After 25 years of not having anything to do with someone who was never a friend but merely someone she worked with compared to a close longtime personal friend that Dick Sargent was to Liz clearly shows why Liz commented on Dick Sargent's passing as she did as well re close friends Alice Pierce & Agnes Moorehead but did not re Dick Yorks passing as she did not about other members of the cast who passed away such as Paul Lynde (whose funeral she did not attend) and others.

There was no need to make a Public comment on Dick Yorks passing all these decades later & who contributed what success to the show has zero to do with who she should have commented on or not, it should be passed on personal feelings not rating points & $$$$ garnered by a cast member the is irrelevant.

She did not rave about Dick Sargent she spoke very positively about him when he was on the show as she did about Dick York when he was on the show.

She was contacted by the press after DS passed but i don't believe the same interest was there with the media in that respect with DY when he passed in regards to contacting Liz then.

She had no reaction to Dick York's passing but then why would she?????...........as this was by then 25 years later a complete stranger who she simply had once worked with and had not seen or interacted with in almost 25 years, plus at the end Dick York made some very unkind comments towards the show & therefore indirectly towards Liz so her reaction of no comment is the only logical & rational one she could have made.

The fact that in the spring of 1969 when he asked back into the show after leaving, was denied & then said about Liz & the show in an interview about the unpleasant atmosphere on the set, how he was unhappy with how he was being used in the show as in underused & how he wanted to go onto other & better things sure would have made Liz say throughout those 25 years hey i got to give good ol Dick a call, i don't think sooooooooooo.

In the 1988 book "Whatever became of?", York stated: "I left in an amulance and never returned. The atmosphere on the set of Bewitched was extremely unpleasant. I never missed that show."

Dick Sargent had been a longtime close personal friend who she had been very close to in the half dozen or so years prior to his passing so her comment on his passing was a natural & logical one.
Bottom line is that Liz & Dick York worked together & Brilliantly i might add, but there never was a close personal Friendship or any relationship to continue, nor were they friends at all.

You have to understand that they were real people who were actors playing roles that were not them, they were not Samantha & Darrin in real life, sometimes people get that reality confused.

This is not unusual as one could say the same thing about any cast member & the majority of the cast & as well about anyone & most of those that they work with her their never having any contact again after his leaving the show is perfectly natural in my view.

This doesn't mean they liked or disliked each other, they merely worked with each other & had the same working experience that any actor or actress has with 95% of all those they work with.

It was a job & they had a job to do & they did it, then they went their own way, as you must recall that they both had spouses & large young families to tend too, this along with the full time job of carrying a weekly series left little or no time for any other interaction between the two, they both already had a full plate to deal with.

I have heard it said that she strongly disliked Dick York but this is in no way corroborated in the least & there is no basis to think that it is so.

These internet rumors are i feel made up by those that have their own issues & for some reason need to use this fiction to express them.

After DY left the show there was simply no reason for them to have any contact with each other as is the case with all actors pretty much once they finish a project, they just move on with their lives.

Liz had real phobias with anything medical so i can see her not wanting to go the hospital to see him for this reason.

Liz & Dick Sargent had drifted apart & lost touch shortly after Bewitched ended & had not seen each other in about 15 years till they were reunited when both were approached by Herbie J Pilato in regards to interviews for his then upcoming book The Bewitched Book, they reconnected through Herbie as they discussed if they should cooperate or not with him.

When Herbie met David White for the first time in Liz's Garden at her home as a special surprise for him, he was told by David White he had not been there for over 15 years.

So she drifted apart even from good friends as people do when the matter that brought them together in the first place ended.

So these things are natural & normal not anything that should reflect negatively on her, quite the opposite, this is how it is supposed to be & is with everyone in life & was the case as well with any member of this or any other cast of any other show.

Same thing with her good friend Carol Burnett when Carol moved to Hawaii, they just lost touch after being great friends since they did
Who's Been Sleeping in my bed? together in 1963.

She had not seen or talked to Kasey Rogers after Bewitched until at Dick Sargents funeral 22 years later.

She kept in touch with Erin Murphy mainly because Erin was such great friends with her kids, but when they all grew up Liz lost touch with Erin as well.

Life happens & means nothing other then that, as was the case when Liz & Dick York lost contact with each other & they were not even friends like she & Dick Sargent & David White were.

Larry Tate

Wanted:Classic TV Shows from the 1950s and 1960s with Elizabeth Montgomery Appearances in Them.

http://larrytate70.tripod.com/

Elizabeth Montgomery appearances in Movies, Bewitched & On TV shows on DVD that i have available in trade:

http://www.freewebs.com/larrytate550/

I guess it's all up to the individuals cause other cast members from different shows have kept in contact after their shows ended. I guess they do view doing a show as a job and often don't realize how fans feel about certain shows.

Another salient point is that some have said that Liz should have run to his aid & nursed him at his bedside,and funded his medical & living expenses as soon as Dick York's plight had become public.

Dick York had 5 children who by the time he hit rock bottom were 30 or more and had established their own adult lives one would think by then.

Where were they?
Why didn't they come running to their father's side & aid, pay his medical & living expenses, a wheel chair, buy him the oxygen tank and equipment for his survival.

Only when it become publicly known did charitable donations come through to meet his medical equipment needs.

The point is that those who keep demanding Liz should have done these things for a stranger whose last contact with her 25 years earlier had been insulting on his part, should ask themselves why instead his children abandoned him in his hour of greatest need.

By 1990 they should have had between 5 and 10 incomes between them all, yet out of this they could not meet any of the needs i have listed causing Dick York to turn to a public appeal for charity handouts to pay for his medical needs such as a wheelchair and oxygen tank.?

It was the responsibility of his children and family to do so not Elizabeth Montgomery's or any other people associated with Bewitched.

Where were his adult children at this point and why did they turn their collective backs on him, there is more to this back story then meets the eye.

Larry Tate

Was she asked about Dick York when he died? If she said "no comment" then I do think that reflects on her. If nobody asked her then I could see her not saying anything. But even people that lose touch with someone sometimes coments on their death. As for what York said back in 1971, that's silly to hold a grudge over that for all those years.

I have never seen it confirmed that Liz was asked about Dick York when he passed away.

But given the way things ended i could see her not wanting to be drawn into the situation when he died.

It is not a grudge to not want to interact with someone when ones last contact with them was to be insulted by them.

Even when 6 months from the end when Dick York did a Hard Copy interview i can see Liz not wanting to be used and manipulated by York when he called her just before the interview was taped to be able to say that Samantha & Darrin were still together after all these years.

It seemed disenginious to say the least on his part to use her that way rather then if he was calling her for no reason except to say Hi.

She would have seen through that in a second and would not have returned the call just for that reason & understandably so.

Larry Tate

Well, with all due respect, the majority of what you posted was purely subjective, and your conclusions about why Ms. Montgomery did or did not do certain things are pure supposition. You may be right, but you may just as easily be wrong.

If you are correct about her not commenting on York's death, I have to say I don't think it's out of the question to assume that someone who worked with someone for years would give perhaps a single minute of their lives to comment on their co-workers death. I also disagree that after working for years with someone you can still be termed "a complete stranger". No, they may not have been friends but in that amount of time you cannot help but learn things about someone, whether you truly like them or not. And even if she LOATHED York, the fact that they made such an impact on television audiences through their work would seem to necessitate some response, if only for the fans and the historical record.

If she wasn't asked, it's a bit more understandable that she declined comment, but it's almost impossible for me to believe that he died and no one thought to question her.

Well, with all due respect, the majority of what you posted was purely subjective, and your conclusions about why Ms. Montgomery did or did not do certain things are pure supposition. You may be right, but you may just as easily be wrong.

If you are correct about her not commenting on York's death, I have to say I don't think it's out of the question to assume that someone who worked with someone for years would give perhaps a single minute of their lives to comment on their co-workers death. I also disagree that after working for years with someone you can still be termed "a complete stranger". No, they may not have been friends but in that amount of time you cannot help but learn things about someone, whether you truly like them or not. And even if she LOATHED York, the fact that they made such an impact on television audiences through their work would seem to necessitate some response, if only for the fans and the historical record.

If she wasn't asked, it's a bit more understandable that she declined comment, but it's almost impossible for me to believe that he died and no one thought to question her.


I'm inclined to agree with Retro, noting that with both people now no longer with us its moot to debate the point even...

I'm inclined to agree with Retro, noting that with both people now no longer with us its moot to debate the point even...

The Point is that this was raised at the start by those blasting Elizabeth Montgomery for not being Samantha to his Darrin in real life and not running to his aid as if she were his wife in reality.

This was merely a clarifying response to those absurd allegations and why they were absurd which they were.

Larry Tate

Well, with all due respect, the majority of what you posted was purely subjective, and your conclusions about why Ms. Montgomery did or did not do certain things are pure supposition. You may be right, but you may just as easily be wrong.

If you are correct about her not commenting on York's death, I have to say I don't think it's out of the question to assume that someone who worked with someone for years would give perhaps a single minute of their lives to comment on their co-workers death. I also disagree that after working for years with someone you can still be termed "a complete stranger". No, they may not have been friends but in that amount of time you cannot help but learn things about someone, whether you truly like them or not. And even if she LOATHED York, the fact that they made such an impact on television audiences through their work would seem to necessitate some response, if only for the fans and the historical record.

If she wasn't asked, it's a bit more understandable that she declined comment, but it's almost impossible for me to believe that he died and no one thought to question her.

What was posted about the nature of interaction between co-workers both while they worked together and after this no longer was the case is not supposition or assumption but rather proven fact as shown in everyday life by 100% of all people who have ever been in a working environment, i can't be wrong about this and can only be right as it is in effect 2+2=4.

Likewise were they proven facts in respect to the interactions or lack there of re the cast members of Bewitched after the show ended.

Proof not assumption exists as stated by those directly involved on the record regarding the lack of contact between Liz and Dick Sargent, Kasey Rogers, David White and Bernard Fox who did not see or talk to Liz for 1 to 2 decades after the show ended.

If that was no big deal then why is it in regards to a lack of contact with Dick York.?

For the same reason as it is utterly understandable and normal for her to have lost touch with the people mentioned it is likewise the case in regards to Dick York.

She owed him nothing, his squandering of his fortune he gained from Bewitched was not her responsibility.

If you saw someone 20 years after having worked with them they would be in effect a stranger to you as you would not know them nor they you as to who you were in this new context at this moment in time.

Although she thought he was all wet and disliked him i do not believe she hated or loathed him, it was more of an unimpressed indifference.

Larry Tate

After 25 years of not having anything to do with someone who was never a friend but merely someone she worked with compared to a close longtime personal friend that Dick Sargent was to Liz clearly shows why Liz commented on Dick Sargent's passing as she did as well re close friends Alice Pierce & Agnes Moorehead but did not re Dick Yorks passing as she did not about other members of the cast who passed away such as Paul Lynde (whose funeral she did not attend) and others.

There was no need to make a Public comment on Dick Yorks passing all these decades later & who contributed what success to the show has zero to do with who she should have commented on or not, it should be passed on personal feelings not rating points & $$$$ garnered by a cast member the is irrelevant.

She did not rave about Dick Sargent she spoke very positively about him when he was on the show as she did about Dick York when he was on the show.

She was contacted by the press after DS passed but i don't believe the same interest was there with the media in that respect with DY when he passed in regards to contacting Liz then.

She had no reaction to Dick York's passing but then why would she?????...........as this was by then 25 years later a complete stranger who she simply had once worked with and had not seen or interacted with in almost 25 years, plus at the end Dick York made some very unkind comments towards the show & therefore indirectly towards Liz so her reaction of no comment is the only logical & rational one she could have made.

The fact that in the spring of 1969 when he asked back into the show after leaving, was denied & then said about Liz & the show in an interview about the unpleasant atmosphere on the set, how he was unhappy with how he was being used in the show as in underused & how he wanted to go onto other & better things sure would have made Liz say throughout those 25 years hey i got to give good ol Dick a call, i don't think sooooooooooo.

In the 1988 book "Whatever became of?", York stated: "I left in an amulance and never returned. The atmosphere on the set of Bewitched was extremely unpleasant. I never missed that show."

Dick Sargent had been a longtime close personal friend who she had been very close to in the half dozen or so years prior to his passing so her comment on his passing was a natural & logical one.
Bottom line is that Liz & Dick York worked together & Brilliantly i might add, but there never was a close personal Friendship or any relationship to continue, nor were they friends at all.

You have to understand that they were real people who were actors playing roles that were not them, they were not Samantha & Darrin in real life, sometimes people get that reality confused.

This is not unusual as one could say the same thing about any cast member & the majority of the cast & as well about anyone & most of those that they work with her their never having any contact again after his leaving the show is perfectly natural in my view.

This doesn't mean they liked or disliked each other, they merely worked with each other & had the same working experience that any actor or actress has with 95% of all those they work with.

It was a job & they had a job to do & they did it, then they went their own way, as you must recall that they both had spouses & large young families to tend too, this along with the full time job of carrying a weekly series left little or no time for any other interaction between the two, they both already had a full plate to deal with.

I have heard it said that she strongly disliked Dick York but this is in no way corroborated in the least & there is no basis to think that it is so.

These internet rumors are i feel made up by those that have their own issues & for some reason need to use this fiction to express them.

After DY left the show there was simply no reason for them to have any contact with each other as is the case with all actors pretty much once they finish a project, they just move on with their lives.

Liz had real phobias with anything medical so i can see her not wanting to go the hospital to see him for this reason.

Liz & Dick Sargent had drifted apart & lost touch shortly after Bewitched ended & had not seen each other in about 15 years till they were reunited when both were approached by Herbie J Pilato in regards to interviews for his then upcoming book The Bewitched Book, they reconnected through Herbie as they discussed if they should cooperate or not with him.

When Herbie met David White for the first time in Liz's Garden at her home as a special surprise for him, he was told by David White he had not been there for over 15 years.

So she drifted apart even from good friends as people do when the matter that brought them together in the first place ended.

So these things are natural & normal not anything that should reflect negatively on her, quite the opposite, this is how it is supposed to be & is with everyone in life & was the case as well with any member of this or any other cast of any other show.

Same thing with her good friend Carol Burnett when Carol moved to Hawaii, they just lost touch after being great friends since they did
Who's Been Sleeping in my bed? together in 1963.

She had not seen or talked to Kasey Rogers after Bewitched until at Dick Sargents funeral 22 years later.

She kept in touch with Erin Murphy mainly because Erin was such great friends with her kids, but when they all grew up Liz lost touch with Erin as well.

Life happens & means nothing other then that, as was the case when Liz & Dick York lost contact with each other & they were not even friends like she & Dick Sargent & David White were.

Larry Tate

Wanted:Classic TV Shows from the 1950s and 1960s with Elizabeth Montgomery Appearances in Them.

http://larrytate70.tripod.com/

Elizabeth Montgomery appearances in Movies, Bewitched & On TV shows on DVD that i have available in trade:

http://www.freewebs.com/larrytate550/

You are very right about Liz. She had her own problems and life to contend with and did not need to be bothered by other issues. I believe her marriage to William Asher became very strained on the series and that was the top issue.

Interesting discussion in this topic. Dick York seems to have been a nice enough guy. Elizabeth Montgomery on the other hand, was rumored to be difficult at times and not always the nicest person to be around. One of those conceited types who thought she was better than everyone else.

Interesting discussion in this topic. Dick York seems to have been a nice enough guy. Elizabeth Montgomery on the other hand, was rumored to be difficult at times and not always the nicest person to be around. One of those conceited types who thought she was better than everyone else.

These comments could not be further from the truth, basically reverse the comments about Elizabeth Montgomery and you will find the truth about her nature and character, therefore the conclusions drawn based on the misrepreprsentation of them are not credible.

Dick York was at best eccentric and a bit odd, at worst self destructive and just plain weird or strange.
You only have to read his Auto Biography for this to be readily apparent.

Liz has been widely reported to have been loved by all that ever worked with her and spoken of as being down to earth, real, generous and giving with no affectations whatsoever and utterly self affacing the opposite of conceited.

She was loved on all sets and by all who knew or worked with her and nobody ever had an unkind word to say about her or that she was anything but a classy professional in every way as an actress and a human being, as undifficult as could be and a dream to work with, a complete, utterly prepared Pro.

So the comments referenced here about her being otherwise are utterly untrue and at best an urban legend with lie simply being repeated although in this case i can't see even that being the case as such comments are unknown about her on or offline, they have zero credibility based on the widly known facts.

Bottom line the outcome of there never being in contact again was perfectly normal and natural & by far the norm for co-workers famous and not.

There does not have to be a black hat and a white hat in such an outcome as nothing negative or unseemly is to be seen in the outcome.

Larry Tate

These comments could not be further from the truth, basically reverse the comments about Elizabeth Montgomery and you will find the truth about her nature and character, therefore the conclusions drawn based on the misrepreprsentation of them are not credible.

Dick York was at best eccentric and a bit odd, at worst self destructive and just plain weird or strange.
You only have to read his Auto Biography for this to be readily apparent.

Liz has been widely reported to have been loved by all that ever worked with her and spoken of as being down to earth, real, generous and giving with no affectations whatsoever and utterly self affacing the opposite of conceited.

She was loved on all sets and by all who knew or worked with her and nobody ever had an unkind word to say about her or that she was anything but a classy professional in every way as an actress and a human being, as undifficult as could be and a dream to work with, a complete, utterly prepared Pro.

So the comments referenced here about her being otherwise are utterly untrue and at best an urban legend with lie simply being repeated although in this case i can't see even that being the case as such comments are unknown about her on or offline, they have zero credibility based on the widly known facts.

Bottom line the outcome of there never being in contact again was perfectly normal and natural & by far the norm for co-workers famous and not.

There does not have to be a black hat and a white hat in such an outcome as nothing negative or unseemly is to be seen in the outcome.

Larry Tate

One thing I know we'll agree with is that Elizabeth was a fine actress and did a superb job in her signature role on Bewitched.

One thing I know we'll agree with is that Elizabeth was a fine actress and did a superb job in her signature role on Bewitched.

I agree 100% with that, without her the finest TV show to ever grace the airwaves would not have come into being.

To her and the wonderful cast that surrounded her we owe a great debt of graditude.

Larry Tate

Bottom line the outcome of there never being in contact again was perfectly normal and natural & by far the norm for co-workers famous and not.

There does not have to be a black hat and a white hat in such an outcome as nothing negative or unseemly is to be seen in the outcome.

Larry Tate
I agree with you Larry. Here's what I read on The Munsters forum regarding Pat Priest and Yvonne DeCarlo relationship on the set as quoted:

If you read the recently-released "Living Room Legends: Chat with TV's Famous Faces" by Eddie Lucas, she says her "negative" experience with Yvonne De Carlo was really short-lived. She said, "Eventually, Yvonne and I got along fine. We went to lunch together frequently, and our boys were the same age, so I was friendly with Yvonne." She said once the series ended, she never saw Fred Gwynne again, and only saw Yvonne once. It is like with any job. You leave a job, and many of the people you have worked with you never see again. It doesn't mean you don't get along necessarily. It is just a job....when the job ends, everyone goes their separate ways. Such is life.

Read more: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=4592336#ixzz1WmN9ElUX
Hopefully this puts to rest all the contraversy on the Bewitched actors.

I think longevity would have something to do with it. Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York were husband and wife on Bewitched for five seasons. The Munsters ran only two seasons. So it stands to reason that Liz and Dick would have developed a closer friendship during five years than any of The Munsters cast during two years. If that wasn't the case, then maybe the two of them didn't really enjoy working together and when Dick left the show due to health reasons, they just went their separate ways and that was it.

I think longevity would have something to do with it. Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York were husband and wife on Bewitched for five seasons. The Munsters ran only two seasons. So it stands to reason that Liz and Dick would have developed a closer friendship during five years than any of The Munsters cast during two years. If that wasn't the case, then maybe the two of them didn't really enjoy working together and when Dick left the show due to health reasons, they just went their separate ways and that was it.

The thing is that Fans have to understand that the actors and the characters are not one and the same, that they are essentially two different entities.

The fans see the characters interacting with a premise that they love and they want that to be recreated in real life, even when it is not the case often they still want to see it as being so when it is not.

Whenever you see these 20 years later get togethers on TV of casts of long running TV shows they invariably comment that they had not see so & so or anyone on the cast in decades or since their show wrapped, this is the case in the vast majority of members of any cast, to be otherwise is rather unusual and the exception to the rule.

This is the case on many shows that were on much longer then 5 years.

It has been widely and well known that Liz & York never socialized or spent any time with each other away from the set the way she did ofen on a regular basis with Dick Sargent.

Why, because she & Dick Sargent were close friends while she & Dick York were not friends at all.

The thing is that the bottom line in it is that pretty much all of any cast just go their own way and it would have been unusual and the exception for Liz & York to have maintained any contact or social interaction after the show ended.

York was odd & strange and not Liz's cup of tea, i don't think she disliked him but i don't think she liked him either, they just worked together.

Larry Tate

The thing is that Fans have to understand that the actors and the characters are not one and the same, that they are essentially two different entities.

The fans see the characters interacting with a premise that they love and they want that to be recreated in real life, even when it is not the case often they still want to see it as being so when it is not.

Whenever you see these 20 years later get togethers on TV of casts of long running TV shows they invariably comment that they had not see so & so or anyone on the cast in decades or since their show wrapped, this is the case in the vast majority of members of any cast, to be otherwise is rather unusual and the exception to the rule.

This is the case on many shows that were on much longer then 5 years.

It has been widely and well known that Liz & York never socialized or spent any time with each other away from the set the way she did ofen on a regular basis with Dick Sargent.

Why, because she & Dick Sargent were close friends while she & Dick York were not friends at all.

The thing is that the bottom line in it is that pretty much all of any cast just go their own way and it would have been unusual and the exception for Liz & York to have maintained any contact or social interaction after the show ended.

York was odd & strange and not Liz's cup of tea, i don't think she disliked him but i don't think she liked him either, they just worked together.

Larry Tate

I wouldn't expect Liz and Dick to be in love with each other, but since they worked closely together for five years, the belief is that they would have had some sort of friendship after their time working together ended. Since it seems they didn't, and if they never spoke to each other again, draws the conclusion that they didn't really enjoy working together. Either she didn't like working with him, or he didn't like working with her, maybe it was a combination of both.

I wouldn't expect Liz and Dick to be in love with each other, but since they worked closely together for five years, the belief is that they would have had some sort of friendship after their time working together ended. Since it seems they didn't, and if they never spoke to each other again, draws the conclusion that they didn't really enjoy working together. Either she didn't like working with him, or he didn't like working with her, maybe it was a combination of both.

There are many examples where two people worked superbly together creatively yet personally cound not stand each other.

Fred & Ethel from I Love Lucy is a good example as are Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepard among many.

So their superb work together had little to do with the way they personally interacted which could have spanned the entire range of possbilities in that sense while performing so well in character within the show.

I think it was more a case of her not being entranced by him then anything else.

Larry Tate

Was she asked about Dick York when he died? If she said "no comment" then I do think that reflects on her. If nobody asked her then I could see her not saying anything. But even people that lose touch with someone sometimes coments on their death. As for what York said back in 1971, that's silly to hold a grudge over that for all those years.

RIGHT ON!

I suppose there are those who feel bad if the stars of a show they liked are found to not have a good or continuing relationship once the show ends. It doesn't seem unusual to me. People move on, whether in Hollywood or elsewhere.

There does not have to be a black hat and a white hat in such an outcome.

I think this basically sums it up as well as it can be summed up. The end of Dick York's life is just very sad. There is no way around it and I think as fans we want to hold someone responsible for what he had to endure but it's really one of those things in life that wasn't anyone's fault and just was allowed to happen and shouldn't have been allowed to happen.

In a perfect world, Dick York would've never gotten hurt or if he did there would have been treatment available to him that would've allowed him to continue his career until he chose to retire instead of being forced out of the industry because of an injury. I hate to use such a worn out expression but the phrase "out of sight and out of mind" does hold some merit here.

York left the industry in 1969 and never really returned while Liz and the rest of the cast got on with their careers. It sounds cold but I'm sure that wasn't the intent. As the years wore on and Dick's condition worsened the friends and colleagues he made while in Hollywood probably had been out of contact with him for many years and therefore had no way of knowing how dire his situation had become.

Also something else that struck me about York, was he didn't seem like one who would solicit handouts. I mean I think it would be hard for anyone who has fallen on hard times to contact people out of the blue most of whom you haven't kept in touch with for twenty years to essentially ask for financial aid. I don't think many people would have the stomach to do that.

The whole thing is just extremely sad and as fans I'm not sure if it does any good for us to try to find a villain in all of this. I think as pollyanna as this might sound we should try to enjoy the wonderful body of work left for us by these fantastic actors and if financially possible continue Dick's work by not forgetting about those less fortunate than us.

After 25 years of not having anything to do with someone who was never a friend but merely someone she worked with compared to a close longtime personal friend that Dick Sargent was to Liz clearly shows why Liz commented on Dick Sargent's passing as she did as well re close friends Alice Pierce & Agnes Moorehead but did not re Dick Yorks passing as she did not about other members of the cast who passed away such as Paul Lynde (whose funeral she did not attend) and others.

There was no need to make a Public comment on Dick Yorks passing all these decades later & who contributed what success to the show has zero to do with who she should have commented on or not, it should be passed on personal feelings not rating points & $$$$ garnered by a cast member the is irrelevant.

She did not rave about Dick Sargent she spoke very positively about him when he was on the show as she did about Dick York when he was on the show.

She was contacted by the press after DS passed but i don't believe the same interest was there with the media in that respect with DY when he passed in regards to contacting Liz then.

She had no reaction to Dick York's passing but then why would she?????...........as this was by then 25 years later a complete stranger who she simply had once worked with and had not seen or interacted with in almost 25 years, plus at the end Dick York made some very unkind comments towards the show & therefore indirectly towards Liz so her reaction of no comment is the only logical & rational one she could have made.

The fact that in the spring of 1969 when he asked back into the show after leaving, was denied & then said about Liz & the show in an interview about the unpleasant atmosphere on the set, how he was unhappy with how he was being used in the show as in underused & how he wanted to go onto other & better things sure would have made Liz say throughout those 25 years hey i got to give good ol Dick a call, i don't think sooooooooooo.

In the 1988 book "Whatever became of?", York stated: "I left in an amulance and never returned. The atmosphere on the set of Bewitched was extremely unpleasant. I never missed that show."

Dick Sargent had been a longtime close personal friend who she had been very close to in the half dozen or so years prior to his passing so her comment on his passing was a natural & logical one.
Bottom line is that Liz & Dick York worked together & Brilliantly i might add, but there never was a close personal Friendship or any relationship to continue, nor were they friends at all.

You have to understand that they were real people who were actors playing roles that were not them, they were not Samantha & Darrin in real life, sometimes people get that reality confused.

This is not unusual as one could say the same thing about any cast member & the majority of the cast & as well about anyone & most of those that they work with her their never having any contact again after his leaving the show is perfectly natural in my view.

This doesn't mean they liked or disliked each other, they merely worked with each other & had the same working experience that any actor or actress has with 95% of all those they work with.

It was a job & they had a job to do & they did it, then they went their own way, as you must recall that they both had spouses & large young families to tend too, this along with the full time job of carrying a weekly series left little or no time for any other interaction between the two, they both already had a full plate to deal with.

I have heard it said that she strongly disliked Dick York but this is in no way corroborated in the least & there is no basis to think that it is so.

These internet rumors are i feel made up by those that have their own issues & for some reason need to use this fiction to express them.

After DY left the show there was simply no reason for them to have any contact with each other as is the case with all actors pretty much once they finish a project, they just move on with their lives.

Liz had real phobias with anything medical so i can see her not wanting to go the hospital to see him for this reason.

Liz & Dick Sargent had drifted apart & lost touch shortly after Bewitched ended & had not seen each other in about 15 years till they were reunited when both were approached by Herbie J Pilato in regards to interviews for his then upcoming book The Bewitched Book, they reconnected through Herbie as they discussed if they should cooperate or not with him.

When Herbie met David White for the first time in Liz's Garden at her home as a special surprise for him, he was told by David White he had not been there for over 15 years.

So she drifted apart even from good friends as people do when the matter that brought them together in the first place ended.

So these things are natural & normal not anything that should reflect negatively on her, quite the opposite, this is how it is supposed to be & is with everyone in life & was the case as well with any member of this or any other cast of any other show.

Same thing with her good friend Carol Burnett when Carol moved to Hawaii, they just lost touch after being great friends since they did
Who's Been Sleeping in my bed? together in 1963.

She had not seen or talked to Kasey Rogers after Bewitched until at Dick Sargents funeral 22 years later.

She kept in touch with Erin Murphy mainly because Erin was such great friends with her kids, but when they all grew up Liz lost touch with Erin as well.

Life happens & means nothing other then that, as was the case when Liz & Dick York lost contact with each other & they were not even friends like she & Dick Sargent & David White were.

Larry Tate

Wanted:Classic TV Shows from the 1950s and 1960s with Elizabeth Montgomery Appearances in Them.

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Elizabeth Montgomery appearances in Movies, Bewitched & On TV shows on DVD that i have available in trade:

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It is a business. I have very little contact from business associates from 25 years ago.

The only thing I've ever read regarding this was in an excellent book about Bewitched where Elizabeth was quoted as saying that both Darrins did a marvelous job in the role. She was married to William Asher at the time. Dick York was married and Dick Sargent was gay. These were co-workers, not lovers, regardless of how well they conveyed that impression on the show. If I found out a co-worker of mine from years previous had passed away, I would be sorry, but people go in different directions, especially in show business.

I've seen a couple of different Dick York interviews on tv and the net and he has had nothing but nice things to say about Ms. Montgomery. Also, I've heard others in the show business industry say only good things about Mr. York. Personally, I really like him as an actor. Everything I've seen him in is good.

I also love Ms. Montgomery. She is one of my favorite actresses. However, I do wish that she had reached out to Dick York at some point after he left the show if for nothing more than to just see how he was doing.

No one can deny the fantastic chemistry the two of them had on Bewitched. They were terrific together onscreen. In fact, to me, Dick was equally responsible for the success of that show as Liz was.

I've seen a couple of different Dick York interviews on tv and the net and he has had nothing but nice things to say about Ms. Montgomery. Also, I've heard others in the show business industry say only good things about Mr. York. Personally, I really like him as an actor. Everything I've seen him in is good.

I also love Ms. Montgomery. She is one of my favorite actresses. However, I do wish that she had reached out to Dick York at some point after he left the show if for nothing more than to just see how he was doing.

No one can deny the fantastic chemistry the two of them had on Bewitched. They were terrific together onscreen. In fact, to me, Dick was equally responsible for the success of that show as Liz was.

Yes, and York was definitely the better Darrin!

An interesting sub plot to this is that near the end of season four Dick York pulled a Larry Hagman style power & $$$$ grab trying to get a lot more of both with a sick out that was disingenuous in nature.

Basically he hurt his back in a fall and when it was ok after 2 weeks he milked it for several more trying to force a new long term contract when he still had a year to go.

This was not well received by Liz and Bill who spoke publicly in an interview on the matter and expressed the view that York was trying to pull a fast one at that time, he even offered to take York to the Hospital to get him looked at by specialists with York declining the offer.

When it looked at that time that he might be replaced with hints from Screen Gems that if the role was too much for him physically then he should just stay home for good he made a swift recovery.

He wanted to report to the set right away but was told by the producers that they were already committed to a Non-Darrin script costing him several thousand $$$ for the episode he missed.

A Majority of Two was the one i am referencing here that he was in effect banned from the set and prevented from doing even when he indicated he could.

Point being that there could well have been some additional resentment on behalf of Liz, Bill & Harry Ackerman towards Dick York as a result of his sickout that would have made them think differently towards his unreliability and from that if they were willing to put up with it and resign him after season five.

All the more reason for Liz to want to have nothing to do with him after he left the show.

Larry Tate

My Elizabeth Montgomery Have List:
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An interesting sub plot to this is that near the end of season four Dick York pulled a Larry Hagman style power & $$$$ grab trying to get a lot more of both with a sick out that was disingenuous in nature.

Basically he hurt his back in a fall and when it was ok after 2 weeks he milked it for several more trying to force a new long term contract when he still had a year to go.

This was not well received by Liz and Bill who spoke publicly in an interview on the matter and expressed the view that York was trying to pull a fast one at that time, he even offered to take York to the Hospital to get him looked at by specialists with York declining the offer.

When it looked at that time that he might be replaced with hints from Screen Gems that if the role was too much for him physically then he should just stay home for good he made a swift recovery.

He wanted to report to the set right away but was told by the producers that they were already committed to a Non-Darrin script costing him several thousand $$$ for the episode he missed.

A Majority of Two was the one i am referencing here that he was in effect banned from the set and prevented from doing even when he indicated he could.

Point being that there could well have been some additional resentment on behalf of Liz, Bill & Harry Ackerman towards Dick York as a result of his sickout that would have made them think differently towards his unreliability and from that if they were willing to put up with it and resign him after season five.

All the more reason for Liz to want to have nothing to do with him after he left the show.

Larry Tate

My Elizabeth Montgomery Have List:
http://www.freewebs.com/larrytate550/

My Elizabeth Montgomery Want List:
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:confused: :eek: I don't believe it. I mean I literally don't believe it. Did you get this, er..."information" from a reliable source? Did you stumble across a tabloid article? Are there any actual recorded articles or interviews about this? I can't believe that there was such animosity on the set! You usually hear good, warm stories about the crew members and how much they liked each other. (With the exception of Sargent and Moorehead.)

I remember you posting this before, Larry Tate.

:confused: :eek: I don't believe it. I mean I literally don't believe it. Did you get this, er..."information" from a reliable source? Did you stumble across a tabloid article? Are there any actual recorded articles or interviews about this? I can't believe that there was such animosity on the set! You usually hear good, warm stories about the crew members and how much they liked each other. (With the exception of Sargent and Moorehead.)

I remember you posting this before, Larry Tate.

Well believe it or not it is true, as for a source a reliable magazine article, Bill Asher...pretty good sources i would say.

It was quite public for that matter at the time, not at all hush hush and fact.

And this wasn't really animosity, it was just business, but shows how what you see on screen is fantasy and not real life, hence the post show expectation of Yorkie's are not rational nor legitimate in terms of cast interaction during or post Bewitched production.

Agnes Moorehead never had anything against Dick Sargent personally or his portrayal as Darrin, she was simply against recasting of the role at all.
She was loyal to Dick York and his friend and did not realize the extent of his physical & medical issues and their reality.

In time Agnes and Dick Sargent became friends and got along fine.
Mainly due her realizing that York was from the moment of his collapse never ever able to work again as an actor anywhere.

He was done from that moment on and only in his delusional mind could have finished the run if only given the summer to rest up.

That would have been like a one legged man thinking he could make the Olympic team as a sprinter if only allowed some time off.

There are other issues she had with York that are classified that caused her to try to fire him after season 3 due to matters between them caused by York.

Larry Tate

Well believe it or not it is true, as for a source a reliable magazine article, Bill Asher...pretty good sources i would say.

It was quite public for that matter at the time, not at all hush hush and fact.

And this wasn't really animosity, it was just business, but shows how what you see on screen is fantasy and not real life, hence the post show expectation of Yorkie's are not rational nor legitimate in terms of cast interaction during or post Bewitched production.

Agnes Moorehead never had anything against Dick Sargent personally or his portrayal as Darrin, she was simply against recasting of the role at all.
She was loyal to Dick York and his friend and did not realize the extent of his physical & medical issues and their reality.

In time Agnes and Dick Sargent became friends and got along fine.
Mainly due her realizing that York was from the moment of his collapse never ever able to work again as an actor anywhere.

He was done from that moment on and only in his delusional mind could have finished the run if only given the summer to rest up.

That would have been like a one legged man thinking he could make the Olympic team as a sprinter if only allowed some time off.

There are other issues she had with York that are classified that caused her to try to fire him after season 3 due to matters between them caused by York.

Larry Tate

Depressing. :( But are you sure that York's motives weren't--at least--just a bit of misunderstanding on Bill Asher's part? York could be a very strange individual at times.

Liz tried to fire him after season three? I've seen someone mention that, but I thought it was just a rumor.

I'm curious. Does anybody know what exactly these "issues" were?

I've seen a couple of different Dick York interviews on tv and the net and he has had nothing but nice things to say about Ms. Montgomery. Also, I've heard others in the show business industry say only good things about Mr. York. Personally, I really like him as an actor. Everything I've seen him in is good.

I also love Ms. Montgomery. She is one of my favorite actresses. However, I do wish that she had reached out to Dick York at some point after he left the show if for nothing more than to just see how he was doing.

No one can deny the fantastic chemistry the two of them had on Bewitched. They were terrific together onscreen. In fact, to me, Dick was equally responsible for the success of that show as Liz was.
I agree and I think if Dick York left the series sooner, the series would have sank sooner.

Depressing. :( But are you sure that York's motives weren't--at least--just a bit of misunderstanding on Bill Asher's part? York could be a very strange individual at times.

Liz tried to fire him after season three? I've seen someone mention that, but I thought it was just a rumor.

I'm curious. Does anybody know what exactly these "issues" were?

Well it is like everyone hated Radar on MASH and Shelly Long on Cheers & the two leads on Laverne and Shirley weren't on speaking terms most of the time, Harvey Korman was impossible as a person and only tolerated because he was brilliant on the Carol Burnett Show, i could go on & on.

So this is not that unusual, what you see on the screen is not on the set on many occasions.

There was no misunderstanding on Asher's part, York just saw his one chance in a lifetime opportunity to be a Star & in effect have his own show.

His attempt at a money grab is very common in the biz and the same thing that Larry Hagman did on Dallas, York just didn't have the juice to pull it off like Hagman did.

An attempt at hijacking a show like Suzanne Somers did on Threes's Company, Burt Reynolds did on Riverboat, Alan Alda did on MASH (it was supposed to be Wayne Rogers Vehicle ) & so on happens all the time.

It just shows that York was no better then most.

The season 3 producer William Froug wrote in his book about being in a meeting when Liz demanded York went or she did.

There are some things i know re York re Liz that came directly from her about York that i can't be specific about as their confidential, but at times his medication caused him to be other then who he was as a person that caused problems.

Larry Tate

Actors create a reality. They play best friends on TV, when they are not in real-life. They play husband and wife, when they are not in real-life.

Two years ago, I left a job I had been at for 17 years. During those 17 years, I was close with everyone...but that is because I worked with them. We were all together 40 hours a week. Once I no longer worked there, it was different. I moved on to a new job, made new friends. That is the way it goes.

You are never REALLY friends with the people you work with anyway, no matter what the job is. This applies to TV shows as well, I am sure.

I wish York had stayed, because Dick Sargent was TERRIBLE!

Just one of the sources on the matter other then Liz & Bill themselves, although full of self serving disinformation on Mrs.Yorks part.

Mrs. Dick York Reveals -
WHY SHE WILL NEVER BE FRIENDS WITH HER HUSBAND’S OTHER WIFE!
By Rodger Winelander
TV Picture Life
March 1969

"Of course he isn't perfect," said Joan thoughtfully. "That would be awful. He's just a man. The thing is that he doesn't let certain things bother him. But things annoy him, too. I know he is upset about ... well, everyone needs some recognition. But, that's another subject."

Joan didn't want to get started on the topic. I had heard rumors about some bitterness between Dick and Screen Gems. The story was circulating that he was underpaid.

"Please don't say 'underpaid.' That's unfair both to Dick and to Screen Gems. Besides, people who are underpaid often have no choice in the matter. Let's not discuss money.

The recognition I was referring to is another kind. I don't think Dick has received as much professional recognition as he deserves. He works hard and he does it so well, but perhaps you've noticed how often others receive nominations for various awards.

I don't think it's deliberate on anyone's part. Really, this isn't sour grapes. But, any episode of Bewitched has enough Dick York in it to warrant special consideration. Maybe he's too good as Darren. Perhaps the committees who decide things have a blind spot. I shouldn't discuss it, really. But this does bother Dick. Sometimes, I wish he'd get tougher about it. His attitude is, ‘Oh well, it doesn't really matter!"'

Last spring, when option time rolled around, Dick’s representatives decided to stand firm on certain conditions of his contract, including a request for a significant salary increase. According to reports, the studio showed only a vague tendency to "cooperate."

At about this time, Dick suffered an accident on the set that irritated his already-sensitive spine. He injured it several years ago in Mexico while filming the movie, They Came To Cordura. The new injury was serious and painful. Dick was placed in traction by his doctor and told to remain there until it was medically advisable to work. He convalesced at home.

Rumors circulated that Dick was pulling a "hold out" to force the studio to meet his new contract desires. At the time, it was hard to get straight answers from studio spokesmen. One of them exclaimed, "He really is sick, despite anything you may have heard."

I hadn't heard anything. Bill Asher seemed more impatient than anyone. Liz's reply was an off-handed, "You know as much as we know." Dick was becoming the victim of insinuations.

"For the record, he was too sick to work," said Joan firmly. "I don't know about rumors to the contrary. The timing obviously had something to do with all that. I don't believe the Ashers questioned Dick's motives. And Harry Ackerman, the executive producer, doesn't think that way. When Dick was in real agony, Bill came to the house and spent a long time here. He was warm and understanding and even offered to drive Dick to the hospital."

When Dick is asked about the injury, he admits it hurts a great deal of the time. He has to take pills for the pain and says they only work well part of the time. Dick and his family live within walking distance of the studio, because his back injury prevents him from driving a car. Even though Joan would never say it, friends can't help feeling that she blames part of this trouble on the Ashers. It was on the set of the series that Dick injured his back for the second time.

The script called for Dick to appear suspended by a chair. A curved, seat-like metal plate was attached to a piano wire hung overhead, rigged by the special effects man. Asher asked if Dick wanted a double, but the manner in which he asked apparently made Dick feel challenged. So Dick did the scene, but during the retake, one of the wires snapped. The jolt damaged his spine and he spent the next six weeks in traction.

Actors create a reality. They play best friends on TV, when they are not in real-life. They play husband and wife, when they are not in real-life.

Two years ago, I left a job I had been at for 17 years. During those 17 years, I was close with everyone...but that is because I worked with them. We were all together 40 hours a week. Once I no longer worked there, it was different. I moved on to a new job, made new friends. That is the way it goes.

You are never REALLY friends with the people you work with anyway, no matter what the job is. This applies to TV shows as well, I am sure.

I wish York had stayed, because Dick Sargent was TERRIBLE!

150% true! York was the only true Bewitched husband since Sargent was awful!

150% true! York was the only true Bewitched husband since Sargent was awful!

York was not the only true Bewitched Husband, Darrin Stephens was, York was just the actor who played him as did Dick Sargent superbly, some people can't get it that Dick York & Darrin Stephens were not the same person.

Larry Tate

York was Darrin. Sargent was the substitute Darrin. lol It's the same thing if somebody would have replaced Elizabeth as Samantha. Some people can't be replaced.

York was Darrin. Sargent was the substitute Darrin. lol It's the same thing if somebody would have replaced Elizabeth as Samantha. Some people can't be replaced.

Exactly. I have nothing against Sargent, who was in a thankless position, but York created the role and defined it for all time. Anyone who honestly thinks that "Darrin Stephens" would have had any meaning or resonance 48 YEARS later if it hadn't been for York are either deluding themselves or just so hopelessly anti-York that their logic circuits have been permanently damaged.

I don't agree, York was not Darrin, he was merely an actor who played the role superbly and defined it, but the only Darrin was Darrin, and York & Sargent were two actors who played him and were equally Darrin as such.

York was proven to be replaceable and was replaced superbly by Dick Sargent who actually expanded on the role and made it more plauseable at that point in Samantha & Darrin's relationship.

The way Sargent played Darrin fit the show better at that point in time and was more rationally in step with the context that the characters were living in at that point.

Sargent was a nice breath of fresh air and York was not missed in the least, especially by the fans at that time of Bewitched.

The only circuits short circuited are of those fervent Yorkies who worship at his alter when in reality he was 3rd on the list in importance of the characters on the show, the Yorkies are fans of his not of Bewitched and are deluded to the extent that they believe Dick York was the star of Bewitched, that he made the show what it was, when of course we all know it was all Elizabeth Montgomery in those respects with York a contributor to Bewitched and it's success, Elizabeth Montgomery was, is & always will be Bewitched in more ways then one.

York was wonderful in the role but Sargent was too and in some respects better & more in step with the show as it was then.

Larry Tate

Sargent was a nice breath of fresh air and York was not missed in the least, especially by the fans at that time of Bewitched.
Larry Tate

:lol: I suppose you've interviewed every Bewitched fan from that time and they all told you that they didn't miss Dick York after he left. Dick Sargent may have been a breath of fresh air to you but to others he was as stale and musty as an old mattress. :rolleyes:

I don't agree, York was not Darrin, he was merely an actor who played the role superbly and defined it, but the only Darrin was Darrin, and York & Sargent were two actors who played him and were equally Darrin as such.

York was proven to be replaceable and was replaced superbly by Dick Sargent who actually expanded on the role and made it more plauseable at that point in their relationship.

The way Sargent played Darrin fit the show better at that point in time and was more rationally in step with the context that the characters were living in at that point.

Sargent was a nice breath of fresh air and York was not missed in the least, especially by the fans at that time of Bewitched.

The only circuits short circuited are of those fervent Yorkies who worship at his alter when in reality he was 3rd on the list in importance of the characters on the show, the Yorkies are fans of his not of Bewitched and are deluded to the extent that they believe Dick York was the star of Bewitched, that he made the show what it was, when of course we all know it was all Elizabeth Montgomery in those respects with York a contributor to Bewitched and it's success, Elizabeth Montgomery was, is & always will be Bewitched in more ways then one.

York was wonderful in the role but Sargent was too and in some respects better & more in step with the show as it was then.

Larry Tate
No I'm sorry. What made Bewitched was the onscreen chemistry between Montgomery and York. It doesn't matter if they liked each other off the screen. Their chemistry onscreen was top notched. And yea it's just a coincidence that ratings started to fall drastically after the Darrin switch. I do agree with you on one thing though. Sargent was more in step with the show as it was in the last 3 seasons as the show was a shallow of what it had been. They were both awful. lol

:lol: I suppose you've interviewed every Bewitched fan from that time and they all told you that they didn't miss Dick York after he left. Dick Sargent may have been a breath of fresh air to you but to others he was as stale and musty as an old mattress. :rolleyes:

The fact that their was zero response to York leaving the show from fans by phone or letter speaks for itself.

As well Harry Ackerman & Richard Baer, Richard Michaels and others have spoken on the fact that the fans took it in stride and did not react at all to the change.

That is good enough for me.!!

Larry Tate

No I'm sorry. What made Bewitched was the on screen chemistry between Montgomery and York. It doesn't matter if they liked each other off the screen. Their chemistry on screen was top notched. And yea it's just a coincidence that ratings started to fall drastically after the Darrin switch. I do agree with you on one thing though. Sargent was more in step with the show as it was in the last 3 seasons as the show was a shallow of what it had been. They were both awful. lol

What made Bewitched was Elizabeth Montgomery, others like York & Agnes Moorehead and the rest of the brilliant cast played a major role as well, & the chemistry between York & Liz was great, but in the end it was La La Liz who was the heart and soul of Bewitched and the primary reason for the majority of it's success.

I don't believe the ratings had anything to do with the switch and as well if they were good or bad have nothing to do with the quality of the show.

The ratings for the first episode where the vast majority of Bewitched fans still thought York would be on were the same as they were the rest of the season when they knew the change had been made.

I loved the last 3 seasons, they were outstanding, and Dick Sargent was just as outstanding, i will forever be grateful to him for allowing the show to continue after York had to leave.

Larry Tate

The fact that their was zero response to York leaving the show from fans by phone or letter speaks for itself.

As well Harry Ackerman & Richard Baer, Richard Michaels and others have spoken on the fact that the fans took it in stride and did not react at all to the change.

That is good enough for me.!!

Larry Tate
What could they do? York was unable to work. A letter writing campaign wouldn't have changed things. Plus the media wasn't so tabloid back then. You didn't have Entertainment Tonight and all these tabloid shows. You surely didn't have the internet. If you didn't read tv guide or the entertainment section in the newspapers you didn't know what was going on. And besides the ratings spoke loudly.

From Wikipedia...
Nielsen Ratings

October 1964–April 1965: #2/31.0
October 1965–April 1966: #7/25.9 (tied with The Beverly Hillbillies)
October 1966–April 1967: #7/23.4 (tied with Daktari and The Beverly Hillbillies)
October 1967–April 1968: #11/23.5
October 1968–April 1969: #11/23.3 (tied with Mission: Impossible and The Red Skelton Hour)
October 1969–April 1970: #24/20.6 (tied with The NBC Saturday Night Movie and The F.B.I.)
October 1970–April 1971: Not in the Top 30
October 1971–April 1972: Not in the Top 30

People may not have written letters or called (and you haven't provided any evidence to back that up, either) but they did, at least, convey their displeasure in another, more significant, way.

They turned the show off.

Now you might say that any show dips in its final years, and that's true. But don't you find it even remotely curious that the show was rated number 11 after five full years with York, and then dipped to 24, then out of the top 30 once Sargent arrived?

What could they do? York was unable to work. A letter writing campaign wouldn't have changed things. Plus the media wasn't so tabloid back then. You didn't have Entertainment Tonight and all these tabloid shows. You surely didn't have the internet. If you didn't read tv guide or the entertainment section in the newspapers you didn't know what was going on. And besides the ratings spoke loudly.

That's the whole point, the fans would not have known for the reasons you stated till episode # 170 when they saw and knew, yet the ratings were still the same for that episode as it was the rest of the year when they knew of the switch.

Letter writing was not obsolete then as is is now, massive letter writing campaigns were common then and even brought several shows back from the beyond, Star Trek being the best example, yet the response to York leaving was not present although if the fans wanted it to be it would have been the case, it was not, the fans had spoken.

The fans would not have known that York was toast as the context of his leaving was hidden & kept quiet, the fans thought he could have been brought back yet they said nothing, as Arti Johnson used to say
Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery inteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeresting!! & telling.!!

Larry Tate

From Wikipedia...
Nielsen Ratings

October 1964–April 1965: #2/31.0
October 1965–April 1966: #7/25.9 (tied with The Beverly Hillbillies)
October 1966–April 1967: #7/23.4 (tied with Daktari and The Beverly Hillbillies)
October 1967–April 1968: #11/23.5
October 1968–April 1969: #11/23.3 (tied with Mission: Impossible and The Red Skelton Hour)
October 1969–April 1970: #24/20.6 (tied with The NBC Saturday Night Movie and The F.B.I.)
October 1970–April 1971: Not in the Top 30
October 1971–April 1972: Not in the Top 30

People may not have written letters or called (and you haven't provided any evidence to back that up, either) but they did, at least, convey their displeasure in another, more significant, way.

They turned the show off.

Now you might say that any show dips in its final years, and that's true. But don't you find it even remotely curious that the show was rated number 11 after five full years with York, and then dipped to 24, then out of the top 30 once Sargent arrived?

The evidence is in the on the record and on tape, comments & statements by Harry Ackerman, Richard Baer, Richard Michaels and others.
You just have to watch them actually say it in front of you on the screen in interviews.

I might add as well that more people in actual numbers were watching the show in the last years then in the first for ex. as the TV viewing population had expanded so much by then.

Going up against All in the family hurt the seasons ratings although it was actually still quite good in a demographic context which was why ABC renewed it and actually went to Liz's home and begged her to come back for season 9 as she had initially committed to doing.

Plus Fantasy shows were on their way out like the CBS rural ones like Green Acres and the Norman Lear theme was taking over.

As well ratings had zero to do with nor were indicative how well the show was qualitatively or how well Dick Sargent was performing the last three years.


Larry Tate

As well ratings had zero to do with nor were indicative how well the show was qualitatively or how well Dick Sargent was performing the last three years.


Larry Tate

Agreed, but it was your assertion that York's departure brought "zero" complaints from fans. My point is that obviously there was some reaction in the form of viewers leaving the show.

Something made viewers leave the show...and the only element of the show that had really changed was the substitution of Sargent for York. And the ratings didn't just dip in the final year...they dropped right from the time that Sargent arrived, in 1969.

Again, I think Sargent by all counts was a decent man and a good actor. I've enjoyed his guest star work on many ABC shows of the 70's. To say that you are not as good as Dick York at playing Darrin Stephens is no insult. That's a VERY high bar to hit, and I daresay that no one else could have reached it either.

I just vehemently disagree with your feeling that York was easily replaced and that the show experienced no drop in quality as a result of his leaving. The evidence graphically indicates otherwise.

Agreed, but it was your assertion that York's departure brought "zero" complaints from fans. My point is that obviously there was some reaction in the form of viewers leaving the show.

Something made viewers leave the show...and the only element of the show that had really changed was the substitution of Sargent for York. And the ratings didn't just dip in the final year...they dropped right from the time that Sargent arrived.

Again, I think Sargent by all counts was a decent man and a good actor. I've enjoyed his guest star work on many ABC shows of the 70's. To say that you are not as good as Dick York at playing Darrin Stephens is no insult. That's a VERY high bar to hit, and I daresay that no one else could have reached it either.

I just vehemently disagree with your feeling that York was easily replaced and that the show experienced no drop in quality as a result of his leaving. The evidence graphically indicates otherwise.

My point is that one they had left to the extent that they would with the ratings being the same for # 170 when they thought York was still Darrin already, and did not leave to any greater extent once they found he had been replaced by Sargent in 1969 in specific regards to season 6.

As well they had not really left quantifiably as the actual number of viewers actually watching the show was greater at the end then the first season.

This all tells me that the ratings would have been what they were no matter who played Darrin.

There many factors that led to ratings numbers dropping, the Norman Lear aspect i touched on, the usual drop that takes place in a long running show, the constant shifting time slot in season 8.

The fact they correctly stayed in strict accordance with the premise and not going off on a tangent like when Tony & Jeannie got married or like they did on Dallas for a year, this was all correct but it meant that all the ground that the premise covered had been seen before even if the ground was superbly covered again, there was not the thrill of newness anymore.

Plus the whole numbers thing was moot in regards the quality of the show and cast performances.

I think too that York was better then Sargent as Darrin but that does not speak ill of Sargent's performance as this is a relative quantification.

Liz & Agnes in their respective roles were the only irreplaceable actors on the show & i just as vehemently disagree and believe York was well replaced by Sargent & in some ways the show benefited from Yorks absence aside from the logistics of availability in shooting a weekly show which made a large difference for the cast & crew, you just never knew when York would show up.

But we can agree to disagree on these specifics and the fans as a whole can draw their own conclusions, the important point is that they have the benefit of seeing the conceptual options from whence to choose from as is the case in this instance here.

There are some other things i could mention re York and all but you will have to wait for the book in November.

Larry Tate

No I'm sorry. What made Bewitched was the onscreen chemistry between Montgomery and York. It doesn't matter if they liked each other off the screen. Their chemistry onscreen was top notched. And yea it's just a coincidence that ratings started to fall drastically after the Darrin switch. I do agree with you on one thing though. Sargent was more in step with the show as it was in the last 3 seasons as the show was a shallow of what it had been. They were both awful. lol

Completely agree! Sargent was awful trying to play a part fit for York!

I now will lay awake nights now and worry about why two deceased actors never spoke to each other again - if we even know for sure that is true.

I now will lay awake nights now and worry about why two deceased actors never spoke to each other again - if we even know for sure that is true.
Well I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. It's sad when actors that portray characters that we love don't get along. But that's life. It doesn't take away from the wonderful chemistry that Liz and Dick had on screen. That is their legacy.

Yeah this Larry Tate person is starting to seem like a troll, seriously :rolleyes:


York was not the only true Bewitched Husband, Darrin Stephens was, York was just the actor who played him as did Dick Sargent superbly, some people can't get it that Dick York & Darrin Stephens were not the same person.


Sounds like you need to take your own advice. York was Darrin. If Sargent had played him from the get go like Liz Montgomery had wanted the show would have flopped so bad. The chemistry between York and Montgomery is what made the show.

Yeah this Larry Tate person is starting to seem like a troll, seriously :rolleyes:



Sounds like you need to take your own advice. York was Darrin. If Sargent had played him from the get go like Liz Montgomery had wanted the show would have flopped so bad. The chemistry between York and Montgomery is what made the show.

You call yourself a Moderator?, what a joke, you are both a Troll & a Creep, are you not capable of understanding that more then one perspective may exist on a subject, just because someone disagrees with you feel you have the right to call people names and be such a jerk.

Comments from people like you are an embarrassment to this board, people like you poison the Internet and what it is supposed to be all about.

Seriously you need to rejoin the Human race as at the moment you are merely an observer not a participant.

Many people who saw Dick Sargent first preferred his performance to York's and would have been just fine with Sargent as Darrin all 8 years.

No matter who played Darrin Bewitched would have been both a critical and popular success with Elizabeth Montgomery at the Helm, she was what made Bewitched the success it was, if Richard Crenna was cast as Darrin as was seriously considered both the characterization and the show would have been both as successful as it was with York who would have been referred to then as Dick Who. !!

Larry Tate

It's apparent there are certain people who become SO fanatical over certain celebrities--living or deceased--that said celebrity becomes practically sainted and the slightest criticism causes a knee-jerk reaction from the "fan".

I like the show, but I don't believe people should deify Liz as she was only human and nobody's perfect. Maybe she didn't treat Dick well for whatever reasons, but I don't think it warrants four pages of debate.

It's apparent there are certain people who become SO fanatical over certain celebrities--living or deceased--that said celebrity becomes practically sainted and the slightest criticism causes a knee-jerk reaction from the "fan".

I like the show, but I don't believe people should deify Liz as she was only human and nobody's perfect. Maybe she didn't treat Dick well for whatever reasons, but I don't think it warrants four pages of debate.

No one is saying Liz should deified nor is she being done so, it is Dick York is is constantly deified & put on a Saint Dick pedestal both on screen and off when he & Liz and all others are not perfect.

The whole point of this thread is the insulting and asinine assertion that Elizabeth Montgomery somehow betrayed or abandoned Dick York for not coming to his aid and supporting him financially or even for not contacting him which is utter rubbish.

In effect for her not being Samantha to his Darrin in real life.

The fanatical Yorkies of the world constantly are expressing these negative views of Liz in regards to this matter of her never seeing him or talking with him again when such a lack of contact cuts both ways and was perfectly understandable both ways.

The Yorkie extremists who are obsessed with Dick York and worship him as if he was some deity are the fanatics.

The 4 pages of debates mainly consists of the continued absurd allegations by the Yorkies that berate Liz for no reason but their own delusions.

They are the ones that can not seem to let go of said delusions, just like they still seem to think he could have finished the run of the show if he had just had the summer off which defies medical reality.

Larry Tate

It's apparent there are certain people who become SO fanatical over certain celebrities--living or deceased--that said celebrity becomes practically sainted and the slightest criticism causes a knee-jerk reaction from the "fan".

I like the show, but I don't believe people should deify Liz as she was only human and nobody's perfect. Maybe she didn't treat Dick well for whatever reasons, but I don't think it warrants four pages of debate.
I agree that I don't think this subject warrants four pages of debate. Mainly because it's like talking to a brick wall. lol Most of the people who have post in this thread are Bewitched fans. I've accepted that Liz and Dick didn't get along. It's sad but that's life. What the point of this thread is about now is that Dick York was as much responsible for the success of Bewitched as Liz was. Some people and I won't mention any names don't want to accept that. They seem to think that any actor could have come and did just as well and audiences would have accepted it even though the evidence is to the contrary. lol


Stuck In The '70's

I agree that I don't think this subject warrants four pages of debate. Mainly because it's like talking to a brick wall. lol Most of the people who have post in this thread are Bewitched fans. I've accepted that Liz and Dick didn't get along. It's sad but that's life. What the point of this thread is about now is that Dick York was as much responsible for the success of Bewitched as Liz was. Some people and I won't mention any names don't want to accept that. They seem to think that any actor could have come and did just as well and audiences would have accepted it even though the evidence is to the contrary. lol
Stuck In The '70's

As the title indicates the point of this thread is Liz Montgomery & Dick York & Why they never spoke to each other again.

If you want a thread's point to be otherwise then start a new thread.

Fortunately i am very astute and capable at traveling through Brick walls as Aunt Clara was, and can pass through all in my path no matter who has put them there.

Evidence to the contrary shows me that Dick York was very replaceable by a number of actors, Dick Sargent merely being one of them.

The Vast Majority of Bewitched fans love both Samantha and Darrin and all the actors & the actress who portrayed them, as well the vast majority then, since then & now would not believe anyone was on equal footing with Liz in respect to who contributed to the success of the show critically and as well it's popularity.

The Yorkies don't get this or accept this but over 90 % of Bewitched fans do.
As for myself in regards to York being equally responsible with Liz for the success of Bewitched, i can't accept the unacceptable which in this case doesn't exist, then, since then, now & forever more

Larry Tate

As the title indicates the point of this thread is Liz Montgomery & Dick York & Why they never spoke to each other again.

If you want a thread's point to be otherwise then start a new thread.

Fortunately i am very astute and capable at traveling through Brick walls as Aunt Clara was, and can pass through all in my path no matter who has put them there.

Evidence to the contrary shows me that Dick York was very replaceable by a number of actors, Dick Sargent merely being one of them.

The Vast Majority of Bewitched fans love both Samantha and Darrin and all the actors & the actress who portrayed them, as well the vast majority then, since then & now would not believe anyone was on equal footing with Liz in respect to who contributed to the success of the show critically and as well it's popularity.

The Yorkies don't get this or accept this but over 90 % of Bewitched fans do.
As for myself in regards to York being equally responsible with Liz for the success of Bewitched, i can't accept the unacceptable which in this case doesn't exist, then, since then, now & forever more

Larry Tate
I think the point of the thread changed about 2 pages ago. :lol: And probably 90% of Bewitched fans are Yorkies. :lol: I actually like that name so thanks. :D You do sound a lot like Aunt Clara, I'll give you that. :lol:

I think the point of the thread changed about 2 pages ago. :lol: And probably 90% of Bewitched fans are Yorkies. :lol: I actually like that name so thanks. :D You do sound a lot like Aunt Clara, I'll give you that. :lol:

By Yorkies i mean extremest radicals whose obsession of Dick York borders on the pathological & neurologically challenged, their numbers would be in the 2% i would say of Bewitched fans and only they have the views that have been espoused by by the pro Dick York extremest's that have been posting on this board and in this thread, quoted included.

The point of threads never change within the thread, only tangents are created by those unable to grasp the concept of a thread & it's appropriate consistency, no matter what is posted the point of the thread in unalterable.

Aunt Clara Ha, thanks, you sound like Jethro Bodine to me, or is it Granny.?

Larry Tate

Am I the only one who can't help but think of a little doggie when I read the word "Yorkies"?? :lol:

Great profile pic, btw, Sonny!

Am I the only one who can't help but think of a little doggie when I read the word "Yorkies"?? :lol:

Great profile pic, btw, Sonny!

We're small but we're loyal. :lol:

Thanks Michael. I think this is the first Bewitched avatar I ever had. :)

By Yorkies i mean extremest radicals whose obsession of Dick York borders on the pathological & neurologically challenged, their numbers would be in the 2% i would say of Bewitched fans and only they have the views that have been espoused by by the pro Dick York extremest's that have been posting on this board and in this thread, quoted included.I would say 90% of Bewitched fans prefer Dick York to Dick Sargent. You're in the minority here.

I would say 90% of Bewitched fans prefer Dick York to Dick Sargent. You're in the minority here.

90% of fans prefer DY over DS but only 2% of them don't also enjoy Dick Sargent as Darrin and have this obsession with deifying Dick York & trying to create the impression that he was Darrin, these Yorkies i mean extremest radicals whose obsession of Dick York borders on the pathological & neurologically challenged are then ones who are in the minority here and everywhere else in the Bewitched Universe.

There is a big difference between liking or preferring DY and hating Dick Sargent and trying to put Dick York on some pedestal & acting as if he was Bewitched.

An example being this whole Liz should be vilified for not staying in touch with him over the years or that York was the real star of Bewitched or was treated unfairly on the show, garbage like that.

And yes i have seen this done repeatly by the same numnuts and when challenged on it or proven wrong try to bully the alternative perspective off of the internet so that their made up urban legends are all that are present online for future generations of Bewitched fans to see and believe.

These 2% Yorkies also are the ones constantly trying to rewrite Bewitched history in such a way so as to further their agenda of trying to yorkify Bewitched.

An example being who was offered the role of Darrin first & by whom as in pre Liz & Bill.
When he left the show, if he could have continued after season 5 and the extent of his impact and presence on the show when he was there.

Larry Tate

90% of fans prefer DY over DS but only 2% of them don't also enjoy Dick Sargent as Darrin and have this obsession with deifying Dick York & trying to create the impression that he was Darrin, these Yorkies i mean extremest radicals whose obsession of Dick York borders on the pathological & neurologically challenged are then ones who are in the minority here and everywhere else in the Bewitched Universe.

There is a big difference between liking or preferring DY and hating Dick Sargent and trying to put Dick York on some pedestal & acting as if he was Bewitched.

An example being this whole Liz should be vilified for not staying in touch with him over the years or that York was the real star of Bewitched or was treated unfairly on the show, garbage like that.

And yes i have seen this done repeatly by the same numnuts and when challenged on it or proven wrong try to bully the alternative perspective off of the internet so that their made up urban legends are all that are present online for future generations of Bewitched fans to see and believe.

These 2% Yorkies also are the ones constantly trying to rewrite Bewitched history in such a way so as to further their agenda of trying to yorkify Bewitched.

An example being who was offered the role of Darrin first & by whom as in pre Liz & Bill.
When he left the show, if he could have continued after season 5 and the extent of his impact and presence on the show when he was there.

Larry Tate
I don't think anyone here said they held it against Dick Sargent. Most including myself have said that we have enjoyed Dick Sargent on other shows. We did not enjoy him on this show though. It doesn't matter if Sargent was offered the job of Darrin first. The fact is the fans fell in love with the show because of the Elizabeth Montgomery-Dick York chemistry on-screen. Nobody said that York was more important than Montgomery. If Liz had been replaced, I'd feel the same way. You claim that the Yorkies are obsessed with York but you are obsessed with your hatred of him.

As for if Liz should have stayed in touch with him, that's her decision. I don't know their relationship although you seem to. Are you related to Sargent BTW? lol I think a lot of it was petty but that's just me. I don't hold it against her.

I don't think anyone here said they held it against Dick Sargent. Most including myself have said that we have enjoyed Dick Sargent on other shows. We did not enjoy him on this show though. It doesn't matter if Sargent was offered the job of Darrin first. The fact is the fans fell in love with the show because of the Elizabeth Montgomery-Dick York chemistry on-screen. Nobody said that York was more important than Montgomery. If Liz had been replaced, I'd feel the same way. You claim that the Yorkies are obsessed with York but you are obsessed with your hatred of him.

As for if Liz should have stayed in touch with him, that's her decision. I don't know their relationship although you seem to. Are you related to Sargent BTW? lol I think a lot of it was petty but that's just me. I don't hold it against her.

Clearly the obsession is with the hatred of Dick Sargent by Yorkies such as you, i have never said anything but complementary things in regards to Dick York on Bewitched, anything aside from Bewitched has been in respect to proven information.

An example being his estrangement from his children to the point that most refused to even attend his funeral or give him a few hundred bucks so he could keep breathing....literally.!!

It is the fanatical fans of Dick York ( clearly not of Bewitched itself) that constantly try to denigrate & attack any aspect of Bewitched that is Yorkfree such as the Sargent years or Non Darrin episodes.

The truth is that Yorkies hate Dick Sargent for simply not being Dick York & for no other reason, their reaction would have been the same towards Richard Crenna or anyone else that was in the role, just because he was not Dick York.

It has nothing to do with any respective performances on the show, but rather an obsession with York himself.

I have said many times York was a wonderful actor and great on Bewitched and even my preferred Darrin, the problem Yorkies have with me is that i refuse to state York was on an even plane with Elizabeth Montgomery on Bewitched, either in importance or the reason for it's success or that he was the star of the show and the reason for it's success as they believe (many have said so) which i do not.

Fans would have fallen in love with the show just as much if they had only seen Dick Sargent in the role of Darrin for 8 years because first & formost they fell in love with Elizabeth Montgomery.

This whole thread exists because this small band of Yorkies (where's a pitbull when you need one) do hold it against her and blame Liz for not being in contact with him or running to his aid when he fell really ill.

They constantly spew hatred & toxic bile at her for not being Samantha to him & all but blame her for his problems and fall from stardom.
And Yorkies clearly have held it against her in a bizarre detachment from reality & the truth.

I don't see anything remotely petty on her part in reacting to Dick York after he left as she had every right to do so & is the norm among almost all actors & actresses.

By the way something tells me you wish you were related to Dick York as in something borrowed and something blue.

And yes if those Yorkies knew what i know directly from Liz herself then yes all would understand her never wanting to talk to him again, the normal post work detachment aside.

Larry Tate

I would say 90% of Bewitched fans prefer Dick York to Dick Sargent. You're in the minority here.

Agreed. :wave:

Boy, have I missed a lot!

Okay, you guys. I don't like the direction that this is going in. People are arguing, assuming, judging, jumping to conclusions, calling names....at each other's throats here! We've gone from a peaceful, friendly environment to--dare I say it--"making 'Custer's Last Stand' look like a love-in!"

"Yorkies?" "Obsession" with Dick York? "Neurologically challenged????"

I will admit. I love Darrin. I love Dick. I love both Dicks. (STOP THAT SNICKERING.) But that doesn't give someone the right to say such things. 90% of yah, blah, blah...come on, guys! This isn't what forums are supposed to be about! This is not a playground in a schoolyard; we are supposed to be a group here. People from all over the world can gather here for a purpose--to talk, to socialize, to reminisce about their favorite television shows. Only nobody can do that, or never will again do that if we continue to go on like this.

Look at us. It seems as though we've all forgotten the true meaning of why we're here. Whether or not Liz and Dick ever spoke again, whether or not someone is a "troll" or not, and whether or not everyone got along on the set--only GOD knows the truth, the real truth, and there is no point in arguing over the matter.

Can't we all just get along? Can't we just go back to what we were doing before--talking about Bewitched? The good stuff, not this mess.

We all should just hold hands and sing. Let's do it now. ♪ "I believe that children are our future...teach them well and let them lead the way...show them all the beauty they possess inside...give them a sense of pride to make it easier...let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be...." ♪ :rainbow1:

Now all of you behave; we wouldn't want someone to step in and have to close this thread! :lol:

Well, for me, the show revolved around the chemistry that Montgomery and York created. Pure magic. Remember, most of the plotlines revolved around Darrin;s workplace and son-in-law status, so the wrong actor would have been fatal to the show's success. York's reactions and facial expressions were priceless. Who knew that a serious movie actor would have such great comic timing? Plus, on the rare times when Bewitched got serious (remember when Darrin worried how he would age, while Samantha would stay young?), DY delivered the goods.

Dick Sargent seemed like a great guy, but he had ZERO romantic chemistry with EM. It seemed like all he ever did was yell at her on the show.

Well, for me, the show revolved around the chemistry that Montgomery and York created. Pure magic. Remember, most of the plotlines revolved around Darrin;s workplace and son-in-law status, so the wrong actor would have been fatal to the show's success. York's reactions and facial expressions were priceless. Who knew that a serious movie actor would have such great comic timing? Plus, on the rare times when Bewitched got serious (remember when Darrin worried how he would age, while Samantha would stay young?), DY delivered the goods.

Dick Sargent seemed like a great guy, but he had ZERO romantic chemistry with EM. It seemed like all he ever did was yell at her on the show.

If you saw some of his appearances in the below you would see his comedic talents superbly demonstrated, in several of them it was as if you were seeing him on Bewitched in some lost footage such as the Hitchcock & Millionaire episodes especially.

He was like Liz in over 200 episodes as a guest star before Bewitched and both had a solid grounding in every genre of acting comedy included.

Dick Sargent had superb chemistry with Elizabeth Montgomery, it was less romantic or intense in nature, more of a loving & affection with total commitment chemistry that actually fit better in the show at that point in time with their having been married for 6 years and no longer the newlyweds of the first few seasons.

Bottom line you could clearly see that with Dick Sargent Darrin & Samantha had a deep love for each other and total commitment to their relationship, you could really see that on the screen, their was a real warmth and ease in their interaction, even more so then when Dick York was there.

Larry Tate

My Sister Eileen

The Millionaire (TV series) – The Ken Leighton Story (1958)

The Twilight Zone
– A Penny for Your Thoughts (1961)

Alfred Hitchcock Presents
The Dusty Drawer (1959) … Norman Logan

Gee Elizabeth tell us how you really feel................about Dick York.........don't hold anything back?
Hahahahahhahahahahahhahaah !!

I agree with most on here that Sargent sucked compared to York and the York episodes were much better!

I agree with most on here that Sargent sucked compared to York and the York episodes were much better!

Actually Elizabeth Montgomery was in agreement with the vast amount of Bewitched fans here and elsewhere that thought Dick Sargent was excellent as Darrin and that any comparisons between the two Dicks was both odious and
irrelevant.

Here Liz & Samantha both are saying happiness is a well polished Baretta.
I guess that was one way to bring about the change in casting that she so desired as early as season three.

More on what this symbolism implies in the upcoming soon to be released
Elizabeth Montgomery Biography which shall be a real eye opener for the Yorkie's here about as to what York was really all about.

Liz kept her powder dry and her chrome plated equalizer well polished.

Larry Tate

Wow, if you can believe it, I just came to the party and read thru the entire 5 pages of sniping. It's obvious no one will ever convince "Larry" of any opinion other than the one's he holds. So be it. I greatly respect Larry's knowledge on the show, he's obviously spent a great deal of time and years studying it. Which is more than I have ever done. But that doesn't mean that anyone who thinks differently is out of their mind.

I watched Bewitched from the beginning when I was a kid. I stuck with it throughout all it's years and was very sorry to see it leave the TV schedule when it did. I would have watched it for another 10 years. However, I do think it's obvious that Dick York WAS Darrin, his facial expressions and reactions were just fantastic and furthermore, now hear this, ONE OF A KIND.

Dick York played Darrin in a more manic and borderline nut manner, while the other Dick played Darrin in a much more subdued way, no broad facial reactions, no amazed wide-eyed looks at what he saw going on from Sam's relatives, none of the classic comedic elements York employed so excellently in his portrayal. Sargent was basically just a straight arrow (if you'll pardon the term) played the role in a much more mellow and relaxed mode that is except when he wasn't seriously sternly yelling at Sam in an almost frighteningly threatful way. One might have almost expected Sargent's Darrin to start beating Sam, his anger seemed so intense and NOT done in a comical style. While York's anger was tempered with his love of Sam and never seemed to drift into the seriously MAD anger the way Sargent's did. Hey, this is just my humble little opinion, I don't expect total agreement and somehow I suspect I won't get it from a certain person here.

I also, though, do agree that people do go their own way and I hold nothing against anyone for doing so. I have no idea what happened to the people I worked with 20 years ago and I have no idea how to contact them even if I wanted to, which I don't. So that to me is just life and no reason for animosity against one actor or another. And while York was Darrin, I have also seen Sargent in other roles where he's perfectly fine, his young newlywed role in Hazel, his role as himself in Columbo come to mind. I have nothing against Sargent, he was a fine rote actor, he was just no competition to York and his portrayal.

Some people are irreplaceable, could Connie Stevens have played Samantha better or "just as good" as Liz? Could Gale Storm have played Lucille Ricardo just as good as Ball? Could Gale Gordon play Mr. Wilson just as good as Joseph Kearns? No. It's just an irrefutable fact, some people own the role they create and portray and it is no crime to admit it and no slight against Sargent. He just is who he is and York was who he was. They were both very different people who played the role in 2 entirely different ways, one was more a comical portrayal the other a more realistic portrayal.

Hey, I still watch all the Sargent episodes too, I bought the whole series on DVD and continue to watch all the Sargent episodes. But when the York episodes are over or when all the absentee Darrin episodes start popping up, it is definitely a let down and the show is not quite the same comical one it was with York's wild facial reactions in the mix. It becomes a less comical program and more an amusing one, but still very good program. Did Bewitched "jump the shark" when York left? I don't think so, but the question could be answered either way.

York was good, just as good as Liz was as Sam, I think we can all admit it. I have no idea what kind of guy York was in real life, he may have been a real stinker, I haven't a clue, but I know on the show he was great.

And so, by the way, was Elizabeth Montgomery. I feel about her the same way I do about York, no one could have replaced her either. I would no more say Inger Stevens would have made just as good a Samantha as Elizabeth than I would ever say that Sargent would make just as good a Darrin as York. It is just plain wrong to believe that anyone can be replaced by anyone else. That there can be no debate about. Those who play a role and create a role in such a personal and indefinable way can never be replaced by just anyone else. The very nature of each and every human being's personality and their way of being is totally individual to each and every person. And that's a fact, Jack.;)

Where did i say that anyone who thinks differently then i was out of their mind?
I did not say as such.

A completely different matter are the Yorkie nut cases (most Dick York fans are not Yorkies) who are out of their minds in their irrational infatuation to the extent that they spew hatred at Elizabeth Montgomery for literally not being Samantha to his Darrin in real life, that is out of their minds.

Nor do i need to have my mind changed about a matter that i am in the right on.

Dick York was not Darrin Stephens or the one and only Darrin Stephens, that is clearly obvious, York was not the only true Bewitched Husband, Darrin Stephens was, York was just the actor who played him as did Dick Sargent superbly, some people can't get it that Dick York & Darrin Stephens were not the same person.

Dick Sargent was Darrin Stephens every bit as much as Dick York was.

York was the one who was always angry & screaming and yelling at Samantha, extremely verbally abusive, frighteningly threatening, compared to him Dick Sargent was Mother Teresa in how he reacted to Samantha when something happened, he expressed his displeasure, opposition too & being upset at the magical shenanigans but he did not scream violently at her as Dick York did as Darrin Stephens( see they are different people Dick & Darrin.......GET IT).

So the accusation of Dick Sargent of being always angry, abusive & screaming is rubbish as all that he is accused of Dick York did and exponentially more then Dick Sargent did.

York seemed to be about to literally strangle Samantha constantly while all Sargent gave was a look of disapproval or moderate verbal reproach, it was York who seemed about to murder Samantha as he raged & ranted on.....GET IT.

An accurate analogy is that Dick York as Darrin was to Samantha as Gig Young had been to Elizabeth in real life, a wife beater in the way he acted towards her even if he never struck her.

Dick Sargent was the absolute opposite of that.

York screaming at the top of his lungs, eyes bugging out, almost lunging at Samantha as she recoiled in terror at what he was about to do to her and you don't call that mad anger, compared to Sargents more reasonable expressions of exasperation.

York was completely replaceable and at that point in the series Sargent was like a breath of fresh air to Yorks hysterical rants, he was not missed nor even noted by the Bewitched fans who did not care about the replacement one way or another.

Only Elizabeth and Agnes were irreplaceable in that cast.
All the other replacements were first rate and very good, as to if they were better, as good or not as good as the original that is moot & meaningless, all that counts is how they themselves performed in their new role.

I have never said that Sargent was as good as York as Darrin, my point is that they were both excellent, compared to the Yorkie freaks who literally hate Sargent just because he is not York, just because you like one is no reason to irrational and falsely hate the other, this is what has happened in regards to Yorkies and Dick Sargent and i say the Yorkies are biased nuts whose opinions are not credible on this matter for these reasons.

Agnes played Endora as well as Elizabeth played Samantha and yes Dick York played Darrin, but that did not make all equal in billing or importance to the show.

All were very important & stars in their own right, however it was Elizabeth Montgomery who was the star Of Bewitched, it was her show & she was the most important by head and shoulders.

There was no equality between York & Liz, he was merely a very important and superb supporting co-star on Bewitched.

And that is the truth Ruth !! ;)

Larry Tate

Well, Larry, rather than get into verbal fisticuffs with you, let's just resort to the old stand-by, we'll have to agree to disagree. I stated my opinion above most eloquently and I feel no need to repeat it again, as I still feel exactly the same. So you see, you and I and, for that matter, you and the rest of the people who have ever seen Bewitched, will just have to disagree. You really have gone overboad & blind when you claim Sargent's tantrums were not seriously frightening, as opposed to York's brilliantly comic takes on outrage. But, as I say, you and I will never agree, so please don't bother.

Dick York remains and always will remain THE Darrin, and no matter how many times you disagree, it still changes nothing. It's sad isn't it? But to your joy I will add, that just as Liz remains the definitive Sam, Joe Kearns the definitive Mr. Wilson, Lucy the definitive Lucy, etc. etc. Dick York will always be the definitive Darrin. Sometimes the simplest of facts can be the hardest to accept, but work on it, do us all a favor. And you can take that to the bank, Mac.

Fair enough, and by the way it is I and the vast majority with a view that differentiates from the view of thee and a small insignificant minority of Dick York obsessed ones that have a view that is not reflected in the reality that one sees in the episodes.

What about York screaming at the top of his voice at Liz do you not understand?

What about Sargent almost quietly in comparison expressing his opposition do you not understand.

This is a measurable reality, record it and look at the playback audio levels.
That is proof enough right there.

York as Darrin was verbally and emotionally abusive towards Samantha, even if it made sense for him to do so in the context of being hexed left and right it was still the case.

So the accusation against Sargent being so angry is absurd & even comical when you look at their respective deliveries, York hysterically violent and Sargent calmly upset, i mean give me a break, as Endora once said to Serena it is all so obvious.

Anything you & your fellow York nut cases say is meaningless nor do i care what your ilk thinks in respect to the show, all i care about is that vast majority of fans have a chance to hear the truth, and in my dissertation they have. :)

Your weird take on the show & this strange view on Dick York is sadly not blind but intentional which makes it all the more sad, as Henry the VIII once said you may all sleep now.

I see and speak the truth based on self evident facts in regards to Bewitched, sadly some people simply can not be educated and are eternally remedial.

In summation Doctor Bombay was as right about you as he was about Darrin, you really don't have a lot to say.!!

By the way you just said what you would not do, restate your case verbatim.
Your sad life in your delusion may now continue, don't adjust your TV set, it is as blank as your mind.

Larry Tate

May I offer you a lollipop? You seem unhinged. Amusingly enough you seem to have sub-consciously described all your own failings in your last post. You said you don't call anyone crazy who doesn't agree with your warped opinions yet you just got done calling me a nut because I also don't agree with you. Does any of this penetrate? Or have you truly gone off the cliff with your madness? I really advise you to stand back, you seem on the verge of exploding in a Dick Sargent like violent tirade. And that is scary.

But I do believe I've had enough fun with you, never argue with a nut, is my motto. I did try to be kind with you, with the many olive branches I threw down, hoping a little humor would bring you to your senses, but, oh well, you're gone. I shall simply direct you to re-read my one main post over and over, perhaps some of it will leak thru. Rave on Buddy, nobody's buyin'.

May I offer you a lollipop?


http://www.picshag.com/pics/032010/kojak-pops.jpg

Be Careful..................Mother Samantha is watching you, nice wax job on your Dome by the way, the glare is blinding, you make Rudolph's nose look like deepest darkest Africa.!!

I would refer to your sub conscious but as you have no conscious that would be redundant.

Oh Oh the steam is coming out of your ears again, be careful, we wouldn't want you to singe your Moustache.

Sadly you actually believe the absurd rants you spew out, that is your issue and you have my condolences Dusbin !!

What a sad troll you are, you have my sincere sympathies, you need a shrink, perhaps Endora can hook you up with Dr.Freud although i think you are beyond even his help, so you really should just go to sleep.

You fool anyone can disagree, that is not what makes you a nut, your being you is what makes you a nut, Bewitched is beside the point to your psychosis.

I would direct you to read all my posts to educate yourself from your illness induced delusions but that would require your having a capacity for cognative thought which is clearly beyond you, .......................Yaawn!!

I think it is time for you to get a new pair of knee pads as you kneel in front of your lifelike DY doll, what is it now 16 pairs you have worn out ???

You fool anyone can disagree, that is not what makes you a nut, your being you is what makes you a nut.


Name calling, just the type of thing a person resorts to when he knows he's been backed into a corner. :rolleyes:

Yorkies rule. :D

Yorkies rule. :D

Trying to convince someone that Dick Sargeant was just as good as Dick York is like trying to convince them that a cubic zirconia is just as good as a diamond. :crazy:

I would refer to your sub conscious but as you have no conscious that would be redundant.

Oh Oh the steam is coming out of your ears again, be careful, we wouldn't want you to singe your Moustache.

Sadly you actually believe the absurd rants you spew out, that is your issue and you have my condolences Dusbin !!

What a sad troll you are, you have my sincere sympathies, you need a shrink, perhaps Endora can hook you up with Dr.Freud although i think you are beyond even his help, so you really should just go to sleep.

You fool anyone can disagree, that is not what makes you a nut, your being you is what makes you a nut, Bewitched is beside the point to your psychosis.

I would direct you to read all my posts to educate yourself from your illness induced delusions but that would require your having a capacity for cognative thought which is clearly beyond you, .......................Yaawn!!

I think it is time for you to get a new pair of knee pads as you kneel in front of your lifelike DY doll, what is it now 16 pairs you have worn out ???

:confused: :crazy: :rotflmao: :2help :caveman: Now it's come to this. All I can say is...I really expected better from a senior member. :(

This thread should now be closed. And/or deleted. For everyone's sake.

Name calling, just the type of thing a person resorts to when he knows he's been backed into a corner. :rolleyes:

Yes your the one who should know being one to curse at and call people names in personal attacks just because they disagree with you, i on the other hand respond to cheap name calling directed at me in defense, can you grasp that concept and the difference of it.?????

I only respond to opinions with my own till i am attacked, that is all the difference in the world.

What corner, an opinion is hardly something that can be viewed that way, it is an oxymoron, something all to many on this board can be viewed as.

Of course when someone personally attacks another person whom you do not agree with then that is ok????.........can you say hypocrite?, i think you can.!!

Larry Tate

:confused: :crazy: :rotflmao: :2help :caveman: Now it's come to this. All I can say is...I really expected better from a senior member. :(

This thread should now be closed. And/or deleted. For everyone's sake.

All you have a right to expect from me are my view points and the truth as well as facts, which is all i have ever presented, Yorkies are the ones who should be deleted.

Larry Tate

Trying to convince someone that Dick Sargent was just as good as Dick York is like trying to convince them that a cubic zirconia is just as good as a diamond. :crazy:

Whoever said Dick Sargent was as good as or better or not as good as Dick York, all i have ever said is that he was excellent as Darrin and that the poisonous, toxic Hate mongering directed at him by demented Yorkies simply for not being Dick York is sick & twisted and very Unwitchly.

There was no one Darrin Stephens, Dick York was merely an actor who played him as was Dick Sargent who was every bit as Much Darrin Stephens as York was, these are the facts, DEAL WITH THEM. !!!!

Larry Tate :)

Yes your the one who should know being one to curse at and call people names in personal attacks just because they disagree with you.

Sorry, you've mistaken me for another member. I've had disagreements with other members but I can't recall ever resorting to cursing or name calling. If you can find any such instance then please link me to it.

I already submitted my comments on this topic in the first two pages of this thread, but after reading these recent posts I have to say that I find it comical people can still be worked up over a TV show that is almost 50 years old. :lol:

For the record, I like both Darrins. York is the 1960's Darrin and Sargent is the 1970's Darrin. I actually think the change in casting was necessary, regardless of Dick York's health or lack of it, Dick Sargent took over the role at the right time as the series was going through subtle changes and preparing to enter the 1970's.

Sorry, you've mistaken me for another member. I've had disagreements with other members but I can't recall ever resorting to cursing or name calling. If you can find any such instance then please link me to it.

No i recall quite clearly it was your disgraceful conduct, which you have done on a more subliminal level on two other occasions but to that extent.

Your post was deleted by the moderator, it was just basically cursing at me on your part, it was you and such behavior is reprehensible, the fact that your still a moderator shows what a joke that term is in general.

I have seen none that warrant that title here.

For the record, I like both Darrins. York is the 1960's Darrin and Sargent is the 1970's Darrin. I actually think the change in casting was necessary, regardless of Dick York's health or lack of it, Dick Sargent took over the role at the right time as the series was going through subtle changes and preparing to enter the 1970's.

Basically ditto is my response to all your quoted comments above, i agree 100% with all you said about the show, that is all i have been saying all along, for believing that i have been called this and that just for saying what you posted, they were both excellent and in the same role and Bewitched was likewise excellent from episode 1 to 254.

Larry Tate

No i recall quite clearly it was your disgraceful conduct, which you have done on a more subliminal level on two other occasions but to that extent.

Your post was deleted by the moderator, it was just basically cursing at me on your part, it was you and such behavior is reprehensible, the fact that your still a moderator shows what a joke that term is in general.

I have seen none that warrant that title here.

Deleted posts can be undeleted and I'd certainly like to know exactly what words I used to curse you with because if I've ever used any curse words on this site it's those that don't get censored such as damn and hell. Also, don't question my moderating on the board. If you have an issue with it or with me then take it to an administrator.

Would you care to let me know exactly what words I used to curse you with? I'd certainly like to know because if I've ever used any curse words on this site it's those that don't get censored such as damn and hell. Also, don't question my moderating on the board. If you have an issue with it or with me then take it to an administrator.

I don't use that kind of language and it was not that of which you could repeat
in mixed company, i didn't even have to complain to the administrator as it was deleted as soon as they saw it before i could notify them, it was gone from the board before i even saw it there, i saw it in the e-mail representation of the post that the site sends out for every reply to a thread one has posted in.

I don't use that kind of language and it was not that of which you could repeat
in mixed company, i didn't even have to complain to the administrator as it was deleted as soon as they saw it before i could notify them, it was gone from the board before i even saw it there, i saw it in the e-mail representation of the post that the site sends out for every reply to a thread one has posted in.

Could you at least give me the first letters or let me know by pm? I'm quite certain that the words you describe have never been spewed by me on this site. If nothing else, link me to the thread this happened in.

I don't use that kind of language and it was not that of which you could repeat
in mixed company, i didn't even have to complain to the administrator as it was deleted as soon as they saw it before i could notify them, it was gone from the board before i even saw it there, i saw it in the e-mail representation of the post that the site sends out for every reply to a thread one has posted in.
Zoneboy does not use bad language on the board, so stop it! Tell me this mystery thread. I know you won't be able to because it doesn't exist. Let's end this.

Zoneboy does not use bad language on the board, so stop it! Tell me this mystery thread. I know you won't be able to because it doesn't exist. Let's end this.

Rubbish, and it doesn't exist anymore because it was deleted at that time by a moderator, didn't you read my post?, If you had bothered to read my post instead of a knee jerk reaction in defense of your moderator you would know this, so it can not be found now and don't tell me to stop it, tell him and yes he did, it was exactly a year ago, i know this for a fact.!!

Rubbish, and it doesn't exist anymore because it was deleted at that time by a moderator, didn't you read my post?, so it can not be found now and don't tell me to stop it, tell him and yes he did, it was exactly a year ago, i know this for a fact.!!

I just finished going over all the Bewitched threads from 2008 to the present in which I made at least 2 posts in and I think I found the one that you're talking about. I happen to know for a fact that this was only one where you and I had a heated discussion but there was no cursing or offensive name calling on my part. Monika told us to end it and locked it and I just went on about my business and forgot the matter. If any posts were deleted in this thread they can be viewed by the moderator or administrator and prove who is right in this case. Here's the thread I'm almost certain that you're talking about. If it's not the right one then either tell us which one it was or let's just end it. I'm done with it anyway as I feel that I have nothing else to prove. One other thing, I'm reasonably sure that an entire thread wouldn't have been deleted unless you and I were the only ones posting in it. If any others had been posting then our posts would've been edited or deleted and probably a warning issued and I can recall no such occurrence.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=269214

Rubbish, and it doesn't exist anymore because it was deleted at that time by a moderator, didn't you read my post?, so it can not be found now and don't tell me to stop it, tell him and yes he did, it was exactly a year ago, i know this for a fact.!!
I'll tell you to stop it all day long. You're making accusations against a member that are not true. Charles is always a gentleman. What thread, what moderator, what was this terrible language? Until you can put up, then well, you know the rest. And watch your tone.

I'll tell you to stop it all day long. You're making accusations against a member that are not true. Charles is always a gentleman. What thread, what moderator, what was this terrible language? Until you can put up, then well, you know the rest. And watch your tone.

You watch your tone with me, Gentleman my fat Aunt Harriet, what about a deleted post do you not understand, it is no longer on this site because your moderator deleted for the reason i mentioned, so i will tell you all day long it happened, i was there cyberly you were not so you have nothing to base your comments on, i do, so you have no business automatically taking his side when you don't know the facts or have anything to base your comments on.

Your supposed to be even handed, i don't see it.
How the heck am i supposed to know which moderator deleted it, or a year later what day it was posted on or even which thread, nor can you say which day and thread it wasn't posted on or which moderator didn't delete it, and by the way yeah you can put up an you know the rest as well.

He is a shining example of the embarrassment that your moderators continuously display, which is confirmed by your utter bias and lack of even handedness in your last two posts.

This is not an accusation it is a fact and you have no business saying otherwise when you have nothing to base such an assertion on other then your bias and discriminatory attitude in favor of your moderator and against a poster just because and for no other reason.

I just finished going over all the Bewitched threads from 2008 to the present in which I made at least 2 posts in and I think I found the one that you're talking about. I happen to know for a fact that this was only one where you and I had a heated discussion but there was no cursing or offensive name calling on my part. Monika told us to end it and locked it and I just went on about my business and forgot the matter. If any posts were deleted in this thread they can be viewed by the moderator or administrator and prove who is right in this case. Here's the thread I'm almost certain that you're talking about. If it's not the right one then either tell us which one it was or let's just end it. I'm done with it anyway as I feel that I have nothing else to prove. One other thing, I'm reasonably sure that an entire thread wouldn't have been deleted unless you and I were the only ones posting in it. If any others had been posting then our posts would've been edited or deleted and probably a warning issued and I can recall no such occurrence.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=269214

I didn't say the ENTIRE thread was deleted, i said only one post, yours was deleted, and you would not see it no on any of the posts you made since 2008 as it no longer exists on your list, in a thread or on this site.

That is what happens when a post is deleted, it is just gone.
What about that do you not understand and therefore causes you to look for something on this site that no longer exists, because it has been DELETED.

The thread was locked but your post was deleted, do you get that.

As for the heated discussion, there was none prior to your attack one me, you simply responded to something that was going on between me and another that did not include you and threw an obscene post at me that i didn't even have a chance to respond too as it was deleted before i could even see it on the board, i already explained this to you.

Actually there were warnings and threats OMG........
As to if even deleted posts can be recalled from a cache or from some storage bank on the site, i don't know if it can be.

I am sure not that many posts on this board last year were deleted so it would take very little time to go over them by a moderator to confirm this.

I don't believe it was that thread but it has been a year, i believe the thread involved the same topic as this one does.

How the heck am supposed to know which moderator deleted it?

Aside from an administrator the only one that could've deleted it was Monika. Moderators can only delete posts on the forums to which they are assigned. I can't delete another members post on this or the Barney Miller forum and likewise, Monika can't do so on any of the 3 I moderate.

Aside from an administrator the only one that could've deleted it was Monika. Moderators can only delete posts on the forums to which they are assigned. I can't delete another members post on this or the Barney Miller forum and likewise, Monika can't do so on any of the 3 I moderate.

Ok i assume you are saying that only one moderator is assigned per board and it was she at that time.

I didn't say nor did i think it was you that deleted it even if you were a moderator, i just assumed it was her which you say it would have had to have been as well.

So how does that change things?
It was posted, it was deleted (by her) and now i assume it can not be recalled from a cache or there is not some master data list of deleted posts in the last year where you can go back and confirm matters, but that doesn't prove that it was not posted nor that it was not deleted or that it never existed, it was posted, it was deleted & it did exist.

So in this post i am responding too now, you are trying to defend your position but it isn't relevant to the matter nor clarifies anything for that matter on the subject at hand, it has nothing to do with your position being right or wrong.

Enjoy your time off Tate. That's the last time you'll EVER make a post like to me.

There will be no discussion over board issues.

I said NO discussion, at all.