after your star character?
The Show Was Based on a Book
As crazy as the plotlines of “The Love Boat” might seem, most of them happened in real life. Of course, the show’s producers took some creative liberties, as they always do, but the essence of the stories was all real. The famous show was actually based on a 1974 book called “Love Boats,” written by former model and cruise director, Jeraldine Saunders.
Saunders started out as a model for famous designers and then upgraded as a celebrity accompaniment that did astrology, palmistry, numerology, and more. One day, she went on a cruise ship and eventually became the first female cruise director and hostess in history. Saunders did this for over ten years, and she wrote down every single experience she encountered on her ship. Her finished accounts turned into “Love Boats,” the hit book that inspired the show.
One of the Characters Became a Politician
Fred Grandy, the actor who played boat purser Burl “Gopher” Smith for an entire decade in “The Love Boat,” went into politics when the show ended. The last episode of the famous series was in 1986, and by 1987, Grandy had become an Iowa Congressman for the United States House of Representatives. Grandy was born in Iowa and therefore had a strong base of voters in the state.
A Republican congressman, Grandy’s love for politics came long before his acting career, as in the early 70s he worked as a speechwriter for congressmen of Iowa. He credited his role in “The Love Boat” for much of his success as a politician, as it taught him how to be a public persona. Grandy stayed for four successful terms in Congress. He ran for Iowa governor in 1994 but lost the election.
Actor Ted Lange Played Isaac on Several TV Shows
Ted Lange played the beloved cruise ship bartender Isaac for the entire run of “The Love Boat.” However, his character was such a fan favorite that he actually reprised the role for four other TV series. Lange appeared as Isaac in “Weird Science,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Martin,” and “Love Boat: The Next Wave.”
Before his very successful run role as Isaac, Lange played Junior in the popular show from 1974, “That’s My Mama.” Lange has also appeared in several films, such as “Friday Foster,” alongside Pam Grier, 1988’s “Glitch,” 1978’s “Record City,” 1992’s “The Naked Truth,” and many more. He also returned to play Isaac in the 1990s film “Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage.”
Producers Would Invite the Show’s Fans on a Cruise Trip
“The Love Boat” was one of the most popular shows in the country by the early 80s, and so the producers were always coming up with new ways to entice their loyal fans. People Magazine ran a story back in 1983 where they recounted how the show’s crew would sometimes have to travel around the world for different filming locations and offered their fans a spot on the ship for a steep price.
For anywhere between $3,000 and $8,000, you could reserve a spot on the Pacific Princess Cruise Ship and set sail with your favorite celebrities on a luxurious boat.
The Last Season Had a Different Theme Song
As it often happens with a hit TV show, its theme song becomes as popular and beloved as its characters and story, and “The Love Boat” was no exception. From its first episode on September 17th, 1976, to its season 8 finale in May 1985, “The Love Boat” had a signature theme song that was performed by American singer Jack Jones. A lounge crooner, Jones had the perfect voice for the show’s romantic mood.
But for the show’s ninth and final season, the producers decided to spice things up and hire a new performer for the beloved tune: legendary singer Dionne Warwick.
The Iconic Boat was Destroyed in 2014
As much as its iconic characters, the Pacific Princess cruise ship became a fixture of “The Love Boat” for its 9-season run. Built in 1972, the luxurious cruise liner lasted an impressive 42 years in considerably good condition. After being used on the show for ten years, the boat was sold to a company and went back to working as a commercial cruise ship.
After a nearly 30-year career in the entertainment business, and fifteen years operating as a commercial liner, the Pacific Princess cruise ship was scraped in 2014, at a scrapyard in Turkey after a sale to new owners fell through.
Teri Hatcher Made Her Acting Debut on the Show
You might know beautiful actress Teri Hatcher from her role as Lois in the 1993 show “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” or as Susan Mayer from 2004’s “Desperate Housewives.” But this talented California native actually made her acting debut in the 80s, when she played a mermaid showgirl named Amy in “The Love Boat.”
During the show’s ninth and final season, Hatcher, who was a young 21-year-old at the time, played a dancing and singing entertainer who was part of the boat’s Mermaid show routine. The role is what led her to land a gig as a supporting actress in six episodes of the 1980s hit show “MacGyver.”
The Number of Guest Stars Is Endless
As a show that ran for nine seasons and ten whole years, one would expect a cameo from some of the time’s most famous celebrities. But “The Love Boat” broke the record, featuring over 1,0000 celebrities that guest starred on the show at one point or another. Amongst the thousands of stars that appeared were the likes of Debbie Allen, Kirstie Alley, Scott Baio, Kathy Bates, Linda Blair, Sonny Bono, Billy Crystal, and many more.
In fact, actors like John Ritter, Tom Hanks, and the world-famous Charo got their start in Hollywood thanks to “The Love Boat.” There's no doubt that the show acted as a springboard for many of the celebs we know today.
The Show’s Format Often Led to Mistakes
“The Love Boat” had a very particular format, with each hourlong episode normally splitting into three parts. Each segment followed a different story, and each story was created by different writers. While this often allowed for a lot of artistic creativity and a range of stories and emotions throughout a single episode, it also had its drawbacks.
For instance, the multiple plotlines usually led to errors in continuity, like a character appearing with different outfits within the same scene. Regardless, it was important to the show’s creators to keep the format, since they were adamant about wanting each episode to have drama, romance, and comedy; something that was difficult to do within a single storyline.
One Episode Is Among the 100 Greatest in TV History
More than ten years after “The Love Boat” ended in 1986, one of its episodes made the list for TV Guide’s ‘100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.’ The episode’s segments were titled “Hidden Treasure/Picture from the Past/Ace’s Salary” and it was ranked number 82 on the list.
It was the third episode of the final season, and the segments followed a couple looking for a rare stamp, a woman trying to avoid Andy Warhol after being in one of his films, and Ace and his campaign for a higher salary. Guest stars included Andy Griffith, Cloris Leachman, Marion Ross, and Andy Warhol.
The Main Character Had a Different Name
The beloved star of “The Love Boat,” Captain Merrill Stubing was a beloved man on board the Pacific Princess. His crew loved him, he was as friendly as they came, and was a well-known charmer. But the actor who played him for ten years, Gavin MacLeod, had a secret he managed to keep from the entire industry for a very long time: that wasn’t his actual birth name.
MacLeod was born Allan George See, which the actor decided to change thinking it would be far too confusing for producers or casting directors. He studied acting while completing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Ithaca College and took the last name MacLeod from his favorite drama teacher, Beatrice MacLeod.
Tom Hanks Started His Career on the Show
One of the thousands of guest appearances on the show’s star-studded list was Tom Hanks. At the time, Hanks wasn’t a known actor, and getting a role for one of the show’s episodes was a very big deal. In the first episode of the show’s fourth season, Hanks plays an old college friend of Gopher, who is trying to impress a woman that Hanks ends up falling for.
Even in this small role, it was already clear that Hanks had immense talent, and “The Love Boat” was a platform for him to become one of cinema history’s greatest actors. Shortly after, Hanks starred in the 1984 film “Splash,” alongside Daryl Hannah, which further impulse him to fame. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Some High-Profile Fashion Designers Refused to Appear
Anyone who watched “The Love Boat” will surely remember the fabulous fashion episode. It was an unforgettable two-part episode that aired in 1982 and featured very famous fashion designers of the time. As guest stars, the credits included Halston, Bob Mackie, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Geoffrey Beene.
However, despite the high-profile guests and the show’s incredible success and fame back then, many other fashion designers were invited to appear and declined – such as Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren. Apparently, Lauren said it would damage his reputation, Klein wouldn’t appear if Halston did, and Armani claimed a scheduling conflict.
Guest Stars Were Paid Crazy Amounts of Money
Considering “The Love Boat” had well over 1,000 guest star appearances throughout its nine-season run, the fact that the minimum amount they were paid was $1,000 per day (back in the 1980s), the show’s creators must have been making a whopping amount of money per episode just to be able to afford it.
Usually, depending on their celebrity status and how famous they were, the amount a guest star could earn per day was anywhere between $1,000 and $25,000. American actress and model Lana Turner, for example, was paid $25,000 for her appearance in one single episode! She was also the 1,000th guest in the show’s memorable 200th episode.
A Celebrity Dog Earned $1,000 for an Episode
Back in the 80s, there was a white Samoyed dog called Tundra the Wonder Dog. And yes, he looked as cute as he sounds. Tundra became a celebrity dog after appearing in two episodes of “The Love Boat,” in the show’s sixth season. The episodes were part of a single segment called “The Dog Show,” in which the ship’s crew and passengers are holding a contest to see which dog will appear on a famous brand of dog food can covers.
What’s astonishing is that this doggie’s owners demanded $1,000 a day for the presence of their white furry friend. Not bad at all, especially since the dog kept making movies, such as the 1984 crime film “Against All Odds,” with James Woods and Jeff Bridges.
The Pacific Princess Was a Celebrity in Its Own
Not surprisingly, being as the Pacific Princess cruise ship was where the hit, nine-season show took place, the boat became a renowned celebrity of its own. Fans of the show would gather by the thousands at different ports to simply catch a glimpse of the huge, luxurious ship.
Also, the Princess’s fame and notoriety turned it into a very sought-after vacation choice for real-life vacationers. Passengers would book their cruise ship vacation onboard the famous “Love Boat” for months in advance, and pay extravagant prices just to feel like, even for a little while, they were a part of the magical show.
The Iconic Bartender Was Meant for Another Actor
When the show’s writers thought about the character of the cruise ship’s bartender, Isaac Washington, they didn’t have actor Ted Lange in mind. The character of Isaac was very important, as he was the charming bartender who would always have a smile and lend an ear to any passenger in need. It turns out the part was written with another actor in mind, and when Lange came in to audition for the role, “The Love Boat” producers were blown away.
In fact, Lange did such an incredible job with his charisma and quick wit that he quickly became a fan favorite. Isaac was always the perfect mixture of comedy and warmth, and passengers, as well as viewers, loved him dearly.
“The Love Boat” Was Made into Three Films
Before it became a TV show in 1977, ABC wanted to test the audience’s response to the story, so they decided to make three made-for-TV movies first. The idea was that each of these movies would serve as pilot episodes if the ratings were high enough. The movies, “The Love Boat,” “The Love Boat II,” and “The New Love Boat,” ended up being a massive success.
So, in 1977, the network gave the green light for the show, and “The New Love Boat” was pretty much the pilot for the finalized show, which aired on September 24th, 1977. The cast was already in place, as Gavin MacLeod, Fred Grandy, and Bernie Kopell had already starred in the movies.
An Ode to Hollywood’s Golden Era
Apart from its wildly entertaining storylines and comedy plots, “The Love Boat” also gave viewers a sense of nostalgia for the olden days. For instance, in a special two-part episode named “The Love Boat Follies,” the show’s cast danced and sang in a musical performance onboard. The magical episode was an ode to Hollywood’s Golden era of classic musicals and lavish productions.
The intricate costumes they wore, and the musical routines they performed were a delight to audiences, and it reminded them that the ship’s crew had other skills besides making people laugh and solving couples’ romantic problems. It became one of the show's most popular episodes.
The “Brady Bunch” Connection
“The Love Boat” was famous for having an endless list of guest stars throughout its nine-season run. Everybody from Joan Collins and Betty White to Alan Thicke, Gene Kelly, and Hulk Hogan made it onboard, but there was one actress who broke the record for the number of times she appeared. Florence Henderson, the actress who played Carol Brady as the matriarch of “The Brady Bunch,” appeared on “Love Boat” nine times! Each time she played a different character.
There was a memorable episode in which Henderson was a guest star, and actor Robert Reed, who played her husband Mike Brady on the iconic show, was also onboard. Even though they were in separate segments of the episode, there was a wonderful moment where the two characters passed each other and gave a knowing glance.
There Was a Crossover with “Charlie’s Angels”
Back in the mid-70s, TV show producer Aaron Spelling was behind almost every major sitcom, two of them being “The Love Boat” and “Charlie’s Angels.” So, he decided it would be interesting to combine the two.
In a special two-part episode from season four, “The Love Boat” featured a crossover with the hit show, and as weird as it may sound since the two shows couldn’t possibly be more different, it actually made for an interesting episode called “Love Boat Angels.” In the episode, the Angels board the iconic Pacific Princess to recover some very valuable stolen art pieces on their way to the Virgin Islands.
It was Modeled After “Love, American Style”
When it first aired, “The Love Boat” was a very unique type of TV show, its format was unlike any other shows being broadcast at the time. The fact that it had separate segments and storylines within a single episode made it very particular. Its producer, Aaron Spelling, wanted the dramatic, romantic, and comedic mishaps of the boat’s crew and passengers to be enjoyed simultaneously. Every story was written by a different writer, yet each intertwined with the others in a seamless way.
To achieve this, Spelling modeled the show’s format after a very popular comedy show from 1969 called “Love, American Style.” This ABC show followed a variety of stars doing comedy sketches on relationships and love. “The Love Boat” was very similar but aimed at a more mature audience, which made it an instant success.
It was the Last of its Kind
Nowadays, comedy shows are filmed in front of a live studio audience that provides that signature laughter after every joke. But this only started to come about in the mid-1980s, as before, comedy shows and sitcoms used a prerecorded laughter track.
Created by American sound engineer Charles Douglass, the laughter track was used for most sketch comedy shows and prime-time sitcoms in the United States from the late 50s to the early 80s. “The Love Boat” was one of these shows, and when it ended in 1986, it was the last of its kind to use the iconic laughter track.
Dr. Adam Bricker Was Meant for Another Actor
When “The Love Boat” producers thought of the character of Dr. Adam Bricker, they had one person in mind: iconic actor and comedian Dick Van Patten. Patten was a star of the 70s and '80s and had an incredibly successful for over seven decades.
When he was approached by the show’s producers to play Bricker, he had to decline because he was involved in filming his iconic role as the patriarch of the Bradford family in the hit sitcom “Eight is Enough.” Instead, Patten suggested the producers let his best friend audition for the part. It turns out his best friend was Bernie Kopell!
Other Ships Were Also Used for Filming
The luxurious Pacific Princess was as important as a main character on “The Love Boat;” after all, a series about a cruise ship can’t be done without the ship. But being that the Princess also operated as a regular cruise ship when it wasn’t used for filming, this would sometimes mean that there were scheduling conflicts. So, the producers of the show had a few backup options.
For some longer episodes, “The Love Boat” would be shot onboard the Island Princess, the Pearl of Scandinavia, the Royal Viking Sky, and the Stella Solaris, among others. Every one of these ships was as breathtaking and luxurious as the Pacific Princess.
The Cast of “Psycho” Appeared on the Show
Among the many impressive guest stars to appear on “The Love Boat,” one of the most famous were actresses Janet Leigh and Vera Miles, and actors John Gavin and Ted Knight. All stars from the iconic Alfred Hitchcock film “Psycho,” each actor appeared in a separate episode. Janet Leigh appeared in the ninth episode of the second season, as Gail, the mother of a young woman named Linda, who is played by 20-year-old Jamie Lee Curtis.
Vera Miles appeared in several episodes of the show between 1982 and 1984, and John Gavin played ex-convict Dan Barton in an episode of the show’s first season. Ted Knight appeared in two episodes of season five, as a rival cruise ship captain.
Some Actors Had Record-Breaking Salaries
If you compare what a TV show star makes nowadays, this amount may not sound like much, but for the 1970s, the stars of “The Love Boat” were earning record-breaking paychecks. While other famous actors of the time, such as stars from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” or “All in the Family” were making roughly $15,000 per episode, stars from “The Love Boat” made more than double that amount during the show’s peak.
Bernie Kopell, for instance, was earning a whopping $39,500 per episode during the height of the show. His co-stars, MacLeod, Washington, Grandy, and Tewes, were earning similar amounts.
Lauren Tewes Was Fired from the Show
The iconic character of cruise director Julie McCoy was played by the talented actress Lauren Tewes. Before landing this career-making role, Tewes had appeared in small roles in shows like “Starsky and Hutch” and “Police Story,” but she still managed to get chosen during auditions for “The Love Boat” by over 100 other actresses. Apparently, Spelling had been impressed with her work on “Starsky and Hutch.”
Unfortunately, after starring in “The Love Boat” for seven seasons, Tewes was fired in 1984 after a very public struggle with substance addiction. She was replaced by actress Patricia Klous, who took on the role of cruise director Judy McCoy, (also Julie McCoy’s sister).
Tewes Still Criticizes the Show’s Producers
After being part of “The Love Boat” family for seven years, Tewes was one of the first TV stars to publicly admit she had a substance addiction problem. This is one reason she was so disappointed with the way she was treated by the show’s producers, co-stars, and crew. Tewes said that instead of offering her some time off and helping her seek treatment for her problem, they immediately fired her.
What’s worse, Tewes said that the cast shamed and ignored her, instead of listening and offering some friendly comfort. The actress is still labeled as an addict to this day, even though she’s been sober since 1986.
Aaron Spelling’s Take on the Tewes Fiasco
There are always two sides to one story, and this was certainly the case with the Lauren Tewes fiasco. After being fired from “The Love Boat” during its 7th season, after Tewes publicly admitted to her problems with substances, producer Aaron Spelling had his share of opinions.
While Tewes criticized the cast and crew for firing her outright, Spelling recounted that “Lauren really got stung by the dark side of Hollywood. Her marriage fell apart and she became addicted.” Spelling further said that, following the show’s soaring ratings and fame, Lauren Tewes had asked for an inordinate pay raise that they weren’t prepared to give her.
They Gave Isaac an Interesting Backstory
Trying to stay true to the story, “The Love Boat” producers had to make an addition to Isaac Washington’s backstory. The charming and trusty bartender for the entirety of the show, Isaac was also always seen among the crew members who would greet passengers when they were boarding the ship.
However, after some research, the show producers found out that the only crew members allowed to greet passengers while boarding were ranked maritime officers, and being a bartender made Washington a civilian employee. So, producers thought of a back story – Isaac had been given an honorary rank after saving some passengers’ lives during a shipboard emergency.
The Show’s Extras Were Actual Passengers
When it wasn’t filmed in its California studio location, “The Love Boat” was shot on the Pacific Princess or the Island Princess. However, since the cruise ship company couldn’t afford to not schedule actual cruise voyages during that time, this meant that many of the extras on the show were actual passengers enjoying their vacation.
Of course, once this became known, these cruise ships would sell out in a matter of minutes. Everybody wants a chance to appear in, or at least see, their favorite show being filmed. People would often pay extravagant amounts to board one of these liners.
Only Three Actors Appeared in Every Single Episode
Any show that runs for more than a few years often sees changes in its cast. People leave, get fired, take other job opportunities, etc., forcing producers to replace actors. Throughout its incredible nine-season run, “The Love Boat” featured thousands of actors, guest stars, and cameos, but there were three actors who appeared in every single episode of the show until the very end.
These actors were Bernie Kopell, Gavin MacLeod, and Ted Lange, who appeared in all 250 episodes of the show. Fred Grandy, who played Gopher the purser, was almost in every episode, aside from the last four of the TV films.
The Boat’s Trip to China Was a Disaster
In June of 1983, the cast and crew of “The Love Boat” sailed on the Pearl of Scandinavia on a two-week trip to China, Japan, and Hong Kong to film the three first episodes of season seven. According to future interviews with “People Magazine,” the trip was an economic disaster. The whole endeavor cost over $12 million, which for 1983 was an unheard-of sum of money.
Not only did the trip take months to plan and cost a big chunk of the show’s budget, but it somehow sent the cast members into a fighting frenzy. According to one of the producers, Doug Cramer, the cast was incredibly hostile throughout the entire trip, getting into loud arguments about the tiniest detail. What’s worse, they made the actual passengers who had paid money for their Easter Asian cruise voyage have a terrible time!
A Celebration of Old Movie Stars
Aaron Spelling was known for using a unique formula for his TV shows, mainly consisting of having a small, regular cast that would serve as the base of the series while featuring different guest stars on every episode. It was a winning formula that had found massive success on Spelling’s other show, “Fantasy Island.”
Spelling wanted to celebrate Hollywood’s Golden Age, which he was a devoted fan of, and so cast legendary actresses like Ginger Roberts, Lana Turner, and Olivia de Havilland in “The Love Boat.” In his memoir, Spelling explained his decisions - "The studios weren't banging their doors down with offers, but these actors and actresses still had lots of talent, and I was happy to provide an outlet.”
Andy Warhol was a Huge Fan
Legendary cultural icon Andy Warhol took the 60s by storm, becoming a symbol of the pop art movement. Undoubtedly, Warhol was one of the most famous, and weirdest, guest stars to appear on “The Love Boat.”
Known for loving campy styles, colorful patterns, and things that might have been deemed temporary pop cultural junk, Warhol loved light and bubbly TV shows like “The Love Boat.” In fact, he was one of the show’s biggest fans, so he was over the moon when he was asked to appear in the ninth season episode “Hidden Treasure/Picture from the Past/Ace’s Salary.” The episode was ranked among the 100 best TV episodes of all time.
The Important “Love Boat” Connection
Even though the last episode of “The Love Boat” aired in 1987, the show’s influence is still felt in the Princess Cruises company and cruising vacations in general. Princess Cruises had a contract with the show’s production company throughout the entirety of the series, which required “The Love Boat” to be filmed on three of its star ships – the Pacific Princess, the Island Princess, and the Sun Princess.
These ships were by far the company’s most sought-after cruises for decades after the show ended. The company even retained Gavin MacLeod, who played Captain Stubing, as a spokesperson. And when the company had to christen a new ship, the Dawn Princess, they staged a reunion of all six original members of “The Love Boat” in 1997.
A “Love Boat” Tradition
Nearly three decades after the end of “The Love Boat” in 1987, the Vice President of Princess Cruises, Rai Caluori, announced in an interview with USA Today that one of its star ships would have a new tradition. The Royal Princess, a colossal 3,560-passenger cruise ship, would feature a special horn that would sound out the first two notes of the beloved theme song of “The Love Boat.”
The sound would be heard whenever the ship left certain ports, which was a tradition that some of Princess’s other cruise ships had been adopting for years. However, it was the Royal Princess that actually made it a company policy.
Princess Cruises’ Safety Video
As a further ode to “The Love Boat,” the Princess Cruise Company decided to film a passenger safety video modeled after the show. In a hilarious parody video of “The Love Boat” opening credits segment, the ship’s crew would educate passengers on all the safety protocols to be practiced onboard.
Apart from the graphics and theme song from the show, the cheery safety video also featured some original cast members from the show – like Ted Lange showing passengers how to put on a lifejacket. The video was shown for decades onboard every single cruise ship of the Princess Cruise line.
Remakes Were Unsuccessful
As with any massive commercial success, TV producers often want to keep cashing in with reboots, sequels, and remakes. “The Love Boat” was no exception, although it took nearly a decade for the concept to come through. In 1997, United Paramount Network (UPN) came up with a reboot titled “Love Boat: The Next Wave.”
Debuting in the spring of 1998, the show featured all-new characters, such as Captain Jim Kennedy III, security chief Camille Hunter, and purser Will Sanders. Unfortunately, the show had bad ratings from the start and didn’t manage to get viewers’ attention. After two short seasons, UPN pulled the plug.
Talks About a New “Love Boat”
More recently, in 2019, after other hit TV shows from the 80s and 90s got a new life with reboots, such as “Twin Peaks,” “The X-Files,” and “Roseanne,” networks started discussing the possibility of a new “Love Boat” show. The idea was to feature as much of the original cast as possible.
Jill Whelan, who played Vicky Stubing throughout the original show, said in an interview with Fox News that they've all talked about a reboot, and are thinking about how they would all fit into something like that. It would definitely be an interesting idea to see what a modern version of “The Love Boat” would look like.
A Very Different Show in Europe
It’s no secret that the cultural differences among countries can be stark, and “The Love Boat” was a perfect example of something that was very much affected by them. For instance, the show aired in several European countries, one of them being France.
But there, the show wasn’t a comedy, but rather a romance-adventure series, mainly since the French found laugh tracks, a.k.a. fake laughter, culturally offensive – being told when to laugh was a big no-no in France. Thus, the French version of “The Love Boat,” titled “La Croisiere S’amuse,” had a very different feel to the original U.S. version.
Slipping Ratings Ended the Show
“The Love Boat” enjoyed stellar TV ratings from its very first year, ranking at 16 in TV Guide’s List of Top 20 Shows. It continued within the top 20 for its second season and only dropped to number 24 for its third season. However, the fourth season of “The Love Boat” got its highest-ever rating, ranking at number 5 on the Top 20 list.
Until the seventh season, the show ranked among the top 20, but suffered a dip for its 8th, 9th, and final season, descending to a number 62 rank on the list. After getting such low ratings, the network decided it was time to call it quits.
Perry Mason Was Meant to Play the Captain
Before Gavin MacLeod landed his career-making role as Captain Merrill Stubing, the producers of “The Love Boat” offered the part to renowned Canadian actor Raymond Burr. Burr had made a name for himself by playing the iconic Perry Mason in the hit show of the same name for nine whole seasons.
From 1957 to 1966, Burr became an icon of American television by playing the legendary detective, and then from 1967 to 1975, he further skyrocketed to fame by starring in “Ironside,” a police drama where he played the chief police inspector. But when Aaron Spelling approached Burr to play the Love Boat’s captain, he politely declined.
The Character of Julie Was Meant to Be Married
When the character of cruise director Julie McCoy was being written by “The Love Boat” creators, her character was married. Ultimately, the producers decided to make her single instead, since this kept the possibility open for a love story to develop between her and another crew member, or passenger.
Despite McCoy getting hit on by several passengers throughout the show, she ends up marrying Tony, a handsome doctor from Australia who proposes in the season four finale. The wedding scene features an emotional moment when Captain Stubing himself is walking her down the aisle. The episode had some of the highest ratings in the show.
The Show Faced Criticism for Its Outdated Portrayals
Despite being one of the most popular shows in TV history, “The Love Boat” also faced a lot of backlash and criticism. Mainly, people were upset about the show’s outdated portrayal of gender roles, such as always showing women as desperate for love and looking for a husband. On the other hand, men were shown as strong, independent people who could juggle work, a relationship, and flirting with other women on the side.
They could get away with inappropriate remarks and behavior because it was to be expected of your “typical” male back then. But as traditional as some viewers were, the 70s and 80s also marked a time of great evolution in terms of gender equality, and some audiences were not happy with the show.
Charo Was an Honorary Member of “The Love Boat” Family
The 1970s catapulted the famous Charo to worldwide stardom, and her guest appearances on “The Love Boat” had a lot to do with it. Born Maria Rosario Baeza, Charo is a world-famous Spanish-American singer, actress, flamenco guitarist, and comedian with a career spanning five decades. She appeared as a guest star ten times throughout the show’s run, usually as lounge singer April Lopez.
Charo was such a regular on the series that producers made her an honorary member of “The Love Boat” family. She was deemed a VIP guest star and even had her own dressing room at the California studio where the show’s episodes were filmed.
A Large Portion of the Show Was Filmed in a Studio
While many of the episodes were filmed onboard the actual Pacific Princess cruise ship, a significant portion of “The Love Boat” was shot in studios in California. The show’s producers would use soundstages in big film studios out on the West Coast, and carefully recreated ship interiors, lounges, hallways, dining rooms, and cabins.
It took a large set design team and hours of grueling work to get the very last detail to look right. But clearly, filming in a controlled environment had its big advantages, not to mention that it was much more affordable, as compared to having to pay to use an entire cruise ship.
The Show Popularized Cruise Ship Voyages
Back in the 70s, cruise ship voyages weren’t a common vacation plan, mainly because it was something only very wealthy people could afford. But shows like “The Love Boat” introduced audiences worldwide to the pleasures of cruising. Since the show was aired in several countries across the globe and enjoyed almost the same popularity as it did in the United States, cruise ships became all the rage.
The cruise ship industry suddenly became a popular vacation plan for people of all ages. In turn, the companies that operated them could afford to offer cheaper packages to people in different economic situations.
There Was a Secret “Love Boat” Lounge
As with every show, the cast and crew often have special rooms where they can go lounge and take a break between grueling work hours. “The Love Boat” wasn’t any different, as onboard the ship there was a special “Love Boat Lounge” where the actors and crew could relax between takes. The cast and crew kept the location of the lounge amongst themselves since they didn’t want any of the passengers to walk by or try to come in during their private time.
Apparently, for most of the show’s run, this special lounge’s location was never known. One can only imagine the conversations that were had in that room!
Jill Whelan Grew Up with the Show
Jill Whelan, the actress who played Captain Stubing’s daughter, was only 11 years old when she joined the cast of “The Love Boat.” Whelan played Vicki Stubing during season two and from season three throughout the show’s entire run until 1984. Whelan actually celebrated her 13th birthday during the first season of “The Love Boat,” and the crew threw her a big party onboard.
Whelan went on to have a successful career as an actress, appearing in other popular shows such as “Fantasy Island,” “Vegas,” “Trapper John,” and others. She also had a successful run as a radio talk show host.
“The Love Boat” Captain was Intended to Be a Guest Appearance
As crazy as it may sound now, the character of Captain Merrill Stubing was meant to be a one-time appearance. Apparently, the producers of the show had a different idea about the ship’s captain and wanted to write an entirely different storyline. However, after casting actor Gavin MacLeod, they realized they had to make Captain Stubing a permanent fixture.
MacLeod had such chemistry with the rest of the cast and even the crew that producers decided he had to be a regular character. The audience reviews and network ratings proved them right, as MacLeod became one of the show’s most beloved and iconic figures.
There Was a Set of “The Love Boat” Trading Cards
At the height of its popularity, “The Love Boat” was profiting from every possible angle – collectors’ items, merchandise, clothes, board games, puzzles, soundtrack records, etc. – and one of the ways in which they cemented brand loyalty and made a pretty penny was with the show’s exclusive set of trading cards.
The set included trading cards with photos and information about each cast member, guest stars, and special episodes. The cards were sold at several different stores and kiosks across the country, and collecting the whole set started to become a goal for die-hard fans of the show. Nowadays, some cards are even sold for high prices as collectors’ items.
Some Guests Were Real-Life Couples
One of the main themes of “The Love Boat” was to feature romantic couples onboard dealing with all types of misadventures. And sometimes, these were actually real-life couples, such as actress and performer Carol Channing and her husband Charles Lowe.
Channing appeared as a guest on the show several times, usually playing Julie McCoy’s aunt Sylvia, but in a musical special that comprised two full episodes (episodes 20 and 21 of the show’s fifth season), she appeared alongside her real-life husband, film producer Lowe. Channing lit up the screen in every one of her performances, dazzling not only the cast members and audiences but wowing the crew too.
The Show Had a Dedicated Fan Club
As with every hit TV show, especially those that have run for nearly a decade, the most loyal fans usually start a fan club. This was the case with “The Love Boat,” which had a dedicated fan club called “The Love Boat Mermaid Club,” which lasted for almost the entire duration of the show.
The fan club offered members a weekly newsletter with privileged information about the upcoming episode, unknown behind-the-scenes information, regular updates about the cast, and more. It also often held contests that offered a fully paid vacation on the iconic Pacific Princess and a chance to meet and dine with the show’s entire cast.
An Entire Line of Merchandise
“The Love Boat” was such a hit from the moment it aired that it became more than just a show. As happens with many successful TV shows, the PR and marketing team set out to create an entire line of merchandise to add to the already growing profit.
In the case of “The Love Boat,” there was an entire line of board games, clothes, bags, souvenirs, action figures, toys, linens, household items, and a soundtrack album with the show’s theme song and other featured songs. For the show’s entire nine seasons, the line of merchandise accounted for a big chunk of the profits. Sales increased steadily right up until the eighth season.
The Real Reason Behind Gopher’s White Gloves
In the first and second episodes of the show’s sixth season, a two-part special titled “Venetian Love Song/Down for the Count/Arrivederci, Gopher/The Arrangement,” the ship’s purser Gopher is wearing white gloves, and the reason wasn’t quite what he explains onscreen. In the episode, the cruise sails to Italy, stopping in Rome, Capri, and Venice, and when Gopher is asked by the crew and passengers why he’s wearing those uncharacteristic white gloves, he answers that it is because of poison ivy.
However, the real reason was that the actor Fred Grandy had burn scars from earlier that year when, during a taxi ride in Turkey, some hydrogen-filled balloons popped and burned him along with three other passengers.
The Cast Was Like a Real-Life Family
Even when a show runs for decades, sometimes the cast doesn’t quite get along. But this was certainly not the case with “The Love Boat,” since the entire cast and crew got along like family. In an interview years after the show ended, the actor who played the charming bartender Isaac, Ted Lange, explained to the show ‘Breakfast Television’ that he was incredibly grateful for his time on “The Love Boat.”
When asked if he thought that the show would be as successful as it was, he laughed and said, “No, I didn’t that. I thought if I had to wait to cash in the check for the first episode, because I was sure that was it.” Lange further said that “I had done a TV series where everybody in the cast liked each other and protected each other.”
The Cast Remain Friends to This Day
Not only was the cast of “The Love Boat” like a family in real life throughout the duration of the show, but they remain good friends to this day. For instance, decades after the show ended, Jill Whelan asked Ted Lange to shoot a pilot for one of her series, to which he immediately agreed and cleared his schedule.
Conversely, Lange has written plays that he’s asked Bernie Kopell to star in, and the actor has flown across the country as soon as Lange calls to help out. Gavin MacLeod is also close with Ted Lange, as they both live close to Los Angeles, California, and often do work collaborations.
Some Actors Celebrated Important Milestones on the Boat
When “The Love Boat” first aired, all its cast members were quite young, but there was one that was actually a child. Jill Whelan, who played Vicki Stubbing, the captain’s daughter, was 11 years old when the show premiered, and since she stayed on for the nine-season run of the series, she celebrated many milestones while on the show.
In future interviews, Whelan recounts how she celebrated her 16th birthday, her first kiss, her second marriage, and her son’s graduation all onboard the Pacific Princess, surrounded by the cast and crew. She also recounts that she never had any great love interests on “The Love Boat,” because “Tewes got all the good ones.”
Gavin MacLeod Almost Turned Down His Iconic Role
Before he became the iconic Captain Merrill Stubing for nine whole seasons of “The Love Boat,” Gavin MacLeod nearly turned the role down. As MacLeod remembers, his agent told him he had gotten this offer to play a boat captain on a new Aaron Spelling show called “The Love Boat,” and when MacLeod asked his agent what he thought, he answered that he thinks it sucks, but offered it to MacLeod to read it.
Luckily, MacLeod read it himself and actually thought the idea was quite original and interesting. Shortly after reading the script, he called Spelling and accepted the role.
Critics Didn’t Like It at First
During its first summer of production in 1977, “The Love Boat” adhered to a new formula; episodes had to be written quickly and had to be a mix of three stories that all had happy endings – the romance, the comedy, and the drama. The soundstages and set design were the most expensive to ever be built for TV back then, costing over $1 million, not to mention when it shot on the actual Pacific Princess.
They often needed a crew of nearly 20 people just for the pool decoration. So logically, the producers were expecting rave reviews for all their effort. Unfortunately, critics didn’t like the show when it premiered. Some called it “dreadful porridge,” and “shows like this pull the median level of mediocrity down to unfathomable lows.” Yikes!
A “Mary Tyler Moore Show” Reunion
One of the many hit TV show casts to guest-star on “The Love Boat” were the actors from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” which debuted in 1970. In fact, Gavin MacLeod, who landed the role of Captain Stubing, made his acting debut on “Mary Tyler Moore,” as head writer Murray Slaughter. It was this role that made producer Aaron Spelling call him in the first place.
Most of the cast of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” reunited with their friend and cast member MacLeod to appear as guest stars on “The Love Boat,” among them Valerie Harper, Betty White, Ted Knight, and Cloris Leachman. In the same way, Fred Grandy and Bernie Kopell appeared as guests on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”
A “Love Boat” Reunion
In 2021, the entire cast of “The Love Boat” got together for a reunion and appeared on YouTube’s “Stars in the House.” This is a daily, live-streamed series to support actors and the entertainment industry and has featured several actor interviews since 2020. “The Love Boat” reunion made it the oldest TV show in which all of the original cast members were recently seen together on screen.
The YouTube episode garnered millions of views and comments from fans all over the world. It was a treat to see their favorite actors from over four decades ago get back together onscreen.
Dick Van Patten Was the Original “Love Boat” Doctor
Before famous actor Dick Van Patten turned down the role of Dr. Adam Bricker and passed it on to his friend Bernie Kopell, he did play “The Love Boat” doctor in the 1976 TV movie pilot of the same name. Patten played Dr. O’Neill, which was a similar role to the future Adam Bricker, a funny, cute, and dynamic cruise ship doctor that charmed everybody.
Producer Aaron Spelling wanted Van Patten to keep playing Dr. O’Neill for the actual show, but he turned him down since he had been offered a starring role in the other hit show “Eight is Enough.” So, Spelling turned to Patten’s friend Bernie Kopell and wrote a similar character for him, that of Dr. Adam Bricker.
The Long Friendship Between MacLeod and Marion Ross
The award-winning actress Marion Ross has had a stellar acting career that began way back in the early 1950s. Best-known for her role as Marion Cunningham on “Happy Days,” Ross went on to star in some of the era’s most popular shows and films, such as “Lust for Life,” “Sabrina,” “Teacher’s Pet,” “Honky,” and “Operation Petticoat,” on which she starred alongside Gavin MacLeod.
Ironically, Ross would be a recurring character on “The Love Boat,” playing Captain Stubing’s (Gavin MacLeod) wife. The two actors worked together for so many years that they became great friends, collaborating onscreen even to this day.
“Three’s Company” Came Onboard
“The Love Boat” also had the famous cast of the 1977 hit show “Three’s Company” board its decks. At one point or another, the entire cast of “Three’s Company” appeared on the show, with Audra Lindley appearing eight times, making her the one with the most appearances. “Three’s Company” lasted eight whole seasons and became one of television’s most popular shows of the 70s, featuring John Ritter, Suzanne Somers, Joyce DeWitt, Priscilla Barnes, Don Knotts, and others.
Suzanne Somers appeared in “The Love Boat’s” very first episode, John Ritter appeared in the second episode, posing as a woman so he could secure a particular cabin, and Joyce DeWitt plays a celebrity in the fifth episode of season three.
“The Love Boat” Is Played on a Loop
As an ode to “The Love Boat,” the beloved show that made the Princess Cruises company famous, all the company’s cruises play the series on a loop in several of their staterooms. Any passenger enjoying a luxurious vacation onboard the Princess liners can pop into one of these large, formal rooms and travel back in time with the show’s characters.
The Pacific Cruise ships kept this going for decades after the show ended, and surprisingly, people kept filling up the staterooms to watch their favorite show for many years. Being able to watch “The Love Boat” on soft leather couches and a huge TV screen must have been an entirely different experience.
ABC Was One Big Family
Just like today, ABC was one of America’s biggest television networks back in the 70s and 80s. It produced many of the era’s most successful and beloved sitcoms, and the execs at ABC loved to combine their star shows. For instance, among the many celebrity guests that appeared on “The Love Boat,” many were the leading characters of other successful shows.
Among them were “Welcome Back, Kotter,” from 1975, “Battlestar Galactica” from 1978, “Happy Days” from 1974, and “Three’s Company” from 1976. Often, the episodes that combined TV’s favorite characters were the ones with the highest ratings, and obviously, the network wanted exactly that.
“Gilligan’s Island” Boarded “The Love Boat”
As massively successful as “The Love Boat” was in the 70s, so was “Gilligan’s Island” during the 60s. “Gilligan’s Island” was also an adventure-comedy series about seven people who get stranded on a desert tropical island. For three whole seasons and 100 episodes, one could see the hilarious and crazy attempts at escaping the island and the interactions between the very diverse group of people, which made for great ratings.
In a collaboration between the two shows, nearly every single member of “Gilligan’s Island” guest-starred on “The Love Boat” at one point. Among the actors that roamed the hallways of the love boat were Bob Denver (who played Gilligan), Alan Hale Jr. (who played The Skipper), Natalie Schaefer (who played Eunice), Tina Louise (who played Ginger Grant), and Dawn Wells (who played Mary Ann).
A Factual Error
Although the producers of “The Love Boat” tried to be as accurate and true to what a real-life crew of a ship and its management would be, there were obviously some errors. This was the main and most criticized part of the central plot of the series.
Obviously, writers for the show didn’t want to change this because it’s precisely what made for hilarious and juicy stories onboard, but in actuality, romantic and intimate relationships between a ship’s crew members and its passengers are strictly forbidden. In fact, this is one of the golden rules of any cruise ship, and it’s in place for a number of good reasons.
They Made a Reality Show Based on “The Love Boat”
One of the many spin-offs made of “The Love Boat” was the reality show “The Real Love Boat,” produced by CBS in 2022. The first version was Australian, and it was a reality dating competition show where single contestants would board a luxury cruise ship in search of love. The contestants would participate in different challenges and go on several dates to not get booted off the ship and eliminated from the competition.
As contestants would lose and new participants boarded the ship, the last couple that stayed won the competition and were awarded a cruise vacation and a hefty cash prize. The American version of the show also premiered in 2022 and was hosted by married actors Jerry O'Connell and Rebecca Romijn.
The Many Nominations of “The Love Boat”
During its nine-season run, “The Love Boat” amassed a long list of accolades, among them being nominated four years in a row to a Golden Globe for ‘Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy,’ from 1978 to 1981. Four of its episodes were also nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards, and original cast actors Gavin MacLeod and Lauren Tewes were nominated for a Golden Globe for best actors.
In 1977, “The Love Boat” won the People’s Choice Award for ‘Favorite New TV Comedy Program.’ But perhaps the biggest accolade was the amount of spin-offs, sequels, and crossovers that were done to try and achieve the show’s original success.
The Cast Became Godparents to the Princess Cruise Ships
After nine seasons and nearly a decade working together, the cast and crew of “The Love Boat” and the company that owned the iconic ship became very good friends. Every member of the cast knew the owner of the Princess Cruises company and nearly the entire team that worked for him. The bond was such that, in 2014, the original cast of the show received a gracious honor from the chief of the cruise company.
Bernie Kopell, Fred Grandy, Ted Lange, Gavin MacLeod, Jill Whelan, and Lauren Tewes all became godparents, which in ‘ship talk’ means becoming naval ship sponsors, of the Regal Princess. The Regal Princess was the brand-new line of cruise ships launched by the Princess Cruises company.
The Cast Receive a Joint Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Thirty-one years after the last episode of “The Love Boat” aired, the show’s original cast was summoned to come together as guests on the popular TV show “Today.” The show’s original cast, Gavin MacLeod, Fred Grandy, Ted Lange, Lauren Tewes, Jill Whelan, and Bernie Kopell came together on May 23, 2017, to receive some surprising news.
They would be given a joint star on the legendary ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’ for their many artistic contributions to television. The event was sponsored by none other than the Princess Cruises company, which owned the show’s iconic ‘love boat’ – the Pacific Princess.
A Custom-Made Theme Song
Aaron Spelling had made up his mind on who he wanted to write the theme song for “The Love Boat” almost before he created the show. Back in the early 70s, there was a type of music called sunshine pop – a soft, upbeat pop that originated in Southern California with roots in advertising jingles – and Spelling knew that was a perfect fit for his new show.
So, he went to the veteran film and TV music composer Charles Fox, who had done the music for “Love, American Style,” ABC’s theme song for “Monday Night Football,” and the award-winning song “Killing Me Softly with His Song.” Fox used the lyrics written by master singer and songwriter Paul Hamilton Williams, who had written songs for The Carpenters, and films like “Bugsy Malone,” “A Star is Born,” and some Brian de Palma classics.
Part of the Saturday Night Line-Up
Even more than today, the night slot on TV programming was essential back in the 70s and 80s. There was no such thing as working from home or flexible hours, and so adults usually returned from work late in the evening and it was the only free time in the day. Therefore, having a nighttime slot on TV made all the difference to a show, and if it was during the weekend, it was like winning the lottery.
As soon as ABC saw the rave reviews of “The Love Boat,” it bumped it up to its popular Saturday-night lineup. “The Love Boat” aired every Saturday night and was followed by another hit show of the time, “Fantasy Island,” which was also created by Aaron Spelling.
The Guest Stars Were Academy Award Winners
One of the things that made “The Love Boat” so famous was its snazzy guest stars. Every week, fans would anxiously await the show’s credits to come on TV to discover which celebrity they’d see on board that night. But the show not only cast over $1,000 famous actors and entertainers, but 33 of those were Academy Award winners.
Among them were Hollywood legends Rita Moreno, Olivia de Havilland, Shelley Winters, Luise Rainer, and the iconic Janet Gaynor, who won the Oscar for ‘Best Actress’ in the first Academy Awards ceremony, in 1929. Gaynor won the award for her performances in “Street Angel,” “7th Heaven,” and “Sunrise.”
The Iconic “Love Boat Mermaids”
Aside from the wildly entertaining and hilarious stories that would happen onboard “The Love Boat,” the show’s producers decided to add another element of pizzazz to the final season. A group of dancers called the “Love Boat Mermaids” performed regular choreographies at the cruise ship’s luxurious lounge.
Apart from the dazzling costumes and the fancy dance routines, each ‘mermaid’ was more beautiful than the next. They were played by actresses Teri Hatcher, who played Amy, Nanci Lynn Hammond, who played Jane, Andrea Moen was Starlight, Macarena was Sheila, Tori Brenno was Maria, Deborah Bartlett was Susie, Beth Myatt was Mary Beth, and Debra Johnson played Patti.