Key Facts
Fantasy Island, the iconic 1978 ABC drama starring Ricardo Montalban as Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as Tattoo, has a surprising origin: it began as a joke. Co-creators Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg have conflicting memories of how the idea was born, but both agree it started with a sarcastic remark to an ABC executive.
Two Origin Stories
Leonard Goldberg's Version
According to Goldberg, the idea struck during a meeting in Aaron Spelling's office. Goldberg was daydreaming and was called out by an ABC vice president who asked, "Are we boring you?" Goldberg replied, "A little bit." When asked where he'd rather be, he said, "I'd rather be on a desert island with Charlie's Angels." After a pause, everyone realized: "Wait a minute, I bet a lot of people have fantasies." That moment, Goldberg claims, sparked the concept.
Aaron Spelling's Version
Spelling tells a different tale. In his 1996 memoir, he wrote that the show "began as an argument." Frustrated after ABC executive Brandon Stoddard rejected six pitches, Spelling sarcastically said, "You don't want something with characters or a plot or a story. You just want to have some sort of an island, where you can go and act out all your dumb fantasies." To his surprise, the executives loved it. Spelling later recalled, "As a joke, I said, 'Oh, so what do you want? This great island people can go to and all their sexual fantasies will be realized?' He said, 'Yeah! I love that!'"
Impact and Legacy
Regardless of who came up with the idea, Fantasy Island became a massive hit. It began with two TV movies in 1977 and 1978, then ran for seven seasons until 1984. The show's premise—fulfilling guests' fantasies on a mysterious island—captivated audiences. A reboot starring Roselyn Sanchez as Elena Roarke aired in 2011.
What Readers Should Know
- The show was co-created by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg.
- Both creators have different accounts of the origin, but both involve a sarcastic joke.
- Fantasy Island ran for seven seasons and spawned a 2011 reboot.
- The series is remembered for its iconic line, "De plane! De plane!" shouted by Tattoo.
FAQ
Who created Fantasy Island?
Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg co-created the show, though they have different accounts of how the idea originated.
When did Fantasy Island first air?
The show premiered as a TV movie in 1977 and became a regular series in 1978, running for seven seasons until 1984.
Was Fantasy Island based on a true story?
No, the show was fictional, inspired by a sarcastic joke made during a pitch meeting with ABC executives.
Did Fantasy Island get a reboot?
Yes, a reboot starring Roselyn Sanchez as Elena Roarke aired in 2011.