I grew up watching the show. I remember the episode when the castaways (actually the Professor) learn that U. S. astronauts will be flying directly over their island at night. They make an "SOS" sign out of tree trunks to signal for help. A few seconds before the space capsule passes overhead, Gilligan accidentally rearranges one of the flaming tree trunks. When the astronauts look down and see the signal, it says "SOL". Since that was the first name of one of the astronauts, they relay to Mission Control and the audience listening over network radio how thankful they were of the personal message. Of course the castaways listened to the whole thing on the radio and once again, Gilligan was blamed for the botched escape attempt.