Jill Whelan, famously known for her role as Vicki Stubing on the beloved ABC series The Love Boat, has opened up about the mistreatment she and others endured at the hands of the show’s late producer, Doug S. Cramer.
“I cherish the memories with my cast and crew, and [executive producer] Aaron Spelling. However, my memories of Doug Cramer are not fond because Doug was a misogynist,” Whelan, 57, revealed to host Steve Kmetko on his podcast, Still Here Hollywood. The show, which aired from 1977 to 1987, left an indelible mark on television history.
“He had a reputation for being quite tough,” Kmetko remarked.
“I’ve never discussed this publicly, but since he has passed and so have his children, I feel safe in saying... he was not an advocate for women at all,” Whelan, who began her role as Captain Stubing’s (Gavin MacLeod) daughter at the age of 11, shared candidly.
“He was not a good person,” Whelan stated about Cramer, who also worked on other popular shows like Wonder Woman and Dynasty.
Whelan recounted, “Lauren Tewes, who played Julie McCoy, and I would come in for wardrobe fittings at the start of a new season for new uniforms, evening gowns, and loungewear. Doug would instruct the wardrobe department to buy everything one or two sizes too small, so we would be embarrassed during fittings when things didn’t fit.”
Reflecting on her teenage years, Whelan continued, “I was going through puberty, and you know, things happen. I had gone to a fat farm—what we might call a spa today—in Ojai and lost some weight. I was also seeing a crazy doctor who had me on 400 calories a day.”
“That’s too drastic,” Kmetko interjected.
Indeed, the National Institute of Health recommends that adolescent females consume approximately 2200 calories per day.
“It messes with your metabolism,” Whelan added, noting that Cramer refused to show a full-body shot of her after she lost weight.
“There’s a scene where I come out of an elevator into the purser's lobby, wearing an evening gown with a sweetheart neckline,” Whelan described. “It was supposed to be a full-body shot. Doug said, ‘No. I don’t want that shot. I don’t want to see her looking thin. I’m angry she was fat in the first place. Neck up only.’”
Despite these challenges, Whelan emphasized, “I had no issues with anyone else. I had an incredible experience—except for the Doug Cramer part, which required a lot of therapy afterward.”
The Quran - Chapter At-Tur : 07 - 08
Indeed, the punishment of your Lord will come to pass—
none will avert it—
إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ لَوَاقِعٌ مَّا لَهُ مِن دَافِعٍ (the punishment of your Lord is sure to fall. There is nothing to push it back,....52:7-8) Verses 1-6 constituted swearing of an oath, and the present verse is jawab-ul-qasam or the fact for which the oath is sworn, assuring that the torment of Allah will come to pass, and none will be able to avert it.
The Incident of Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ
Sayyidna ` Umar ؓ one day recited Surah Tur. When he came to these verses, he heaved a cool sigh after which he fell ill for about twenty days.
During his illness the people would visit him, not knowing what caused his illness. (Ibn Kathir)
Sayyidna Jubair Ibn Mut'im ؓ says that before embracing Islam, he once went to the holy city of Madinah to negotiate regarding the prisoners of the battle of Badr.
When he arrived there, the Holy Prophet ﷺ was reciting Surah Tur in Maghrib salah and his voice could be heard outside the mosque.
When he recited verses [ 7] and [ 81: 'The punishment of your Lord is sure to fall. There is nothing to push it back,' He suddenly felt that his heart would burst through fear.
He instantly embraced Islam. He felt at the time that he would not be able to move unless the torment would descend on him. (Qurtubi)
