The dismal last season - Page 5 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Arfies · 10-06-2021, 03:55 PM

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

Dick York was Darrin · 10-10-2021, 09:41 AM

A twenty year old thread...

Arfies · 10-10-2021, 11:44 AM

Time flies!

Monliz · 10-15-2021, 12:41 PM

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

Dick York was Darrin · 10-15-2021, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monliz

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.

Arfies · 10-15-2021, 08:42 PM

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."

Dick York was Darrin · 10-15-2021, 10:48 PM

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.

Arfies · 10-15-2021, 11:02 PM

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 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.

Schmoe56789 · 10-24-2021, 07:38 PM

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?

stevea · 10-24-2021, 07:57 PM

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.

Arfies · 11-04-2021, 03:58 PM

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.

Dick York was Darrin · 11-07-2021, 02:30 PM

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.

Arfies · 11-09-2021, 12:56 PM

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). Or maybe she wouldn't have. Either way, it still wouldn't have been good without new writers.

stevea · 11-09-2021, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick York was Darrin

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?

Dick York was Darrin · 11-10-2021, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

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.

11-04-2021, 03:58 PM	#71
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	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. Attached Images

10-06-2021, 03:55 PM	#61
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	I generally like the ones with Serena because then at least they aren't (usually) remakes.

10-10-2021, 09:41 AM	#62
Dick York was Darrin Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 06, 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 99	A twenty year old thread...

10-10-2021, 11:44 AM	#63
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	Time flies!

10-15-2021, 12:41 PM	#64
Monliz Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 26, 2019 Location: Miami Posts: 253	I liked the last season, I found it enjoyable, especially the serena episodes.

10-15-2021, 08:42 PM	#66
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	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."

10-15-2021, 10:48 PM	#67
Dick York was Darrin Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 06, 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 99	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.

10-15-2021, 11:02 PM	#68
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	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 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.

10-24-2021, 07:38 PM	#69
Schmoe56789 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 06, 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 97	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?

10-24-2021, 07:57 PM	#70
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,190	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.

11-07-2021, 02:30 PM	#72
Dick York was Darrin Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 06, 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 99	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.

11-09-2021, 12:56 PM	#73
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	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). Or maybe she wouldn't have. Either way, it still wouldn't have been good without new writers.