View Full Version : Was It True That Larry Hagman Was Almost Replaced on 'I Dream Of Jeannie???'


Brian Damage
02-13-2011, 12:22 AM
Was this true or a sitcom folklore? Why was it even considered? Would it have been a case of two Darrin's like in 'Bewitched?'

http://www.searchenginepeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/major-tony-nelson.JPG

TV Knowledge Fan
02-13-2011, 04:35 AM
...when Larry was threatened with termination. Gene Nelson, the first director, was the first to suggest to Sidney Sheldon, early in the production cycle, that Jeannie's bottle be "found" by another character, and have Larry's role recast, to which Sidney refused {Gene Nelson, who was often in conflict with Hagman, didn't return to the series after Barbara Eden's "pregnancy break" following the first eleven episodes}. In the second season, Larry was called on the carpet by Screen Gems brass because of his "unpredictablity" during production {he once relieved himself on the walls of the set following a nasty confrontation with someone on the production crew}, warning him the show wasn't called "I DREAM OF LARRY". Barbara often spoke up on his behalf, sometimes "saving his job".


Sidney himself confronted Larry about his problems, and recalled this conversation in his autobiography, "The Other Side Of Me":

"Larry, do you like doing this show?"
"Sure."
"But you're not happy doing it?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"Sure you do. You want to be in a show where you're the star."
"I guess so."
"You're a very important part of this show, Larry. But if you want to stay in it, you have to take the presssure off yourself. I think you should see a psychiatrist. And I wouldn't wait."
"You're right. I will."

And he did. But as Sidney noted, "the tension was still there". He tried to give Larry prominence in more scenes, and three chances to direct. But in the middle of season three, Hagman suddenly went "bonkers" one day on the set, yelling at Barbara (as he later recalled, "I had wax coming out of my ears"), and was rushed to the hospital. He recovered, and continued to see his psychiatrist, while limiting his scenes with Barbara to one "key" scene per episode, with both working separately in the majority of season three and four episodes. But he managed to "survive" for the remainder of the series- yet, he wouldn't discuss "I DREAM OF JEANNIE" for a long time....especially when he finally got his "own series"- "DALLAS".


:tv:

Brian Damage
02-13-2011, 11:55 AM
...when Larry was threatened with termination. Gene Nelson, the first director, was the first to suggest to Sidney Sheldon, early in the production cycle, that Jeannie's bottle be "found" by another character, and have Larry's role recast, to which Sidney refused {Gene Nelson, who was often in conflict with Hagman, didn't return to the series after Barbara Eden's "pregnancy break" following the first eleven episodes}. In the second season, Larry was called on the carpet by Screen Gems brass because of his "unpredictablity" during production {he once relieved himself on the walls of the set following a nasty confrontation with someone on the production crew}, warning him the show wasn't called "I DREAM OF LARRY". Barbara often spoke up on his behalf, sometimes "saving his job".


Sidney himself confronted Larry about his problems, and recalled this conversation in his autobiography, "The Other Side Of Me":

"Larry, do you like doing this show?"
"Sure."
"But you're not happy doing it?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"Sure you do. You want to be in a show where you're the star."
"I guess so."
"You're a very important part of this show, Larry. But if you want to stay in it, you have to take the presssure off yourself. I think you should see a psychiatrist. And I wouldn't wait."
"You're right. I will."

And he did. But as Sidney noted, "the tension was still there". He tried to give Larry prominence in more scenes, and three chances to direct. But in the middle of season three, Hagman suddenly went "bonkers" one day on the set, yelling at Barbara (as he later recalled, "I had wax coming out of my ears"), and was rushed to the hospital. He recovered, and continued to see his psychiatrist, while limiting his scenes with Barbara to one "key" scene per episode, with both working separately in the majority of season three and four episodes. But he managed to "survive" for the remainder of the series- yet, he wouldn't discuss "I DREAM OF JEANNIE" for a long time....especially when he finally got his "own series"- "DALLAS".


:tv:

Wow! That is fascinating stuff! I had no idea about all that. I guess that put a strain on his relationship with Ms. Eden?

1960'sTVfan
02-13-2011, 05:14 PM
That's interesting information, when watching I Dream Of Jeannie you'd never suspect that Larry Hagman was having these problems. I guess it goes to show, unless you're there to witness things for yourself one never knows what goes on sometimes behind the scenes.

TV Knowledge Fan
02-14-2011, 12:53 AM
...Sidney also revealed that, "I was not aware of it then, but every morning Larry opened a bottle of champagne and started drinking. It never affected his work on the set. He always knew his lines and was never less than adroit".
Hagman recalled some of his personal conflicts about the show in his own autobiography, "Hello, Darlin'".

:tv:

Marvo301
02-14-2011, 01:04 AM
...Sidney also revealed that, "I was not aware of it then, but every morning Larry opened a bottle of champagne and started drinking. It never affected his work on the set. He always knew his lines and was never less than adroit".
Hagman recalled some of his personal conflicts about the show in his own autobiography, "Hello, Darlin'".

:tv:
Wow! It's no wonder he would eventually require a liver transplant to save his life!

Rezny@gmail.com
02-14-2011, 01:29 AM
And he must have gotten along with Barbara Eden and made peace with her and "I Dream of Jeannie",because she played a guest starring role on "Dallas",and in addition was a guest with Barbara Eden and Bill Daily on CNN's now-defunct "Larry King Live"a few years ago.

ansara1
02-14-2011, 04:01 PM
Where is this stated? Is it in Sidney Sheldon's autobiography or Larry Hagman's? ...and why was he yelling at Barbara Eden? I know he was frustrated about not being 'the star' of the show but I have NEVER heard him say anything but complimentary things about Barbara Eden - even in the time when he wasn't talking about "I Dream of Jeannie." I always heard the reasons he was unhappy were because of (in his opinion) repetative scripts, not being the star, and not getting his due in pay, etc. from Screen Gems. Though I have NEVER heard him say one unflattering statement about Barbara Eden. ...and if it was her that saved his job on numerous occasions then why would he not want to be in scenes with her during seasons 3 and 4? Also, again - does it say what he was yelling at her about and where did you read this? ...and does it actually state that they were only in one or two 'key' scenes together as I've never heard this either. Just very curious:)!!!!

Thanks:)



[QUOTE=TV Knowledge Fan]... But in the middle of season three, Hagman suddenly went "bonkers" one day on the set, yelling at Barbara (as he later recalled, "I had wax coming out of my ears"), and was rushed to the hospital. He recovered, and continued to see his psychiatrist, while limiting his scenes with Barbara to one "key" scene per episode, with both working separately in the majority of season three and four episodes.

TV Knowledge Fan
02-20-2011, 05:09 AM
...about Larry's "breakdown" on the set in the middle of season three. Even though he and Barbara are still good friends, when I met both of them at the Chiller Theater convention in Parsippany, N.J. last October, they were seated on opposite sides of the room they were signing autographs in...and she had more people at her table than his!

Just take a look at most of the season three and four episodes, and count how many scenes he and Barbara are actually together, in each...

:tv:

DemandYourPickle
03-25-2011, 04:22 PM
I stumbled across this and found it interesting: http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v13n1/13125hag.html

This must explain why Larry "went bonkers" on the set of I Dream of Jeannie. And this time it's from his point of view!

comedyfreak
03-27-2011, 09:56 PM
WOW what a read, lol. He should have explained it to Barbara. He's so lucky he didn't get fired.

TV Knowledge Fan
03-27-2011, 10:22 PM
...and she put up with it. She was also the one who insisted to Screen Gems executives that he stay with the series, despite their threats to fire him.

I recall reading a newspaper article about several Screen Gems TV stars, including Larry, appearing at Montreal's "Expo 67" in the summer of 1967. When Larry was asked by a reporter if he was on "I DREAM OF JEANNIE", he said, "Yeah, I'm the guy with the broad in the bottle". That's how frustrated and stressed-out he was at the time.

:tv:

DemandYourPickle
03-28-2011, 09:24 PM
...and she put up with it. She was also the one who insisted to Screen Gems executives that he stay with the series, despite their threats to fire him.

I recall reading a newspaper article about several Screen Gems TV stars, including Larry, appearing at Montreal's "Expo 67" in the summer of 1967. When Larry was asked by a reporter if he was on "I DREAM OF JEANNIE", he said, "Yeah, I'm the guy with the broad in the bottle". That's how frustrated and stressed-out he was at the time.

:tv:
I feel sorry for the guy. It's good that he's gone back into acting.

MickeyMac
03-29-2011, 06:04 PM
I stumbled across this and found it interesting: http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v13n1/13125hag.html

This must explain why Larry "went bonkers" on the set of I Dream of Jeannie. And this time it's from his point of view!



That link didnt work.

DemandYourPickle
03-29-2011, 09:04 PM
That link didnt work.
Keep trying.

Coffeecup
04-02-2011, 08:44 PM
I wonder being the son of Mary Martin was a hinderance. She was in her teens when Larry was born. I honestly think he's a bit strange.