I love this movie so much

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

I had a college roommate who claimed that a friend of his was fired from his job as a Washington, DC elevator operator when he used the above line on then Congressman Fred Grandy who apparently didn't appreciate the jibe at his previous career.Anyway, "The Love Boat." I was in grade-school when it began its run in 1977. I wasn't a fan. My older sister, though, was and almost every Saturday night she'd dominate our basement TV as she watched "The Love Boat" and then "Fantasy Island." I was usually playing with my toys on the nearby floor, but even immersed in my games I'd still be able to follow the storyline of the show. That was easy to do even for a distracted grade-schooler because IT WAS THE EXACT SAME STORY EVERY SINGLE WEEK!The show's plot involved the romantic escapades of its guest stars on the love boat, the ocean cruise liner, the Pacific Princess.The Pacific Princess' guests consisted of either current "stars" of other ABC programs in an obvious ploy to draw cross-over fans to those shows, struggling young actors/comedians who were happy to get any paying gig, faded stars of Hollywood's Golden Age looking for one last hurrah, and legions of D-grade celebs/actors whose careers were foundering. These guests would show-up on the boat. Interact with the "zany" crew. Meet another guest of the opposite sex usually with the assistance of the zany crew. Romantic sparks would explode to the accompaniment of a lamer than usual laugh-track. However, a misunderstanding or disagreement would occur and be followed by an angry break-up. Then the inevitable reconciliation (often assisted by the zany crew) and everyone would depart the Pacific Princess smiling and holding hands.It was the same story every week. Only one week you'd have young Robert Urich and Meredith Baxter (both struggling actors at the time) and the next it'd be Marcia Brady and Juan Epstein (both whose careers were pretty much dead).It was predictable, brainless 70's TV schlock, but I do admit to liking one thing about it: Lauren Tewes as the cruise director, "Julie McCoy." Even as a grade-schooler, I thought she was really cute especially with the short, bob hair-cut that she wore in the early seasons. Later on, when she replaced her bob with heavily tinted and BIG 80's hair whatever hold she had upon me disappeared. Also, her character gradually disappeared as well with the repulsively annoying "Vicki," the captain's daughter, seemingly taking over her role. It wasn't until years later that I learned that Ms. Tewes had developed a serious cocaine addiction while working on the show. Her work became more and more erratic resulting in her screen-time being drastically cut and then eventually to her being fired. A sad tale of 1980's Hollywood.

I watched The Love Boat as a teenager and enjoyed it. I never noticed how racy and potentially trashy it was until I became an adult.CONTAINS SPOILERS ~ ~ ~ ~I watch these reruns and giggle at the horrible acting, but at the same time I really enjoy the episodes although they are not really the type of things I like to watch. I think it is the nostalgia that gets me. :)Every episode is pretty much the same. Meet the guests, see a little something about them, then see the troubles, somebody sleeps with somebody, somebody meets a stranger and they fall in love in 24 hours, problems are either resolved, they get a divorce or somebody plans to get married after knowing one another for 2 days. I think the idea behind this show was to have actors from other shows on every episode and create additional publicity for them. Do not get me wrong, the show is not terrible. They have their little plot twists and great actors for the time, it is just a bit silly as well. I do not recall it being so racy when I was a teen. There are a lot of one night stands and hoeing around on that ship. I never realized how many women the crew (excluding Julie of course) slept with. Captain Stubing was a bit of a ladies man I suppose. HahaOverall, a good show for its time. Watching it today, you have to just accept that the acting will be bad and be okay with repetitiveness.

Let's face it, it was not the best of shows but not the worst either. It had lots of wonderful guest stars who livened up the show. When I finally took a cruise to Alaska, I was expecting a love boat scenario but that's not what I got. Love Boat is indeed fantasy with a great theme song sung by Dionne Warwick and a decent cast that included Gavin McLeod, Jill Whelan, Lauren Tewes, Fred Grady, Bernie Kopell, and Isaac (what is his real name?). Anyway the scenario was usual about a three day cruise to Mexico and back to Los Angeles with guest stars that included several of Hollywood top stars and the ones that were not on top. For a while, I think the Love Boat provided a great service of keeping the B-list guest stars working. I won't name names but we know who they were and we don't care. Love Boat is a comedy mixed with a little bit of drama. They never did anything serious or offensive. Of course, it was a Spelling show which meant that it was eye candy, sugar and sweet, and everything nice.

Oh, how sad that I spent my formative high school years watching "The Love Boat" every Saturday night followed by "Fantasy Island!" Perhaps that's how I got an appreciation for classic movies because any washed up (sorry about that) actor sooner or later made a guest star appearance. How many times did Ann Miller and Mickey Rooney appear on that show anyway? The regulars were okay but it was the kooky guest stars with their feather weight problems that made the show last for nearly 10 years. It was always a guessing game at home, would the guest stars be staying on the Promenade deck or the Lido deck? It was such a product of the 70's. For those of you who weren't around during its first run, coming after the turbulent 1960's, the 1970's was all about fluff and fun, just like Farrah's hair!