I found an interesting interview Elizabeth Montgomery did, she talks about the Darrins switch, she was asked if the change was too rough.

She says the switch was not a problem

QGMhUIn1l9Q

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Liz?

No problem from her perspective/intent, perhaps - but the audience did seem to mind - ratings fell the same season as the switch.

The change was certainly noted in our household at the time, though I kept watching my fave show, not sure the rest of he family did.

...and, in point-of-fact, we are still debating/discussing the two Dicks 50 years later, so somebody cared/cares.

I always preferrred Dick Sargent over York. To me York was annoying with his over the top reactions and his constant yelling at Samantha. Dick Sargent on the other hand was more calmed, he didn't yell all the time and he didn't overreact like York used to do, and that made the show more enjoyable.

Sargent did a great job playing Darrin

Thank God we had 3 more seasons of Bewitched with Dick Sargent
I do not see what I want to see rather what is actually to be seen & is on the screen itself.

Others see what they choose to through a prism that is distorted by the affection that they feel for DY, hence I believe the place from where all the hatred for DS comes from by the Yorkies who express it.

What I saw was DS as Darrin clearly in love & devoted to Samantha with great affection for her & totally devoted to being with her evermore.

Most Yorkie's have that view but most Bewitched fans in total, although may prefer DY, still very much like & enjoy DS as Darrin & his seasons a great deal.

He was very popular with the original generation of Bewitched fans that count the most the & although they are not as vocal as the Yorkie's they exist just as much to the same extent.

Although the ratings which are a relative thing to other shows did go down, the actual number of Households & people watching Bewitched were actually higher in the DS years then the early DY years for example.
More people were watching Bewitched in the last season then were watching Bewitched in season one or five for example.

As well the changeover prior to season 6 was not publicised & was largely unknown to the Bewitched Fan base till it happened. So when the fans tuned in to see the first episode of Season 6 they were expecting to still see DY, the ratings for this episode where they were tuning in to see DY were exactly the same as they were for the rest of the season when when they were tuning in to see DS, as they knew of the switch after seeing the first episode.

As well after the switchover there was no reaction from Bewitched fans, nobody called or wrote & cared or had a problem with it.This according to Screen Gems executives of the time like Bill Asher, Harry Ackermen, Richard Baer & Richard Michaels.

Thank goodness that the show did not end after season 5, that would have been a huge mistake & instead it should have been as it was done with the show continuing onwards for 3 more Wonderful Seasons.

The Dynamics of the show as to how the characters such as Darrin, Samantha & Endora etc. interrelated & the Premise of the show was unchanged by the changeover from DY to DS, everything was maintained as it had been with consistency.

I'm glad that the switch was handled smoothly and Elizabeth had class.

Interesting....that clip has been edited. I have the original in which in the middle Elizabeth clearly states that "it's a shame that the situation arose, but those things happen."

So Although she liked bringing Dick Sargent in but she did acknowledge in a round about way the change didn't need to happen except for circumstance. Interesting that bit was edited out...

She was talking about that it was a shame DY had the medical issues that he had that brought about the whole matter, that is what she was referencing.

Interesting....that clip has been edited. I have the original in which in the middle Elizabeth clearly states that "it's a shame that the situation arose, but those things happen."

So Although she liked bringing Dick Sargent in but she did acknowledge in a round about way the change didn't need to happen except for circumstance. Interesting that bit was edited out...

She was talking about that it was a shame DY had the medical issues that he had that brought about the whole matter, that is what she was referencing.

She was obviously referring to the fact that Dick York had to leave and it was a shame to lose the original Darrin. But that Dick Sargent stepped in and did a good job in her eyes.

Again I find it odd that the above video is the only one posted on that "person's" Youtube and has that particular statement edited out. It almost seems intentional...like someone (whoever he may be) has a neurotic need to eliminate anything positive about Dick York. It's kind of sick and twisted.

Interesting....that clip has been edited. I have the original in which in the middle Elizabeth clearly states that "it's a shame that the situation arose, but those things happen."

So Although she liked bringing Dick Sargent in but she did acknowledge in a round about way the change didn't need to happen except for circumstance. Interesting that bit was edited out...

"it's a shame that the situation arose, but those things happen."


Wow that's very interesting . Could you post the interview? I'd like to hear that.

It's interesting because we've been talking for months about all the signs that point to Lizz not liking York and the problems they had, and what you said is another sign that points to that.

I mean, if there were no problems about them Lizz would have said something like " It's a shame that Dick York had to go, he was a great guy and he was great playing Darrin"

If Lizz really said that thing you posted, it's very telling, she doesn't even mention him , it's like she doesn't want to talk about him, and I totally understand her after how badly York behavied towards her on the set.

It's interesting because we've been talking for months about all the signs that point to Lizz not liking York and the problems they had, and what you said is another sign that points to that.

Real Clip: https://clyp.it/mu5ptn5r

Very interesting how you twisted words here to, yet again, support a rather neurotic anti-Dick York stance, which has become tiresome. I would guess you already know that part of that audio clip was altered.

That statement from Liz in no way supports the continual and sad desire (by only two posters here - or one with multiple logins) to trash Dick York's reputation over and over and over. In fact is sounds like she would have been fine if he had been able to finish the show.

"how badly York behavied towards her on the set."
And we all know where/who this myth came from. In fact, if you watch Barry Pintar's latest mini documentary he states that Bill Asher told him Liz was upset with York (i.e. didn't want him on the show) because of his back problems and him not showing up because of it (probably around season 3).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHaXWsX06Es

That would seem to suggest she had little if any sympathy for his very real and debilitating back pain. Liz wanted to do the work and get home (per Pintar). So York messing up her schedule irritated her. Not my words or supposition, but Pintar's from what Asher told him.

I do realize that you are hoping to start an argument here trading insults. I will not participate in that. People can decide what they want to believe since the whole thing happened over 50 years ago. Enjoy your hatred of Dick York if that's what beings you pleasure.

No She was clearly talking about that it was a shame DY had the medical issues that he had that brought about the whole matter, that is what she was referencing, clearly that is very obvious to all but one.

She was clearly not referring to DY's absence but rather why he was absent.
As for the other any Yorkie would know of that better then anyone as they live it.

She was obviously referring to the fact that Dick York had to leave and it was a shame to lose the original Darrin. But that Dick Sargent stepped in and did a good job in her eyes.

Again I find it odd that the above video is the only one posted on that "person's" Youtube and has that particular statement edited out. It almost seems intentional...like someone (whoever he may be) has a neurotic need to eliminate anything positive about Dick York. It's kind of sick and twisted.

No you are wrong again, Elizabeth Montgomery was not referencing Dick Yorks nature or what it was like to have him on the show, rather his medical condition which caused his absence from it.

Sure Liz was ticked off at times with his absence from the show, finding out at the last minute and then having to learn a brand new script over night to be prepared the next day, especially when she, Asher and Ackerman all believed at times that his absences were not altogether for the reasons stated,especially in season 4 when he attempted to initiate a coup and take over the show from Liz.

Certain Yorkies are the one's who is starting this up again and insulting other posters because of their neurotic need to push a positive narrative about Dick York. It's kind of sick and twisted.

He was not Darrin,Elizabeth was not Samantha, neither were in real life, the sooner they realize this the sooner you can get the help they so clearly are in need of.

Who do you think you are constantly carrying out personal attacks against other posters here, stick to the points of discussion and your merit based views on the subjects at hand which i might add do not involve actual currently living people, by the way Dick York is not still alive.

If you can not manage that i suggest you take your binky and go home.:lol::lol::wave::wave:

Real Clip: https://clyp.it/mu5ptn5r

Very interesting how you twisted words here to, yet again, support a rather neurotic anti-Dick York stance, which has become tiresome. I would guess you already know that part of that audio clip was altered.

That statement from Liz in no way supports the continual and sad desire (by only two posters here - or one with multiple logins) to trash Dick York's reputation over and over and over. In fact is sounds like she would have been fine if he had been able to finish the show.

"how badly York behavied towards her on the set."
And we all know where/who this myth came from. In fact, if you watch Barry Pintar's latest mini documentary he states that Bill Asher told him Liz was upset with York (i.e. didn't want him on the show) because of his back problems and him not showing up because of it (probably around season 3).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHaXWsX06Es

That would seem to suggest she had little if any sympathy for his very real and debilitating back pain. Liz wanted to do the work and get home (per Pintar). So York messing up her schedule irritated her. Not my words or supposition, but Pintar's from what Asher told him.

I do realize that you are hoping to start an argument here trading insults. I will not participate in that. People can decide what they want to believe since the whole thing happened over 50 years ago. Enjoy your hatred of Dick York if that's what beings you pleasure.

This article speaks to much of what you reference.
They are actually referring to the sick out York did early in season 4 when he was hurt and missed 2 episodes after aggravating his back injury but then milked it for another episode trying to pressure the Ashers and Screen Gems into giving him a huge raise comparable to what Liz had as well as part ownership and co-equal star billing and control of the creative aspect of the show.

It was a power grab in effect on his part, it failed and the Ashers and SG actually suspended him for an episode that he missed that he could have been a part of and asked to be allowed to returned to do.

He actually still had 2 years at the time on his contract that he attempted to rewrite in the way i have outlined, his attempt was an utter failure and he was forced to honor his contract as is.

So you can imagine how Liz felt about all that, his trying to in part steal her show from her, that all had to greatly contribute to her negative feelings towards DY and exasperated her negative reaction to his mooning over and at her.

Real Clip: https://clyp.it/mu5ptn5r

Very interesting how you twisted words here to, yet again, support a rather neurotic anti-Dick York stance, which has become tiresome. I would guess you already know that part of that audio clip was altered.

That statement from Liz in no way supports the continual and sad desire (by only two posters here - or one with multiple logins) to trash Dick York's reputation over and over and over. In fact is sounds like she would have been fine if he had been able to finish the show.

.

I think if Lizz had been fine with York not leaving Bewitched, she would have praised him the way she did with Sargent.

It doesn't surprise you how much Lizz praises Sargent and how she never talks about York? The "it's a shame that situation arose but those things happen" I find it very telling because she doesn't even mention him, she doesn't really talk about him .

From this interview to me it sounds as Lizz couldn't be happier about Sargent taking the role, it doesn't seem at all that she wanted York to continue.

And thanks for posting those links about the Bewitched documental, I really appreciate it.

This article speaks to much of what you reference.

I suggest you actually read that article you posted. Despite much of the gossip magazine tone, it actually speaks very well of Dick York, Mrs. York and the Ashers. So in 1969 (time of the article) Liz and Bill invited the Yorks out socially. Doesn't sound like Liz hated his company to me.

And the so-called bid for more money (well deserved if even true) sounds like typical actor/manager negotiations. Why, even dear Liz pulled a much bigger play for money/power with Jackie Cooper before the show even started. And I know you are familiar with that as you once tried to organize a boycott of his book due to those "vicious lies" about Liz.

This quote by you is total fabrication; "part ownership and co-equal star billing and control of the creative aspect of the show." York didn't do this Elizabeth did.

He actually still had 2 years at the time on his contract that he attempted to rewrite in the way i have outlined, his attempt was an utter failure and he was forced to honor his contract as is.
Another ridiculous statement you can never prove. You have no idea what may or may not have happened 51 years ago in a supposed negotiation between the studio and an actor's representative.

I do wish you would honestly come out admit why you constantly continue to write this same vitriol about Dick York over and over. It makes no logical sense. It changes nothing of the past and you never "convince" anyone to stop liking York if they do. One cannot even engage you in a rational discussion as you always turn it around on them. In the end it just reads like you enjoy being mean.

I swear I won't get pulled into this time and again (seemingly your real goal), but I'd hate anyone new to the boards might think you know what you are talking about. Lighten up. It's just a TV show. Don't you have anything pleasant to say about Bewitched.

The facts are the Ashers invited the Yorks over repeatedly during season one, they always declined, so the Ashers stopped inviting them during season one.

Wrong, Liz had a deal with Bill Dozier head of SG at the time where she got creative control and then signed, JC came in to replace Dozier and he reneged or tried to on the deal Liz had agreed to with SG, in the end Liz had her way and got all that had been promised her initially.

York AFTER he signed with 2 years left pulled a sickout or strike and attempted to extort more money from SG while under contract and power and control from Elizabeth Montgomery, there is a huge difference between the two.

If his contract expired and he did this then that would be a different matter in the hiatus period, but to do this in the middle of the shooting schedule holding all the cast and crew as well as SG & ABC as hostages well that is another matter and such conduct speaks for itself, at the end of the day you are what you do.

Yes the article speaks well of everyone yet still outlines what York did and what the Ashers thought of it.

The article speaks for itself, he tried he failed he floundered, he wanted more money and failed, he wanted more power and his efforts were for not.

The fact is he did not succeed in renegotiating his contract and he was suspended for two episodes for his efforts, that is a part of the documented record publicly corroborated by Asher and SG and the Yorks themselves.

Your a liar, and your delusional rant that i tried to organize a boycott of a book that when i first heard of it was no longer in print is asinine but then so are you.

"part ownership and co-equal star billing and control of the creative aspect of the show."

Yes York wanted this, tried to get it, this is documented, he failed, deal with it. Liz didn't try to do this, she attempted and got starring billing as the star of the show and part ownership as she was the star of the show and did so prior to signing unlike York who did so under contract in an attempt to hold up ,Liz, the cast and crew, ABC and SG, see the difference.?

I do wish that your sick delusional desire to present York as if he was actually Darrin and refusal to admit that he is what he did would pass from you like a kidney stone.

He wasn't Darrin, Liz wasn't Samantha they were real people and York is what he did, oh by the way the earth really isn't flat so you can scratch that one off of your list as well.

Hey i didn't bring all of this up you did, you started it, i finished it
Your the one that keeps bringing up this issues not i so you are really repudiating and talking to yourself about yourself.

I can not have a rational discussion with a liar and non rational being, notice i left out the word human.

No to pull others in is your goal and intent.
I have forgotten more about Bewitched then you will ever know.
My primary motivation in these posts is to ensure new generations of fans are not brainwashed and indoctrinated by those with sick and twisted agendas to put forth a false narrative as fact with the fans hearing only it and believing it not knowing it is all spurious lies at best.

Now that you have undergone therapy my bill is in the mail.

If you ever had anything pleasant to say about Bewitched i would reply accordingly, however on your part that would be a non sequitur.:lol::lol::happyface:happyface

I suggest you actually read that article you posted. Despite much of the gossip magazine tone, it actually speaks very well of Dick York, Mrs. York and the Ashers. So in 1969 (time of the article) Liz and Bill invited the Yorks out socially. Doesn't sound like Liz hated his company to me.

And the so-called bid for more money (well deserved if even true) sounds like typical actor/manager negotiations. Why, even dear Liz pulled a much bigger play for money/power with Jackie Cooper before the show even started. And I know you are familiar with that as you once tried to organize a boycott of his book due to those "vicious lies" about Liz.

This quote by you is total fabrication; "part ownership and co-equal star billing and control of the creative aspect of the show." York didn't do this Elizabeth did.

He actually still had 2 years at the time on his contract that he attempted to rewrite in the way i have outlined, his attempt was an utter failure and he was forced to honor his contract as is.
Another ridiculous statement you can never prove. You have no idea what may or may not have happened 51 years ago in a supposed negotiation between the studio and an actor's representative.

I do wish you would honestly come out admit why you constantly continue to write this same vitriol about Dick York over and over. It makes no logical sense. It changes nothing of the past and you never "convince" anyone to stop liking York if they do. One cannot even engage you in a rational discussion as you always turn it around on them. In the end it just reads like you enjoy being mean.

I swear I won't get pulled into this time and again (seemingly your real goal), but I'd hate anyone new to the boards might think you know what you are talking about. Lighten up. It's just a TV show. Don't you have anything pleasant to say about Bewitched.

She was obviously referring to the fact that Dick York had to leave and it was a shame to lose the original Darrin. But that Dick Sargent stepped in and did a good job in her eyes.



But how in the world do you know that? Lizz didn't even mention York, her answer about the Darrin switch consisted in praising Sargent a lot, she didn't say anything about York, she didn't say he was a nice person, she didn't say he was great in the role, she said nothing about him.

She just said "it's a shame that situation arose", how can you interpret that as Lizz wanted York to not leave Bewitched? are you a fortuneteller? I mean the fact that she didn't say anything about York while she had a lot of good things to say about Sargent, it proves she preferred Sargent.

Besides, if Lizz wanted York to continue on Bewitched, she would have talked to York after he had seizures on the set, but she didn't, York himself admitted he and Lizz never talked to each other after that incident, and you can't blame her for that after all the things York has done to her, mooning over her and trying to put himself as the star of the show.

If Lizz meant it's a shame that York had to leave, she would have said it, but she didn't, in fact Lizz never mentions York in interviews and you know that. Now do yourself a favor and stop it, believe me, you're making yourself no favors at all, if you keep acting like that nobody will take you seriously

Clearly Elizabeth Montgomery preferred Dick Sargent as Darrin and the reason for that is simple.

Dick York's Darrin was in the same level as Samantha, EM and York were equally the stars of the show and EM didn't like that, but Dick Sargent's Darrin was a supporting character, and I think that's how EM wanted Darrin to be.

In many episodes Dick York had the spotlight on him and Samantha was relegated , but with Sargent she was always the center of attention. Sargent was a good actor but York was way above him, Sargent could never take the spotlight from EM.

I believe EM saw Bewitched as her show, and with Dick York it wasn't that way.

Absolute rubbish, Elizabeth Montgomery was the first one cast and approached for the show, she was the clear star of the show with DY and AM a slot below her, this is how Elizabeth saw the show and how the shoe actually was in real life, much like MTM was in her wonderful show in the 70's with MTM clearly the star of that show.

Rarely was Yorks Darrin featured, his character was a supporting one witch helped along with AM's to lay the foundation and base upon witch Liz's characterization of Samantha could, would & did shine as a cut above the rest.

Now York in season 4 attempted to create the paradigm you so erroneously put forth but failed utterly, Yorks character while obviously important was a subordinate one to Liz's Samantha witch was the fulcrum upon witch the show clearly rotated around.

Clearly Elizabeth Montgomery preferred Dick Sargent as Darrin and the reason for that is simple.

Dick York's Darrin was in the same level as Samantha, EM and York were equally the stars of the show and EM didn't like that, but Dick Sargent's Darrin was a supporting character, and I think that's how EM wanted Darrin to be.

In many episodes Dick York had the spotlight on him and Samantha was relegated , but with Sargent she was always the center of attention. Sargent was a good actor but York was was above him, Sargent could never take the spotlight from EM.

I believe EM saw Bewitched as her show, and with Dick York it wasn't that way.

Absolute rubbish, Elizabeth Montgomery was the first one cast and approached for the show, she was the clear star of the show with DY and AM a slot below her, this is how Elizabeth saw the show and how the shoe actually was in real life, much like MTM was in her wonderful show in the 70's with MTM clearly the star of that show.

Rarely was Yorks Darrin featured, his character was a supporting one witch helped along with AM's to lay the foundation and base upon witch Liz's characterization of Samantha could, would & did shine as a cut above the rest.

Now York in season 4 attempted to create the paradigm you so erroneously put forth but failed utterly, Yorks character while obviously important was a subordinate one to Liz's Samantha witch was the fulcrum upon witch the show clearly rotated around.

I know EM was the first cast and approached for Bewitched and I know the show was supposed to rotate always around her, but Dick York with his brilliant showings took the spotlight and run with it, I believe that frustrated Elizabeth Montgomery.

In a lot of episodes Samantha's relatives came up with spells in which Darrin acted in a strange and funny manner, and Samantha became relegated to a secondary role watching that and then begging her relatives to bring Darrin back to normal. I believe this bothered EM because Samantha became more of a secondary character.

With Dick Sargent it wasn't possible to do that because he didn't have the comedic skills to pull that off, so they relied more on EM to do the comedic segments and she became the one and only star of the show, Dick Sargent's Darrin became a side character.

I think this is the reason why EM liked Dick Sargent more as Darrin, there's no way EM thinks Sargent is better actor than Dick York.

That's your opinion but i do not agree in the least, after Darrin was hexed the episode then would revolve around Elizabeth Montgomery's portrayal and actions in confronting her relatives that had hexed him, dealing with mortal reactions to the situation and bringing about a solution, that is when Darrin in his predicament faded into the back ground with Samantha in the forefront.

The spotlight was always on Liz other then the rare episode where Darrin was featured, the two part episode where DS as Darrin gets a lighter from Maurice is an example as is the one where Darrin DS acted out charades or when Maurice caught a bug from Endora and lost his powers and most of the interaction was between he and DS as Darrin re chili con carne.

Another was DS with 3 men on a horse.
A lot of the show and episodes had office scenes with Darrin, Larry, the client etc. that revolved around them and rightly so, but that was the case with DS as much as it was with DY.

Obviously these and many others show DS as Darrin was hardly a side character, and he was funny in a more relaxed subdued kind of way.

York's insanely mean and angry takes on his situations had gown old by then and DS's unique take was greatly appreciated by all in comparison.

Liz had nothing to be frustrated about aside from DY's attempt to hijack her show in season 4 with a sickout.

Liz liked DS more as Darrin because she liked him much more personally then she did DY & as well he was always available, never missed a day and there was not the constant uncertainty as to if he would show up on any given week and as to witch episode they would be shooting that week, no last second rush & learn a new script at the last minute.

Pus she did not have to worry about being hit on by a co-star like she did with DY.

But make no mistake about it, Elizabeth Montgomery was the star of Bewitched from the first episode to the last & and that never changed.

Everyone else was in a supporting role throughout the show.

Those such as yourself who want to believe and attempt to present DY as the star of Bewitched are mistaken and caught up in your wish that he had that experience in his career witch i might add he never did.!

I know EM was the first cast and approached for Bewitched and I know the show was supposed to rotate always around her, but Dick York with his brilliant showings took the spotlight and run with it, I believe that frustrated Elizabeth Montgomery.

In a lot of episodes Samantha's relatives came up with spells in which Darrin acted in a strange and funny manner, and Samantha became relegated to a secondary role watching that and then begging her relatives to bring Darrin back to normal. I believe this bothered EM because Samantha became more of a secondary character.

With Dick Sargent it wasn't possible to do that because he didn't have the comedic skills to pull that off, so they relied more on EM to do the comedic segments and she became the one and only star of the show, Dick Sargent's Darrin became a side character.

I think this is the reason why EM liked Dick Sargent more as Darrin, there's no way EM thinks Sargent is better actor than Dick York.

With Dick Sargent it wasn't possible to do that because he didn't have the comedic skills to pull that off, so they relied more on EM to do the comedic segments and she became the one and only star of the show, Dick Sargent's Darrin became a side character.

As you noticed you are not allowed to have this opinion by some here (or perhaps one person with two login ids)...which has become quite tiresome.

However, I noticed that too - in much of the later Sargent years episodes Elizabeth took on more of the physical comedy. I think she enjoyed it and Lila Garrett spoke recently on this on Mo Rocca's podcast. She said that the writers realized Sargent could not do the comedy as well as Dick York so they deliberately chose to write Darrin as more of a side character. She also stated that they reduced the emphasis on romance because he and Elizabeth didn't have that kind of onscreen chemistry.

Garrett also believed Sargent was not right for the role claiming he'd be better as a detective type character. I still think he was the perfect choice because no one could do what Dick York did. Bill Asher also said that Sargent "wasn't as effective" as Darrin. So the character and the part changed subtly in some ways and dramatically in others. I often think Sargent looked awkward and uncomfortable when they did give him physical shtick. Maybe because he was so tall.

As you noticed you are allowed to have an opinion and to express it, just not the only opinion, so are others as well entitled to have an opinion, especially when someone who shall remain nameless attempts to spew negative ugly indoctrinating propaganda in attempt to brainwash new fans of the show by ensuring only their own viewpoint is expressed while attempting to censor any alternative prospective to ensure all new fans of Bewitched hear only your views and as such accept them verbatim as fact.

I am free to disagree with any post and in doing so do not stop anyone from posting, it is called freedom of speech.

Again your a liar in your accusation that i post under two ID's when i do not, if it is otherwise prove or put a sock in it.
As for you, born being tiresome seems to be your watch word and reason for your existence.

Actually under Dick Sargent it was he who was more more proficient in physical comedy then Dick York was and was more extensively used as such in the process.
York was simply not physically capable of doing such physical stick and stunts due to his bad back.
Dick Sargent was especially well regarded as a physical comedian while York was very limited.

Darrin was always a supporting side character with both DY & DS in the role.

With DS Darrin and Samantha's relationship was more affectionate and loving while with DY it was more romantic and lusty.

Elizabeth Montgomery thought Dick Sargent was right for the role, her opinion on the matter trumps all others.

As you noticed you are not allowed to have this opinion by some here (or perhaps one person with two login ids)...which has become quite tiresome.

However, I noticed that too - in much of the later Sargent years episodes Elizabeth took on more of the physical comedy. I think she enjoyed it and Lila Garrett spoke recently on this on Mo Rocca's podcast. She said that the writers realized Sargent could not do the comedy as well as Dick York so they deliberately chose to write Darrin as more of a side character. She also stated that they reduced the emphasis on romance because he and Elizabeth didn't have that kind of onscreen chemistry.

Garrett also believed Sargent was not right for the role claiming he'd be better as a detective type character. I still think he was the perfect choice because no one could do what Dick York did. Bill Asher also said that Sargent "wasn't as effective" as Darrin. So the character and the part changed subtly in some ways and dramatically in others. I often think Sargent looked awkward and uncomfortable when they did give him physical shtick. Maybe because he was so tall.

Again your a liar in your accusation that i post under two ID's when i do not, if it is otherwise prove or put a sock in it.

I didn't accuse you of anything...or even mention your name. What on Earth would make you think I was referring to you...

Horse Hockey, your a liar and a coward making the same groundless accusation as you have done previously.

I didn't accuse you of anything...or even mention your name. What on Earth would make you think I was referring to you...

I know EM was the first cast and approached for Bewitched and I know the show was supposed to rotate always around her, but Dick York with his brilliant showings took the spotlight and run with it, I believe that frustrated Elizabeth Montgomery.

In a lot of episodes Samantha's relatives came up with spells in which Darrin acted in a strange and funny manner, and Samantha became relegated to a secondary role watching that and then begging her relatives to bring Darrin back to normal. I believe this bothered EM because Samantha became more of a secondary character.

With Dick Sargent it wasn't possible to do that because he didn't have the comedic skills to pull that off, so they relied more on EM to do the comedic segments and she became the one and only star of the show, Dick Sargent's Darrin became a side character.

I think this is the reason why EM liked Dick Sargent more as Darrin, there's no way EM thinks Sargent is better actor than Dick York.



Why couldn't Lizz think Sargent was better than York? There are a lot of people who liked Sargent more than York and I'm one of them, you have to accept other people's opinions. I mean, the fact that you think York was better doesn't mean everybody has to think that too.

Maybe Lizz liked Sargent more because he didn't overreact and didn't yell all the time like York used to do, maybe she thought the show was better with a more relaxed Darrin.

As Larry Tate said, Lizz was the star of the show since the first episode till the last one, no matter who played Darrin, even if you ask a 7 years old kid that watches Bewitched who is the star of the show, he's gonna tell you Samantha.

It's funny that you say Lizz was jealous of York, because actually it was York who was jealous of Lizz and in the forth season he demanded the same publicity and the same salary as her, that shows you how big his his jealousy was.

York envied Lizz, that's why his wife used to complain in interviews about people not giving York the credit she thinks he deserves, obviously Mrs.York said those things because York told her he feels that way, if York hadn't told her that, she wouldn't have said it. She was Dick York's mouthpiece

I found an interesting interview Elizabeth Montgomery did, she talks about the Darrins switch, she was asked if the change was too rough.

She says the switch was not a problem.

QGMhUIn1l9Q

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Lizz?

Why was the original clip altered to remove Elizabeth Montgomery talking about it being a shame that Dick York left the series? Wouldn't that have been a relevant part to keep in the clip?

Why was the original clip altered to remove Elizabeth Montgomery talking about it being a shame that Dick York left the series? Wouldn't that have been a relevant part to keep in the clip?

It is required when attempting to revise history and promote a certain agenda. An agenda that no one understands.

How is history revised and what agenda, it matters not, Liz states it is shame it had to happen due to his medical issues but that it was unavoidable, all true, all well known & agreed upon as fact.

An agenda that only exists in the minds of the utterly obtuse and clueless.
The truth and facts are not an agenda.

It is required when attempting to revise history and promote a certain agenda. An agenda that no one understands.

The truth and facts are not an agenda.

The truth was edited in the clip Monliz posted.

It is required when attempting to revise history and promote a certain agenda.

I'm beginning to see that. The editing of the clip, removing a supportive comment Elizabeth Montgomery made regarding Dick York, does feel like revisionist history.

So what, it mattered not if that was included or not in terms of the meaning conveyed and already known facts and the truth, nothing to see here.

Sargent did an excellent job as Darrin, the transition went smoothly, nobody noticed or cared, it was a shame DY had to quit due to his back.
Her comment was not supportive of York, merely an observation as to the unfortunate circumstances of his leaving re his medical issues.

No news there, what's the big deal, you two act like it is a JFK conspiracy equivalent.

The term fake news comes to mind here.

The truth was edited in the clip Monliz posted.

How is history revised and what agenda, it matters not, Liz states it is shame it had to happen due to his medical issues but that it was unavoidable, all true, all well known & agreed upon as fact.

An agenda that only exists in the minds of the utterly obtuse and clueless.
The truth and facts are not an agenda.

the same bizarre agenda that's been on this board for years - to denigrate Dick York for some unknown reason and to attempt to antagonize any fans of his work. But, you already know this.

Sargent did an excellent job as Darrin, the transition went smoothly, nobody noticed or cared

Except the audience apparently as the show dropped from number 11 in the ratings to number 24.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bewitched#Episodes

The term fake news comes to mind here. - it certainly does.

That idea is delusional and laughable.
The only agenda that has existed is a twisted attempt to
present Liz and York as Samantha & Darrin as if they were one and the same as well the idea that they were close friends during and after Bewitched.

That York was the star of the show and Liz was jealous and felt threatened and why she replaced him :lol::happyface:lol::happyface:crazy::crazy:

That they were lovers.

Basically trying to tear Liz down in ugly sick ways to build York up in the process.

That is the only agenda that has been at play here over time, always pontificated by sick twisted Yorkies who have a highly unhealthy obsession with Dick York.

Now you and your ilk have been educated, my bill is in the mail!!!

the same bizarre agenda that's been on this board for years - to denigrate Dick York for some unknown reason and to attempt to antagonize any fans of his work. But, you already know this.

The very first episode in season 6 where the audience tuned in expecting to see York also had lower ratings around #25, that's the rating that would have been the case if York had been in that episode and would have been the same that season be it it DY or DS, it was a sign of the times where fantasy & rural comedies were being replaced in the ratings wars especially in the key 18 to 35 age demographics starting in 1969 with them falling off the face of the TV landscape in the audiences minds eye by more realistic TV programming.

The ratings drop began in 69/70 and led to mass cancellation over the next year of said type of shows.
I am talking about the ratings drop not specifically when the shows were cancelled as ratings determines the number of people watching rather when the shows are cancelled.
The ratings would have fallen no matter who was Darrin, more people actually watched Bewitched that year then in the first few years of the show, so in effect it was more popular then ever.

There were 9 million more TV households and an increase in over 4% in the % of households owning a TV from 1963 to 1970 in season 6.
This lead to more overall folks watching Bewitched in 1970 then in 1964.

Sargent did an excellent job as Darrin, the transition went smoothly, nobody noticed or cared

:brent

You can't be serious. Everyone noticed the change. Whenever people talk about Bewitched casually, the two Darrens come up. Sixty years after the change, ScreenRant called (https://screenrant.com/tv-shows-recast-roles-actors-better-worse) the casting change "one of the earliest examples of TV recasting gone awry." E! calls (https://www.eonline.com/photos/9358/recast-roles/299774) Dick York "Darrin" and Dick Sergeant "the Other Darren". Hollywood.com lists (https://www.hollywood.com/tv/the-most-annoying-mid-series-tv-recasts-60569892/#/ms-22754/1) the casting change "one of the most annoying" recasts in TV history. In the 1990s, when Roseanne recast the role of Becky Conner, they made a joke about the Darren recast on Bewitched. Even though the show aired decades later, the audience still understood the joke, because everyone still knew, and still remembered, the casting change on Bewitched.

Nobody noticed nobody cared this according to the cast, crew and Bewitched & SG executives.
This is all documented with them saying as such on camera in the various Bewitched TV show biography's.

Now it is different about people knowing and talking about it but we are talking about then not now.


:lol::lol::happyface:happyface:wave::wave:
:brent

You can't be serious. Everyone noticed the change. Whenever people talk about Bewitched casually, the two Darrens come up. Sixty years after the change, ScreenRant called (https://screenrant.com/tv-shows-recast-roles-actors-better-worse) the casting change "one of the earliest examples of TV recasting gone awry." E! calls (https://www.eonline.com/photos/9358/recast-roles/299774) Dick York "Darrin" and Dick Sergeant "the Other Darren". Hollywood.com lists (https://www.hollywood.com/tv/the-most-annoying-mid-series-tv-recasts-60569892/#/ms-22754/1) the casting change "one of the most annoying" recasts in TV history. In the 1990s, when Roseanne recast the role of Becky Conner, they made a joke about the Darren recast on Bewitched. Even though the show aired decades later, the audience still understood the joke, because everyone still knew, and still remembered, the casting change on Bewitched.

Why was the original clip altered to remove Elizabeth Montgomery talking about it being a shame that Dick York left the series? Wouldn't that have been a relevant part to keep in the clip?

I posted the full clip now

If Lizz thought it was a shame York had to leave, she would have said "It was a shame Dick York had to leave, he was great playing Darrin and he was a nice person", she would have praised York the same way she praised Sargent.

But what Lizz said is "The audience has seemed to accept it and Dick Sargent took over very well indeed, he was wonderful, so that was not a problem... I mean, it was....you know.....it was...it was.... a shame...that the situation arose, but those things happen. And it's just the cold transition was very smooth indeed, and Dick Sargent is a super guy, it was difficult for him I know, but he handled it beautifully I thought."

As we all can see, she didn't mention York, she was praising Dick Sargent all the time, notice how she had a lot of good things to say about Sargent, but didn't say any good thing about York,she didn't even talk about York. You're trying to twist things and trying to put words on Lizz's mouth that she never said

The ratings would have fallen no matter who was Darrin, more people actually watched Bewitched that year then in the first few years of the show, so in effect it was more popular then ever.

Season 1 - number 2 in the ratings
Season 2 - number 7 in the ratings
Season 3 - number 7 in the ratings
Season 4 - number 11 in the ratings
Season 5 - number 11 in the ratings
Season 6 - number 25 in the ratings

Seasons 7 and 8 were worse ending at number 72 in the ratings in season 8. How does that add up to more people watching in season 6 than the first few years? Just curious about the math.

The very first episode in season 6 where the audience tuned in expecting to see York also had lower ratings around #25, that;s the rating that would have been the case if York had been in that episode and would have been the same that season be it it DY or DS, it was a sign of the times where fantasy & rural comedies were being replaced in the audiences minds eye by more realistic TV programming.

Historically, the "rural" purge didn't happen until the 1970 - 1971 TV season. Perhaps the audiences were psychic enough to begin planning ahead? Asking for a friend.

Season 1 - number 2 in the ratings
Season 2 - number 7 in the ratings
Season 3 - number 7 in the ratings
Season 4 - number 11 in the ratings
Season 5 - number 11 in the ratings
Season 6 - number 25 in the ratings

Seasons 7 and 8 were worse ending at number 72 in the ratings in season 8. How does that add up to more people watching in season 6 than the first few years? Just curious about the math.



Historically, the "rural" purge didn't happen until the 1970 - 1971 TV season. Perhaps the audiences were psychic enough to begin planning ahead? Asking for a friend.


Elizabeth Montgomery said that the audience accepted the new Darrin and the change wasn't a problem. And for obvious reasons she knows more about this matter than you, so stop pretending to know more about a TV show than the people who worked on that show.

You can post all the things you want but your opinion and your facts will never be more certain than what Elizabeth Montgomery says.

Historically, the "rural" purge didn't happen until the 1970 - 1971 TV season.

Those rural sitcoms were still on the air in 1970-71. 1971-72, the 8th and final season of Bewitched, was the season of the rural purge.

Those rural sitcoms were still on the air in 1970-71. 1971-72, the 8th and final season of Bewitched, was the season of the rural purge.

Right - 1971-1972 they were gone with All In The Family starting in January 1971, which his often thought to have made Bewitched seem out of date by season 8. That was the season Bewitched seemed to try and look more "modern" with Elizabeth forgoing a bra much of the time...but the scripts repeating much of what they had done before and often just silly like "Samantha and the Loch Ness Monster."

Right - 1971-1972 they were gone with All In The Family starting in January 1971, which his often thought to have made Bewitched seem out of date by season 8. That was the season Bewitched seemed to try and look more "modern" with Elizabeth forgoing a bra much of the time...but the scripts repeating much of what they had done before and often just silly like "Samantha and the Loch Ness Monster."

I think the immediate and huge success of All In The Family in early 1971 had a lot to do with the decision to end the fantasy and rural themed sitcoms. It was probably felt that those types of shows had run their course and it was time for something new. All In The Family started the new trend along with other Norman Lear shows that came along after it.

Elizabeth Montgomery said that the audience accepted the new Darrin and the change wasn't a problem. And for obvious reasons she knows more about this matter than you, so stop pretending to know more about a TV show than the people who worked on that show.

You can post all the things you want but your opinion and your facts will never be more certain than what Elizabeth Montgomery says.

The stats clearly demonstrate that the show suffered a huge ratings drop since Dick Sargent took over. It's a mystery why EM said the audience accepted Dick Sargent as Darrin because what really happened is the opposite, the audience didn't accept him and tuned out.

Maybe when EM did this interview she had forgotten about the massive ratings drop, or maybe she was in denial and didn't want to accept how important Dick York really was for the show. I don't know, but it's astonishing that she said that. In any case, what Elizabeth Montgomery said is not true and the stats are there to corroborate it.

But what Lizz said is "[I]The audience has seemed to accept it and Dick Sargent took over very well indeed, he was wonderful, so that was not a problem... I mean, it was....you know.....it was...it was.... a shame...that the situation arose, but those things happen. And it's just the cold transition was very smooth indeed, and Dick Sargent is a super guy,

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

When you edit out part of what Elizabeth said, or alter her quotes, you don't do Elizabeth any justice. You directly quoted her, above, but added in a word to make a point. Do you think Elizabeth would approve of altering her words?

In doing so, you only weaken your case. When you have to rely on altered, edited clips, or add in words that were never there, you only discredit yourself.

If you have any love for Elizabeth Montgomery, you will stop editing her words and adding in your own parts. You can love Elizabeth and the show without altering what she said.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

When you edit out part of what Elizabeth said, or alter her quotes, you don't do Elizabeth any justice. You directly quoted her, above, but added in a word to make a point. Do you think Elizabeth would approve of altering her words?

In doing so, you only weaken your case. When you have to rely on altered, edited clips, or add in words that were never there, you only discredit yourself.

If you have any love for Elizabeth Montgomery, you will stop editing her words and adding in your own parts. You can love Elizabeth and the show without altering what she said.

I didn't alter anything, she said Sargent was a superguy, not York. You're discrediting yourself for the second time in this thread, first you said that Lizz said it was a shame York had to leave when the reality is she didn't say anything about him, you put words in Lizz's mouth that she never said.

And now you're trying to convince yourself that Lizz said York was a superguy when she was evidently talking about Sargent. I don't know what do you want to accomplish by constantly twitching things, you do this for fun or your love for York makes you lose every bit of common sense? :talk::talk::talk:

Lizz didn't like York for the things LarryTate and I have said a lot of times, deal with it.

I didn't alter anything

Yes, you did. You quoted Elizabeth Montgomery, and added the word Sargent to a direct quote. And you posted the altered clip in the first place.

Yes, you did. You quoted Elizabeth Montgomery, and added the word Sargent to a direct quote. And you posted the altered clip in the first place.

Elizabeth Montgomery was talking about Sargent when she said he is a superguy, and you know that, you're just trolling now.

About the video, I've already posted the full clip, anyways it doesn't change the fact that Lizz didn't talk about York, as you can see in the clip she didn't say it was a shame York had to leave as you suggested, she only talked about Dick Sargent and praised him the whole time, she didn't even mention York, in fact she never mentions him in interviews.

she didn't even mention York, in fact she never mentions him in interviews.

Because you edit those parts out. We witnessed it. :lol:

Because you edit those parts out. We witnessed it. :lol:

It was "tcr1701" who gave us the full clip, and you can see there that Lizz doesn't mention York at all, if you think that clip is edited talk to him then :)

Now keep putting words on Lizz's mouth that she never said :lol:

No mystery here, the audience didn't care about the change, were fine with it and the ratings did not take a huge drop from seasons 5 to 6, in fact the ratings would have been the same if York was still in the role.

DS was very popular with the original generation of Bewitched fans that count the most the & although they are not as vocal as the Yorkie's they exist just as much to the same extent.

Although the ratings which are a relative thing to other shows did go down, the actual number of Households & people watching Bewitched were actually higher in the DS years then the early DY years for example.

As well the changeover prior to season 6 was not publicized & was largely unknown to the Bewitched Fan base till it happened. So when the fans tuned in to see the first episode of Season 6 they were expecting to still see DY, the ratings for this episode where they were tuning in to see DY were exactly the same as they were for the rest of the season when when they were tuning in to see DS, as they knew of the switch after seeing the first episode.

As well after the switch over there was no reaction from Bewitched fans, nobody called or wrote & cared or had a problem with it.This according to Screen Gems executives of the time like Bill Asher, Harry Ackermen, Richard Baer & Richard Michaels.

The stats clearly demonstrate that the show suffered a huge ratings drop since Dick Sargent took over. It's a mystery why EM said the audience accepted Dick Sargent as Darrin because what really happened is the opposite, the audience didn't accept him and tuned out.

Maybe when EM did this interview she had forgotten about the massive ratings drop, or maybe she was in denial and didn't want to accept how important Dick York really was for the show. I don't know, but it's astonishing that she said that. In any case, what Elizabeth Montgomery said is not true and the stats are there to corroborate it.

Your a liar and we witnessed that.

Yes, you did. You quoted Elizabeth Montgomery, and added the word Sargent to a direct quote. And you posted the altered clip in the first place.

As well after the switch over there was no reaction from Bewitched fans, nobody called or wrote & cared or had a problem with it.This according to Screen Gems executives of the time like Bill Asher, Harry Ackermen, Richard Baer & Richard Michaels.

That's right - they just stopped watching the show in large numbers. But please do post the articles/interviews from Asher, Harry Ackermen, Richard Baer & Richard Michaels. I'd love to read them.

It is on film in the Bewitched Bio's and articles, do your own research!! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

That's right - they just stopped watching the show in large numbers. But please do post the articles/interviews from Asher, Harry Ackermen, Richard Baer & Richard Michaels. I'd love to read them.

The stats clearly demonstrate that the show suffered a huge ratings drop since Dick Sargent took over. It's a mystery why EM said the audience accepted Dick Sargent as Darrin because what really happened is the opposite, the audience didn't accept him and tuned out.

Maybe when EM did this interview she had forgotten about the massive ratings drop, or maybe she was in denial and didn't want to accept how important Dick York really was for the show. I don't know, but it's astonishing that she said that. In any case, what Elizabeth Montgomery said is not true and the stats are there to corroborate it.


Lizz was the star of the show, she appeared in every single episode of Bewitched, she worked there every day for 8 years, so I'm pretty sure she knows more about the show than you do, with all due do respect.

If Lizz said the audience accepted Sargent is becase she knows things that you don't, she said that because she knew something that backs it up, you can't pretend to know more about a show than a person who worked on that show, you have to understand that what Lizz says is more credible than what you say.

>>>No mystery here, the audience didn't care about the change...<<<

Hey, I did, as a kid watching my favorite show on network TV.

And my friends and family did take note and comment in the negative. And never stopped ("Its not the same without the real Darrin" they would moan).

I was okay to roll with DS to the end, but we DID care and miss DY and some tuned out.

Please don't invalidate our real-life experiences.

The truth is some cared, some didn't -- There is no one size fits all.

>>>No mystery here, the audience didn't care about the change...<<<

Hey, I did, as a kid watching my favorite show on network TV.

And my friends and family did take note and comment in the negative. And never stopped ("Its not the same without the real Darrin" they would moan).

I was okay to roll with DS to the end, but we DID care and miss DY and some tuned out.

Please don't invalidate our real-life experiences.

The truth is some cared, some didn't -- There is no one size fits all.
Yep. I was a kid then too and I sure noticed. So did the whole family. The show was not the same.

Yep. I was a kid then too and I sure noticed. So did the whole family. The show was not the same.

Funny - as did my family. I asked my mother "what happened to the other Darrin"? She said that she didn't know. I told her I liked him better and she said "me too." One of my early TV memories. I didn't see the show until syndication in the 1970s as a kid.

Yep. I was a kid then too and I sure noticed. So did the whole family. The show was not the same.

Lizz said the change of Darrins wasn't a problem, and of course I take Elizabeth's words over yours

Maybe for EM it was not a problem but for the general audience it was. Yes we still watched but preferred the original Darrin, Dick York.

Maybe for EM it was not a problem but for the general audience it was. Yes we still watched but preferred the original Darrin, Dick York.

Elizabeth Montgomery said that the audience accepted the new Darrin, meaning that they didn't have a problem with Sargent, and if she says so it means it's true, she knows more about Bewitched than any of us, it was her show after all.

And there are a lot people who preferred Sargent. Your family preferred York? That's ok, but your family is not the general audience of Bewitched

Why we she say something negative about her show. The audience had no choice but accept it. Does not mean they liked it.

Why we she say something negative about her show. The audience had no choice but accept it. Does not mean they liked it.

So you are saying you know that everybody who watched Bewitched didn't like Sargent? How do you know that ? Did you talk to all the people around the world and asked them who they preferred? :lol:

Look pal, you have to understand that there are a lot of people who liked Sargent playing Darrin. It's ok if you liked York more, but that doesn't mean everybody has to think the same as you.

Lizz said the change of Darrins wasn't a problem, and of course I take Elizabeth's words over yours
It was a problem for the audience. Who cares what she thought? Ratings went down. The show JTS.

No Monliz, you are as usual twisting words. I never said DS did not have fans. Whether you liked him or not you did not have a choice because he was the new Darrin. You are the one that said EM said that the audience accepted it so that makes it the gospel truth. That was her opinion but not everyone's.

Several of us are saying we WERE the audience at the time - as were our families - and we did notice/comment on the loss of DY - it's not a "he said she said story" or theory to be believed or doubted -- it's simply a fact of our living, breathing personal experience in the 1960s.

No mystery here, the audience didn't care about the change, were fine with it and the ratings did not take a huge drop from seasons 5 to 6, in fact the ratings would have been the same if York was still in the role.

DS was very popular with the original generation of Bewitched fans that count the most the & although they are not as vocal as the Yorkie's they exist just as much to the same extent.

Although the ratings which are a relative thing to other shows did go down, the actual number of Households & people watching Bewitched were actually higher in the DS years then the early DY years for example.

As well the changeover prior to season 6 was not publicized & was largely unknown to the Bewitched Fan base till it happened. So when the fans tuned in to see the first episode of Season 6 they were expecting to still see DY, the ratings for this episode where they were tuning in to see DY were exactly the same as they were for the rest of the season when when they were tuning in to see DS, as they knew of the switch after seeing the first episode.

As well after the switch over there was no reaction from Bewitched fans, nobody called or wrote & cared or had a problem with it.This according to Screen Gems executives of the time like Bill Asher, Harry Ackermen, Richard Baer & Richard Michaels.

The audience careed inded, they didn't like the change and tunned out, it doesn't matter what EM said, the stats don't lie, she seemed to be in denial about this.

Ratings dropped but the number of viewers increased? how is that possible LOL

The audience careed inded, they didn't like the change and tunned out, it doesn't matter what EM said, the stats don't lie, she seemed to be in denial about this.

Ratings dropped but the number of viewers increased? how is that possible LOL

It's... not. LOL. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

For the public it was not a problem as has been stated on numerous occasions by those that were you like actually there at the time which you all were not.

I mean fools that state they know more about the situation then Liz and executives and producers that were like, you actually there.......i mean willbo says his living experience and opinion is more valid then Elizabeth Montgomery's???? .....:lol::lol::lol::lol::crazy::crazy::crazy:.....so tell me since you fools are so all knowing, who shot JFK............you probably all don't even know who shot J.R..

More people, more households, more TV's more people watching, got it, ratings are merely a relative measuring point.

ratings are merely a relative measuring point.

Only when they prove what you don't want them to.

>>>For the public it was not a problem as has been stated on numerous occasions by those that were you like actually there at the time which you all were not.<<<

But, as stated repeatedly, several of us were there at the time in 1968 sitting in front of our TV screens and our experience/reaction/comments as the audience were real and in-the-moment. What am I missing?

For the public it was not a problem as has been stated on numerous occasions by those that were you like actually there at the time which you all were not.

I mean fools that state they know more about the situation then Liz and executives and producers that were like, you actually there.......i mean willbo says his living experience and opinion is more valid then Elizabeth Montgomery's???? .....:lol::lol::lol::lol::crazy::crazy::crazy:.....so tell me since you fools are so all knowing, who shot JFK............you probably all don't even know who shot J.R..

More people, more households, more TV's more people watching, got it, ratings are merely a relative measuring point.
Kristin shot JR. I watched that too. :D:

>>>For the public it was not a problem as has been stated on numerous occasions by those that were you like actually there at the time which you all were not.<<<

But, as stated repeatedly, several of us were there at the time in 1968 sitting in front of our TV screens and our experience/reaction/comments as the audience were real and in-the-moment. What am I missing?

What you're missing is that you're talking as if your family was the only family in the world who watched Bewitched when the show was on the air , you're saying that since your family didn't like Sargent it means everybody in the world didn't like Sargent either, actually there were a lot of people who liked Sargent more than York and you have to respect that. You can't pretend that everybody back then in 1968 had the same opinion as yours.

What you're missing is that you're talking as if you're family was the only family in the world who watched Bewitched when the show was on the air , you're saying that since your family didn't like Sargent it means everybody in the world didn't like Sargent either, actually there were a lot of people who liked Sargent more than York and you have to respect that. You can't pretend that everybody back then in 1968 had the same opinion as yours.
Not everybody but most didn't. That's why the ratings fell.

That it was a problem for a few yorkies is not extrapalatable to the general viewing public of which you were an extraneous irrelevant minuscule minority.

That is what you are missing!!!

>>>For the public it was not a problem as has been stated on numerous occasions by those that were you like actually there at the time which you all were not.<<<

But, as stated repeatedly, several of us were there at the time in 1968 sitting in front of our TV screens and our experience/reaction/comments as the audience were real and in-the-moment. What am I missing?

And more actual people watched the show then ever before.

And that is Not why the ratings fell.

Not everybody but most didn't. That's why the ratings fell.

My stars! To each his own Darrin. : )

So you are saying you know that everybody who watched Bewitched didn't like Sargent? How do you know that ? Did you talk to all the people around the world and asked them who they preferred? :lol:

Look pal, you have to understand that there are a lot of people who liked Sargent playing Darrin. It's ok if you liked York more, but that doesn't mean everybody has to think the same as you.

As I said ratings demonstrate EM was wrong, she can say wathever she wants, she can praise Dick Sargent all she wants but Dick York was the true Darrin, and when he left ratings suffered a massive drop , most of the audience didn't like Dick Sargent, that's reason why ratings fell.

I don't care who likes witch Darrin the most, all i care about is the truth and getting the facts out, not some delusional agenda driven trivial based rant from York fanatics who are obsessed with misleading and miss informing Bewitched fans, especially new generations of them.

The relative ratings fell because of circumstances that had nothing to do with the Darrin switch & in fact more people were watching the show under DS then had under DY, facts rule.

The vast majority of Bewitched and TV fans in general didn't care about the switch or even notice for that matter.

There was NO true Darrin, by the way he was not a real person, there was only a character called Darrin who happened to be superbly played by two very fine actors who both did a great job playing the character Darrin Stephens on the fictional TV called Bewitched.

When it comes to Bewitched Elizabeth Montgomery is always right and you Yorkie fanboys are always wrong period, get it, you got it!!!

As I said ratings demonstrate EM was wrong, she can say wathever she wants, she can praise Dick Sargent all she wants but Dick York was the true Darrin, and when he left ratings suffered a massive drop , most of the audience didn't like Dick Sargent , that's reason why ratings fell.

Larry Tate you are no math wizard. I am sure most people did notice that a different actor had assumed the role of Darrin. You sound so ignorant when you claim EM is always right about Bewitched. She was human and had lots of opinions and not all her opinions/beliefs are going to be shared by others. It's common sense that the original actor of a role is going to be preferred over another actor that takes over that role especially if it is a lead role. Do you not think people would have not noticed if EM had been replaced?

Harlock, welcome to the board. Please feel free to share any of your thoughts and opinions as they are all valued.

I am sure most people did not know or care about the change in actors playing the character Darrin Stephens.This has been stated on camera by cast, crew, Producers and executives at Screen Gems and ABC, they were there you were not, they know you do not.

Go back to playing with your Dick York blow up doll with patches all over it where you have put holes in it.

You are a delusional fan boy to think you know better about Bewitched Elizabeth Montgomery, anyone who would think as such is a fool!!!!

Elizabeth Montgomery was the star of Bewitched and the only irreplaceable actor or actress, a secondary character's actor like Darrin Stephens was replaceable as was Gladys Kravitz.

Larry Tate you are no math wizard. I am sure most people did notice that a different actor had assumed the role of Darrin. You sound so ignorant when you claim EM is always right about Bewitched. She was human and had lots of opinions and not all her opinions/beliefs are going to be shared by others. It's common sense that the original actor of a role is going to be preferred over another actor that takes over that role especially if it is a lead role. Do you not think people would have not noticed if EM had been replaced?

According to Wikipedia:

Neilsen placed Bewitched for 1968-69 season (season 5, York's last) in a three-way tie at #11 (alongside Mission: Impossible and Red Skelton) with a 23.3 rating.

For the 1969-70 season (season 6, Sargent's first), Bewitched dropped to a three-way tie at #24 (with NBC Saturday Night Movie and FBI) with a 20.6 rating.

It was a problem for the audience. Who cares what she thought? Ratings went down. The show JTS.

Really? Liz worked on Bewitched every day for 8 years, she knows a lot of things about the show that you don't know, she said the audience accepted Sargent because she knows something that backs it up.

What Liz says has much more value than what you say, I'm sorry but it's the truth.

These ratings relative to other shows and having nothing to do with the actual number of people watching the show after nor does it take into account the number of households, TV's and population increases in the US during the 60's.

The very first episode in season 6 where the audience tuned in expecting to see York also had lower ratings around #25, that's the rating that would have been the case if York had been in that episode and would have been the same that season be it it DY or DS, it was a sign of the times in the ratings wars especially in the key 18 to 35 age demographics starting in 1969 .

I am talking about the ratings drop not specifically when the shows were cancelled as ratings determines the number of people watching rather when the shows are cancelled.
The ratings would have fallen no matter who was Darrin, more people actually watched Bewitched that year then in the first few years of the show, so in effect it was more popular then ever.

There were 9 million more TV households and an increase in over 4% in the % of households owning a TV from 1963 to 1970 in season 6.
This lead to more overall folks watching Bewitched in 1970 then in 1964.

[QUOTE=merlinjones;5691941]According to Wikipedia:

There were many people who knew of the switch and that is why they did not tune in. People did read back then.

Really? Liz worked on Bewitched every day for 8 years, she knows a lot of things about the show that you don't know, she said the audience accepted Sargent because she knows something that backs it up.

What Liz says has much more value than what you say, I'm sorry but it's the truth.
It's hogwash. It's all spin to make the show sound good. Ratings don't lie. Ratings fell big time once the switch took place. She can talk about it being smooth for the cast although I heard Agnes Moorehead wasn't happy but she doesn't speak for the audience.

There were many people who knew of the switch and that is why they did not tune in. People did read back then.
Exactly. You can't tell me the switch wasn't known about before it happened.

Exactly. You can't tell me the switch wasn't known about before it happened.

You are correct Mr. Television. I read about it in TV Guide and am sure it was in other publications over the summer months into the fall. It was pretty big news since Bewitched was so popular. I am sure they milked it to try and get people to watch. I am sure that some tuned in to see DY but most probably knew of the switch and obviously did not tune in. It was not the same. It's a proven fact that people do not like change. Even EM was wanting it to end after 5 years but was talked into staying. She saw the writing on the wall but was a professional about it.

It's hogwash. It's all spin to make the show sound good. Ratings don't lie. Ratings fell big time once the switch took place. She can talk about it being smooth for the cast although I heard Agnes Moorehead wasn't happy but she doesn't speak for the audience.

:lol::lol::lol:

So again you know better about Bewitched than the star of that show, she said the transition with Sargent was smooth for the cast, and you say it wasn't, because you have more knowledge about what happened behind the scenes than her, even though she was on the set every day for 8 years, while you weren't.

Look, you have to stop pretending to know more about Bewitched than Liz or any other person who was there on the set, nobody is gonna take you seriously if you keep doing that, what everybody is gonna do is laugh at you every time you try to debate with someone.

:lol::lol::lol:

So again you know better about Bewitched than the star of that show, she said the transition with Sargent was smooth for the cast, and you say it wasn't, because you have more knowledge about what happened behind the scenes than her, even though she was on the set every day for 8 years, while you weren't.

Look, you have to stop pretending to know more about Bewitched than Liz or any other person who was there on the set, nobody is gonna take you seriously if you keep doing that, what everybody is gonna do is laugh at you every time you try to debate with someone.
What are you talking about? I said she knows more about what happened behind the scenes but she doesn't know about the audience. I read an article where someone said Agnes Moorehead wasn't happy so if it isn't true then blame them. Ratings don't lie. And after the first year with Sargent the ratings actually tanked. I'm beginning to think you are LT or a relative of his. I've been debating this stuff him for years and I'm still here. Hasn't changed my mind one bit.

Bill Asher, Harry Ackerman, Richard Michaels, Elizabeth Montgomery, the writers of Bewitched and other executives all have stated the Public mostly did not know and those that both did and didn't did not care about the switch, that was the feedback they got from the public, there was no great reaction from the public in letters or phone calls in fact almost none at all and nobody was upset or cared., those are the facts deal with it.

These ratings relative to other shows and having nothing to do with the actual number of people watching the show after nor does it take into account the number of households, TV's and population increases in the US during the 60's.

I am sure most people did not know or care about the change in actors playing the character Darrin Stephens.This has been stated on camera by cast, crew, Producers and executives at Screen Gems and ABC, they were there you were not, they know you do not.

You are a delusional fan boy to think you know better about Bewitched Elizabeth Montgomery, anyone who would think as such is a fool!!!!

The very first episode in season 6 where the audience tuned in expecting to see York also had lower ratings around #25, that's the rating that would have been the case if York had been in that episode and would have been the same that season be it it DY or DS, it was a sign of the times in the ratings wars especially in the key 18 to 35 age demographics starting in 1969 .

I am talking about the ratings drop not specifically when the shows were cancelled as ratings determines the number of people watching rather when the shows are cancelled.
The ratings would have fallen no matter who was Darrin, more people actually watched Bewitched that year then in the first few years of the show, so in effect it was more popular then ever.

There were 9 million more TV households and an increase in over 4% in the % of households owning a TV from 1963 to 1970 in season 6.
This lead to more overall folks watching Bewitched in 1970 then in 1964.

Agnes was not pleased because she really liked York and they were tight, not because she was unhappy with how it effected the show or ratings.

These ratings relative to other shows and having nothing to do with the actual number of people watching the show after nor does it take into account the number of households, TV's and population increases in the US during the 60's.

It has everything to do with the number of Nielsen viewers watching. It dropped off significantly.

You are a delusional fan boy to think you know better about Bewitched Elizabeth Montgomery, anyone who would think as such is a fool!!!!

Your arguments may hold more water if you presented them more nicely. Things like this do not help your case at all.

The very first episode in season 6 where the audience tuned in expecting to see York also had lower ratings around #25, that's the rating that would have been the case if York had been in that episode and would have been the same that season be it it DY or DS, it was a sign of the times in the ratings wars especially in the key 18 to 35 age demographics starting in 1969.

The rating wars started in 1969, huh....bad timing for Bewitched.


The ratings would have fallen no matter who was Darrin, more people actually watched Bewitched that year then in the first few years of the show, so in effect it was more popular then ever.

More people tuned out that year than in the first year too it seems. Going from number 2 in 1964 to 25 in 1969 (then to 72 in 1972) was a huge drop in ratings. Not counting the millions of people you personally know where watching but were not Nielsen families of course.

There were 9 million more TV households and an increase in over 4% in the % of households owning a TV from 1963 to 1970 in season 6. This lead to more overall folks watching Bewitched in 1970 then in 1964.

What percentage of Nielsen households increased with those new TV sales? Arbitrarily saying more TV means more people watched is quite a stretch. Epsecially consider you also claim that more people tuned out because TV tastes changed - more people wanting realistic themed show.

Since you didn't grasp ot the first time i will say it again:

Bill Asher, Harry Ackerman, Richard Michaels, Elizabeth Montgomery, the writers of Bewitched and other executives all have stated the Public mostly did not know and those that both did and didn't did not care about the switch, that was the feedback they got from the public, there was no great reaction from the public in letters or phone calls in fact almost none at all and nobody was upset or cared., those are the facts deal with it.

These are ratings relative to OTHER shows and having nothing to do with the actual number of people watching the show from one year to the next, nor does it take into account the number of households, TV's and population increases in the US during the 60's.

I am sure most people did not know or care about the change in actors playing the character Darrin Stephens.This has been stated on camera by cast, crew, Producers and executives at Screen Gems and ABC, they were there you were not, they know you do not.

You are a delusional fan boy to think you know better about Bewitched Elizabeth Montgomery, anyone who would think as such is a fool!!!!

The very first episode in season 6 where the audience tuned in expecting to see York also had lower ratings around #25, that's the rating that would have been the case if York had been in that episode and would have been the same that season be it it DY or DS, it was a sign of the times in the ratings wars especially in the key 18 to 35 age demographics starting in 1969 .

I am talking about the ratings drop not specifically when the shows were cancelled as ratings determines the number of people watching relative to other shows rather when the shows are cancelled.

The relative ratings would have fallen no matter who was Darrin, more people actually watched Bewitched that year then in the first few years of the show, so in effect it was more popular then ever.

There were 9 million more TV households and an increase in over 4% in the % of households owning a TV from 1963 to 1970 in season 6.
This lead to more overall folks watching Bewitched in 1970 then in 1964.
:wave::wave::wave::wave:

I looked into a few of the ratings items being discussed here and this is what I found from some preliminary research: The number of TV households (homes that had a TV set) in 1964-65 was 52.7 million and in 1969-70 was 58.5 million. Assuming for now that these numbers are correct, season one of Bewitched (1964-65) had a 31.0 rating, which means that 31% of TV households viewed it, which would be 16.337 million households. Season six (1969-70) had a 20.6 rating, which means that 20.6% of TV households viewed it, which would be 12.051 million households. So, even though there were more TV households overall by the 1969-70 season, there were still fewer TV households viewing the show compared to season one. Now, this doesn't account for TV viewers, but it doesn't appear Nielsen ratings produced those numbers until the 1990s.

While it's certainly debatable as to the level of people "caring" that there was a new Darrin (without documentary proof of letters, etc. sent to ABC/Screen Gems/the cast), the switch was not something that ABC/Screen Gems had hidden and it was certainly noticed. Dick Sargent's arrival was announced in regular newspapers and magazines, dating back to January of 1969, and I've seen Screen Gems press releases that they would have sent out. Now, I haven't seen any evidence that the Darrin switch was heavily promoted or anything, so obviously there were still a number of people who had no idea, but I think it's debatable that everyone just tuned in expecting Dick York. In some sort of prep, ABC did air five non-Darrin episodes at the end of 1969 summer reruns from Aug. 14-Sep. 13 (but not ALL the non-Darrin episodes, as has been stated in various Bewitched documentaries).

I can't find national Nielsen ratings for the season six premiere week, but in New York's ratings, it was not in the top 30 broadcasts. It aired against the third half-hour of Ironside's 2-hour premiere on CBS.

I found an interesting interview Elizabeth Montgomery did, she talks about the Darrins switch, she was asked if the change was too rough.

She says the switch was not a problem

https://clyp.it/mu5ptn5r

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Lizz?

From what I'm learning, she wanted the switch to begin with. And it appears that she wanted it, because York was stealing the show with his comedy. He was the center of the comedy, and she may have been threatened by that. In retrospect, the first three seasons York is at least Montgomery's equal in why that show was a success, and in fact, may have been more of a reason for it's success.

I always preferrred Dick Sargent over York. To me York was annoying with his over the top reactions and his constant yelling at Samantha. Dick Sargent on the other hand was more calmed, he didn't yell all the time and he didn't overreact like York used to do, and that made the show more enjoyable.

Sargent did a great job playing Darrin

Dick York was Darrin. Dick Sargent was Darrin reduced to clear and undisputed second fiddle.

Dick York was Darrin

That would make a great screen name.

That would make a great screen name.

I agree...

For the reputation of Bewitched, Sony should drop the Sargent episodes from the main syndication package (like the Andy Griffith color shows). York is the only Darrin!

For the reputation of Bewitched, Sony should drop the Sargent episodes from the main syndication package (like the Andy Griffith color shows). York is the only Darrin!

I'm thinking that the first five seasons should be renamed, "The Dick York is Bewitched Show" and seasons six through eight should be "The Elizabeth Montgomery Bewitches Show."

The first five seasons, Dick York was the star, where as the last three seasons, Elizabeth Montgomery was the star.

The first five seasons, Dick York was the star, where as the last three seasons, Elizabeth Montgomery was the star.

According to a recent interview with Lila Garrett (before her passing) the writers deliberately changed the focus of scripts away from the romance because Sargent had no romantic chemistry with Montgomery.

Sargent was also not a strong comedian so the writers stopped writing funny shtick for Darrin. To make up for that I think Liz deliberately began doing more of the facial and reactionary comedy. You can really see her ham it up (in a good way) in the Henry the 8th episode.