Elizabeth Montgomery on the Darrins switch

[Monliz]

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



What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Liz?

[merlinjones]

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.

[Monliz]

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

[Larry Tate]

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.

[king of comedy]

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

[tcr1701]

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...

[Larry Tate]

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.

Originally Posted by tcr1701

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...

[tcr1701]

Originally Posted by Larry Tate

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.

[Monliz]

Originally Posted by tcr1701

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.

[tcr1701]

Originally Posted by Monliz

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.

[Larry Tate]

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.

Originally Posted by tcr1701

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.

[Larry Tate]

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.

Originally Posted by tcr1701

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.

[Larry Tate]

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.

[Monliz]

Originally Posted by tcr1701

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.

[tcr1701]

Originally Posted by Larry Tate

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.