The Dick York Appreciation Thread! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 05-23-2007, 04:18 AM

Over the past couple days, I've been watching my "Bewitched" DVDS. Dick York's Darrin is my favorite character. He was so funny and unique, that I don't see how the producers could even consider replacing him with another Darrin. I know they had to do something, because Dick York left, but it just doesn't seem right to replace the actor and keep the character. We watched Dick York's Darrin meet and marry Samantha. It was Dick York's Darrin that Samantha told she was pregnant to. It was Dick York's Darrin whom we saw go from black and white to color. It was Dick York's Darrin who was there when Tabitha was born (and first met Serena). It was Dick York's Darrin who did all the important Darrin things.

And in my opinion, "A is for Aardvark" is one of the best sitcom episodes of any show. And that episode right there is the prime example of Samantha wanting to live the mortal life, and not just Darrin forcing her to.

If I wasn't the kind of guy who had to have all or none of a show on DVD, I might not buy the Dick Sargent years. But I'd like to follow up on the characters, since I really haven't watched the show other than on DVD. I'm curious to see what happens in the post Dick York years.

And this is not bashing Dick Sargent. It's just when someone is so unique and wonderful as Dick York was, it's impossible to put anyone else in the role. It underrates Dick York when people compare him to the second Darrin. It's like if asked you who was better on "That '70s Show", Eric or Randy (his replacement for the final year)?

So, anyways, let's appreciate Dick York right here.

catlover79 · 05-23-2007, 02:13 PM

I agree 100%. Who could top Dick York's hilarious facial expressions, his faceoffs with Endora, or the fact that he would put up with anything and everything to be with the wife he so totally adored? Not only was he dealing with his wife's witchly family who caused him numerous headaches, he was also putting up with the pushiest boss in TV history, Larry Tate. I think EM and DY made the most romantic and sexy TV couple in sitcom history.

DY was also a remarkably generous and kindhearted man in real life. He was just as much in love with his real life wife, Joan, as Darrin was with Samantha. They were married for over 40 years until he passed away. Though he suffered from no end of health and financial problems, he still gave everything he had to aid the hungry and homeless. He left us too young.

If you've never read his memoir, you have to. It is unlike any other celebrity autobiography you will ever read. Check out this link: http://newpathpress.com

comedyfreak · 05-24-2007, 12:31 PM

He was a real seasoned veteran, very professional. I liked the way he showed that he was going to be a good father, as was shown in.....Little Pitchers Have Big Fears, with Jerry Mathers little brother as Marshall "Marshmellow" Burns. He was overprotected by his mother, wonderfully played by June Lockhart. Darrin sees Sam's side of things and supports Marshall by using reversed psychology on his mother.

The second episode is A Vision Of Sugar Plumbs, featuring the talented Billy Mumy. The Stephens take in a problem child and teach him the meaning of Christmas.

I also like the episode in which Tabitha is born, love the moment he and Endora shared together. I wish Dick would have returned in the last season, maybe he could have returned the magic of the show.

LizaDaisy · 05-24-2007, 06:13 PM

In my eyes he is the only Darrin. Mr. York was amazingly animated, that is what brought Darrin to life and us to love. His reaction to everything is priceless. Darrin & Endora's encounters priceless.
I have yet to hear of anyone who worked with Mr. York say anything bad about him. I've only heard postive things and he had a huge heart, always giving.
All of my favorite Bewitched episodes include Mr. York. I do not have a favorite with Mr. Sargent in it. No offense to Mr. Sargent but Mr. York's Darrin was alive an animated and loving.
Mr. York you will always be loved and remembered.

BensonFan · 05-28-2007, 09:23 PM

Very talented, but sadly underrated and (in my opinion) underappreciated as a truly gifted actor.

Also heard he was a great human being.

Mr. Television · 05-28-2007, 09:44 PM

I agree with what everyone has said. I have a hard time even watching the Dick Sargent shows. He just seemed to play Darrin as a more mean spirited character. I think with DY leaving and Marion Lorne's death they should have wraped the show up right then.

airhead · 07-06-2007, 04:51 PM

Dick York was the best Darrin. I like the way he insulted Endora better than the Dick Sargeant Darrin did.

Mikado · 07-07-2007, 12:19 AM

Dick York- loving, intelligent, caring Darrin
Dick Sargeant- Grumpy, wishes he could get out of the marriage, unlikeable Darrin........nuff said

catlover79 · 07-07-2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

Dick York- loving, intelligent, caring Darrin
Dick Sargeant- Grumpy, wishes he could get out of the marriage, unlikeable Darrin........nuff said

There was real love and passion between Sam and Darrin #1. I read a review somewhere that compared Sam and Darrin #2 to an argumentive brother and sister. That's a good way to put it.

BensonFan · 07-07-2007, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

There was real love and passion between Sam and Darrin #1. I read a review somewhere that compared Sam and Darrin #2 to an argumentive brother and sister. That's a good way to put it.

Maybe, but to me it was more like two people who stayed married "because of the kids". A real loveless marriage.

Mr. Television · 07-07-2007, 12:59 PM

and the thing is Dick Sergeant was the producer's original choice for Darrin. Makes you wonder what Bewitched would have been like if DY never appeared.

catlover79 · 07-07-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walking Tall

and the thing is Dick Sergeant was the producer's original choice for Darrin. Makes you wonder what Bewitched would have been like if DY never appeared.

I don't think it would have been nearly as popular or lasted nearly as long.

snl 70s show fan · 07-07-2007, 03:34 PM

dick york was a great actor and human being .and for those of you who only know him as darrini urge all of you who have not seen it to check out his preformance in the film classic inherit the wind the range that he shows in that movie is remarkable

catlover79 · 07-07-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snl 70s show fan

dick york was a great actor and human being .and for those of you who only know him as darrini urge all of you who have not seen it to check out his preformance in the film classic inherit the wind the range that he shows in that movie is remarkable

Inherit the Wind was indeed a powerful film, and DY was very good in it. He also did a great job in two episodes of The Twilight Zone.

05-24-2007, 12:31 PM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	He was a real seasoned veteran, very professional. I liked the way he showed that he was going to be a good father, as was shown in.....Little Pitchers Have Big Fears, with Jerry Mathers little brother as Marshall "Marshmellow" Burns. He was overprotected by his mother, wonderfully played by June Lockhart. Darrin sees Sam's side of things and supports Marshall by using reversed psychology on his mother. The second episode is A Vision Of Sugar Plumbs, featuring the talented Billy Mumy. The Stephens take in a problem child and teach him the meaning of Christmas. I also like the episode in which Tabitha is born, love the moment he and Endora shared together. I wish Dick would have returned in the last season, maybe he could have returned the magic of the show.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

05-24-2007, 06:13 PM	#4
LizaDaisy Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 29, 2006 Location: Fresno,CA Posts: 87	LOVE Dick York In my eyes he is the only Darrin. Mr. York was amazingly animated, that is what brought Darrin to life and us to love. His reaction to everything is priceless. Darrin & Endora's encounters priceless. I have yet to hear of anyone who worked with Mr. York say anything bad about him. I've only heard postive things and he had a huge heart, always giving. All of my favorite Bewitched episodes include Mr. York. I do not have a favorite with Mr. Sargent in it. No offense to Mr. Sargent but Mr. York's Darrin was alive an animated and loving. Mr. York you will always be loved and remembered.

05-28-2007, 09:23 PM	#5
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	Terrific actor Very talented, but sadly underrated and (in my opinion) underappreciated as a truly gifted actor. Also heard he was a great human being.
	__________________ HEY, SONY: Thank you for Benson, Season 2! Now can we get started on Season 3 plans?

05-28-2007, 09:44 PM	#6
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I agree with what everyone has said. I have a hard time even watching the Dick Sargent shows. He just seemed to play Darrin as a more mean spirited character. I think with DY leaving and Marion Lorne's death they should have wraped the show up right then.
	__________________ Sonny

07-06-2007, 04:51 PM	#7
airhead Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 02, 2007 Location: Orem UT Posts: 103	Dick York was the best Darrin. I like the way he insulted Endora better than the Dick Sargeant Darrin did.
	__________________ www.myspace.com/asairhead

05-23-2007, 04:18 AM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,830	The Dick York Appreciation Thread! Over the past couple days, I've been watching my "Bewitched" DVDS. Dick York's Darrin is my favorite character. He was so funny and unique, that I don't see how the producers could even consider replacing him with another Darrin. I know they had to do something, because Dick York left, but it just doesn't seem right to replace the actor and keep the character. We watched Dick York's Darrin meet and marry Samantha. It was Dick York's Darrin that Samantha told she was pregnant to. It was Dick York's Darrin whom we saw go from black and white to color. It was Dick York's Darrin who was there when Tabitha was born (and first met Serena). It was Dick York's Darrin who did all the important Darrin things. And in my opinion, "A is for Aardvark" is one of the best sitcom episodes of any show. And that episode right there is the prime example of Samantha wanting to live the mortal life, and not just Darrin forcing her to. If I wasn't the kind of guy who had to have all or none of a show on DVD, I might not buy the Dick Sargent years. But I'd like to follow up on the characters, since I really haven't watched the show other than on DVD. I'm curious to see what happens in the post Dick York years. And this is not bashing Dick Sargent. It's just when someone is so unique and wonderful as Dick York was, it's impossible to put anyone else in the role. It underrates Dick York when people compare him to the second Darrin. It's like if asked you who was better on "That '70s Show", Eric or Randy (his replacement for the final year)? So, anyways, let's appreciate Dick York right here.

05-23-2007, 02:13 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I agree 100%. Who could top Dick York's hilarious facial expressions, his faceoffs with Endora, or the fact that he would put up with anything and everything to be with the wife he so totally adored? Not only was he dealing with his wife's witchly family who caused him numerous headaches, he was also putting up with the pushiest boss in TV history, Larry Tate. I think EM and DY made the most romantic and sexy TV couple in sitcom history. DY was also a remarkably generous and kindhearted man in real life. He was just as much in love with his real life wife, Joan, as Darrin was with Samantha. They were married for over 40 years until he passed away. Though he suffered from no end of health and financial problems, he still gave everything he had to aid the hungry and homeless. He left us too young. If you've never read his memoir, you have to. It is unlike any other celebrity autobiography you will ever read. Check out this link: http://newpathpress.com
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-07-2007, 12:19 AM	#8
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	Dick York- loving, intelligent, caring Darrin Dick Sargeant- Grumpy, wishes he could get out of the marriage, unlikeable Darrin........nuff said

07-07-2007, 12:59 PM	#11
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	and the thing is Dick Sergeant was the producer's original choice for Darrin. Makes you wonder what Bewitched would have been like if DY never appeared.

07-07-2007, 03:34 PM	#13
snl 70s show fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2005 Location: in the forman basment Posts: 2,454	dick york was a great actor and human being .and for those of you who only know him as darrini urge all of you who have not seen it to check out his preformance in the film classic inherit the wind the range that he shows in that movie is remarkable