Why Did Bewitched Only Last 8 Seasons:wave:

Hi.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but only 8 Seasons?

It's nice that it lasted that long. And I think the story lines were repeating (I know that's something I've read fans complain about, but not here, on a couple sites, though) and I'm sure it was time for it to get off the air.

And it ran long (imo) for a show in it's time.
I'm sure the cast may have wanted to move on with other things, perhaps as well.

How many would you have liked them to go for?

Hi.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but only 8 Seasons?

It's nice that it lasted that long. And I think the story lines were repeating (I know that's something I've read fans complain about, but not here, on a couple sites, though) and I'm sure it was time for it to get off the air.

And it ran long (imo) for a show in it's time.
I'm sure the cast may have wanted to move on with other things, perhaps as well.

How many would you have liked them to go for?


ABC wanted the show renewed for 2 more years after the 8th season, but Elizabeth Montgomery had had enough. It didn't help matters that she was going through some issues in her personal life, so that and exhaustion took their toll. So in 1972, it was Bye Bye Sammie.

...during the final season, Liz was having an affair "on the side" with her associate producer, Richard Michaels, as her own marriage to producer/director William Asher was unraveling. She simply decided that, after eight seasons, she wanted to move on to "other things" (starring in one TV movie every year was her ultimate goal). Asher renegotiated "Ashmont Productions"' contract with ABC for an additional season of daytime "BEWITCHED" repeats [including a Saturday morning edition], and two new series from Ashmont: "TEMPERATURES RISING" and "THE PAUL LYNDE SHOW" (the latter lasted one season; the former struggled with two "revamped" versions of its format before it finally ended in 1974).

:tv:

Also, during season 8 the ratings plummeted. The series recycled a lot of scripts during seasons 7 and 8. That in combination with the show being up against "All In The Family" on CBS were additional factors to the others mentioned in previous posts as to the series going off the air. Actually Montgomery and Asher had discussed ending the show after the fifth season when Dick York had to leave but it was still a big hit for ABC and the network made them an offer to stay they couldn't refuse. Though, the show wasn't the same after York left and the ratings reflected that. During York's final season (season 5) the show was # 12. The show fell to # 25 the next year (season 6) and was not ranked during the show's final two seasons (seasons 7 & 8). No offense intended to Dick Sargent - it would have been a difficult situation for any actor to come into a hit TV series and fill the role of a title character after five seasons. That in combination with changing times, recycled stale scripts, and the aging of the show all played a role. It was also evident that the chemistry York and Montgomery had couldn't be duplicated.

Well said Ansara1 I agree with you.

Thanks:)

Well said Ansara1 I agree with you.

8 seasons were more than enough. Interestingly enough, the last two seasons I just bought to complete my Bewitched collection were Seasons 7 and 8. I was disappointed I even bought them. With the exception of maybe 2 episodes, all of them were dull and boring. Many episodes were remakes and several others were similar to storylines from previous seasons. You can tell this show was running out of ideas. The show should’ve ended when Dick York left in season 5. However, I did enjoy Season 6 though as it still had some fresh episodes that were enjoyable to watch. So, I believe the show shouldn’t have exceeded more than 6 seasons. It’s sad when I watched Seasons 7 and 8. This was such a fantastic show in its early seasons and it just saddens me that it went downhill the way it did.

Even though I much prefer Dick York over Sargent, I still liked season 7 and was glad I bought it. I did not and will not purchase season 8 because to me personally, the series had hit rock bottom then.

I agree that Bewitched should've ended once Dick York was unable to go on. The show had already been on 5 years, they had 170 episodes in the can, and despite some good episodes, S5 seemed a bit stale. 8 years was WAY more than enough!!

I think 7 seasons would have been enough, the 8th season was really not necessary. I have all the seasons on DVD except the 5th and 8th.

On the other hand, I think CBS pulled their rural sitcoms a season too soon. Those shows had another season of life left in them, at least Green Acres did. But the huge success of All In The Family changed the landscape of TV and CBS gave the hook to all those rural shows.

I can actually tolerate the eighth season...not sure why. I do enjoy how easily Bewitched transitioned into the 1970's. It was kind of fun watching the fashions and music change.

Our little Tabitha grew up right before our eyes...:crying:

I concur that watching Erin Murphy grow up before our eyes is one of the main reasons to watch the later years. She was more than just a cute little kid, she was a very talented child actress - and I give her a lot of credit for putting her career aside to raise her SIX sons (two with her first husband, one with the second husband and three with her current husband)!!! Ironically, her husband's first name is Darren. What are the odds? :cool: :D

I concur that watching Erin Murphy grow up before our eyes is one of the main reasons to watch the later years. She was more than just a cute little kid, she was a very talented child actress - and I give her a lot of credit for putting her career aside to raise her SIX sons (two with her first husband, one with the second husband and three with her current husband)!!! Ironically, her husband's first name is Darren. What are the odds? :cool: :D

Yeah, she seems like a very nice person. :)
LOL.. yeah, I saw that. How ironic!;) (Just spelled different)

I read an interview not too long ago with Erin, where she said her husband's sister had often called him "Durwood" when they were kids. :lol: Anyway, Darren Dunckel is an attractive, dark-haired man - sound familiar? :cool: :D :love:

I read an interview not too long ago with Erin, where she said her husband's sister had often called him "Durwood" when they were kids. :lol: Anyway, Darren Dunckel is an attractive, dark-haired man - sound familiar? :cool: :D :love:
This is too weird!!! :eek: He even has a similar hairstyle!

It's uncanny!!! Plus she grew up to look so much like Liz it's almost eerie. I think Erin looks more like Liz than Liz's real daughter, Rebecca. (I personally think Rebecca looks more like her father, Bill Asher.)