Rita Piro wrote a book about Elizabeth Montongomery, the book is called "Elizabeth Montgomery: A Bewitching Life"

I have the book, and I'm going to show you the paragraph where Rita Piro talks about how Elizabeth Montgomery hated Dick York.


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"While Bewitched fans have almost unanimously embraced Dick York as the definitive Darrin Stephens, Elizabeth Montgomery felt differently. While their onscreen chemistry as Darrin and Samantha was one of the most enchanting elements of Bewitched. Elizabeth commented that Dick York was a "nervous wreck", "irritating", "goofy" and spoke of his "nutty" antics and of his reclusive nature.

She also complained about York's lack of personal hygiene and was turned off by having to get so close to him during their romantic scenes. One Bewitched producer said that he never once saw York and Montgomery engage in any type of verbal exchange except for their lines in the script. Studio heads maintained that York was essential to Bewitched and let him go only after his unreliability due to poor health became a consistent problem"



"While Elizabeth and Bill socialized with Dick Sargent away from Bewitched set, often inviting him over for Sunday tennis and brunch, and while she would later join forces with her former co-star in a public fight for AIDS support, Elizabeth never associated with Dick York outside of the series, nor did she have any contact with him after he left the show, not even as the actor neared death."

This isn’t surprising, and it’s not really news - it’s been talked about for years. Not all colleagues become friends. There are people you tolerate because you have to work with them, and once the job is over, you don’t keep in touch.

But I don’t see anything in there that says she “hated” him. She may not have liked working with him, found some of his personal qualities irritating, and didn’t socialize with him off screen. But that’s a far cry from hate.

Even if she hated him, so what? What’s important is that their onscreen chemistry was fantastic and made the show a huge hit. Dick York is as much responsible for the quality and popularity of this show as Liz Montgomery was. Both were great in their respective parts.

This isn’t surprising, and it’s not really news - it’s been talked about for years. Not all colleagues become friends. There are people you tolerate because you have to work with them, and once the job is over, you don’t keep in touch.

But I don’t see anything in there that says she “hated” him. She may not have liked working with him, found some of his personal qualities irritating, and didn’t socialize with him off screen. But that’s a far cry from hate.

It also says that a producer of the show said he never saw Liz and York talking behind the scenes.

You have to be logical, I mean, if Liz didn't like working him with him, complained about York's lack of personal hygiene, and was turned off by getting close to him, and never talked to him after the show, you can't say that deep down Liz liked York.

Liz hated York. It's common sense

. Elizabeth commented that Dick York was a "nervous wreck", "irritating", "goofy" and spoke of his "nutty" antics and of his reclusive nature.



He likely had concerns that if he "opened up" too much, those around him might try to defame him with their backstabbing ways?

I never particularly cared for York, cared even less for Sargent, the former reminds me of Top Cat, the latter of Garfield. They are both self-centered cartoon characters, IMO.

Thing of it is, the role of Darrin was supposed to be a burden on Sam's special gift, he was a spoiler....sort of a "better feared than loved" sort of thing. Which I believe York did a better job of than Sargent.

It also says that a producer of the show said he never saw Liz and York talking behind the scenes.

You have to be logical, I mean, if Liz didn't like working him with him, complained about York's lack of personal hygiene, and was turned off by getting close to him, and never talked to him after the show, you can't say that deep down Liz liked York.

Liz hated York. It's common sense

No, it’s not. I never claimed Liz liked York. But there’s nothing in the passages above that proves she hated him. There are people I don’t like personally and people I don’t like working with (and whom I won’t have contact with after we’re in different jobs), but I don’t hate them. If the thread title said, “Elizabeth didn’t like Dick York”, I’d agree with that. But you’re conflating “don’t like” with “hate” and they are not the same thing.

Monliz is a troublemaker and troll. Just ignore him/her.

Monliz is a troublemaker and troll. Just ignore her.

Could be another alias of “Larry Tate”.

Agree, I think they are one in the same.

Monliz is a troublemaker and troll. Just ignore her.


We are debating respectfully about Liz and York, now if you don't have anything to say about the subject of this thread, please stay away and don't turn this into a war again.Thanks

Agree, I think they are one in the same.
Definitely the same person.

York may have had many flaws, but at least he did not become a cancer to the executive staff, bringing about the series' early demise like Robert Reed did to Brady Bunch.

In fact it wouldn't surprise me if the experiences gained in replacing York with Sargent served as some kind of motivation for Schwartz to simply fold the tent rather than finding a replacement for Reed.

York may have had many flaws, but at least he did not become a cancer to the executive staff, bringing about the series' early demise like Robert Reed did to Brady Bunch.

In fact it wouldn't surprise me if the experiences gained in replacing York with Sargent served as some kind of motivation for Schwartz to simply fold the tent rather than finding a replacement for Reed.

I think “Bewitched “ and “The Brady Bunch” lasted long enough.

I think “Bewitched “ and “The Brady Bunch” lasted long enough.

Perhaps, but what does Elizabeth Montgomery think? Afterall, since she is the supreme empress, we can only go by what she thinks.

No, it’s not. I never claimed Liz liked York. But there’s nothing in the passages above that proves she hated him. There are people I don’t like personally and people I don’t like working with (and whom I won’t have contact with after we’re in different jobs), but I don’t hate them. If the thread title said, “Elizabeth didn’t like Dick York”, I’d agree with that. But you’re conflating “don’t like” with “hate” and they are not the same thing.

As you can read in the picture I showed, it says that that a producer of Bewitched said Liz and York never talked behind the scenes, the only dialogue between them were the lines of the script while they were filming.

Liz refused to talk with York once they were done filming a scene, this proves that Liz hated him, and I totally understand her.

As you can read in the picture I showed, it says that that a producer of Bewitched said Liz and York never talked behind the scenes, the only dialogue between them were the lines of the script while they were filming.

Liz refused to talk with York once they were done filming a scene, this proves that Liz hated him, and I totally understand her.

Maybe Liz wasn’t such a nice person.

Good point, Schmo. That may be true. But the thing is we’ll never know because all these people are dead. Personally I doubt she hated him. Maybe disliked, but not hated. But even if she did hate him, I know I don’t care. What’s important to me is that their onscreen chemistry was great and that made for a great show while he was there 😊

Maybe Liz wasn’t such a nice person.


Or maybe it's York who wasn't a nice person and did bad things to her, and that's why she stayed away from him.

As you can read in the picture I showed, it says that that a producer of Bewitched said Liz and York never talked behind the scenes, the only dialogue between them were the lines of the script while they were filming.

Liz refused to talk with York once they were done filming a scene, this proves that Liz hated him, and I totally understand her.

It was never stated that she refused to talk to York once they were done filming a scene. Hate is a very strong word. I doubt she hated him, that does not sound like Liz. You can be annoyed or bothered with people's habits or personalities, but it does not always mean that you hate them for it.

Perhaps it was mutual or more of York's issue? We just do not know.

Rita Piro's book is not exactly a scholarly tome. The quotes are largely out of old movie magazines and nothing is directly cited. It's full of typos and other obvious errors, and she claimed that many of the poor quality pixelated photos were from "old negatives," which makes no sense. While I don't doubt that Liz disliked Dick York to some degree, this book is a huge mixed bag in reliability. It would be nice to know where she got the information for:

"Elizabeth commented that Dick York was a "nervous wreck", "irritating", "goofy" and spoke of his "nutty" antics and of his reclusive nature.

She also complained about York's lack of personal hygiene and was turned off by having to get so close to him during their romantic scenes."

I say more props to them if they really hated each other (or one not liking the other) as it shows that they were such good actors who could make it look like they were really in love.

I say more props to them if they really hated each other (or one not liking the other) as it shows that they were such good actors who could make it look like they were really in love.


Yep!!! ;):)

Good point, Schmo. That may be true. But the thing is we’ll never know because all these people are dead. Personally I doubt she hated him. Maybe disliked, but not hated. But even if she did hate him, I know I don’t care. What’s important to me is that their onscreen chemistry was great and that made for a great show while he was there 😊

I agree !!!;):)

Rita Piro's book is not exactly a scholarly tome. The quotes are largely out of old movie magazines and nothing is directly cited. It's full of typos and other obvious errors, and she claimed that many of the poor quality pixelated photos were from "old negatives," which makes no sense. While I don't doubt that Liz disliked Dick York to some degree, this book is a huge mixed bag in reliability. It would be nice to know where she got the information for:

The part where Rita says that according to a producer of Bewitched Liz and York never talked behind the scenes, she got it from William Froug's book, he said that.

William Froug was the producer of Bewitched in the third season, I read his book, and Froug said that Liz and York never talked behind the scenes, he also said that every time they finished filming a scene, Liz and York moved into separate worlds.

So Rita's sources are realiable indeed

I say more props to them if they really hated each other (or one not liking the other) as it shows that they were such good actors who could make it look like they were really in love.

York said in his book "The seesaw girl and me" that he fell in love with Elizabeth Montgomery.

That means it wasn't difficult for York to act like he was in love with Liz, because he really was.

So props to Liz, what a great actress she was.

I say more props to them if they really hated each other (or one not liking the other) as it shows that they were such good actors who could make it look like they were really in love.

This is true. I'm not sure why this discussion never ends.

Larry Tate and Monliz are not the same person for those wondering. Larry is from Canada, while Monliz is from Spain according to their IP address. Monliz is a bit of a troll with this whole agenda, but at least they are somewhat polite about it. They don't resort to personal attacks like Larry Tate.

I updated the blatantly misleading thread title. You haven't found any source that she "hated" him.

Liz refused to talk with York once they were done filming a scene, this proves that Liz hated him, and I totally understand her.

Nope, it doesn’t prove that. I strongly suspect she disliked him. But dislike != hate.

This is true. I'm not sure why this discussion never ends.

Larry Tate and Monliz are not the same person for those wondering. Larry is from Canada, while Monliz is from Spain according to their IP address. Monliz is a bit of a troll with this whole agenda, but at least they are somewhat polite about it. They don't resort to personal attacks like Larry Tate.

Thank you for clearing up the confusion about the Larry Tate and Monliz duo.
One reason the discussion never ends is because the actors are deceased and can’t confirm or deny what others say about them.

The part where Rita says that according to a producer of Bewitched Liz and York never talked behind the scenes, she got it from William Froug's book, he said that.

William Froug was the producer of Bewitched in the third season, I read his book, and Froug said that Liz and York never talked behind the scenes, he also said that every time they finished filming a scene, Liz and York moved into separate worlds.

So Rita's sources are realiable indeed

What about this part: "Elizabeth commented that Dick York was a "nervous wreck", "irritating", "goofy" and spoke of his "nutty" antics and of his reclusive nature. She also complained about York's lack of personal hygiene and was turned off by having to get so close to him during their romantic scenes."

Is that all from William Froug as well? She only attributes the thing about not talking behind the scenes to a producer. The preceding sentences aren't sourced.

From what I know, Elizabeth disliked Dick York, and I think it's because of jealousy.

Elizabeth was jealous because Dick York was so good he stole the spotlight from her in a lot of episodes.

Sargent was so bad he could never take the spotlight from Elizabeth, that's the reason why I think she liked Sargent.

In the Sargent seasons, almost every episode focused on Elizabeth, and Darin became a side character.

Good points Harlock! Totally agree.

From what I know, Elizabeth disliked Dick York, and I think it's because of jealousy.

Elizabeth was jealous because Dick York was so good he stole the spotlight from her in a lot of episodes.

Sargent was so bad he could never take the spotlight from Elizabeth, that's the reason why I think she liked Sargent.

In the Sargent seasons, almost every episode focused on Elizabeth, and Darin became a side character.


Liz was always the star of the show, not York, she didn't have any reason to be jealous of him. Bewitched has always been Elizabeth Montgomery's show.

The reason why Liz hated York, a part from the reasons Rita said in her book, it's because York was in love with Liz, and made her feel uncomfortable with his inappropriate behavior, that's why Liz wanted him fired. The producer of the show in the third season, William Froug, said all this in an interview and in his book too.

Besides York said in his memoir that he was in love with Liz, so what Froug said is believable, because York himself confirmed part of what Froug said.

I agree that EM was the star of Bewitched. However, it does not mean she did not have insecurities or feel threatened by DY. EM was more the straight man to DY's more funny role. The spells happened to him and he would get the laughs.

Linda Lavin was very jealous of her co-stars on Alice. So it is possible.

I agree that EM was the star of Bewitched. However, it does not mean she did not have insecurities or feel threatened by DY. EM was more the straight man to DY's more funny role. The spells happened to him and he would get the laughs.

Linda Lavin was very jealous of her co-stars on Alice. So it is possible.

I think we've all seen shows where the original star gets upstaged by another character. In some cases, the funny side character becomes the star. I can see stars feeling threatened by that.

In the case of Linda Lavin, it was very obvious that she was jealous of the attention other performers were getting for their laughs.

York may have been infatuated with Montgomery, but he ultimately stayed with his wife.
Montgomery had numerous failed relationships.

I've never read nor heard anything about Liz being jealous of York.

However I've read articles from the 60's talking about York's jealousy of Liz, apparently he pulled a Larry Hagman style power & $$$$ grab trying to get a lot more of both with a sick out that was disingenuous in nature.

It's been said that York wanted to earn as much money as Liz, and he also wanted the same publicity she had.

So if anyone was jealous, it's York.

York may have been infatuated with Montgomery, but he ultimately stayed with his wife.
Montgomery had numerous failed relationships.

York stayed with his wife because Liz wanted nothing to do with him.

Liz wasn't interested in York, she never talked to him behind the scenes, when they were done filming a scene she stayed away from him, and after York left the series Liz never had any type of contact nor relationship with him, while she stayed in touch with Dick Sargent.

York said in his book that he was in love with Liz, he also talked in a lecherous way about her, so it's clear that if Liz had been interested in him, York would have cheated on his wife.

York stayed with his wife because Liz wanted nothing to do with him.

Liz wasn't interested in York, she never talked to him behind the scenes, when they were done filming a scene she stayed away from him, and after York left the series Liz never had any type of contact nor relationship with him, while she stayed in touch with Dick Sargent.

York said in his book that he was in love with Liz, he also talked in a lecherous way about her, so it's clear that if Liz had been interested in him, York would have cheated on his wife.

Estas obsesionada con Elisabetta.

York stayed with his wife because Liz wanted nothing to do with him.

Liz wasn't interested in York, she never talked to him behind the scenes, when they were done filming a scene she stayed away from him, and after York left the series Liz never had any type of contact nor relationship with him, while she stayed in touch with Dick Sargent.

York said in his book that he was in love with Liz, he also talked in a lecherous way about her, so it's clear that if Liz had been interested in him, York would have cheated on his wife.

You presume too much and you are letting your imagination run wild. Nothing is clear, these folks are dead, we will never know for sure. You make these statements sound as if they are true facts. You opinion is welcome, but it is just that an opinion.

You presume too much and you are letting your imagination run wild. Nothing is clear, these folks are dead, we will never know for sure. You make these statements sound as if they are true facts. You opinion is welcome, but it is just that an opinion.

You're wrong. The producer of the show William Frough said in his book that every time they finished filming a scene Liz stayed away from York and didn't talk talk to him. And the producer of the show knows better than you of the things that happened on the set

York said in his book that he was in love with Liz, he talked in a lecherous way about her in his book. Crew member have stated too that York was madly in love in Liz.

So I'm not letting my imagination run wild, I'm just sating facts corroborated by the people who were there.

Wow, Monliz REALLY seems to hate Dick York. What did he ever do to you?

Liz was always the star of the show, not York, she didn't have any reason to be jealous of him. Bewitched has always been Elizabeth Montgomery's show.

The reason why Liz hated York, a part from the reasons Rita said in her book, it's because York was in love with Liz, and made her feel uncomfortable with his inappropriate behavior, that's why Liz wanted him fired. The producer of the show in the third season, William Froug, said all this in an interview and in his book too.

Besides York said in his memoir that he was in love with Liz, so what Froug said is believable, because York himself confirmed part of what Froug said.

The way I see it, Elizabeth and York were equally the stars of the show,I think Elizabeth knew that and she was jealous. However in the Sargent years Elizabeth was the only star of the show.

I gotta go back and watch her kiss him now!!!! Yeah, I'm weird! :)

Re: Liz.....hey, they don't call it acting for nothin'. ;)

I gotta go back and watch her kiss him now!!!! Yeah, I'm weird! :)

Re: Liz.....hey, they don't call it acting for nothin'. ;)

There are ways to fake kisses on TV, so maybe Liz and York's kisses weren't real

ZBAuoT3NRPo

You presume too much and you are letting your imagination run wild. Nothing is clear, these folks are dead, we will never know for sure. You make these statements sound as if they are true facts. You opinion is welcome, but it is just that an opinion.

Autism and OCD run rampant on this site, I've found. Best to let them chimp out and move on.

From what I know, Elizabeth disliked Dick York, and I think it's because of jealousy.

Elizabeth was jealous because Dick York was so good he stole the spotlight from her in a lot of episodes.

Sargent was so bad he could never take the spotlight from Elizabeth, that's the reason why I think she liked Sargent.

In the Sargent seasons, almost every episode focused on Elizabeth, and Darin became a side character.

I completely see this. Elizabeth Montgomery was the official star of the show, but it is clear that Dick York was the center of the comedy.


I can see a similar situation developing as did with Happy Days. While Ron Howard was the star of the show, Fonzi stole the show. And it was uncomfortable for Howard.

I can see Montgomery being very uncomfortable with how much the comedy centered on Darrin. And I can see her having a fear that he becoming the star of the show. I completely see that.

I completely see this. Elizabeth Montgomery was the official star of the show, but it is clear that Dick York was the center of the comedy.


I can see a similar situation developing as did with Happy Days. While Ron Howard was the star of the show, Fonzi stole the show. And it was uncomfortable for Howard.

I can see Montgomery being very uncomfortable with how much the comedy centered on Darrin. And I can see her having a fear that he becoming the star of the show. I completely see that.

York had the hardest job in making all the fantasy elements seem real. And he did it expertly. The first two season seem more of an ensemble piece - and Bill Asher knew that formula worked well having come from "I Love Lucy." But season 3 on it became less focused on Samantha and Darrin as a romantic couple and more of sitcom focused on the magic. I think someone wrote that ABC wanted to focus on the magic more - but could be wrong.

According to "tcr1701" Dick York said in his book that Liz grew tired of him after the second season. So that proves that what Rita Piro said about Liz not liking York it's true

https://i.gyazo.com/ac52e6aa16cc4165df88772e9002ff29.png

Interesting shot of York and Montgomery I've never seen before Season 1 maybe...?

https://i.postimg.cc/0jPGLM0z/sd.jpg

Wow tcr1701, I've just found this interesing comment you did, you said that Liz was annoyed by York and she tried to get him fired and conspired in his back. ;)

How come Liz tried to get rid of York if they were good friends? could you explain us? ;)

https://i.gyazo.com/4f8f6b4e2e92db609738e470b29f1280.png

I do believe Elizabeth Montgomery didn't like Dick York, but I don't believe she said those things about him.

There's no way Elizabeth would talk about York like that publicly, Rita should have said where she took those words from if she wanted people to believe the content of her book.

I do believe Elizabeth Montgomery didn't like Dick York, but I don't believe she said those things about him.

There's no way Elizabeth would talk about York like that publicly, Rita should have quoted where she took all that information from, if she wanted people to believe the content of her book.

I completely see this. Elizabeth Montgomery was the official star of the show, but it is clear that Dick York was the center of the comedy.


I can see a similar situation developing as did with Happy Days. While Ron Howard was the star of the show, Fonzi stole the show. And it was uncomfortable for Howard.

I can see Montgomery being very uncomfortable with how much the comedy centered on Darrin. And I can see her having a fear that he becoming the star of the show. I completely see that.

Elizabeth Montgomery was always the star of the show, she appeared in each and every single episode of Bewitched, while York missed 14 episodes.