I've been watching Ray Fulmer, who played Steve Baxter on the last season of Hazel and think that he would have been a good replacement for Dick York on Bewitched. Not that he would have been better than Mr. York, as I think York was perfectly cast in the role, but Fulmer would have been a good replacement. And Fulmer was just two months older than Elizabeth Montgomery so their ages would have been appropriately matched. I really wonder why ABC didn't try to get him for the role.

Fulmer was good at getting exasperated, as witnessed in his interactions with Hazel, so he would have been good in the role. Any thoughts?

I think Dick Sargent was a shoo in as he was well liked by Elizabeth. I also believe he was Elizabeth's first choice originally but Sargent was under contract with Tammy Grimes Show. I don't think the show would have been as successful if Sargent was the original Darrin as they did not have much chemistry. I agree that Ray Fulmer would have been a good choice for replacement.

My immediate thought at seeing Fulmer's name was to agree. He's an interesting choice and would have been a better than Sargent. And I agree with what you said Fulmer did well. His role on Hazel was better than he's usually given credit for. I wonder if they even tested anyone as York's replacement or just gave it to Sargent? It's always better to test different people, so as to be as sure as possible.

I agree that Ray Fulmer would have been a good choice to replace Dick York. However, when York left the series I believe the role was offered to Dick Sargent without much if any consideration to or for anyone else.