<P> Because of the three significant character and casting changes between the pilot episode and the first series episode, the pilot was not shown before the series first aired on 26 September 1964 . The original pilot eventually aired over 29 years later (on TBS 16 October 1992). </P> <P> The three characters who did not carry forward from the pilot were two secretaries and a high school teacher . In the pilot, the scientifically inclined Professor was instead a high school teacher played by John Gabriel . Ginger the movie star was still red haired Ginger, but worked as a secretary, played by Kit Smythe . Mary Ann the Kansas farm girl was instead Bunny, Ginger's co-worker, played as a cheerful "dumb blonde" by Nancy McCarthy . </P> <P> The pilot's opening and ending songs were two similar Calypso - styled tracks written by John Williams and performed by Sherwood Schwartz impersonating singer Sir Lancelot . The lyrics of both were quite different from those of the TV series and the pilot's opening theme song was longer . The short scenes during this initial music include Gilligan taking the Howells' luggage to the boat before cast - off and Gilligan attempting to give a cup of coffee to the Skipper during the storm that would ultimately maroon the boat . </P> <P> After the opening theme song and credits end, the pilot proper begins with the seven castaways waking up on the beached SS Minnow and continues with them performing various tasks, including exploring the island, attempting to fix the transmitter, building huts, and finding food . Contrary to some descriptions, the pilot's storylines contained no detailed accounts of the pilot characters' backgrounds . The pilot concludes with the ending theme song and credits . </P>

Who sang the original theme song for gilligan's island