The Love Boat is an American romantic comedy/drama television franchise created by "The Love Boats" book author Jeraldine Saunders for the CBS Family. the franchise' tv series aired on ABC from 1977 to 1986; in addition, four three-hour specials aired in 1986, 1987, and 1990. The series was set on the luxury passenger cruise ship MS Pacific Princess, and revolved around the ship's captain Merrill Stubing and a handful of his crew, with passengers played by guest actors for each episode, having romantic and humorous adventures. The ship's regular ports of call were Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco and Mazatlán. The series was part of ABC's popular Saturday-night lineup of the time, which also included Fantasy Island until 1984.
The 2022 remake of the show was announced by Paramount Global and Eureka Productions as a sign of series' relief that will feature single contestants on a luxury Mediterranean cruise as they participate in challenges.
The origin of the franchise[]
The franchise itself was entirely based on the nonfiction book "The Love Boats" by Jeraldine Saunders, a real-life cruise director for a passenger cruise-ship line. Saunders was also partly inspired by the German cruise ship MV Aurora.
TV Media[]
Original series[]
- Main article: The Love Boat (television series)
The American television series The Love Boat (Love Boat in its final season), set on a cruise ship, was aired on ABC from September 24, 1977 until May 24, 1986. Each episode has multiple titles, referencing the simultaneous storylines contained within. There were three pilot movies, followed by 245 regular episodes over nine seasons, followed by five specials. There were typically three storylines in each episode. One storyline usually focused on a member of the crew, a second storyline would often focus on a crew member interacting with a passenger, and the third storyline was more focused on a single passenger (or a group of passengers). The three storylines usually followed a similar thematic pattern: One storyline (typically the "crew" one) was straight-ahead comedy. The second would typically follow more of a romantic comedy format (with only occasional dramatic elements). The third storyline would usually be the most dramatic of the three, often offering few (if any) laughs and a far more serious tone.
TV Films[]
The original 1976 made-for-TV movie on which the show was based (also titled The Love Boat) was itself based on the nonfiction book The Love Boats by Jeraldine Saunders, a real-life cruise director for a passenger cruise-ship line.[1][2] Saunders was also partly inspired by the German cruise ship MV Aurora.[3] The TV movie was followed by two more (titled The Love Boat II and The New Love Boat), all of which aired before the series began in September 1977.[4]
TV Specials[]
:Main article:The Love Boat: The Christmas Cruise
A TV reunion movie, The Love Boat: The Christmas Cruise, aired on CBS in 1986. Mother and daughter cons work a Christmas cruise; depression overcomes a comic portraying Santa; a couple are reunited after 11 years; the new Mrs. Stubing wonders what to get her husband for Christmas. But the conclusion started when Heather wonders if Wellington will still love her when he finds out about her; a chance meeting between David and the morose Santa helps them both make a fateful decision; Mrs. Stubing struggles to find a present for Merrill.
:Main article: The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage
A TV reunion movie, The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage, aired on CBS in 1990.[5]
Second TV series[]
- Main article: Love Boat: The Next Wave
A second TV series, Love Boat: The Next Wave, aired on UPN from 1998 to 1999, with Robert Urich as Captain Jim Kennedy, a retired United States Navy officer, Phil Morris as chief purser Will Sanders, and Heidi Mark as cruise director Nicole Jordan (several members of the original show's cast guest-starred on a reunion-themed episode in which it was revealed that Julie and Doc had been in love all along).
Reboot series[]
- Main article: The Real Love Boat
In March 2022, both CBS and Australia's Network 10 (both Paramount-owned networks) commissioned The Real Love Boat, a reality dating competition series to be produced by Eureka Productions. The series will feature single contestants on a luxury Mediterranean cruise as they participate in challenges and dates to stay on the boat in the hopes to find love, with those unsuccessful being progressively dumped from the cruise. In the end, the last couple remaining will win the series and be awarded a large cash prize and a cruise from Princess Cruises.[6] The American version of the show is set to air Wednesday nights starting on October 5, 2022.[7][8] Both the Australian and American versions of the show were still casting as of announcement time.[9][10] The American version is hosted by married actors Jerry O'Connell and Rebecca Romijn.[11] The Australian version will be presented by Darren McMullen.[12]
References[]
- ↑ Daly, Sean (23 August 2016). "9 surprising facts about the 'Love Boat'". Fox News.
- ↑ Corrigan, Kelly. "'Love Boats' author returns from celebration cruise", 13 November 2014.
- ↑ "SHIPWRECKED ON LITTLE POTATO SLOUGH" (8 October 2020).
- ↑ Cox, Gordon (27 September 2013). "'Love Boat' Musical: Full Steam Ahead on Vegas Stage Version".
- ↑ (1990) The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage.
- ↑ "Ahoy Singles! CBS & Network 10 Order 'The Real Love Boat' Dating Show" (March 22, 2022).
- ↑ "CBS Fall 2022-23 Schedule: Drama 'So Help Me Todd' Gets Thursday Spot Alongside Comedies & 'CSI: Vegas', Wednesday Goes Full Reality & 'Fire Country' Gets 'Magnum P.I' Friday Slot". Deadline Hollywood (May 18, 2022).
- ↑ Schwartz, Ryan (June 23, 2022). "CBS Sets Fall Premiere Dates for FBI, Ghosts, NCIS, Young Sheldon and More". TVLine.
- ↑ "Apply for the Real Love Boat" (22 March 2022).
- ↑ "Real Love Boat Casting". Loveboatcasting.com.
- ↑ "The Real Love Boat: Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O'Connell to Host CBS Series". TVLine (June 28, 2022).
- ↑ "Crew sets sail on 10's Real Love Boat" (en-AU). TV Tonight (23 June 2022).
External Links[]
