Sherwood Schwartz embraces actresses Florence Henderson of 'The
Brady Bunch,' left, and Dawn Wells of 'Gilligan's Island' during
a ceremony where he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame in 2008. Associated Press  Sherwood Schwartz created
"Gilligan's Island" and "The Brady Bunch," wacky television
shows that drew generations of loyal viewers—and heaps of
critical derision.  Mr. Schwartz, who died Tuesday at age 94,
wrote and produced both shows, which have gone on to be
broadcast world-wide.  Surprisingly for shows that have
performed so well in syndication, neither "The Brady Bunch" nor
"Gilligan's Island" was a blockbuster on first run. But
audiences grew as repeats multiplied, and the shows'
introductory theme songs have become cultural tropes. Each laid
out the set-ups and characters—because, Mr. Schwartz told the
writer Merrill Markoe, "Puzzled people cannot laugh."  Mr.
Schwartz co-wrote the sea shanty, "The Ballad of Gilligan's
Island."  "Both shows are pervasive," Mr. Schwartz told the Los
An