Here's The Story

R.I.P. Sherwood Schwartz

"My Favorite Martian"

 ... of a mensch named Sherwood Schwartz who did a nice thing for another mensch named Ben Starr: "When Sherwood was preparing to write and do the pilot for Gilligan’s Island he was in charge of My Favorite Martian. He recommended me as his replacement to the producer, Jack Chertock. I was hired. I hired writers for the show and developed the stories with them. I also wrote three or four episodes myself. Years later, Sherwood asked me to submit ideas for The Brady Bunch. I wrote two shows which, please forgive me for saying so, became classics for the Brady Bunch. One is known by the Brady Bunch followers as 'Porkchopsh And Apple Saucesh.' The other episode I wrote was the show where the kids write an original song in the episode. Sherwood wrote the song. The two episodes I wrote were eventually presented on stage as part of The Real Live Brady Bunch.  Because I had plays produced on and off Broadway, Sherwood used to have me read his plays. As successful as he was, he was not reluctant to seek other’s advice. Many years ago at a crowded party I found myself near a woman and asked who she was. She was Sherwood’s wife Mildred. I later sent her a telegram (remember those?) that consisted of just her name Mildred throughout the entire telegram. To this day when Mildred and I meet, I say, Mildred, Mildred, Mildred.  Sherwood always called me Ben, Ben, Ben.” Fast forward several decades.  Sherwood Schwartz did a mitzvah for me, too.  When I wrote a CBS Schoolbreak Special called "Two Teens and A Baby," I wanted one of the characters to sing the Gilligan's Island theme song as a lullaby.  But we couldn't do it without permission.  So I called Sherwood and he gave us his blessing.  A nice man.  A good friend.  Smart, funny and wise.