If there were a 9th and 10th season for Bewitched - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

James28 · 04-16-2008, 07:37 AM

ABC had planned a 9th season which would have been the 1972-73 season, and I was told by TV.com that the show was renewed for two more seasons instead of just one after 1971. Instead, Elizabeth Montgomery decided not to come back after the show's 8th season and to move on to other projects. Should Samatha have been played by a different actress for this to happen? I keep wondering if Bewitched lasted from 1964-1974 instead of 1964-1972.

comedyfreak · 04-16-2008, 07:50 AM

Probably, but it was wise of the network to cancel the show since the star wasn't going to come back. It wouldn't have worked with a different actress in the lead. They may have pulled the wool over our eyes with the Darrin switch, but they wouldn't have gotten away with a Samantha switch.

Jude The Obscure · 04-16-2008, 11:10 AM

Indeed, Elizabeth was Bewitched, pure and simple. And in hindsight, it was good for the show to leave when it did. How in the world would the show explain the loss of Agnes Moorhead? It was one thing when Marion Lorne passed on and they simply never referred to Aunt Clara again, but Endora?

catlover79 · 04-16-2008, 01:32 PM

^ Agree with those insights 100%.

James28 · 04-19-2008, 07:52 PM

I still feel that if Elizabeth Montgomery hadn't came back after season 8, ABC and Screen Gems should have gotten an Elizabeth Montgomery lookalike for the role of Samantha. It was a shame that Bewitched had no series finale. The final episode, "The Truth, Nothing But the Truth, So Help Me Sam", was just a remake of episode 50 "Speak the Truth".

Fleet · 05-01-2008, 05:11 AM

The show's ratings were already way down during the last season. I doubt they would have improved if the show lasted longer.

catlover79 · 05-02-2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fleet

The show's ratings were already way down during the last season. I doubt they would have improved if the show lasted longer.

Zoneboy · 05-02-2008, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim856796

I still feel that if Elizabeth Montgomery hadn't came back after season 8, ABC and Screen Gems should have gotten an Elizabeth Montgomery lookalike for the role of Samantha.

With the exception of Dick Sargeant, I had no problems with the replacement stars on this show but replacing Elizabeth would've been a ratings disaster and like Tony said they were already down anyway so this would only add fuel to the fire. If this had been pulled off, The name of the show should've been changed to Beswitched.

hch · 05-26-2008, 10:46 PM

It makes you wonder. If "Bewitched" did have a proper final episode, what do you think would have happened?

Would Sam loses her powers permanently?

Would Darrin move with her to the other realm?

Would Endora finally get Darrin's name right?

I wonder what other scenarios would have been had. Hmm....

catlover79 · 05-27-2008, 12:11 AM

^ So many unanswered questions, but I don't think Endora would've ever gotten Durwood's name right.

OH Nuts! · 05-27-2008, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

^ So many unanswered questions, but I don't think Endora would've ever gotten Durwood's name right.

Yeah, she was never fond of him; and given the way he sometimes behaved toward Sam's family I can understand. At best, she tolerated him. To me Endora was always very glam...and fun.

Lee G · 05-27-2008, 11:33 AM

I think they ended the show at the right time, it was pretty well played out by the 8th season and time to call it quits. I've never been a big Liz Montgomery fan, but I recently gave this show a chance and bought the first 4 seasons on DVD. It's a good show, a little more subdued than I Dream Of Jeannie and the humor is a little more understated than it is on Jeannie. Comparing the two shows, Jeannie is faster paced and has more visual humor, more on the slapstick side. Bewitched is slower paced but I think overall the episodes are better written than the Jeannie episodes. I'm debating whether I want to buy seasons 5 & 6, right now I'm content with seasons 1 thru 4.

mstewart · 06-03-2008, 09:36 AM

The only redeeming quality of the 8th season was the emergence of Erin Murphy. She was a natural child actress. I did enjoy the storylines featuring Tabitha. Other than that, the show was played out. The plug should had been pulled after the 6th season. Liz's energy for playing Samantha was not there during the 8th season and her performances was going through the motion and you can see that starting in the middle of season 7.

catlover79 · 06-06-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

The only redeeming quality of the 8th season was the emergence of Erin Murphy. She was a natural child actress. I did enjoy the storylines featuring Tabitha. Other than that, the show was played out. The plug should had been pulled after the 6th season. Liz's energy for playing Samantha was not there during the 8th season and her performances was going through the motion and you can see that starting in the middle of season 7.

You're right - Erin had a real skill; she was a natural performer. As for the plots, they weren't breaking any new ground. It lasted way too long.

Zdanax · 06-24-2008, 08:10 AM

Does anyone ever remember them doing a series focusing on Tabitha like I do? I vaguely remember that! They also had several Kravit's, etc. as you probably all know that Elizabeth was Bewitched and none could take her place; her stunt double was close however. It was sad though when they ended it like they did; they could have a least tied the knot like they do now when they end a series.

04-16-2008, 07:37 AM	#1
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,981	If there were a 9th and 10th season for Bewitched ABC had planned a 9th season which would have been the 1972-73 season, and I was told by TV.com that the show was renewed for two more seasons instead of just one after 1971. Instead, Elizabeth Montgomery decided not to come back after the show's 8th season and to move on to other projects. Should Samatha have been played by a different actress for this to happen? I keep wondering if Bewitched lasted from 1964-1974 instead of 1964-1972.

04-16-2008, 07:50 AM	#2
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	Probably, but it was wise of the network to cancel the show since the star wasn't going to come back. It wouldn't have worked with a different actress in the lead. They may have pulled the wool over our eyes with the Darrin switch, but they wouldn't have gotten away with a Samantha switch.
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04-16-2008, 01:32 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	^ Agree with those insights 100%.
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05-01-2008, 05:11 AM	#6
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	The show's ratings were already way down during the last season. I doubt they would have improved if the show lasted longer.
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05-26-2008, 10:46 PM	#9
hch Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 07, 2001 Location: Montross, VA 22520 Posts: 983	what if Bewitched did have a final episode? It makes you wonder. If "Bewitched" did have a proper final episode, what do you think would have happened? Would Sam loses her powers permanently? Would Darrin move with her to the other realm? Would Endora finally get Darrin's name right? I wonder what other scenarios would have been had. Hmm....
	__________________ "You don't own the rights or the patent on scuffling!" Willona from "Good Times"

04-16-2008, 11:10 AM	#3
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Indeed, Elizabeth was Bewitched, pure and simple. And in hindsight, it was good for the show to leave when it did. How in the world would the show explain the loss of Agnes Moorhead? It was one thing when Marion Lorne passed on and they simply never referred to Aunt Clara again, but Endora?

04-19-2008, 07:52 PM	#5
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,981	I still feel that if Elizabeth Montgomery hadn't came back after season 8, ABC and Screen Gems should have gotten an Elizabeth Montgomery lookalike for the role of Samantha. It was a shame that Bewitched had no series finale. The final episode, "The Truth, Nothing But the Truth, So Help Me Sam", was just a remake of episode 50 "Speak the Truth".

05-27-2008, 12:11 AM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	^ So many unanswered questions, but I don't think Endora would've ever gotten Durwood's name right.

05-27-2008, 11:33 AM	#12
Lee G Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 24, 2004 Posts: 850	I think they ended the show at the right time, it was pretty well played out by the 8th season and time to call it quits. I've never been a big Liz Montgomery fan, but I recently gave this show a chance and bought the first 4 seasons on DVD. It's a good show, a little more subdued than I Dream Of Jeannie and the humor is a little more understated than it is on Jeannie. Comparing the two shows, Jeannie is faster paced and has more visual humor, more on the slapstick side. Bewitched is slower paced but I think overall the episodes are better written than the Jeannie episodes. I'm debating whether I want to buy seasons 5 & 6, right now I'm content with seasons 1 thru 4.

06-03-2008, 09:36 AM	#13
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	The only redeeming quality of the 8th season was the emergence of Erin Murphy. She was a natural child actress. I did enjoy the storylines featuring Tabitha. Other than that, the show was played out. The plug should had been pulled after the 6th season. Liz's energy for playing Samantha was not there during the 8th season and her performances was going through the motion and you can see that starting in the middle of season 7.

06-24-2008, 08:10 AM	#15
Zdanax Member Forum Cub Join Date: Jun 21, 2008 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 2	Does anyone ever remember them doing a series focusing on Tabitha like I do? I vaguely remember that! They also had several Kravit's, etc. as you probably all know that Elizabeth was Bewitched and none could take her place; her stunt double was close however. It was sad though when they ended it like they did; they could have a least tied the knot like they do now when they end a series.