Are the first two seasons the best ones? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Lee G · 02-11-2008, 12:27 PM

This is what I tend to believe, that the first two seasons in black and white were the best ones. When they switched to color episodes, they started getting a little wild and over the top with the situations, and the show slowly went downhill. I Dream Of Jeannie had the same problem when that switched to color episodes. Bewitched though seemed to maintain a certain level of sophistication, while I Dream Of Jeannie was pure farce and more over the top. One plus about the first two seasons of Bewitched, it had the original Mrs. Kravitz, Alice Pearce. I'm not a big Elizabeth Montgomery fan, but I would give the first two seasons of Bewitched a thumbs up. After that, while there were still some good episodes the overall quality of the series went into decline. What do other posters think?

AB · 02-11-2008, 07:25 PM

I pretty much liked all the seasons with Dick York. I agree that those first 2 seasons were very good.

comedyfreak · 02-12-2008, 06:17 AM

I liked all the Dick York seasons however, I do think the first three seasons are the best. What I liked about the third season was you still had the continuity of the first two seasons. We get to see how Sam dealt with discovering that Tabitha is a witch and how she would break the news to Darrin. There was also a reference used about Darrin and Endora sharing a tender moment when Tabitha was born. The show went over the top after the departure of Danny Arnold, producers wanted more magic and shifted away from the love story part of the show.

Carrie · 02-12-2008, 02:48 PM

I agree! I definitely liked the Dick York seasons the best. The first couple seasons are my favorite.

Jude The Obscure · 02-12-2008, 08:45 PM

Love the first three seasons--if the show had ended there--it would easily be ranked among the greatest sitcoms of all time

Mikado · 02-12-2008, 09:09 PM

YES.....
Same old story, network gets a great show, decides to tamper with it, its never quite as good after that.

Pitooey · 02-12-2008, 09:17 PM

I have to agree with you. Those episodes were fresh and funny. I love the episode where the conceited lady is sitting in the dinner table and Samantha is just messing her up.

Mikado · 02-13-2008, 12:21 AM

Hey Ptooey! long time no see!

Lee G · 02-13-2008, 01:51 PM

I prefer the black and white seasons, but I agree the show mostly held it's own for the first two color seasons also. I think season five was probably the benchmark for the show's decline, fewer quality episodes and the fact that Dick York was having health problems and there were a number of episodes that season where he did not appear.

Ricky Ricardo · 02-13-2008, 02:00 PM

I loved Bewitched with the original Alice Kravitz. I can't remember her name, but she was wonderful. I believe that she passed away and that is why there was a replacement. I also loved Agnes Moorehead in the part of Endorra. She was a scream.

Carrie · 02-13-2008, 02:34 PM

The original Gladys Kravitz was played by Alice Pearce. Unfortunately, she had been fighting ovarian cancer before Bewitched even started. She died from it in March 1966. I noticed in some of the later season 2 episodes that she looked like she had lost a lot of weight. Evidentally, Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher gave her husband Paul some directing jobs on future episodes, which I thought was nice of them.

Pitooey · 02-14-2008, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

Hey Ptooey! long time no see!

Hiya!!!

I'm going to be coming here alot now.

OH Nuts! · 02-18-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee G

This is what I tend to believe, that the first two seasons in black and white were the best ones. When they switched to color episodes, they started getting a little wild and over the top with the situations, and the show slowly went downhill. I Dream Of Jeannie had the same problem when that switched to color episodes. Bewitched though seemed to maintain a certain level of sophistication, while I Dream Of Jeannie was pure farce and more over the top. One plus about the first two seasons of Bewitched, it had the original Mrs. Kravitz, Alice Pearce. I'm not a big Elizabeth Montgomery fan, but I would give the first two seasons of Bewitched a thumbs up. After that, while there were still some good episodes the overall quality of the series went into decline. What do other posters think?

Color or B&W is not what makes or breaks the show for me but I guess with Bewitched maybe the color adds something because of the special effects. Jeannie too. But B&W did nothing to dampen my enjoyment of either show.

As for Bewitched, I think it jumped the shark when Dick York left. For that reason I'm not bothering with the seasons 6+--having the first 5 is enough for me. What really endeared me to Bewitched was Endora and Aunt Clara.

OH Nuts! · 02-24-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee G

I prefer the black and white seasons, but I agree the show mostly held it's own for the first two color seasons also. I think season five was probably the benchmark for the show's decline, fewer quality episodes and the fact that Dick York was having health problems and there were a number of episodes that season where he did not appear.

Yes, DY was a much better Darrin. That's why S#1-5 are enuf for me!

catlover79 · 03-29-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich p

Yes, DY was a much better Darrin. That's why S#1-5 are enuf for me!

Same here!!

02-12-2008, 06:17 AM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	I liked all the Dick York seasons however, I do think the first three seasons are the best. What I liked about the third season was you still had the continuity of the first two seasons. We get to see how Sam dealt with discovering that Tabitha is a witch and how she would break the news to Darrin. There was also a reference used about Darrin and Endora sharing a tender moment when Tabitha was born. The show went over the top after the departure of Danny Arnold, producers wanted more magic and shifted away from the love story part of the show.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

02-12-2008, 02:48 PM	#4
Carrie Dreamin' of Jeannie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2004 Location: Cocoa Beach Posts: 1,768	I agree! I definitely liked the Dick York seasons the best. The first couple seasons are my favorite.
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02-12-2008, 09:17 PM	#7
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	I have to agree with you. Those episodes were fresh and funny. I love the episode where the conceited lady is sitting in the dinner table and Samantha is just messing her up.
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02-11-2008, 12:27 PM	#1
Lee G Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 24, 2004 Posts: 850	Are the first two seasons the best ones? This is what I tend to believe, that the first two seasons in black and white were the best ones. When they switched to color episodes, they started getting a little wild and over the top with the situations, and the show slowly went downhill. I Dream Of Jeannie had the same problem when that switched to color episodes. Bewitched though seemed to maintain a certain level of sophistication, while I Dream Of Jeannie was pure farce and more over the top. One plus about the first two seasons of Bewitched, it had the original Mrs. Kravitz, Alice Pearce. I'm not a big Elizabeth Montgomery fan, but I would give the first two seasons of Bewitched a thumbs up. After that, while there were still some good episodes the overall quality of the series went into decline. What do other posters think?

02-11-2008, 07:25 PM	#2
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	I pretty much liked all the seasons with Dick York. I agree that those first 2 seasons were very good.

02-12-2008, 08:45 PM	#5
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Love the first three seasons--if the show had ended there--it would easily be ranked among the greatest sitcoms of all time

02-12-2008, 09:09 PM	#6
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	YES..... Same old story, network gets a great show, decides to tamper with it, its never quite as good after that.

02-13-2008, 12:21 AM	#8
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	Hey Ptooey! long time no see!

02-13-2008, 01:51 PM	#9
Lee G Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 24, 2004 Posts: 850	I prefer the black and white seasons, but I agree the show mostly held it's own for the first two color seasons also. I think season five was probably the benchmark for the show's decline, fewer quality episodes and the fact that Dick York was having health problems and there were a number of episodes that season where he did not appear.

02-13-2008, 02:00 PM	#10
Ricky Ricardo Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Feb 13, 2008 Location: Media, PA Posts: 3	I loved Bewitched with the original Alice Kravitz. I can't remember her name, but she was wonderful. I believe that she passed away and that is why there was a replacement. I also loved Agnes Moorehead in the part of Endorra. She was a scream.

02-13-2008, 02:34 PM	#11
Carrie Dreamin' of Jeannie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2004 Location: Cocoa Beach Posts: 1,768	The original Gladys Kravitz was played by Alice Pearce. Unfortunately, she had been fighting ovarian cancer before Bewitched even started. She died from it in March 1966. I noticed in some of the later season 2 episodes that she looked like she had lost a lot of weight. Evidentally, Elizabeth Montgomery and William Asher gave her husband Paul some directing jobs on future episodes, which I thought was nice of them.