Ricky Hanson Video: Bewithced Pilot Episode
Bewitched is an American fantasy sitcom television series that originally aired for eight seasons on ABC from September 17, 1964, to March 25, 1972. It is about a witch who marries an ordinary mortal man and vows to lead the life of a typical suburban housewife. The show was popular, finishing as the second-rated show in America during its debut season, staying in the top ten for its first three seasons, and ranking in eleventh place for both seasons four and five. The show continues to be seen throughout the world in syndication and on recorded media.
Bewitched was created by Sol Saks under executive producer Harry Ackerman and starred: Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens; Dick York (1964–1969) as Darrin Stephens, her husband (Dick Sargent replaced an ailing York for the final three seasons, 1969–1972); Agnes Moorehead as Endora, Samantha’s mother; David White as Larry Tate, Darrin’s boss; Irene Vernon (1964–1966) and later Kasey Rogers (1966–1972) as Louise Tate, Larry’s wife; Alice Pearce (1964–1966) as Gladys Kravitz; George Tobias (1964–1971) as her husband, Abner Kravitz; and Erin Murphy (1966–1972) as Tabitha Stephens (she shared this role for 18 episodes with her fraternal twin sister, Diane Murphy). In 1966, Sandra Gould took over the part of Gladys Kravitz (1966–1971) after the death of Alice Pearce. Annual semi-regulars included Maurice Evans as Maurice, Samantha’s father; Marion Lorne as Samantha’s Aunt Clara (1964–1968); Alice Ghostley as Esmeralda, Tabitha’s babysitter (1969–1972); Paul Lynde as Samantha’s Uncle Arthur (1965–1971); Bernard Fox (actor) as Dr. Bombay (1965-1972); Mabel Albertson as Darrin’s mother, Phyllis Stephens (1964–1971); and Robert F. Simon and Roy Roberts alternating the role of Frank Stephens, Darrin’s father (1964–1971).
Hanna-Barbera produced the opening and closing animation credits. In 2002, Bewitched was ranked No. 50 on “TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time”. In 1997, the same magazine ranked the season 2 episode “Divided He Falls” #48 on their list of the “100 Greatest Episodes of All Time”.
Ricky Hanson