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?
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 too, think today’s comedies are so horrible. They are into this PC bs which is a true nasty infection in everything anymore. There are no more really good Hollywood writers anymore because the PC producers have run them off. We will never see the likes of ’60’s comedies ever again…..pure true funny and well written. Bewitched will be watched by many for many, many years to come. Thank god for these nostalgic tv channels. Some of the younger generations are starting to pick up on some of these 1960’s shows because of the disatisfaction of the current programming crap… Read more »
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.
I was sorry to see everyone go on the show. Bewitched was only as hilarious as a sitcom could ever get. All the witches, Tabatha most of all. I was, as a kid when the show was in prime-time, in love with little Tabatha; golden blonde hair, blue, beguiling eyes, and just an adorable little doll of a little girl. But for all that, I suppose no amount of witchcraft was able to save the show in the last two seasons. There is a rare poster of Tabatha that I bought on line six months ago, a close-up likeness in… Read more »
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.
did yu know that the second Darrin (dick sargeant) actually appeared in at least 2 Bewithched episodes, when the first Darrin was still in it. Cant remember the names of the episodes, but one was a 2 or 3 part episode when the Stevens went to Salem (in an earlier time period) and they ended up court (2nd Darren was in this court) and another episode where 2nd Darren came to the Stevens house with another man, as electrictions, when the Stevens power went out. i think Aunt Clara knocked the power out all over the east coast with another… Read more »
would like to know how the show ended
@david: Well, this is the last episode so you just have to watch!
The stories were getting kind of old, but it was totally the new Darren! He just didn’t fit with the cast at all. He wasn’t the right choice for the show. I don’t really know if you can ever successfully replace a main character on a show with another actor. I think there will always be some resentment there. I much prefer the episodes with the original.
@anne: I have to agree. The tone of the show is very different and I much prefer Dick York. His Darren was quickly agitated so it was easy to see why he sparred with Endora. The second Darren was so mild-mannered that their relationship just didn’t work as well.
I think the second Deerrun was just so over-the-top that he became a caricature rather than a character of Darren on the series. I think with the original cast and good writing they could’ve lasted longer. But it was a very difficult time in history so much happening United States also. Elizabeth Montgomery spoke about how difficult it was to ignore what was going on in real life to have the fantasy of of a good and perfect life on the show.
I love Bewitched!! I used to watch it when I was younger(and Evie – cant remember the name..theme tune”would you like to swing on a star?) and when I was on maternity leave last year was lucky enough to catch the reruns – all the way through – Yay!! Doesnt get watched now because theres no imagination any more?! I think the only things that get a second series and more now are the ones where the TV channels think they are politically correct and in vogue with thinking now. Well, they are just SO wrong!!