When it comes to the character of Darrin - Dick York IS Darrin. Sargent simply CANNOT ACT.

However, despite this I was prepared to embrace Sargent as a person. He was someone who had to live most of life as an oppressed person as a result of his sexuality so I felt empathy for him. Also, as someone who has a disability I was happy about his staunch support of the special olympics.

Unfortunately, a few days ago these feelings were well and truly crushed when I found this article: http://members.tripod.com/~bewitchvic/sarge96.html

It seems to me now that his personality matches the awfulness of his acting. Here are my main issues:

- He seems to want to label everyone as gay (in particular George Tobias) and anyone who isn't gay is automatically homophobic (apparently Doris Day was homophobic simply because she said that she wasn't aware of Rock Hudson's sexuality!!!)

- He seems to be rather anti-heterosexual (I don't know if there's a proper term for it) particularly if you read his comment about Erin Murphy.

- Lastly he seems to be rather crude. Sargent mentions that Maurice Evans got Tyrone Power a job in return for "a different kind of job" an innuendo which he then giggles about.


This man seriously needed to get over himself. The way he kept yammering on about sexuality makes me think the only person with an issue here is Sargent himself.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/zoneboy/bewitched.gif

I just love that last line, Everybody's favorite Darrin. :lol:

Oh god.......don't get me started on that............:mad:

The man sounds very bitter.

I have seen Dick Sargent in other roles (Charlie's Angels and Alice are just a few of the many episodics he did), and he was a good actor in his own right. From everything I've read, he also seemed like a great guy...but I agree, the ONLY Darrin Stephens is Dick York. Plain and simple!

I just love that last line, Everybody's favorite Darrin. :lol:


:lol: Holy Cow! :lol: Maybe he was everybody's favorite in the twilight zone. :D

:lol: Holy Cow! :lol: Maybe he was everybody's favorite in the twilight zone. :D

Thank God Dick Sargent never appeared on TZ but Dick York graced us with his presence in 2 episodes. :)

Thank God Dick Sargent never appeared on TZ but Dick York graced us with his presence in 2 episodes. :)
I LOVED those two episodes - especially "Penny for Your Thoughts". I loved that woman who was thinking...nothing. :lol: I laughed out loud the first time I saw that one.

I had no problems with either Darrin/Dick. The only thing that bothered me, I don't know if it is just me but I felt the second Darrin seemed somewhat sarcastic a lot of the times, an unhappy man. I don't know if they wrote his lines to make him seem that way or if that is just how he came across.

I had no problems with either Darrin/Dick. The only thing that bothered me, I don't know if it is just me but I felt the second Darrin seemed somewhat sarcastic a lot of the times, an unhappy man. I don't know if they wrote his lines to make him seem that way or if that is just how he came across.
I read somewhere, and I agree 100%, that Dick Sargent was in a lose-lose situation. If he'd copied DY, he would've been bashed. He brought his own interpretation to the role, and was bashed. Erin Murphy has always spoken very highly of both her "Darrin Daddies" in interviews, and DS always signed autographs for fans and came across very well in Herbie J. Pilato's Bewitched Forever book.

I read somewhere, and I agree 100%, that Dick Sargent was in a lose-lose situation. If he'd copied DY, he would've been bashed. He brought his own interpretation to the role, and was bashed. Erin Murphy has always spoken very highly of both her "Darrin Daddies" in interviews, and DS always signed autographs for fans and came across very well in Herbie J. Pilato's Bewitched Forever book.
Ahhh, interesting. So I guess I was seeing something that was pretty obvious then. The new Darrin didn't bother me. As long as Samantha remained, it was good enough for me. ;)

Another thing--just how reliable is this article and its author? Esp when the guy gets it wrong in a few respects. Saying that Sargent was in ALL the color episodes for one. Sheesh! The fact that Elizabeth remained good friends with him after the series was done, to me, says a lot. I respected and loved her.

Another thing--just how reliable is this article and its author? Esp when the guy gets it wrong in a few respects. Saying that Sargent was in ALL the color episodes for one. Sheesh! The fact that Elizabeth remained good friends with him after the series was done, to me, says a lot. I respected and loved her.
Exactly. You can't always believe everything you read, and articles like this you have to take with a grain of salt.

[QUOTE=Zoneboy]I just love that last line,



:rofl: :rofl:

Well, that is my ultimate laugh for tonight. I wonder if the writer of the article is Mr. Sargeant's cousin? LOL. :lol:

Yeah, catlover79, I appreciate what you're saying about unreliability but the thing is the author was obviously a Sargent fan (afterall, he's apparently "everyone's favourite Darrin") so wouldn't he have presented Sargent in a more positive light, maybe editing out the stuff that makes Sargent look bad? But instead he published the article as it appears - which paints Sargent as a very unpleasant person. Personally, if I was the author and the interview had been with Dick York, as a fan, I would make sure the article made York come across as well as possible, even if that meant some selective editing. :) I would have thought that as a Sargent fan this guy would have had similar thoughts.


Also, catlover79, you mentioned about how well he came across in the Bewitched Forever book. As far as I can see, in that interview Sargent made a statement that shows he obviously viewed his role as Darrin through rose-tinted glasses. Apparently, he and Montgomery were more "kissy kissy" than she was with York. Erm......hello? What show exactly was he referring to? It certainly wasn't Bewitched. I believe you yourself catlover79 have stated who you felt had the better chemistry - and it wasn't Sargent. This man was so in denial. Or maybe it's like Clint Eastwood Fan said - Sargent was just very bitter.

Well, it was obvious that DY had more chemistry with EM. She may have been good friends with DS in real life (hence the "kissy" comments) but it sure didn't show up on screen.

You can say that again!! So do you think Sargent naively thought that his friendship with Montgomery would automatically translate well onto the screen?............. Thinking about it now, I reckon that probably was his belief when he made the "kissy kissy" comment.

I have seen Dick Sargent in other roles (Charlie's Angels and Alice are just a few of the many episodics he did), and he was a good actor in his own right. From everything I've read, he also seemed like a great guy...but I agree, the ONLY Darrin Stephens is Dick York. Plain and simple!


Me too. The only Darrin for me is Dick York. That's why I'm not bothering with Seasons 6-8.

Me too. The only Darrin for me is Dick York. That's why I'm not bothering with Seasons 6-8.
I'm not bothering with the last 3 seasons, either. To be fair to DS, he never really got any good scripts to work with. Practically every episode he did was the remake of a DY show. I place the blame for that on the writers and producers, but to me the show just wasn't good anymore without DY.

I do know that Sargent and Agnes Moorehead did not get on very well.

I heard that Agnes Moorehead didn't like change. Anyone see Dick Sargent in Down To Earth? It was a pretty good little comedy in the 80's on TBS.

I do know that Sargent and Agnes Moorehead did not get on very well.
I read in the Agnes biography I Love the Illusion that they got along better as time went on. She became ill and he sent her flowers.

I heard that Agnes Moorehead didn't like change. Anyone see Dick Sargent in Down To Earth? It was a pretty good little comedy in the 80's on TBS.
I never saw Down to Earth, but I do know he was in the movie Teen Witch.

I heard that Agnes Moorehead didn't like change. Anyone see Dick Sargent in Down To Earth? It was a pretty good little comedy in the 80's on TBS.


Yes, I watched that show everyday when TBS was playing it. It had a nice little magical theme to it. Great theme song!! Of course, what kinda hurts it was the frequent cast changes.

Yes, I watched that show everyday when TBS was playing it. It had a nice little magical theme to it. Great theme song!! Of course, what kinda hurts it was the frequent cast changes.
Frequent cast hanges, huh?? Why does that sound familiar? :lol:

Frequent cast hanges, huh?? Why does that sound familiar? :lol:

Gee......I wonder? :lol:

And FTR, Dick on that show replaced the first actor there too :rofl:
but in that case, HE WAS THE BETTER ACTOR!

Gee......I wonder? :lol:

And FTR, Dick on that show replaced the first actor there too :rofl:
but in that case, HE WAS THE BETTER ACTOR!
Who was the first actor in that case?

Who was the first actor in that case?

even I don't remember him :lol:

but I do remember the kids--well two of them, the sister was Kyle Richards (Kim's younger sister) and the older brother was David Kaufman (nice character actor on TV).

David Kaufman was at the Hollywood Collector's Show back in October, he looked the same, a little older of course. He reminded me of another Alex P Keaton.

Dick York couldn't be topped. He was the greatest Darrin by far. I didn't enjoy Bewitched as much when Dick Sargeant took over the part. He is nowhere near as fantastic an actor as York; I missed Darrin so much! I missed all his hilarious facial expressions, he was brilliant at reacting to the witchcraft. :lol:

Dick Sargeant did fine as Darrin. I am just used to Dick York. My only issue with Sargeant was that his character was a tad more negative and would nag occasionally.

Dick Sargeant did fine as Darrin. I am just used to Dick York. My only issue with Sargeant was that his character was a tad more negative and would nag occasionally.
I think another reason the recast didn't work was because the Sargent Darrin wasn't romantic. I can't think of any other actor who played romance like Dick York. He could play comedy, drama and romance and do them all WELL. Why doesn't he have a star on the Walk of Fame!??

Dick Sargeant did fine as Darrin. I am just used to Dick York. My only issue with Sargeant was that his character was a tad more negative and would nag occasionally.

I agree with you Thomas. The nagging really got to me.

Darrin #2 was always like: Sam! Eh-Sam! He was always saying her name with such frustration. It was annoying.

I agree with you Thomas. The nagging really got to me.
:yeahthat

I liked them both, but I always felt that Dick York's "Darrin" had a harsher side to him. Like others have said, he nagged a lot. I don't remember Dick Sargent ever having outbursts like Dick York had (as Darrin that is!).
I'm speaking as someone who hasn't watched "Bewitched" in a very long time, though!

Andrea

I got to admit I rather liked Dick Sargent in the Darrin role. Sure Dick York was better, but considering that Sargent was taking over a role from a popular actor, I think he did the best he could.

To me I always thought Liz Montgomery and Sargent had good chemistry. I got season 6 a while back, and will get season 7 and 8 when they show up.

I'm not bothering with the last 3 seasons, either. To be fair to DS, he never really got any good scripts to work with. Practically every episode he did was the remake of a DY show. I place the blame for that on the writers and producers, but to me the show just wasn't good anymore without DY.


If you dont get season 6 you are going to miss the episdoe with Boyce & Hart. Those guys rocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Personally, I liked both Darrins. True, Dick Sargent's Darrin wasn't the same as Dick York's Darrin but that's what made them different. When a role is recasted by a different actor that is bound to happen. He brought his own nuances to the character. I could see the chemistry between Elizabeth and York but I could see the friendship between Elizabeth and Sargent.
I could tell she enjoyed working with both of them.
From what I have been told and from what I have read, Elizabeth was a very down to earth person and accepted everyone for who they were. She didn't judge York or Sargent.
I think that is why I liked her so much on Bewitched and it's so sad that she died so young.
Everyone has their own opinion and that is what makes everyone different. Some people liked both York and Sargent, some just liked York, some just liked Sargent. I don't see anything wrong with that.
Bewitched isn't the only show to recast a starring role and it won't be the last.
Anyway, this is all my opinion and you will probably take it with a grain of salt but I had to say what I felt after reading everyone's opinions.
Let me know how you feel. Thanks!

To me I always thought Liz Montgomery and Sargent had good chemistry.
I think youd be in the minority on that point; but, we all have an opinion :)

Hey I just like the show, and am so hot for Liz Montgomery.

Hey I just like the show, and am so hot for Liz Montgomery.
You wouldn't have minded playing Darrin if they'd asked you, right? ;)

I'm glad we got three more seasons of Bewitched out of the switch at least, so I'm happy.

Personally, I liked both Darrins. True, Dick Sargent's Darrin wasn't the same as Dick York's Darrin but that's what made them different. When a role is recasted by a different actor that is bound to happen. He brought his own nuances to the character. I could see the chemistry between Elizabeth and York but I could see the friendship between Elizabeth and Sargent.
I could tell she enjoyed working with both of them.
From what I have been told and from what I have read, Elizabeth was a very down to earth person and accepted everyone for who they were. She didn't judge York or Sargent.
I think that is why I liked her so much on Bewitched and it's so sad that she died so young.
Everyone has their own opinion and that is what makes everyone different. Some people liked both York and Sargent, some just liked York, some just liked Sargent. I don't see anything wrong with that.
Bewitched isn't the only show to recast a starring role and it won't be the last.
Anyway, this is all my opinion and you will probably take it with a grain of salt but I had to say what I felt after reading everyone's opinions.
Let me know how you feel. Thanks!
That's a sweet post. Both DY and DS seemed to challenge EM as an actress. :D

If you dont get season 6 you are going to miss the episdoe with Boyce & Hart. Those guys rocked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Boyce & Hart episode was one of my favorites from season 6. I also liked their appearance on a season 3 episode of I Dream Of Jeannie.

To be honest, I liked both Dick Sargent and Dick York, but I have seen Dick Sargent in other roles, I've only ever saw Dick York in Bewitched.

I would love to see Dick York and Gene Kelly in the TV series version of "Going My Way"--that is a really obscure title!

I would love to see Dick York and Gene Kelly in the TV series version of "Going My Way"--that is a really obscure title!
Same here!

I got a promo for Going My Way

I got a promo for Going My Way
:cool: Dick York also mentioned working on that show in his book, and shared a few stories about working with Gene Kelly on that and Inherit the Wind.

I think another reason the recast didn't work was because the Sargent Darrin wasn't romantic. I can't think of any other actor who played romance like Dick York. He could play comedy, drama and romance and do them all WELL.

I agree, but I do think that Larry Hagman did a great job at playing comedy, drama, and romance as well in "I Dream of Jeannie." Dick and Larry were both great at that, in my opinion.

I agree, but I do think that Larry Hagman did a great job at playing comedy, drama, and romance as well in "I Dream of Jeannie." Dick and Larry were both great at that, in my opinion.
Well said!! I think the main reason is that both Dick York and Larry Hagman were happily married in real life, and it showed. DY was married to his wife for 40 years before he passed, and LH and his wife are still married after almost 54 years. :cool: