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Bewitched [8.7]

Bewitched Plot Summary

Bewitched was a sophisticated ensemble situation comedy (considered light and fluffy by some) featuring relevant cultural themes in a fantasy context. Well written and superbly performed, the show has run continuously for 40 years and proven to be timeless. Producer/ Director William Asher (I Love Lucy, Make Room for Daddy, Our Miss Brooks, Gidget, Alice), wisely created a show that focused more on character development than the occult. While the endless sight gags and breezy writing enhanced the shows appeal, it was the well -drawn characters and sublime comedic performances that made Bewitched a classic!

At the very center of this classic show was Elizabeth Montgomery's portrayal of a beautiful, good-hearted witch named Samantha, a character rare in 1960's television. A strong, independent woman with the world at her finger tips--or a twitch of her nose. Samantha was a clever role reversal of the women's rights movement. Her rebellion so strong, she disregards the wishes and ultimatums of her arrogant family and the terrifying Witches Council. Quite simply, Samantha enjoyed being a homemaker and raising a family, and had the strength of character to live her life on her own terms. Equally determined was her mortal husband Darrin Stephens, a talented advertising executive with McMann & Tate. He obsessed with leading a normal, conservative lifestyle, and fearless enough to stand firm against the most powerful witch or warlock.

The struggle would begin when Darrin and Samantha met, fell in love, and married during the first episode. Disapproving of mixed marriages between mortals and witches, Samantha's powerful mother, Endora, was determined to prove to Samantha that the marriage was a tremendous mistake. Endora would determine Samantha was steadfast, and directed of her attention toward making Darrin (Dick York) miserable. Over the shows 8 year run, Endora tried numerous spells, all creating humiliation and chaos in Darrin's mortal world, not to mention Darrin's new found paranoia. Darrin was in love, and continued to stand firm that he and Sam would have a normal, loving marriage.

This was not to be, however, as made apparent by the many trials and tribulations of being married to a witch. Samantha made her best attempt to tone down any witchcraft, but with constant visits from her family, it was all in vain.

And what a family it was! Besides the meddling, indefatigable Endora, the tv show featured an ensemble of eccentric witches and warlocks. Samantha's favorite aunt, Clara, was a lovable, bumbling witch. Due to Aunt Clara's extended age (possibly 1000 years old), she was suffering the loss of her powers and, hence, inadvertently wreaking havoc at the Stephens home. How does a mortal explain a polka dotted elephant in his living room, or Ben Franklin being summoned to repair an electric lamp? In addition to Aunt Clara, Sam's practical joking Uncle Arthur, and Shakespeare orating father, Maurice, dropped in from time to time. Elizabeth Montgomery also portrayed Samantha's chameleon, free-spirited, mischievous cousin Serena, herself often indulging in the mortal world of sex and rock & roll.

On the mortal receiving end of the seemingly hallucinogenic world of witches were the neighbors Gladys and Abner Kravitz. Gladys, first brilliantly portrayed by Alice Pearce, was immediately aware that the Stephens household was positively strange, and was certain that something "beyond this world" was at work across the street. Darrin's mother, Mrs. Stephens, faired no better, as she was forever on the receiving end of a "sick headache. Another primary character was Larry Tate, Darrin's boss, who exemplified the "anything for a buck" American mentality."

Many themes were used during the show's run. The first two seasons, filmed in black & white, generally focused on the difficulties of new marriage, in-laws, as well as introduced the world to the enchanting lifestyle of witches. Numerous episodes dealt with Samantha's good-hearted attempts to help the mortal world. The black and white episodes culminated with the birth of their first daughter, Tabitha. By the third season Bewitched had really hit its stride. Now dealing with Tabitha's uncontrollable "wish craft", more chaos and upheaval jolted the Stephen's household. These middle years featured an edgier, hipper show with a psychedelic feel. The last 3 seasons of Bewitched brought about the biggest change to the series as Dick York was replaced by Dick Sargent. This element of the show has become a cultural touchstone, many viewers debating their favorite Darrin. The shows cast was always revolving, however, and over the entire run, there were also two Louise Tates, two Gladys Kravitz, two Frank Stephens (Darrin's father), several secretaries named Betty, and a number of twins as the Stephens' children, Tabitha and Adam.

Bewitched earned nearly two dozen emmy nominations during its run. Marion Lorne and Alice Pearce won well deserved awards, as did director Willam Asher. In 1970, Bewitched presented a Christmas episode regarding bigotry and racism, and received a special emmy award, the Governor's Award, for the landmark episode (Sisters at Heart), not coincidentally, Elizabeth Montgomery's favorite episode. Beyond the themes of mixed marriage, adultry, and bigotry, Bewitched explored cultural issues of consumerism, materialism, human vanity, women's liberation, and mass hysteria, always within the shows fantasy concept. To the viewing public, Bewitched will forever be remembered as the hysterical yet charming sitcom starring one of tv's all time great ensemble casts.

Classic Bewitched Episodes

•[i]How To Lose Your Head to King Henry the VIII (#229/#230 Samantha is transported back in time to the 15th Century)

•Mrs. Stephens, Where Are You? (#160 Serena changes Mrs. Stephens into a cat)

•Witch or Wife (#9 Sam & Endora in Paris)

•The Joker Is A Card (#9 1st Uncle Arthur episode)

•My Friend Ben (#87/#88 Ben Franklin)

•Mother In Law of the Year (#214 Endora a spokesperson for Bon Bon Candies)

•Charlie Harper, Winner (#99 Sam whips up a mink coat )

•Disappearing Sam (#65Amateur has dangerous amulet)

•The Corn Is As High As A Guernsey's Ear (#94 Sam thinks Aunt Clara is a cow)

•Witches and Warlocks Are My Favorite Things (#77 Tabitha's powers tested)

•Samantha's Lost Weekend (#186 Sam can't stop eating thanks to Esmerelda)

•Serena Stops The Show (#192 Boyce & Hart show)

•Once In A Vial (#125 Endora and Rollo's lovepotion backfires)

•Nobody's Perfect/The Moment of Truth (#75/#76 Tabitha's a witch)

•The Crone of Cawdor (#101 Crone tries to age Darrin)

• Endora Moves In For A Spell (#80 Endora &Uncle Arthur's fued)

•Double, Double Toil & Trouble (111 Serena episode with classic pie fight)

•Short Happy Circuit of Aunt Clara (#83 Aunt Clara creates a major blackout

•Allergic to Macedonian Do Do Birds (#118 Endora loses her powers to Aunt Clara

•No Zip In My Zap (#113 Samantha levitates or the damn will burst)

•I, Darrin, Take This Witch (1st episode)

•Mother, Meet What's His Name (#4 Endora meets Darrin)

•Follow That Witch ( #66/#67 Private Detective Charlie Leach)

•Divided He Falls (#68 Endora spits Darrin)

•Accidental Twins (# 78 Aunt Clara duplicates Tate's son)

•3 Wishes (#96 Endora Grants Darrin wishes without his knowledge)

•It's Nice to Have A Spouse Around The House (#145 Serena and Moonthatch Inn)

•Mary the Good Fairy (#215/#216)

•A Is for Aardvark (#17 Samantha gives ailing Darrin magical run of the house)

•The Witches Are Out (#7 Halloween episode dealing with bigotry)

•Sister's at Heart (#211 Bigotted client mistakenly believes Darrin has interracial marriage)

•To Go or Not to Go (#199 The High Priestess of the Witches moves in to the Stephens home)

First Telecast: September 17, 1964

Last Telecast: July 1, 1972

Episodes: 254 Episodes (74 Black & White eps., 180 Color eps.)

Bewitched Ratings

Season 1: #2

Season 2: #7

Season 3: #7

Season 4: #11

Season 5: #11

Season 6: #24

Season 7: #34

Season 8: #42

Bewitched aired ABC Saturday mornings from 1971-73, generally color episodes themed around Tabitha.

Bewitched aired ABC weekday mornings 1968-1973, usually in color. Thereafter, syndication.



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