During his radio days, Jim had created a character called Hubert
Updike III, a forerunner of
his Thurston Howell character. Natalie came to the pilot with extensive experience from movies and stage and took the job solely for the location
shoot in Hawaii.

Natalie read the script before the shoot and was positive the show wouldn't sell, which meant she wouldn't be forced to leave her NY home for LA. After the pilot was over and she was vacationing in Puerta Vallarta, she received a telegram and burst into tears. Worried friends asked
what was wrong, making Natalie cry that much harder.
"The pilot SOLD! !" she wailed. This from the woman who
 adored her role as Lovey and was loyal to the cast and fans of 'Gilligan's Island' until her dying day.