Was Dick Sargent THAT bad? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

BewitchedFan · 11-29-2010, 10:20 AM

I just bought Seasons 5 and 6 of “Bewitched.” I watched Season 6 first since I bought that first on Ebay for only $10. Then I bought Season 5 for $20 at Borders since I had a coupon. When I popped in the Season 6 DVDs in my DVD player, I was expecting to be disappointed because many people here don’t like Dick Sargent and when I watched those episodes when I was younger, I was never crazy about him. However, I was quite surprised to find out that he wasn’t so bad after all. In fact, after watching all of Season 6 and then now watching Season 5 (the last season of York), I find that Sargent’s acting was more natural. Dick York seem to be overacting most of the time, especially in Season 5. Dick Sargent acted more natural and he seemed to be more believable than York.

Basically, what I’m saying is….. I don’t think ether actor was necessarily better than the other. Both of them had a different style of acting. Both of them were good in their own way.

So, why all the hatred towards Sargent? What exactly was so bad about him?

MickeyMac · 11-29-2010, 10:45 AM

I am in the minority because I too like Dick Sargent. York was more of a physical comedy actor, which I liked. Sargent I thought brought a more laid back approach to Darrin. Season 5 wasnt as good as the previous seasons because York missed shows because of his back. Season 6 I think is really good and is Sargent's best season as Darrin. The one weak season is the last, where several episodes were remade, and the spark had burned out. They probably should have cancelled the show after the seventh season.

Tap Dancer · 11-29-2010, 01:17 PM

I like both actors. I don't care who plays Darrin.

OH Nuts! · 11-29-2010, 03:40 PM

Well Dick Sargent wasn't that BAD, he just wasn't that good. The first five seasons are enough fun for me. But it was when Marion Lorne passed (God Rest Her Soul) that the show really lost someone special. (You could always count on Aunt Clara for a wild story line and ep) Those eps were the ones I esp. treasure.

Marvo301 · 11-29-2010, 03:48 PM

Dick Sargent wasn't that bad he just wasn't the original Darrin. Also I believe that Dick York had better on screen chemistry with Liz than Dick Sargent.

BewitchedFan · 11-29-2010, 05:22 PM

I thought York was at his best in the first 2 seasons. His acting was more natural there. But in the color episodes, his acting started to become a bit too overdone. By Season 5, he definitely overdid it. Maybe it was because his back was killing him by that time and overacting helped cover that up. Who knows?

catlover79 · 11-29-2010, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Dick Sargent wasn't that bad he just wasn't the original Darrin. Also I believe that Dick York had better on screen chemistry with Liz than Dick Sargent.

My sentiments exactly!! I enjoyed Dick Sargent in other shows - he did many fun guest spots on episodes of Family Ties, Dukes of Hazzard, Charlie's Angels, Three's Company, Alice, etc. Plus he seemed like a nice man in real life - he was very involved with charities like the Special Olympics, and like Mr. York, was dedicated to helping feed the poor. So I think Mr. Sargent was a good actor in his own right, but to me, the only TRUE Darrin was and is Dick York.

Arfies · 11-30-2010, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BewitchedFan

I thought York was at his best in the first 2 seasons. His acting was more natural there. But in the color episodes, his acting started to become a bit too overdone. By Season 5, he definitely overdid it. Maybe it was because his back was killing him by that time and overacting helped cover that up. Who knows?

He was still fairly natural up until parts of season 4 (depending on the episode, of course). Season 1 was the most mellow for the entire cast. Actually, the overacting-to-cover-up-pain thing was exactly what I thought about Season 5 Darrin, too. He seems much more tense and on edge, which is probably how York felt.

BewitchedFan · 11-30-2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arfies

He was still fairly natural up until parts of season 4 (depending on the episode, of course). Season 1 was the most mellow for the entire cast. Actually, the overacting-to-cover-up-pain thing was exactly what I thought about Season 5 Darrin, too. He seems much more tense and on edge, which is probably how York felt.

Yeah, you’re right. I thought I was the only person to realize that. In Season 5, he seemed to be very irritable, which I always found unusual. In fact, if you watch closely, he seems to always have that bitter look on his face throughout the episodes. He was never like that in the previous seasons. I suspect that it has to be his bad back. I can only imagine that it probably was killing him by that time. I also can’t help but noticed that he lost weight in Season 5. He’s noticeably thinner than the previous four seasons.

DemandYourPickle · 11-30-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BewitchedFan

Yeah, you’re right. I thought I was the only person to realize that. In Season 5, he seemed to be very irritable, which I always found unusual. In fact, if you watch closely, he seems to always have that bitter look on his face throughout the episodes. He was never like that in the previous seasons. I suspect that it has to be his bad back. I can only imagine that it probably was killing him by that time. I also can’t help but noticed that he lost weight in Season 5. He’s noticeably thinner than the previous four seasons.

I read an article about that...he said something about having pneumonia around that time, I think. Pneumonia makes you lose weight...

old grouch · 11-30-2010, 01:42 PM

I wonder what 'Bewitched' would have been like if Dick Sargent were the original Darrin and Dick York was his replacement???

Arfies · 11-30-2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old grouch

I wonder what 'Bewitched' would have been like if Dick Sargent were the original Darrin and Dick York was his replacement???

I don't think it would've been as big of a hit as it was. A huge selling point for "Bewitched" was the love story, and Sargent just didn't have the same chemistry. It may not have lasted long enough for York to replace him!

Tammy Grimes was to be the original Samantha/Cassandra, but turned it down, and at that point, Dick Sargent was to be the original Darrin (once the Ashers were brought on board, York was apparently always their first choice). Both Grimes and Sargent ended up starring together in "The Tammy Grimes Show," and that didn't even last a full season.

I rewatched some of the later Sargent episodes, and by then, he sort of grew into the role more (season 6 was awfully stiff). I do catch myself wishing that York had done this or that, but I also noticed that the writers would have Sargent's Darrin say something like, "Oh brother," get a drink, and exit the scene often (which Darrin probably would've done by that point). The focus would then be more on Sam, Endora, or Tabitha, which was more exciting anyway.

catlover79 · 11-30-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BewitchedFan

I suspect that it has to be his bad back. I can only imagine that it probably was killing him by that time. I also can’t help but noticed that he lost weight in Season 5. He’s noticeably thinner than the previous four seasons.

I don't know how he held on as long as he did. THAT, my friends, is a TROOPER!!!!!

BewitchedFan · 11-30-2010, 03:25 PM

One thing I must say that I like about York is his reaction when he sees Samantha using witchcraft. The expression on his face is priceless!! Dick Sargent doesn’t have much expression.

catlover79 · 11-30-2010, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BewitchedFan

One thing I must say that I like about York is his reaction when he sees Samantha using witchcraft. The expression on his face is priceless!! Dick Sargent doesn’t have much expression.

Oh, Dick York's facial expressions were pure GOLD!!!

11-29-2010, 10:20 AM	#1
BewitchedFan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 02, 2010 Posts: 103	Was Dick Sargent THAT bad? I just bought Seasons 5 and 6 of “Bewitched.” I watched Season 6 first since I bought that first on Ebay for only $10. Then I bought Season 5 for $20 at Borders since I had a coupon. When I popped in the Season 6 DVDs in my DVD player, I was expecting to be disappointed because many people here don’t like Dick Sargent and when I watched those episodes when I was younger, I was never crazy about him. However, I was quite surprised to find out that he wasn’t so bad after all. In fact, after watching all of Season 6 and then now watching Season 5 (the last season of York), I find that Sargent’s acting was more natural. Dick York seem to be overacting most of the time, especially in Season 5. Dick Sargent acted more natural and he seemed to be more believable than York. Basically, what I’m saying is….. I don’t think ether actor was necessarily better than the other. Both of them had a different style of acting. Both of them were good in their own way. So, why all the hatred towards Sargent? What exactly was so bad about him?

11-29-2010, 03:48 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	Dick Sargent wasn't that bad he just wasn't the original Darrin. Also I believe that Dick York had better on screen chemistry with Liz than Dick Sargent.
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11-29-2010, 10:45 AM	#2
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	I am in the minority because I too like Dick Sargent. York was more of a physical comedy actor, which I liked. Sargent I thought brought a more laid back approach to Darrin. Season 5 wasnt as good as the previous seasons because York missed shows because of his back. Season 6 I think is really good and is Sargent's best season as Darrin. The one weak season is the last, where several episodes were remade, and the spark had burned out. They probably should have cancelled the show after the seventh season.

11-29-2010, 01:17 PM	#3
Tap Dancer Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 754	I like both actors. I don't care who plays Darrin.

11-29-2010, 03:40 PM	#4
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Well Dick Sargent wasn't that BAD, he just wasn't that good. The first five seasons are enough fun for me. But it was when Marion Lorne passed (God Rest Her Soul) that the show really lost someone special. (You could always count on Aunt Clara for a wild story line and ep) Those eps were the ones I esp. treasure.

11-29-2010, 05:22 PM	#6
BewitchedFan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 02, 2010 Posts: 103	I thought York was at his best in the first 2 seasons. His acting was more natural there. But in the color episodes, his acting started to become a bit too overdone. By Season 5, he definitely overdid it. Maybe it was because his back was killing him by that time and overacting helped cover that up. Who knows?

11-30-2010, 01:42 PM	#11
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	I wonder what 'Bewitched' would have been like if Dick Sargent were the original Darrin and Dick York was his replacement???

11-30-2010, 03:25 PM	#14
BewitchedFan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 02, 2010 Posts: 103	One thing I must say that I like about York is his reaction when he sees Samantha using witchcraft. The expression on his face is priceless!! Dick Sargent doesn’t have much expression.