Update: NBC Orders "Bewitched" Remake Pilot Focusing on Samantha's Granddaughter - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 10-15-2014, 04:49 PM

"Bewitched" Remake Eyed by Networks
by Nellie Andreeva
October 15, 2014

On the 50th anniversary of its debut, classic TV sitcom "Bewitched" is eyeing a comeback. I’ve learned that Sony Pictures TV is shopping a new version of the supernatural comedy, which ran on ABC from 1964 to 1972.

I hear there is already interest from multiple networks in the modern-day take, which is being penned by The Vow writers Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein.

The project hails from Lucy Fisher and Douglas Wick’s Red Wagon Entertainment, which produced Columbia Pictures’ 2005 Bewitched film starring Nicol Kidman and Will Ferrell, and also teamed with Sony TV on a potential series remake at CBS in 2011.

Also producing the new version is Management 360,which reps Kohn and Silverstein, along with CAA.

Created by Sol Saks and executive produced by Harry Ackerman, "Bewitched" starred Elizabeth Montgomery as a witch married to an ordinary mortal man and chronicles the way her powers and her wicked family get in the way of her efforts to live a normal, magic-free life as a typical suburban housewife.

While the movie remake didn’t fare well, the original series remains popular. It has enjoyed a long after-life in syndication and around the world with local versions mounted in Russia, India, Argentina and Japan.

The classic sitcom has also been embraced by new technologies, with seasons available on the Hulu streaming service.

"Bewitched" is part of the wave of classic series and movies that are getting remakes this development season as the networks are relying heavily on well-known properties, in part because of the dearth of available seasoned creators, many of whom are tied to series.

http://deadline.com/2014/10/bewitche...s-sony-851716/

comedyfreak · 10-19-2014, 04:10 AM

They need to have Erin Murphy play Samantha.

JamesG · 10-22-2014, 05:44 PM

"Bewitched" Update: NBC Pilot Will Follow Samantha's Granddaughter
by Andy Swift
October 22, 2014

Exactly one week after news broke that a "Bewitched" remake was in the works from Sony Pictures TV, NBC has given the comedy a pilot production commitment, our sister site Deadline reports.

But rather than retell Samantha Stephens’ story, NBC’s new pilot — penned by The Vow‘s Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein — will focus on Daphne, Samantha’s granddaughter, a single twenty-something who discovers her quest for true love can’t be solved with magic (though that won’t stop her from trying).

Lisa Hartman played Samantha’s grown daughter Tabitha (aka Daphne’s mother) in Bewitched‘s 1977 spin-off series "Tabitha".

http://tvline.com/2014/10/22/bewitch...granddaughter/

retrofan05 · 10-22-2014, 06:08 PM

It's too bad Hilary Duff has already signed on to do "Younger." I think she would be perfect for the role of Daphne. Perhaps they could get Erin Murphy to reprise the role of Tabitha.

tlc38tlc38 · 10-22-2014, 06:45 PM

Her name shouldn't be Daphne. It should follow the original series and her name should end in an "a".

treky · 10-23-2014, 02:10 AM

maybe they can get Erin Murphy or Lisa Hartman to make a cameo appearance in some episodes as Tabitha.

comedyfreak · 10-23-2014, 04:20 AM

They need to have Erin play Tabitha period or it won't work if there is nothing familiar about the show.

Marvo301 · 10-23-2014, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

They need to have Erin play Tabitha period or it won't work if there is nothing familiar about the show.

I think that's one of the reasons "Tabitha" was a failure. No ties to the original series. The producers of this show would be wise to have Erin Murphy reprise the role of Tabitha either as a guest star or as a recurring character!

MrCleveland · 10-23-2014, 04:28 PM

This better be better than the **** that's on TV now...but I feel that TV has ran out of ideas so they remade every show that's out there now....

missy's pop pop · 10-23-2014, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

They need to have Erin Murphy play Samantha.

Amen! AND NO ONE ELSE! Not to mention David and/or Greg Lawrence play Adam as a warlock! They would be the only continuity left from the old series, unless Bernard Fox (Dr. Bombay) is still living....

Zoneboy · 10-23-2014, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missy's pop pop

Amen! AND NO ONE ELSE! Not to mention David and/or Greg Lawrence play Adam as a warlock! They would be the only continuity left from the old series, unless Bernard Fox (Dr. Bombay) is still living....

Bernard Fox is still alive. My question is this, would you have Samantha be divorced, widowed, remarried or still with Durwood? If the latter, who should play him?

retrofan05 · 10-24-2014, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Bernard Fox is still alive. My question is this, would you have Samantha be divorced, widowed, remarried or still with Durwood? If the latter, who should play him?

Honestly, I don't think they should recast Darren or Samantha. It would be too confusing and people would do too much comparing to the original actors. They need to just make up an excuse as to why Samantha and Darren aren't on the show. Obviously death could be an explanation for Darren's absence, but not Samantha's. I do agree that Erin Murphy should reprise her role as Tabatha, because she's original. Overall, it would probably be best to focus most of the show on Daphne to keep it fresh.

Zoneboy · 10-24-2014, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrofan05

Honestly, I don't think they should recast Darren or Samantha. It would be too confusing.

How would it be confusing? Anyone with a half-a-brain already knows the original actors who played Darrin and Samantha are no longer with us. Recasting roles on TV shows is commonplace and Bewitched did it several times. I seriously doubt that anyone would get confused.

Mr. Television · 10-24-2014, 07:47 PM

Bad Idea.

paul.austin · 10-24-2014, 07:49 PM

*looks up at thread*

Hey, Basil Rathbone's dead, too - does that mean we shouldn't make any more Sherlock Holmes films?

10-15-2014, 04:49 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,168	Update: NBC Orders "Bewitched" Remake Pilot Focusing on Samantha's Granddaughter *"Bewitched" Remake Eyed by Networks* by Nellie Andreeva October 15, 2014 On the 50th anniversary of its debut, classic TV sitcom "Bewitched" is eyeing a comeback. I’ve learned that Sony Pictures TV is shopping a new version of the supernatural comedy, which ran on ABC from 1964 to 1972. I hear there is already interest from multiple networks in the modern-day take, which is being penned by The Vow writers Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein. The project hails from Lucy Fisher and Douglas Wick’s Red Wagon Entertainment, which produced Columbia Pictures’ 2005 Bewitched film starring Nicol Kidman and Will Ferrell, and also teamed with Sony TV on a potential series remake at CBS in 2011. Also producing the new version is Management 360,which reps Kohn and Silverstein, along with CAA. Created by Sol Saks and executive produced by Harry Ackerman, "Bewitched" starred Elizabeth Montgomery as a witch married to an ordinary mortal man and chronicles the way her powers and her wicked family get in the way of her efforts to live a normal, magic-free life as a typical suburban housewife. While the movie remake didn’t fare well, the original series remains popular. It has enjoyed a long after-life in syndication and around the world with local versions mounted in Russia, India, Argentina and Japan. The classic sitcom has also been embraced by new technologies, with seasons available on the Hulu streaming service. "Bewitched" is part of the wave of classic series and movies that are getting remakes this development season as the networks are relying heavily on well-known properties, in part because of the dearth of available seasoned creators, many of whom are tied to series. http://deadline.com/2014/10/bewitche...s-sony-851716/
	Last edited by JamesG; 10-22-2014 at 05:45 PM.

10-19-2014, 04:10 AM	#2
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	They need to have Erin Murphy play Samantha.
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10-22-2014, 06:45 PM	#5
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,260	Her name shouldn't be Daphne. It should follow the original series and her name should end in an "a".
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

10-23-2014, 02:10 AM	#6
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	maybe they can get Erin Murphy or Lisa Hartman to make a cameo appearance in some episodes as Tabitha.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

10-23-2014, 04:28 PM	#9
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,232	This better be better than the **** that's on TV now...but I feel that TV has ran out of ideas so they remade every show that's out there now....
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

10-22-2014, 05:44 PM	#3
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,168	*"Bewitched" Update: NBC Pilot Will Follow Samantha's Granddaughter* by Andy Swift October 22, 2014 Exactly one week after news broke that a "Bewitched" remake was in the works from Sony Pictures TV, NBC has given the comedy a pilot production commitment, our sister site Deadline reports. But rather than retell Samantha Stephens’ story, NBC’s new pilot — penned by The Vow‘s Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein — will focus on Daphne, Samantha’s granddaughter, a single twenty-something who discovers her quest for true love can’t be solved with magic (though that won’t stop her from trying). Lisa Hartman played Samantha’s grown daughter Tabitha (aka Daphne’s mother) in Bewitched‘s 1977 spin-off series "Tabitha". http://tvline.com/2014/10/22/bewitch...granddaughter/

10-22-2014, 06:08 PM	#4
retrofan05 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,111	It's too bad Hilary Duff has already signed on to do "Younger." I think she would be perfect for the role of Daphne. Perhaps they could get Erin Murphy to reprise the role of Tabitha.

10-23-2014, 04:20 AM	#7
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	They need to have Erin play Tabitha period or it won't work if there is nothing familiar about the show.

10-24-2014, 07:47 PM	#14
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Bad Idea.
	__________________ Sonny

10-24-2014, 07:49 PM	#15
paul.austin Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 22, 2012 Posts: 674	looks up at thread Hey, Basil Rathbone's dead, too - does that mean we shouldn't make any more *Sherlock Holmes* films?