The Skipper is the title and nickname of Jonas Grumby, a fictional character from the 1960s situation comedy Gilligan's Island. Played by Alan Hale Jr., the Skipper (the character's actual name was rarely mentioned after the show's pilot episode) was the owner and captain of the S. S. Minnow on its "three-hour tour" from Hawaii when he, first mate Gilligan (portrayed by Bob Denver), and their tourist passengers were caught in a violent storm and stranded on a deserted island. He acts often in his legal role as the group's leader, albeit with a decidedly collegial and democratic bent; the only individual whom he routinely orders about is Gilligan. In times of crisis, the Skipper tends to defer to the more level-headed and educated passenger, Professor Roy Hinkley (portrayed by Russell Johnson). He does most of the physical work on the island or makes Gilligan do it. He is also the most superstitious castaway, sometimes putting him in conflict with the Professor's rationalism. The Skipper is usually depicted wearing a blue polo shirt and captain's hat.
The Skipper is irritated continually by the clumsiness and ineptitude of his "little buddy" Gilligan; despite that, they are good friends. A running gag is that the Skipper conks Gilligan on the head with his hat whenever Gilligan exhibits incompetence. One variation of this gag occurs when Gilligan (on rare occasion) does something right or correctly predicts an outcome. The Skipper prepares to conk Gilligan, then restrains himself due to the fact Gilligan was right. Another running gag is that whenever Gilligan is in a tree as a lookout and falls down, he usually lands on the Skipper.
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