Can group members recall which of the regular supporting cast didn't even appear in the last season of "Bewitched". I know Mr. and Mrs. Stephens Snr didn't as didn't the Cravitze's and I believe Uncle Arthur as well. I think it was a sure sign that basically the show was running down to a weak ending.

I think it was good that they ended it when they did. When a show gets to the point where they have a lot of episodes and start re-using earlier story plots in episodes then that is a sure sign that it is running out of steam.

Yes I agree totally. There were alot of recycled episodes done in the last year that were vastly inferior to the episodes they were based on from earlier in the series.
I feel even Elizabeth Montgomery was looking bored in alot of the episodes as well and I dont think the Samantha character was half as appealing and lovely as she was earlier as well. "Bewitched" should have ended at the conclusion of season seven I think ..I did like most of the Salem episodes

It didn't help things when they moved it to Saturday nights, opposite "All in the Family".

I think shows should end in there prime, but the last season of Bewitched started to loose the show's prime.

Still a great series.

I enjoed the Salem episodes too. Surprising that didn't do those earlier. If I remember correctly they only had one Halloween episode which seems strange when you think aboout it. They've had more Christmas episode than Halloween since Halloween is more associated with witchcraft.

I got tired of the Salem and old England episodes. They seemed to deviate from the show's plot--mortal man marries a witch and nobody knows it.

And the last season when the group goes to Europe--yuck! Esmeralda straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The Halloween episodes were "The Witches are Out", "Trick or Treat", "Twitch or Treat","The Safe and Sane Halloween", and "To Trick or Not to Trick or Treat."

Yes Donald, the trip to Europe was a big misfire I think.....totally unfunny when there should have been real potential in those storylines and I just hate Elizabeth's 1970's groovy outfits and worse still those long white socks! Yuck, give me her teased hair and stunning outfits circa 1966-67 any day!
At least when they went to Salem they actually "went there" and filmed on location. I love the Paul Revere episode which I thought recaptured alot of the old charm of "Bewitched". The chemistry between Elizabeth and the handsome actor playing Paul Revere has often been commented on.
Simon

Originally posted by Novarro
I love the Paul Revere episode which I thought recaptured alot of the old charm of "Bewitched". The chemistry between Elizabeth and the handsome actor playing Paul Revere has often been commented on.
Simon

If I remember that episode correctly, Paul Revere was portrayed by Bert Convy. He (Bert, not Paul ;) ) seemed to be everywhere, game shows in particular, in the early 70s.

Originally posted by TVgen62
If I remember that episode correctly, Paul Revere was portrayed by Bert Convy. He (Bert, not Paul ;) ) seemed to be everywhere, game shows in particular, in the early 70s.
I see Bert Convy on the old Match Game from the mid-70s. He used to be a professional athlete, and died young from a brain tumor in the early 90s.

Bert also was the host of the last Password game in the 80's.

Don

ps Sorry about deviating from the board's theme ie Bewitched

Originally posted by Brian
I think it was good that they ended it when they did. When a show gets to the point where they have a lot of episodes and start re-using earlier story plots in episodes then that is a sure sign that it is running out of steam.


True, but I personally think that the show should have ended when Dick York was dismissed. Sure, it was a great show, but the number of seasons a show lasts does not denote its quality (for example, Gidget only lasted for 2 seasons, but still continues to endure in the hearts of its fans and new generations to come).

"Bewitched" is one of the shows that stayed past its welcome. The show should have ended in 1969, when Dick York left. It was never the same after that. Dick Sargent and Elizabeth Montgomery didn't have the same chemistry, the plots were re-used and tired, the show relied on the gimmick and not on quality scripts.

If you watch a "Bewitched" episode from 1964-1966, and then one from 1969-1972, you can easily tell the difference. It just became a boring "magic" show during the Dick Sargent years

That didn't take away, however, from the tremendous quality of the first 5 years of the show

I loved the Salem episodes, almost all of them, my favorite being "Samantha's Old Salem Trip." But the trip to Europe paled in comparison. I do more groaning than laughing in those episodes. I think season 7 is the best of the last three seasons. Season eight was terrible (if it weren't for Aggie and Sargent holding up pretty much any episode, it would be too boring to speak of), and season six was understandably awkward, but season seven wasn't bad.

I kind of agree with those who say that the show should have just ended after Dick York left because it was never the same, but then again, it is my favorite show. So, even the worst episode of Bewitched is still great television in my opinion. I can also appreciate the weird and out there plots of the later seasons that we wouldn't seen in earlier seasons. Even if they weren't as good.

Originally posted by TVgen62
If I remember that episode correctly, Paul Revere was portrayed by Bert Convy. He (Bert, not Paul ;) ) seemed to be everywhere, game shows in particular, in the early 70s. I haven't seen that one in years, but I do remember that it was a good one-even though the information about Paul Revere was inacurate.

Originally posted by Novarro
I just hate Elizabeth's 1970's groovy outfits and worse still those long white socks! Yuck, give me her teased hair and stunning outfits circa 1966-67 any day!


Are you mad? She was looking hot in the 8th season! Okay, true she looked good through each season, but I think she was rockin' those outfits.

i like the last season a lot.

Mad??? I really dont think so. I just happen to think that the 1970's look looks very dated nowadays whereas the earlier 60's clothes are much more flattering. Elizabeth looked prettier in the earlier years (seasons 1 - 7) I felt as well

Originally posted by Novarro
Mad??? I really dont think so. I just happen to think that the 1970's look looks very dated nowadays whereas the earlier 60's clothes are much more flattering. Elizabeth looked prettier in the earlier years (seasons 1 - 7) I felt as well

Oh, well I think she looked good throughout all 8 seasons and continued looking as good right up until her tragic death. Not many women can pull off looking sexy at 60. I like how she looked in the 70s with her hair long and straight. Have you ever seen the tv movie 'The Victim?' Like Wow! :eek: I do agree with you though she did look amazing in seasons 1 & 2, but I think she looked good all the time even before Bewitched. She looked good as a brunette too.

The pic below is of Liz from The Untouchables in 1960.

I alway thought that she looked her absolute best, prettier and very sexy and with nice clothes in the three colour Dick York seasons. Seasons 3, 4 , 5. That is my fav period on the show. i like her hair brushed back. I really dont like the "Ali McGraw" look with her hair straightened and parted down the middle at all.

Originally posted by Novarro
I alway thought that she looked her absolute best, prettier and very sexy and with nice clothes in the three colour Dick York seasons. Seasons 3, 4 , 5. That is my fav period on the show. i like her hair brushed back. I really dont like the "Ali McGraw" look with her hair straightened and parted down the middle at all.

Hmm..to each his own I guess. I really don't have a favorite period of the show. I like all of the seasons and both Darrin's although I prefer Alice Pearce's 'Gladys' to Sandra Gould's. I don't think Liz liked Sandra very much either.

Yes most definately to each his own. thats the joy of a discussion group.
I think the whole cast looked better in seasons 3 , 4, and 5 with the nice introduction of colour. You could see in particular at the start of those seasons that Elizabeth always had a beautiful tan etc which made her lok so much better I think with her blonde hair.

Originally posted by Novarro
Yes most definately to each his own. thats the joy of a discussion group.
I think the whole cast looked better in seasons 3 , 4, and 5 with the nice introduction of colour. You could see in particular at the start of those seasons that Elizabeth always had a beautiful tan etc which made her look so much better I think with her blonde hair.

The Bottom Line is that Liz looked stunning ,Beautiful & Super Sexy in all 8 seasons,the compareing of it is a relative thing,like compareing Plato & Socrates,both are Brilliant & the preference is merely one of personal taste out of the superb choices one has.

I think Liz looked Prettier in the early seasons but much more sexier & desirable in season 8,but she looked stunning ,Beautiful & Super Sexy in all 8 seasons.

All 8 seasons of Bewitched were superb high Art & of very high Quality,which part or seasons one likes best is just a matter of opinion.
But all 8 seasons were outstanding.
We were truely lucky that Dick Sargent was able to step in & do such a superb job so very comparable to Dick York,allowing us to have 3 more wonderful seasons of Bewitched,includeing the 8th season too i might add,he did a great job.
The last season was anything but Dismal,it was first rate ,very Good.
We were blessed that Bewitched did not end after season 4 or 5.

Larry Tate :)

Originally posted by Larry Tate
The Bottom Line is that Liz looked stunning ,Beautiful & Super Sexy in all 8 seasons,the compareing of it is a relative thing,like compareing Plato & Socrates,both are Brilliant & the preference is merely one of personal taste out of the superb choices one has.

I think Liz looked Prettier in the early seasons but much more sexier & desirable in season 8,but she looked stunning ,Beautiful & Super Sexy in all 8 seasons.

All 8 seasons of Bewitched were superb high Art & of very high Quality,which part or seasons one likes best is just a matter of opinion.
But all 8 seasons were outstanding.
We were truely lucky that Dick Sargent was able to step in & do such a superb job so very comparable to Dick York,allowing us to have 3 more wonderful seasons of Bewitched,includeing the 8th season too i might add,he did a great job.
The last season was anything but Dismal,it was first rate ,very Good.
We were blessed that Bewitched did not end after season 4 or 5.

Larry Tate :)

Very well said. Thats kind of the reason I can't pick just one or two seasons I like best either. I like them all and I like all of the episodes. Sure there are more I like better than the others, but I like them ALL. Same goes for Liz's look through each season. She looked sexy to me in every season each in a different way, but still looking good.

Well I'm afraid I disagree here.
The last season in particular was made up of a large percentage of remakes of earlier episodes which most often were vastly superior. While of course still enjoyable Bewitched's greatest days were already behind it. The show had just run its course which happens to all shows and Elizabeth Montgomery was right to be a bit reluctant to tackle that last season.

Originally posted by Novarro
Well I'm afraid I disagree here.
The last season in particular was made up of a large percentage of remakes of earlier episodes which most often were vastly superior. While of course still enjoyable Bewitched's greatest days were already behind it. The show had just run its course which happens to all shows and Elizabeth Montgomery was right to be a bit reluctant to tackle that last season.

I have to Disagree with you & feel your view is incorrect,the show remained excellent & strong thru all 8 seasons from episodes 1 to 254,Liz herself felt so & said so on many occasions,especially that she was NEVER bored for a moment on the show,clearly she knows far better if that was so then you or anyone else,likewise her opinion is the one that has to be regarded as the correct one over yours or anyone else's.

The show had not run it's course until Liz decided to end it before it became what you seem to incorrectly view as the outcome of the last 3 seasons,it's days continued to be of a strong & Bright nature as it had been prior,the shows quality stayed high & was certainly comparable to the first 5 seasons,often at least as good.

Liz was not at all reluctant to tackle the last season,as a matter of fact she herself was planning to do a 9th season,not just one that was contractually dictated as it was an option year,but one she herself wanted to do,but for personal reasons decided against doing.
In fact the rate of remakes until the last 3 or 4 ep.of season 8 was the same that year as it had been from & includeing season 5,it remained stable & constant at about 3 a year after about 2 a year in season 3 & 4,so the rehash arguement simply doesn't hold up.

Larry Tate :)

In this discussion room no ones thoughts or opinions on the series are quote"incorrect" Everyone is entitled to view things differently and be entitled to have those views respected, that is the purpose of an open forum such as this. I tend to disagree with your views on the last few seasons but they are your views which you are entitled to hold and believe in just like I am in mine.
Also if you check clearly the "Bewitched Book" you will see very clearly the number of remakes in the last season was way over what had been hardly done at all in the earlier seasons. The remakes are clearly listed by Herbie next to each episode so in fact my argument is based on sound documented facts and does indeed hold up. Hope this can be laid to rest now. Bewitched was a classic series loved by millions around the world, lets not forget that
Cheers

Originally posted by Novarro
In this discussion room no ones thoughts or opinions on the series are quote"incorrect" Everyone is entitled to view things differently and be entitled to have those views respected, that is the purpose of an open forum such as this. I tend to disagree with your views on the last few seasons but they are your views which you are entitled to hold and believe in just like I am in mine.
Also if you check clearly the "Bewitched Book" you will see very clearly the number of remakes in the last season was way over what had been hardly done at all in the earlier seasons. The remakes are clearly listed by Herbie next to each episode so in fact my argument is based on sound documented facts and does indeed hold up. Hope this can be laid to rest now. Bewitched was a classic series loved by millions around the world, lets not forget that
Cheers

There is only one opinion that is correct on these matters & that is the opinion of Elizabeth Montgomery's whose opinion renders yours & all others dissenting with hers incorrect.

No your Opinions re the remakes the last season do not hold up nor are they based on sound documented facts as they are only based on Herbies views which are often misguided & incorrect,just because he says they are so does not make them so,his book is excellent but those that you are refering to are not facts but merely his views which are often in contradiction with facts & reality as outlined by Liz herself,the number of remakes remained stable & constant the last 4 or 5 years of the show,to say otherwise is to be simply mistaken.

As you say we can agree to disagree & have different views on the matter,but we must bow to the views of Elizabeth Montgomery on all things concerning Bewitched.

Larry Tate :)

Of course we all respect Elizabeth's views of the series what we are discussing here are OUR impressions and thoughts on the series from being fans of the series for many years which are based solely on our own views. I would be interested to know where you are getting all the information from Elizabeth about all this. Herbie at least met and spoke with Elizabeth concerning all these matters while creating his book which got both hers and Bill Asher,s blessings.
Cheers

Originally posted by Novarro
Of course we all respect Elizabeth's views of the series what we are discussing here are OUR impressions and thoughts on the series from being fans of the series for many years which are based solely on our own views. I would be interested to know where you are getting all the information from Elizabeth about all this. Herbie at least met and spoke with Elizabeth concerning all these matters while creating his book which got both hers and Bill Asher,s blessings.
Cheers

Herbie met with her for a grand total of 8 Hours,& as such considers himself an expert on all things Elizabeth,that is more in his mind then in reality,all most all of the things he has said that are wrong re Liz & the show he said after she had passed.

Concerning her views on DS as Darrin re DY,the quality of the show the last 3 seasons,her chemistry with DS,the nature & quality & workability of the non-darrin episodes,her boredom or lack therein with the show,its'd premis & playing Samantha,her ability to deal with the long hours & grind of a sitcom,her interest & energy level & wanting to be there & how much so re season 8 if she wanted to do season 8,all this i heard her say herself from her own lips or read them in interviews ,on specials,on Biography's in articles,on VHS tapes & all were views expressed of a very Positive nature re all that i just refered too above
& were all in direct contridiction to the negative views expressed by whomever re these items i refer to above.

So i say on these topics above she is right & all those haveing negative views on them,while it is their right to have & to express them are never the less Wrong.

Larry Tate :)

Amazing!! You say people are allowed to have those views but that they are wrong???? Who are you to say what is right or wrong from anyone who contributes here. The idea of a discussion forum such as this is for people to give their OWN IMPRESSIONS AND BELIEFS/FEELINGS about our chosen topic of "Bewitched". They might be wrong in your eyes (and that is perfectly legitimate for you to think so) but they are not wrong in the individual contributors own set of beliefs about this topic. They should be respected as unique to that person whether you personally agree with them or not
Can we finish this topic now as it really is not progressing anywhere.

Originally posted by Novarro
Amazing!! You say people are allowed to have those views but that they are wrong???? Who are you to say what is right or wrong from anyone who contributes here. The idea of a discussion forum such as this is for people to give their OWN IMPRESSIONS AND BELIEFS/FEELINGS about our chosen topic of "Bewitched". They might be wrong in your eyes (and that is perfectly legitimate for you to think so) but they are not wrong in the individual contributors own set of beliefs about this topic. They should be respected as unique to that person whether you personally agree with them or not
Can we finish this topic now as it really is not progressing anywhere.

I never said that anyone was wrong to have a view or to express it here or anywhere else,i expressed my alternative views as well.

I never said that that anyone was wrong i merely said i disagreed ,i said Liz Montgomery did say you were wrong & her opinions mean a heck of a lot more re her life & Bewitched then yours or anyone elses does,period.

The Bottom line is that Elizabeth Montgomery is right & you & any fan saying something in contridiction to her views on a matter re herself & or the show is wrong,period.

Larry Tate

I'm afraid to point out to you but if you Check your entry two postings back in the last paragragh you state it in clear english for all of us to see quote:"all those having negative views on them while it is their right to have and express them are never the less wrong" unquote. Your own words. Period and once again we are NOT WRONG for expressing our own views of how WE see the series we are not talking about or contradicting Elizabeth's own quoted feelings about the show. I cannot see how you cannot understand this and still keep on insisting what you are saying, which are personal viewpoints are wrong.

Originally posted by Novarro
I'm afraid to point out to you but if you Check your entry two postings back in the last paragragh you state it in clear english for all of us to see quote:"all those having negative views on them while it is their right to have and express them are never the less wrong" unquote. Your own words. Period and once again we are NOT WRONG for expressing our own views of how WE see the series we are not talking about or contradicting Elizabeth's own quoted feelings about the show. I cannot see how you cannot understand this and still keep on insisting what you are saying, which are personal viewpoints are wrong.

I didn't say you were wrong ,they were not MY words,rather i was refering to you being wrong when you were in contridiction with or in disagreement with Liz's views re herself or the show,get your facts straight & quotes when refering to what another person stated,if you want to retain a shred of credability.

"So i say on these topics above she is right & all those haveing negative views on them,while it is their right to have & to express them are never the less Wrong."

So yes you are 100% wrong as i stated in the quotes when disagreeing with Liz,Not me,Got it!!!!! & yes your negative views are in direct contridiction with Liz's views which are on the record,Got IT !!!!

Takeing bits & pieces of my quotes to try to misrepresent them & justify your pathatic views speaks Volumes about the credibility or lack therein of your views.

As well i stated clearly that you were not wrong in haveing your views or expressing them,you were merely factually & substancewise Wrong & Liz was right,Got It !!!!!

Liz is right & you are WRONG,got it!!!!!

Larry Tate

This whole topic is just getting too bizzare!! Just drop it ok!! If you can't be civil to contributors just dont say anything.
End of discussion

Got it!!

Originally posted by Novarro
Got it!!

I am not the one Lieing ,twisting others words into a lie to suit their own purposes & being uncivil or attacking others personally as you are ,i am merely stateing facts & responding to your personal attacks on me.

At least now you have the facts on the matter.
I was civil you were just wrong according to Liz.

I have now ended this Discussion,Period!!!!!!!

Can't we all just get along?? :argue:

Wow . . . reading this thread is quite a shock. I never expected an argument to take place over some misunderstandings. Also, I don't understand why "Larry Tate" (the username) took the argument a bit overboard. After reading this, I felt as though he was trying to be Elizabeth Montegomery her(him)self through his words and actions. To get to the point . . . he/she is not Elizabeth and he/she has NO right to tell someone that their views are wrong concerning about the show and Elizabeth herself. He went overboard and I am sure Elizabeth would agree.

Originally posted by LucyFan
Wow . . . reading this thread is quite a shock. I never expected an argument to take place over some misunderstandings. Also, I don't understand why "Larry Tate" (the username) took the argument a bit overboard. After reading this, I felt as though he was trying to be Elizabeth Montegomery her(him)self through his words and actions. To get to the point . . . he/she is not Elizabeth and he/she has NO right to tell someone that their views are wrong concerning about the show and Elizabeth herself. He went overboard and I am sure Elizabeth would agree.

Well you seem to think you are Elizabeth Montgomery as you think you know what she would think about this.
I know who i am you seem to be confused as to your own identity.

The Difference is that your thoughts on what Liz would think are based on no facts & just your own imaginings while what i refer to re what Liz would think is documented FACT both in print & on Video about her views on the matters refered to in this thread,notice the difference?.

I hardly went overboard,or perhaps you think that the poster knows more about Liz Montgomery's feelings & thoughts about herself & Bewitched then she does,that he is right & she is wrong on matters directly related to her & Bewitched,that is not a realistic or rational perspective that you have then
,that is absurd to even the most casual observer.

There is no misunderstanding here,it is a Disagreement.
Rather then sticking to the subect & it's relative merits,attacking me which you have both done shows the weakness & non-existance of any credibilty either of you have in discussing these matters concerning Liz & Bewitched,not to mention the poster rewriteing my post in the quote he used of mine to try to make it support his attack on me.

The thought that i was trying to be Elizabeth Montegomery is Bizarre & shows you obviously did not read the posts in this thread in a serious way,my simply saying that in haveing your views or expressing them here or anywhere else is fine & that you were merely factually & substancewise Wrong & Liz was right & that her views are more credible then some fans is more then reasonable & logical.

By the way the point of all this is that i was refering to Liz's views & words & actions on the matters discussed not my own.

Also Liz is a She,perhaps you need some new bi-focals.!

The Bottom line is that Elizabeth Montgomery is right & you & any fan saying something in contridiction to her views on a matter re herself & or the show is wrong,period,deal with it,have a nice life.

Larry Tate

ANYWAY, back to the original topic...I really think this show went down the tubes when Dick York left. Nothing against Dick Sargent, it's just that 69-70 was so-so, 70-71 was bad, and 71-72 was just a joke...you just can't have cute little whimsical shows like this with "All in the Family" and "Sanford & Son" on the airwaves with it...I also can't imagine what would have happened had they taken in another three years to 1975...:eek:

IMO, this was a wonderful, fun show from 64-69, but after 69 it just got passe...:rolleyes: , you could even argue that this show had its best eps in B & W, but that's another argument for another day :)

Good points Arfies and Lucy fan.
It's a real shame when someone fails to realise that this forum is about "our" thoughts, impressions and viewpoints about any particular part of the series, not what has been quoted from any of the stars or production team that worked on "Bewitched." As you will see from going back over the postings I have been attempting to get this point over to this particular person who unfortunately can't seem to grasp this concept. It is unfortunate that it happened as all views on this subject are valuable even if they dont match up to your own. That's the purpose of a discussion group and is what keeps it lively, interesting and informative. To start getting personal with contributors is very wrong and out of order.
I sincerly hope all regular listers will continue to give their valuable thoughts on Bewitched whether they be positive or indeed negative thoughts on elements of the series, none of those are wrong..they are valued. Hopefully this topic can be concluded now and we can all move on to discussing our great love of "Bewitched" in a mature manner.

Originally posted by Novarro
Good points Arfies and Lucy fan.
It's a real shame when someone fails to realise that this forum is about "our" thoughts, impressions and viewpoints about any particular part of the series, not what has been quoted from any of the stars or production team that worked on "Bewitched." As you will see from going back over the postings I have been attempting to get this point over to this particular person who unfortunately can't seem to grasp this concept. It is unfortunate that it happened as all views on this subject are valuable even if they dont match up to your own. That's the purpose of a discussion group and is what keeps it lively, interesting and informative. To start getting personal with contributors is very wrong and out of order.
I sincerly hope all regular listers will continue to give their valuable thoughts on Bewitched whether they be positive or indeed negative thoughts on elements of the series, none of those are wrong..they are valued. Hopefully this topic can be concluded now and we can all move on to discussing our great love of "Bewitched" in a mature manner.

What is a shame is when ironically you accuse someone else of doing what you have done so instead yourself ,re personally attacking & misrepresenting the words of someone else as well as trying define the aspects of the Forum so it will suit your self serveing purpose's.
That is what is out of order,i was merely defending myself & responding to attacks upon myself,my responses were mature,yours were insulting & selfserveing.

You seem to be lacking the capabililty to grasp & understand that nobody has said that anyone doesn't have the right to their views & to express them here as well or anywhere,but to say that just because this is a Discussion group that therefore nobody can be wrong is absurd & not rational.

Who are you to say what this Forum is for or attempt to define what can be included as relevent or not to the point of Discussion?
You are Discussing Liz Montgomery's life & her show,if her Views are not relevent to it then whose are ????????

This is a very convenient way to sidestep a superior opinion in Liz's to yours on the matter discussed,so that your views can still be viewed as possibly correct & retain credibility even when they are proven to not have any.
Apparently this in your mind will allow you to continue to spew out your Hate,Poison & Hatered towards the show you profess to be a fan of Dubious as it may be by your actions.

You still don't understand,you are not wrong because your views don't match up with mine,you are wrong because yours don't match up with Elizabeth Montgomery's views & realities she expressed on many occasions.

Well i have information for you,just because this is a Discussion group does not protect you from being Wrong ,as you are in these matters,you can continue to hold & express your views as you wish,but they are views that are proven & confirmed as misguided,inaccurate & incorrect in Fact & Substance by the person Herself whose Life & Situations you are Discussing.

You are not the one who determines the Parameters of this Board or what can or can't be said or what conclusions can be Drawn,nor the purpose of the Postings,Hence your view that in effect these are just opinions & impressions & can't be incorrect flies in the Face of the reality that they are relevent & that this board has the Freedom & Flexability of Purpose to have this reality included & Brought to bear upon it.

I hope you now understand the broad scope of this board & its purpose & what is acceptable to be included in the process of this discussion,such as your misguided & incorrect views which are refuted by the views of Liz Montgomery.

You can express any views Positive or negative,but if you are mistaken you are callable on that point,ex. Liz was bored & was going through the motions in season 8,she has stated the opposite was the case many times ,hence that is a relative point to bring forth.
I assume you are not saying that you are a better judge of if she was bored or not then she,i think she should know far better then you,this is an acceptable fact & therefore is presentable in this forum as irrefutable evidence that your view is conclusively incorrect although you can still express it.
The inclusion of such information & conclusions in the discussion is not only justified & appropriate but necessary for the group as a whole to gain a greater understanding of the subject discussed.

This matter is now concluded !!

Larry Tate

I don't even know what this thread is about anymore- Bewitched or personal vendettas. :(

I'll try (perhaps in vain) to be a peackeeper here: "In the eighth season of Bewitched, some viewers think Elizabeth Montgomery seemed bored. Maybe she was, maybe she wasn't. And that's all there is to it. "

Totally agree Arfies!!

There should be a law that sitcoms can not produce more than 150 episodes. Why? Because after 150 episodes they start recycling. Shows like Bewitched (252 episodes) The Beverly Hillbillies (274 episodes) Happy Days (255 episodes) all ran themselves into the ground. The novelty was over and the comedy was gone.

Yes totally agree Brenton. It seems after about 5 seasons of a comedy things start to get stale. It is such a shame that a show like Bewitched which was so excellent over all for so long, was allowed to go on for too long and to finish so tired and stale. I like to remember a show when it was still at its peak and was fresh not how shows like Bewitched finished. In a way it spoils the impression you have of a show

Dick Van Dyke had the right idea. He said his show would have a five year run, and he went out on top. The result today is a show where every episode is terrific.

Originally posted by Janice
Dick Van Dyke had the right idea. He said his show would have a five year run, and he went out on top. The result today is a show where every episode is terrific.

Here is the highlight of the final season:
Erin Murphy's portrayal of Tabitha. She plays her as though she is a real child not a typical sitcom child. Storylines involving Tabitha was very good given that the final season was lame and the show was tired.

Liz Montgomery's performance during the final season was pathetic. Is she did not want to do an eighth season she should had bowed out. She looked bored and really did not want to be there.

I agree that the show should had ended after five years. Too bad William Asher and Liz could have learned from Dick Van Dyke and pull the plug after five years.

I have to disagree. I've been watching the last season eps lately and they really aren't THAT bad. They weren't the classic first 2 B&W seasons, but they're still good. It's also a cool novelty to watch the final season eps and think that that kind of thing was still running when shows when "All in the Family" and "Sanford & Son" were on top...

Liz Montgomery's performance during the final season was pathetic. Is she did not want to do an eighth season she should had bowed out. She looked bored and really did not want to be there.

Glad to see someone else saw this. Some of the shows in the last season she seems downright angry, that is, when she's not bored. That said, I don't think the season 8 shows were all awful; there were some good ones (the show with Larry de-aging comes to mind, and The Ghost Who Became A Specter was arguably Sargent's best during his run).

It's just that, IMO, DY was a much more... animated Darrin; his reactions were priceless, where DS was more of a "slow burn" type. Looking at shows today, I wonder if the lack of chemistry between Sargent and Montgomery was part of the reason we saw relatively little of Darrin 2...

:wave: Hello Board! (my few posts have been on the Dick Van Dyke board but I'm also a big Bewitched fan and looking forward to the old eps which begin TONITE on TVL!!!!!) :wave:

I like this show so much that there isn't really an episode that I despise, and a really bad episode is tolerable. After watching Season 8, I didn't think it was that bad, it wasn't superior, but not totally dismal.

I find I never watch the last season as fully as the earlier ones. I just find it very sad viewing , a bit like watching Dick York's last episode "Daddy Does His Thing", knowing the troubles behind the filming. With the last season I just feel it's a pale, tired straggling remainder of a great idea that was well and truly past its use by date. I like to remember Elizabeth as she was when know as the "Grace Kelly of 1960's TV" back in seasons 1 - 5 not as the quite harsh and not totally loveable character she became for most of that last season.

Personally, my favorite moments in this series come from Aunt Clara. She was just so warm, charming, and cute it just made you laugh. Her smoky entrances with the big arm gestures were hilarious! I never failed to laugh at her...it's just a shame she didn't win her much deserved Emmy before she passed on...:(

For me the series ended when Dick York left. I don't watch the later ones at all. Between Darrin #2, the tired storylines and the lack of enthusiasm from the actors, Bewitched was over long before it actually ended in my opinion.

Much is made about the show's worst episodes being in season 8, and it's true (it's not Dick Sargent's fault the writing got worse), but there are also some clunkers in the Dick York years. Last night I was watching season 5 and watched for the first time in a years "Is It Magic or Imagination?" I didn't laugh once. There was nothing redeeming nor special about this episode. Darrin's far more of an ass than normal to the point of being everyone's stereotype about Darrin rather than someone who at least has sweetness underneath- it's not there in this episode: he doesn't listen to Samantha about the contest, he chickens out and leaves before his mother comes over for an "inspection" (uncharacteristic of them both), and he spends most of the episode sulking, drunk, and/or hung over. It's just depressing.

It's the only episode written by Arthur Julian, who usually plays a client (like in "Art for Sam's Sake" and "To Twitch or Not to Twitch") but it's really a remake of Danny Arnold's "Help, Help, Don't Save Me" from season 1. Whereas that one had Darrin being an ass as well, it had the benefit of examining gender roles, Endora critiquing Samantha's devotion to all things housewife, Samantha storming out in a dramatic "packing" scene, Darrin realizing what an idiot he was, heartbroken at losing her, and sincerely apologizing to an empty house not knowing where she was, plus a sweet ending... none of that is here. Instead, we have:

- Phyllis Stephens being even more annoying than usual

- Darrin being even more of an ass than usual, and apparently an alcoholic

- "Tinkerbell Diapers"? Really?

- Samantha leaving Tabitha with a *dog nanny* that is never seen again (but not before a stupid "raised ears" sight gag)

- Larry Tate, who only ever hires women as secretaries, suddenly offering Samantha a job at McMann and Tate after just the one slogan

- There's no big apology from Darrin this time because he's just drunk/hung over. When Samantha tucks him in, it's supposed to be sweet judging by the background music, but it just feels pathetic.

The main problem with season 8 is that 11 scripts are partial or full remakes.

Yes; also Elizabeth Montgomery clearly didn't want to do the show anymore, so the enthusiasm is gone.

i could have done without the Serena episodes.

I generally like the ones with Serena because then at least they aren't (usually) remakes.

A twenty year old thread...

Time flies!

I liked the last season, I found it enjoyable, especially the serena episodes.

I liked the last season, I found it enjoyable, especially the serena episodes.

I agree with you if you count season five as the last season. I'm not even sure what 6 to 8 seasons were. Some strange man pretending to be Darrin, when everyone knew he wasn't Darrin.

Both William Asher and Elizabeth Montgomery went to their graves pretending nobody noticed the switch in Darrins. Oh to be a wealthy Hollywood star! You can deny reality, and everyone gives you a pass.

Bill Asher has frequently said he didn't find Sargent "as effective." He fought to keep York as long as he could despite the studio wanting to replace him earlier due to his health problems. On his interview with bewitched.net, Asher says this: "Dick Sargent had been a contender in the original interviews, and he had lost out to Dick York. [Dick York was always Asher's first choice, and he cast the pilot]. But he was about the second best. And he looked a little bit like- so we went with him and again we had to make a decision on whether or not he should be- died [that is, should you kill Darrin off and give her a new husband], or what we just wanted to do was bring in a new Darrin. He was not nearly as good as Dick York."

Oh yes, he did say that York was more effective than Sargeant. And that Sargent wasn't "nearly as effective" as York in another instance. I don't think there is any denying that.

But I did hear him say that nobody noticed the change. Which of course is absurd. Maybe they were in a bubble, and not aware that EVERYONE noticed.

I've said this before, but I think he's referring to them not getting any letters about it, which I don't think they did because I suspect someone at Screen Gems and/or ABC was playing interference for morale's sake. People definitely wrote to their local papers (https://majicst.proboards.com/thread/16) about it, so I can only assume they also wrote to the studio/network like they usually did for everything else.

In "I Love the Illusion," it's revealed that Agnes Moorehead kept letters from fans about the most mundane things on "Bewitched," yet not a single one was about the Darrin switch, which I find hard to believe... unless she never received them.

This year I've been watching the season eight episodes on their 50th anniversary airdates, starting with the season premiere on Sept. 15. It's been fun and makes the episodes feel a little more special to have to "wait" for them. It's not my favorite season when compared to the others, but I think most of the episodes have some element to enjoy. Looking at the episode list, the only one I really don't like is "A Good Turn Never Goes Unpunished." Besides being a remake of a very early episode, it makes no sense that Darrin still wouldn't trust her after all these years. But it has scenes in that weird witch cloud world, so at least there's that?

One thing I like about this season on DVD is that they used the full ABC versions, including the bumper before the tag scene.

Looking at the posts above, quite a few mentioned liking episodes with Serena, and I totally agree! One that pops into my mind immediately was her performing Blow You a Kiss in the Wind (was that the name?) at the Cosmos Cotillion (and then getting Boyce and Hart to sing it, I think). Probably wasn't a season 8 episode though.

In Herbie J. Pilato's "Twitch Upon a Star," there's an interesting story from Peter Ackerman (son of executive producer Harry Ackerman) regarding Elizabeth Montgomery and a "crew member" (Richard Michaels, perhaps?) approaching Harry Ackerman about doing another season of "Bewitched" without William Asher. Ackerman said no because he didn't want to stab Asher in the back. I did not know about this. Given the pretty tired 8th season, I don't know if a 9th season would've been any good unless they also hired new writers.

If true, this gives Elizabeth Montgomery a horrible look. Willing to get her husband fired, to continue the show. And possibly doing it in as part of a behind the scenes conspiracy with someone who might have even been her lover.

Sounds like a Columbo episode, without the murder.

With the way she treated Dick York and the first Louise Tate, it appears that she was as cut throat with her behind the scenes behavior as they come.

There are certain things about the cast/crew, not just this, that I wish I hadn't learned, because you want to think the best of the people you're fans of, and when you learn them (or even hear rumors), it's really depressing. Because it's a show that brought so much happiness to you, you want everyone to at least get along, if not necessarily be best friends. I know that doesn't always happen in real life. It's a reminder that actors are not their characters (which is a common trap to fall into), but human beings with flaws. "Real life" can be disillusioning sometimes. But once I have heard things, I want to get to the bottom of them and find out what's real and what isn't.

(Honestly what bothered me more about that excerpt was "why shouldn't their kids play together anymore?" I can't stand it when parents do that. The kids had nothing to do with it). I'm glad they were able to reconnect later.

But anyway. Maybe if a ninth season was with Michaels, "Samantha" would've gone back to being perky vs. the 8th season "f*** it" Samantha. (I always assumed EM was angry at Asher for cheating on her with Nancy Fox then, but according to Nancy, that didn't happen (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showpost.php?p=5985528&postcount=18)). Or maybe she wouldn't have. Either way, it still wouldn't have been good without new writers.

With the way she treated Dick York and the first Louise Tate, it appears that she was as cut throat with her behind the scenes behavior as they come.

Irene Vernon? What happened with her?

Did she get her fired?

Irene Vernon? What happened with her?

Did she get her fired?

She was fired basically because she was friends with a producer Elizabeth Montgomery didn't like.

Irene Vernon? What happened with her?

Did she get her fired?

For years I was under the impression that she left voluntarily but apparently not. From the same book:


“Bewitched co-star Irene Vernon felt left out in the cold, pushed to the curb. She had played Louise Tate on the show before she was replaced by Kasey Rogers or, as Vernon said in 1988, “I was fired!”
Apparently, it was because of her friendship with Danny Arnold, the show’s original producer. According to Vernon, Bill and Lizzie were not at all fond of Arnold. So, they let her go in the spring of 1966, the end of the second season. “Devastated,” Vernon then left Hollywood, geographically and figuratively, and gravitated towards a more successful career, in real estate, in Beverly Hills.”

I guess Kasey Rogers and Sandra Gould were told to watch their step when they came on board.

I guess Kasey Rogers and Sandra Gould were told to watch their step when they came on board.

I guess Kasey Rogers and Sandra Gould were told to watch their step when they came on board.

Well, Sandra Gould was there because Alice Pearce died, so different circumstance.

Yes totally agree Brenton. It seems after about 5 seasons of a comedy things start to get stale. It is such a shame that a show like Bewitched which was so excellent over all for so long, was allowed to go on for too long and to finish so tired and stale. I like to remember a show when it was still at its peak and was fresh not how shows like Bewitched finished. In a way it spoils the impression you have of a show

Bewitched went on past season 5 (when York left and Liz wanted to end it) because Jackie Cooper wanted to make a hugely profitable syndication deal and 10 seasons of Bewitched would have brought a ton of money (which he admitted in his book to undervaluing the syndication deal to Liz and Bill Asher giving them much less money than he could have to continue the show). It no longer mattered if new prime episodes were any good. More seasons meant more money in syndication than first run network broadcasts.

Season 8 had flaws but it was important to the storyline, particularly to establish that Adam was indeed a warlock. Near the end of Season 8 we also finally saw the return of the wonderful Reta Shaw as Aunt Hagatha. She had last appeared as Hagatha way back in Season 3 in "Witches and Warlocks Are My Favorite Things". I've always wondered why they didn't bring Reta back as Hagatha later in Season 3 for "The Trial and Error of Aunt Clara" too instead of recasting.

A few ideas for season 8. I think they should have introduced some more of Darrin's relatives which would have tied to the original theme of the witchcraft secret. Also, we would have seen more of his parents. I think having some Kravitz's themed episodes would have been good. Also, maybe an episode where Darrin gets sick and Dr. Bombay tries to cure him with disastrous results.

There were so many possibilities that could have been explored.