History Series / Bewitched

''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' has been dubbed into dozens of languages for distribution all around the world. In addition, the series has been remade many times in foreign markets, most notably on Japanese TV in 2004 as ''[[http://www.tbs.co.jp/okumajo/ Oku-sama wa majo]]'' -- literally, ''My Wife Is A Witch'' but subtitled in English ''Bewitched in Tokyo''. Furthermore, ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' is credited as a major influence on the very first MagicalGirl {{anime}}, ''SallyTheWitch'' (''Mahōtsukai Sally'', broadcast 1966-1968), making it the ultimate ancestor of all CuteWitch characters in Japanese animation. More recently, explicit homage was paid to ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' by the anime ''[[OkusamaWaMahoShojo Oku-sama wa Maho Shojo: Bewitched Agnes]]'' (2005). Finally, the rights to ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' have been owned since 1989 by {{Sony}}, a Japanese company; this is coincidental (it was a side effect of their purchase of ColumbiaPictures), but certainly fits, given the series' popularity in Japan.

''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' has been dubbed into dozens of languages for distribution all around the world. In addition, the series has been remade many times in foreign markets, most notably on Japanese TV in 2004 as ''[[http://www.tbs.co.jp/okumajo/ Oku-sama wa majo]]'' -- literally, ''My Wife Is A Witch'' but subtitled in English ''Bewitched in Tokyo''. Furthermore, ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' is credited as a major influence on the very first MagicalGirl {{anime}}, ''SallyTheWitch'' (''Mahōtsukai Sally'', broadcast 1966-1968), making it the ultimate ancestor of all CuteWitch characters in Japanese animation. More recently, explicit homage was paid to ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' by the anime ''[[OkusamaWaMahoShojoBewitchedAgnes Oku-sama wa Maho Shojo: Bewitched Agnes]]'' (2005). Finally, the rights to ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' have been owned since 1989 by {{Sony}}, a Japanese company; this is coincidental (it was a side effect of their purchase of ColumbiaPictures), but certainly fits, given the series' popularity in Japan.

''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' has been dubbed into dozens of languages for distribution all around the world. In addition, the series has been remade many times in foreign markets, most notably on Japanese TV in 2004 as ''[[http://www.tbs.co.jp/okumajo/ Oku-sama wa majo]]'' -- literally, ''My Wife Is A Witch'' but subtitled in English ''Bewitched in Tokyo''. Furthermore, ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' is credited as a major influence on the very first MagicalGirl {{anime}}, ''SallyTheWitch'' (''Mahōtsukai Sally'', broadcast 1966-1968), making it the ultimate ancestor of all CuteWitch characters in Japanese animation. More recently, explicit homage was paid to ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' by the anime ''[[OkusamaWaMahoShojoBewitchedAgnes Oku-sama wa Maho Shojo: Bewitched Agnes]]'' (2005-present). Finally, the rights to ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' have been owned since 1989 by {{Sony}}, a Japanese company; this is coincidental (it was a side effect of their purchase of ColumbiaPictures), but certainly fits, given the series' popularity in Japan.

While Samantha generally abstained from magic as per her husband's wishes, her family felt no such loyalty. Witches and warlocks popped into Sam's life on a regular basis, and gleefully mucked up the lives of mortals, both intentionally and unintentionally. Not helping was the fact that all of them wanted Sam to forsake the mortal life for full-time witchcraft. Endora was Samantha's mother and the ultimate vicious mother-in-law, not thinking much of mortals like Darrin. Endora was the most common instigator of plots, and trying to reverse one of her spells before any mortals found out was often the driving force for a given episode. Maurice was Samantha's father, and the rest of the magical family included practical-joking Uncle Arthur and forgetful Aunt Clara. Esmeralda was added later in the show's run as a slightly inept witch housekeeper. She was a timid soul and would vanish into thin air if addressed in a harsh tone. A physician character, Dr. Bombay, was added to the show in 1967.

** Even Morning Glory Circle, the neighborhood in which the series takes place, got recycled as Wisteria Lane in ''DesperateHousewives''.

* MyNameIsNotDurwood: the TropeNamer
* NosyNeighbor: While not a TropeNamer, "Gladys Kravitz" is shorthand for a busy-body who gossips about their neighbors.

* TheOtherDarrin: Not just [[TropeNamer Darrin]], but Gladys Kravitz, Louise Tate and Darrin's father, not to mention two babies and three different sets of twins playing Tabitha.

** Early episodes highlighted the fact that Endora was genuinely looking out for Samantha's best interests, and that her emnity toward Darrin was NothingPersonal. Whether she was trying to drive him away or merely testing him to see if he could handle marrying into a family of witches is anyone's guess. Occasionally she will use her magic to help Darrin (and, by extension, Samantha and the children--usually Larry is the victim/subject of her spells) with the usual unintended consequences.

** Early episodes highlighted the fact that Endora was genuinely looking out for Samantha's best interests. Occasionally she will use her magic to help Darrin (and, by extension, Samantha and the children--usually Larry is the victim/subject of her spells) with the usual unintended consequences.

This long-running (1964-1972) FantasticComedy on {{ABC}} took a light-hearted look at the supernatural.

Elizabeth Montgomery starred as Samantha, the wife of ad executive Darrin Stephens. She was not the average {{Housewife}}. In fact, she was a [[MagicalGirlfriend witch]], with the power to warp reality as she saw fit. Darrin encouraged her to suppress her powers and try to live a normal life, but Samantha couldn't help using her powers when she or Darrin were in a jam. With a twitch of the nose, she would make something magical happen and throw Darrin and the rest of the mortal world into a tizzy.

** The series tackled sexism subtly in that Samantha was never once portrayed as less intelligent or capable than Darrin, witchcraft or not. Theirs was a very egalitarian marriage, which is why Sam refrained from using magic unless necessary -- not out of obedience to her husband, but out of respect for Darrin.

** Plus the very idea of an "invisible" subculture of unusual people, existing alongside the everyday world, encouraged gays (and others) to identify.

A frequent unintentional witness to Samantha's magical antics was Larry Tate, Darrin's boss. Among the other inhabitants of this bewitched world were Larry's wife, Louise, and the Stephens' next-door neighbors, the Kravitzes, [[NosyNeighbor nosy Gladys]] and [[HenpeckedHusband long-suffering Abner]]. Samantha and Darrin would later have two children, Tabitha and Adam. Tabitha had her mother's powers, but Adam only developed them near the very end of the series (much to Darrin's relief). A physician character, Dr. Bombay, was added to the show in 1967.

On the other side of the coin was Samantha's side of the family, all of whom wanted her to forsake the mortal life for full-time witchcraft. Endora was Samantha's mother and the ultimate vicious mother-in-law, not thinking much of mortals like Darrin. Maurice was Samantha's father, and the rest of the magical family included practical-joking Uncle Arthur and forgetful Aunt Clara. Esmeralda was added later in the show's run as a slightly inept witch housekeeper. She was a timid soul and would vanish into thin air if addressed in a harsh tone.

Over the years, many people have criticized Darrin's hatred of magic, but not all of it came from his reactionary fear of non-conformity; he also could never have survived in Samantha's world due to his lack of magical powers. The first time he met Samantha's mother, she threatened to kill him, and the first time he met Samantha's father, he '''did''' kill him -- but Samantha persuaded her father to bring Darrin back to life a few minutes later. It would only take a slight change in approach to make most of the ''Series/{{Bewitched}}'' storylines into terrifying horror stories. Yet through all the hexes and curses and involuntary shapeshifts, Darrin remained loyal to Samantha.

The tension between the mortal and supernatural worlds, and Samantha's precarious balancing act between the two, formed the backbone of all the episodes. On any given episode, Samantha might try to keep the peace with her father when he discovered Darrin was a mortal, or Endora might decide Darrin needed a sense of humor and put a hex on him to make him crack jokes uncontrollably. These premises might have seemed simple on the surface, but they quickly achieved complexity when worked through the show's intricate web of character relationships.

''Bewitched'' experienced many casting changes during its long run. Kasey Rogers replaced Irene Vernon as Louise Tate in 1966, and Sandra Gould replaced Alice Pearce as Gladys Kravitz the same year. Tabitha was played by no fewer than three sets of twins: Heidi and Laura Gentry and Tamar and Julie Young all played Tabitha throughout much of 1966, but were replaced permanently by the duo of Erin and Diane Murphy. (Eventually Erin Murphy took over the role entirely.) But the most noticeable replacement (and one of the most famous in TV history) occurred in 1969 when [[TheOtherDarrin Dick Sargent replaced an ailing Dick York as Darrin]]. Usually having multiple changes like these are detrimental to a show's quality, but ''Bewitched'' had a consistency of tone and style that allowed the show to overcome the changes.

Elizabeth Montgomery starred as Samantha, the wife of ad executive Darrin Stephens. She was not the average {{Housewife}}. In fact, she was a witch, with the power to warp reality as she saw fit. Darrin encouraged her to suppress her powers and try to live a normal life, but Samantha couldn't help using her powers when she or Darrin were in a jam. With a twitch of the nose, she would make something magical happen and throw Darrin and the rest of the mortal world into a tizzy.

A frequent unintentional witness to Samantha's magical antics was Larry Tate, Darrin's boss. Among the other inhabitants of this bewitched world were Larry's wife, Louise, and the Stephens' next-door neighbors, the Kravitzes, nosy Gladys and long-suffering Abner. Samantha and Darrin would later have two children, Tabitha and Adam. Tabitha had her mother's powers, but Adam only developed them near the very end of the series (much to Darrin's relief). A physician character, Dr. Bombay, was added to the show in 1967.

Elizabeth Montgomery starred as Samantha, the wife of ad executive Darrin Stephens. She was not the average {{Housewife}}. in fact, she was a witch. Darrin encouraged her to suppress her powers and try to live a normal life, but Samantha couldn't help using her powers when she or Darrin were in a jam. With a twitch of the nose, she would make something magical happen and throw Darrin and the rest of the mortal world into a tizzy.

This long-running (1964-1972) FantasticComedy on {{ABC}} took a light-hearted look at the supernatural. The show, which could have been forgettable fluff in lighter hands, was buoyed by intelligent writing and sharp performances, and as a result, ''Bewitched'' became a favorite with critics and audiences and even won a few Emmys.

* WitchSpecies: The witches were ''not'' mortals who learned to do magic, but rather a separate supernatural race with inherent magic powers.

** Was something of a {{TakeThat jab}} at the actual blackout of the entire east coast in 1965 (apparently, that was Aunt Clara's fault).

** The trope namer has the extra bonus of both actors being named Dick, leading fans to affectionately call it "the Dick switch."

Over the years, many people have criticized Darrin's hatred of magic, but not all of it came from his reactionary fear of non-conformity; he also could never have survived in Samantha's world due to his lack of magical powers. The first time he met Samantha's mother, she threatened to kill him, and the first time he met Samantha's father, he '''did''' kill him -- but Samantha persuaded her father to bring Darrin back to life a few minutes later. It would only take a slight change in approach to make most of the ''{{Bewitched}}'' storylines into terrifying horror stories. Yet through all the hexes and curses and involuntary shapeshifts, Darrin remained loyal to Samantha.

''{{Bewitched}}'' has been dubbed into dozens of languages for distribution all around the world. In addition, the series has been remade many times in foreign markets, most notably on Japanese TV in 2004 as ''[[http://www.tbs.co.jp/okumajo/ Oku-sama wa majo]]'' -- literally, ''My Wife Is A Witch'' but subtitled in English ''Bewitched in Tokyo''. Furthermore, ''{{Bewitched}}'' is credited as a major influence on the very first MagicalGirl {{anime}}, ''SallyTheWitch'' (''Mahōtsukai Sally'', broadcast 1966-1968), making it the ultimate ancestor of all CuteWitch characters in Japanese animation. More recently, explicit homage was paid to ''{{Bewitched}}'' by the anime ''[[OkusamaWaMahoShojoBewitchedAgnes Oku-sama wa Maho Shojo: Bewitched Agnes]]'' (2005-present). Finally, the rights to ''{{Bewitched}}'' have been owned since 1989 by {{Sony}}, a Japanese company; this is coincidental (it was a side effect of their purchase of ColumbiaPictures), but certainly fits, given the series' popularity in Japan.

-->'''Darrin:''' You're a witch!\\

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