Starring Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, and Agnes Moorehead, Bewitched began its run in 1964 as the second highest-rated show for the year. The series remained in the top 20 for its first five seasons.
York left the show after five years, largely due to debilitating back pain following an accident on the set of a movie. He was replaced by Dick Sargent in one of the most well-known bits of recasting in TV history. Sargent carried on admirably but the show slipped into 25th place for season six.
The audience began to tire of the concept, scripts were being rehashed, and the face of television was changing. In its final year, Bewitched was aired opposite Norman Lear’s groundbreaking All in the Family sitcom and Bewitched’s viewership really fell.
Despite the poor ratings, it’s believed that a ninth season was planned. Ultimately, Montgomery decided against doing it. The show ended on March 25, 1972 and Darrin, Samantha, and Endora were never seen again.
The final episode, “The Truth, Nothing But The Truth, So Help Me, Sam” isn’t a particularly special one and is actually a remake of a 1965 episode called “Speak the Truth.”
The finale revolves around Endora testing Darrin’s devotion to Samantha by placing a spell on a pin that forces mortals to tell the absolute truth. Take a look…
What do you think? Why did Bewitched decline in popularity? Was it the new Darren or was it just time for the show to go?
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21 Comments on "Bewitched: Watch the Last Episode; “The Truth, Nothing But The Truth, So Help Me, Sam”"
I enjoy watch their reruns, and honestly, any show after the first Darrin is simply boring.
Dick Sargent was the actor originally cast in the role of Darrin, but due to some scheduling conflicts with some other projects he had going, he wasn’t able to do it.
I much preferred Dick York in the role. Bewitched just wasn’t the same with the new Darrin portrayed by Dick Sargent.
I think if Dick York had stayed the series could
easily have done 9 or 10 season’s.
I think it was just time yes I didn’t like the new Darin at first but after watching him for a while he was great in his own way!
I absolutely loved the show and was lucky enough to find the complete series on DVD. I grew up watching this show! My biggest problem with this “last” episode is that there really was no final ending to it! It just feels like any other episode! I was disappointed when I got to the end. Other than this and of course them changing Darin, I love the show.
I agree the original Darren, Dick York set the pace for the show and was the best. I enjoyed watching the show because you never knew what Sam was going to do. Or, what family member was going to start trouble. Samantha was always fighting with her mother and trying to keep the peace with her and Darren. The old mother-in-law joke. It makes you think, what would you do if your wife had that power.
She died on May 18 1995. I was in Paignton on a hot day. And so people that I loved from my childhood started dying. I’m now her age. God it is so weird getting older, the memories, the years passing , and younger people don’t know and don’t care what you’re talking about.
Help.
I love the show, Dick York was the best, the other Dick made too many facial exspressions, the house I loved, it would be my dream home if I could have one built. I wish they had more shows like that on now.
i also believe a new remake movie should be made with rachel mcadams from the new movie morning glory as sam she has the beauty and the sweetness to pull it off
i grew up as many did watching that beautiful woman wiggle her little nose and watch the mahem insue it was one of the most special times in my life and i will always adore my memories of such a special show i love you bewitched for all the happiness you have brought me and may God bless all involved in this special show .
I’ve always enjoyed the later episodes. However, I believe this show is a historical document of the female’s transformation during the 60’s. If you watch the first season, then the last season, you will see that Samantha goes from being subservient to Darren to an equal partner in the marriage. Her look changes as well! It is fascinating and I think too often discarded. It is a show about witchcraft and jokes, but it is truly so much more!
i wish i want to see the video of the wackiest ship in the army full series
There was indeed a ninth season, contractually agreed upon by ABC and the Ashers (William Asher and Elizabeth Montgomery). But with the ratings in Season 8 at an all-time low, Liz put BETWITCHED out of its misery, and hers as well. A whimper of an ending, for sure, but the show has endured in the years since then.