(Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises)
ABOARD THE REGAL PRINCESS — So here we are in Princess Live on Deck 7 aboard the lovely Regal Princess. The media onboard have gathered for a Q&A of the Love Boat stars, godparents of this great new ship: Gavin MacLeod, Bernie Kopell, Fred Grandy, Ted Lange, Lauren Tewes and Jill Whelan. Whelan, who played MacLeod’s daughter, served as mistress of ceremonies at last night’s Naming Ceremony interviewing guest stars who appeared in the 1970s series.
Those ranged included Loni Anderson, Charro and her coochy-coochy coo, Joyce Dewitt, Jamie Farr, Pam Grier, Jack Jones (who sang the theme song,) Christopher Knight, Diane Ladd, Lorenzo Lames, Caren Lawrence, Rich Little, the man of many voices, Kristy McNichol, Lee Merriweather, Don Most, Tracy Nelson, Doris Robert, Marion Ross, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Charlene Tilton, and Adrian Zmed.
Florence Henderson, who starred in many episodes, was the ceremonial emcee.
Today it is the media’s turn to ask questions, starting with the love of the Love Boat. MacLeod says his true love was Whelan who was about 12 when she starred on the show.
The stars claim their TV program is the only TV show that has an alumni association, with it’s impressive list of guest stars and mates of 40 years.
Kopell says in the beginning “the feeling was that we were just lucky to have a job” and adds “It was a beautiful experience to be working on the sea.” Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz said she watched the show as a child and now is head of the cruise line!
Correspondents from China, Japan and Latin American countries participated.
There is a real sense of history and teamwork with these actors – they appear to care not only about their careers and the impact their show has had on the cruise industry and the way we travel today, but about each other.
They tell tales about each other and share things like their first screen kiss: Ted Lange claims it was Diahann Carroll. And relates a story of directing episodes after the fourth season, and although a graduate of the Film Institute of America, he says he learned so much from directing famed film actor Ralph Bellamy in an episode.
It was fun watching them and their responses.
November 6, 2014
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
