We all know Dick York suffered a back injury in 1959 which caused him escalating problems on Bewitched. During season 5 it was determined he couldn't go on to season 6.

What would you have done? See the poll.

It's difficult to say. I like Dick Sargent as a person, and I'd like to think given more effort, he would've been more Darrin-y eventually, but that didn't really happen- he always seemed sort of stiff to me. He was an adequate replacement, and I'm glad he was there to bring about two more seasons (yes, I know there were three more seasons, but season 8 is just tired). I think he was the right choice at the time given the circumstances, but someone here suggested Ray Fulmer, and he might have been better? Who knows. (This sounds mean and I apologize. No shade intended to Sargent). Richard Crenna had been the original third choice, and I wonder how he would've played Darrin. I think Dick Van Dyke might've been even better as Darrin than Dick York, but being the second banana would've been a step down for him.

William Asher said he originally tried to get Dick Sargent to be more animated, like Dick York, but gave up. Writer Lila Garrett said they also tried to write the character of Darrin the same at first, but they also gave up on writing the romantic scenes since Sargent couldn't really pull them off. And the general trend of "no one will notice if we remake this black and white Dick York episode into a color one with Dick Sargent." So the decline in the latter years was also sort of a feedback loop of giving up.

Given that, would it have been better to end the show? Maybe, but then we wouldn't have gotten to see Adam being born, the Serena episodes, the Salem episodes, "Sisters at Heart," etc.

If I were the showrunner, I'd keep trying to get Dick Sargent to be more animated, and hire more writers for fresh ideas. (Any more 10th grade English classes?)

I would have hired Dick S. He was a competent replacement, despite the ratings decline.

It's difficult to say. I like Dick Sargent as a person, and I'd like to think given more effort, he would've been more Darrin-y eventually, but that didn't really happen- he always seemed sort of stiff to me. He was an adequate replacement, and I'm glad he was there to bring about two more seasons (yes, I know there were three more seasons, but season 8 is just tired). I think he was the right choice at the time given the circumstances, but someone here suggested Ray Fulmer, and he might have been better? Who knows. (This sounds mean and I apologize. No shade intended to Sargent). Richard Crenna had been the original third choice, and I wonder how he would've played Darrin. I think Dick Van Dyke might've been even better as Darrin than Dick York, but being the second banana would've been a step down for him.

William Asher said he originally tried to get Dick Sargent to be more animated, like Dick York, but gave up. Writer Lila Garrett said they also tried to write the character of Darrin the same at first, but they also gave up on writing the romantic scenes since Sargent couldn't really pull them off. And the general trend of "no one will notice if we remake this black and white Dick York episode into a color one with Dick Sargent." So the decline in the latter years was also sort of a feedback loop of giving up.

Given that, would it have been better to end the show? Maybe, but then we wouldn't have gotten to see Adam being born, the Serena episodes, the Salem episodes, "Sisters at Heart," etc.

If I were the showrunner, I'd keep trying to get Dick Sargent to be more animated, and hire more writers for fresh ideas. (Any more 10th grade English classes?)

That's all interesting. I agree about season 8. I also agree about ending the show and missing out on the Christmas episode story by the high school class, Serena and her song at the Cosmos Cotillion, she and Uncle Arthur trying to live the mortal life after being stripped of their powers. Also the Salem and European trips. Also no Esmeralda--I know many didn't like her, but I thought Alice Ghostley did a great job with the part, and some of the unique things they did with it--fading her out, glasses in the air...

I'm not sure they could have changed Sargent's stiffness. Once you've chosen the actor, you're stuck in this case. I don't think they could have done a third Darrin.

Having watched a few clips of Richard Crenna and Ray Fulmer, I think they would’ve made convincing romantic leads, but I don’t know how they would’ve handled the comedy. Fulmer maybe more so, but admittedly I haven’t seen that many clips that would be comparable. Again, Dick Van Dyke could’ve done it. Dean Jones might’ve also been too big a star.

They could have just waited for Dick York to get better, which he did, and bring him back.

They could also have hired more creative writers. I can imagine it being possible to work around York's illness for a substantial time. Of course, not for ever. Eventually York would need to get better.

How about this for an episode? Tabitha is watching cartoons, and turns her father into a cartoon character in the cartoon? This could be a two part episode. And all Dick York has to do is voice over for the part.

Hire some creative writers and get to work.

I picked Widowed because I think she wanted to keep the show going.....

I doubt they would’ve brought Dick York back a la Becky from Roseanne, but if they did, it took him 18 months to get better and kick the pills. That’s a long time.

I chose hire Dick S as was done ! Although I prefer Dick York as Darren, Dick Sargent was an OK replacement ! ;)The show was still funny ! :)

It's funny as a kid, I didn't even notice he was a different actor lol

I know this isn't an option, but I think it might have been good if Samantha had to change Darrin's looks for SOME reason, like maybe someone was after him... I thought that MIGHT have been a rejected storyline actually, it seems I read it someplace

It's funny as a kid, I didn't even notice he was a different actor lol

I know this isn't an option, but I think it might have been good if Samantha had to change Darrin's looks for SOME reason, like maybe someone was after him... I thought that MIGHT have been a rejected storyline actually, it seems I read it someplace

In "Pleasure O'Riley," Samantha changes Darrin into an old lady to escape Thor's wrath, and in "Just One Happy Family," Endora changes him into a newspaper to escape Maurice. I think the producers debated having Endora change his looks for the Darrin switch, but figured that would've driven a wedge between her and Samantha. William Asher also mentioned the possibility of Darrin dying, but decided that the audience was sophisticated enough to know this was a TV show that has cast changes sometimes, so decided on no explanation.

Here's the "explanation" I came up with (https://harpiesbizarre.com/ff-ballad.htm) as a teenager, including for the deja-vu of repeated plots, haha.

I'm a big fan of York, but they didn't have much choice. He was starting to look unwell, and that isn't good for a comedy. They couldn't count on him for a good outcome. Plus their nerves had been worn to a frazzle for a long time not knowing if he was gonna show up for filming each week and having to keep a reserve script ready if he didn't. They had to deal with that for too long and it came to a head. They were understandably tired of that situation.

I think Elizabeth just wanted an easy solution for the show to go on. The show had mostly run its course, but deserved to continue if she wanted it. At some point in most shows, or on their next series, the lead actor wants to start calling all of the shots and not be challenged by a strong producer or a strong supporting cast. Keeping up with York was a challenge, and others might be too, Sargent wasn't.Choosing Sargent made life easier.

I used to think the “will he or won’t he show up” was a week by week basis with Dick York, but it turned out most of the episodes he missed were after (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=272755)his final seizure, then were mixed in with the Darrin episodes by airdate to make him look less gone. I get why the replacement had to happen; I just wish Dick Sargent was less stiff. Though whoever was next had a thankless job.