Just before Tom Hanks was honored with the coveted Cecil B. DeMille Award at Sunday night’s Golden Globes, a bit of nostalgia was peppered into his career-spanning highlight reel, with a nod to his 1980 appearance on the anthology TV series “The Love Boat.”
The “Forrest Gump” actor was clearly affected by the throwback, because before going on to thank his family and all of the industry titans he’s worked with over his long and storied career, he took a moment to ask the room a very important question.
“Tell the truth now, can I just see a show of hands? How many people in this room have a clip package that includes ‘The Love Boat?’” he asked the hundreds of celebrities sitting in the Beverly Hilton ballroom. “Anybody? Charlize? No? Well, you missed out.”
It was then that Kathy Bates, a Best Supporting Actress nominee for “Richard Jewell,” raised her hand.
“There you go, Kathy! And what do we have? Love,” he said, and sang a bit of the theme song to the series, which ran for nine seasons on ABC beginning in 1976.
“Love Boat” follows the crew of the Pacific Princess cruise ship, headed by Captain Stubing (Gavin MacLeod). The series, which was a staple on Saturday nights, was known for having a slew of famous guest stars, many of whom were just getting their start in television.
Hanks appeared in a 1980 episode of the iconic series as a character named Rick Martin. This was shortly before his breakout role in the sitcom “Bosom Buddies.”
Bates appeared in a 1978 episode of “The Love Boat” as Sally Allison, a newlywed passenger who had some difficulties with, uh, the marriage bed.