Not-So-Wholesome Facts About 'Bewitched'

When Bewitched was on the air, millions of fans had their faces pressed against the screen, waiting to see what mischief Samantha would make next. You may even have tried to do that iconic nose-wiggle yourself! But while the show looked like a whole heap of fun to shoot, a lot was happening behind the scenes. The secrets that Bewitched’s producers wanted to keep hushed were anything but magical—including the real reason why the show was canceled.

Montgomery’s first pregnancy was covered up

Montgomery gave birth three times during her time on the show, but only two of her pregnancies were written into the series (as the magical births of Tabitha and Adam). Yes, while the actress was pregnant in season one, you wouldn't know it. The whole thing was covered up on screen because the network deemed it inappropriate for Sam and Darrin to be expecting a baby so quickly after saying, "I do." It seems weird by today's standards, but that was the thing back then.

An unlucky break

After five seasons on the show, Dick York magically vanished from the scene. Sargent replaced him; producers had gotten their dream Darrin after all. There's a tragic explanation, however: while filming They Came to Cordura, York suffered a terrible injury, tearing several muscles in the right side of his back. Doctors gave him pain medication, but the actor never fully recovered. Later that season, York was filming despite a 105-degree fever. While sitting on the set, the flickering spotlight was too much. York had a seizure and was rushed to the hospital; he resigned instantly, as if by magic.

Agnes Moorehead couldn’t stand Dick Sargent

While most fans would eventually warm to Dick Sargent as a replacement for Dick York, Agnes Moorehead – who played Samantha’s mother, Endora – couldn’t accept the new Darrin. And that led to some pretty awkward moments on set. In an interview with Chicago Outlines, Sargent revealed, “About the third or fourth show I was in, [Moorehead] said to people in front of me, ‘They should never meddle with success.’” Hmmm...what could she have meant with that bit of comment?

ABC tried to make everyone forget Dick York

Scandalously, original Darrin actor Dick York left Bewitched because of back pain and a painkiller addiction. That left the producers with a problem. Would viewers love replacement Dick Sargent, or would they be clamoring for York to return instead? Well, to make sure fans were on the side of Sargent before he appeared on screen, ABC reran every episode in which York did not appear. Devious!

Montgomery wanted to retire before Bewitched began filming

You should know that Montgomery nearly didn’t take her Bewitched role. Pilato told British newspaper the Daily Mail that the star had wanted to retire from acting before a single scene of the sitcom was filmed. But she was eventually convinced otherwise by her husband Asher – and we’re glad he changed her mind.

York was in love with Montgomery

Many men admired Montgomery – and that includes one of her co-stars. York was supposedly profoundly in love with the actress, although the feeling wasn’t mutual. Pilato told Fox News, “[Montgomery] was married to the show’s producer, and it became very uncomfortable for her.” Awkward.

Elizabeth Montgomery had an affair with a producer

Let’s just say that Elizabeth Montgomery and Bill Asher didn’t have the most stable marriage. The rumors are that Asher cheated on numerous occasions... And perhaps in response, the Bewitched star had her own affair with Richard Michaels, one of the show’s other producers. The pair saw each other for two years as Montgomery’s relationship with Asher crumbled.

The stars indulged a bit too much

Anyone who’s seen an episode of Mad Men will know that attitudes to drinking in the workplace were a lot different in the ’60s. That explains why the Bewitched actors sipped on actual liquor when their characters had drinks in their hands. And, yes, that means many scenes were shot while the stars were, well, let’s say, a little tipsy.

Montgomery wasn’t the first choice to play Samantha

It’s hard to imagine anyone else twitching their nose in such an adorable fashion! But Bewitched’s producers initially had someone else in mind for their leading lady. Step forward Tammy Grimes, who passed on the role because of Samantha’s motivations. Writer and classic TV enthusiast Herbie J. Pilato told Fox News, “She felt like if the character had all this power, why doesn’t she cure all the ills of the world?” Good point.

Loose-lipped

Indeed, Samantha famously wiggled her nose to activate her magic, but interestingly enough, Erin Murphy claimed that Montgomery actually wiggled her upper lip. Director William Asher said it was a nervous twitch.

That's gotta hurt

Samantha would also raise her arms as the magic took place around her. In reality, however, she had to stand completely still as crew members manipulated the set. Talk about a magical arm workout!

Montgomery and Moorehead fought on set

And there also didn’t appear to be any love lost between Montgomery and on-screen mom Moorehead. On one occasion, the Samantha actress made a sarcastic swipe at Moorehead’s less than charming behavior on set. Then, after receiving an evil glare from Moorehead in return, Montgomery replied, “Don’t you look at me that way.” Miaow.

Alice Pearce continued filming until the day she died

You certainly can’t fault Alice Pearce’s dedication to her craft. You see, the actress battled cancer while playing Gladys. Incredibly, she was even filming on the day that she eventually succumbed to the disease. But the show had to go on, and following her untimely death Pearce was replaced by Sandra Gould. Two months after her death, Alice was posthumously awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Comedy.

York needed special furniture on set

York’s back problems were so severe that he had to use special furniture during filming. He even had to be assisted by his co-stars when it came to moving around on the Bewitched set. Now you know why Darrin was always sitting or lying down on the show!

The Murphy twins are the show’s only surviving regulars

Twins Erin and Diane Murphy took turns playing Tabitha during Bewitched’s run. And as they were the youngest main cast members by quite some distance, it’s little surprise that they’ve outlived all their co-stars. That’s right. After Bernard Fox passed away in 2016, the Murphys are the only Bewitched regulars who are still around to tell the tale.

Seeing double

Elizabeth Montgomery was the show's headline star, but did you know that she performed another role on Bewitched? She also played Samantha's cousin, Serena, and was credited as the paranormal Pandora Spocks.

Montgomery’s alter ego received fan mail

So Montgomery pulled double duty by playing Samantha’s livelier cousin Serena. But after the star asked to be credited for this performance as Pandora Spocks, it bamboozled a number of viewers. Some of them believed that Serena was portrayed by an entirely different actress and sent fan mail addressed directly to Spocks!

The show wasn’t actually canceled because of low ratings

Plenty of shows are taken off the air because viewers just aren’t tuning in anymore. But Bewitched wasn’t one of them. In fact, the sitcom had apparently been renewed for two more years before that final ep in 1972. So, why the heck did it end? Basically, Montgomery decided she’d had enough of twitching her nose. The actress’ marriage to Asher was also imploding at the same time, which probably made days on set with him a hard prospect to swallow.

Stingy on set

In reality, Hollywood isn't all that glamorous, especially for supporting actors. During filming, they would have to bring their own clothing from home to wear on set! Some wardrobe pieces, though, were a bit more special. Agnes Moorehead wore a special brooch when playing Endora, Samantha's mother. She knew Elizabeth Montgomery was struck by the pin's beauty so, when she died, she bequeathed it to her on-screen daughter.

The show inspired a form of anime

If you’re an anime fan, then you’ll probably be aware of the subgenre known as “magical girl.” But what you probably don’t know is that this distinctive form of Japanese animation has roots in a 1960s American sitcom. Yep, the concept of young girls having magical powers is reportedly based on Bewitched.

It borrowed heavily from two films

Turns out Bewitched isn’t as original as you think! Apparently, the sitcom’s concept borrowed heavily from both 1942’s I Married a Witch and 1958’s Bell, Book and Candle. The show managed to avoid any accusations of outright plagiarism, though, as it was made by Screen Gems. That was an offshoot of the two films’ production company Columbia Pictures.

It made network TV history

It seems hard to believe now, but in the mid-1960s separated couples didn’t really exist on American television. Until Bewitched, that is! Samantha’s warring mom and pop Endora and Maurice are the characters who helped the sitcom make TV history.

The show helped a quiz show contestant become a millionaire

“Which of these popular ’60s TV shows premiered first? Bewitched, Get Smart, Hogan’s Heroes or I Dream of Jeannie?” That was the question standing between Aussie Rob Fulton and the ultimate prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? So, after much to-ing and fro-ing, the contestant settled on Bewitched as the answer. And he was right! Take note of that for your next trivia night.

A grown-up Tabitha returned for a YouTube sketch

In 2019 Erin Murphy reprised her most famous character in a self-referencing YouTube sketch. For an episode of the web series TV Therapy, the actress played a grown-up version of Tabitha who undergoes counseling for her unique childhood experiences. And somewhat amusingly, that included her father changing faces – referencing, of course, the switch from York to Sargent in the Darrin role.

The series was accused of promoting devil worship

You can’t get much more wholesome than the family-friendly antics of Bewitched. Before the first episode aired, though, some folks believed that the sitcom was the work of Beelzebub. Protests were staged in several areas of the Bible Belt, as it was feared that the show would celebrate the act of devil-worshipping.

Its theme song had lyrics

Remember the addictive theme tune that played on the opening credits? Well, there are several versions floating about featuring lyrics penned by Howard Greenfield. Peggy Lee and Steve Lawrence are just a few of the artists who sang lines such as “Bewitched, bewitched, you’ve got me in your spell/Bewitched, bewitched, you know your craft so well.” We’ll never hear it the same way again...

Progressive stand

Towards the end of her time on Bewitched, Montgomery stopped wearing a bra while filming! She did it in support of the women's liberation movement, but it still caused a bit of a stir.

Sargent didn’t die from AIDS

You may have heard on the grapevine that Dick Sargent – the second guy to play Darrin – died from AIDS. But that’s not the truth, as Pilato told Fox News. He said, “Yes, [Sargent] was a man who happened to be gay, but that has been a misconception all these years.” The actor actually passed away from prostate cancer in 1994.

Montgomery picked Tabitha’s name

After being given the honor of choosing her on-screen daughter’s name, Montgomery looked to another actor for inspiration. Edward Andrews had christened his two children Abigail and Tabitha, and Bewitched’s leading lady found herself completely taken by that second name. “I loved it because it was so old-fashioned,” Montgomery explained of her pick.

There was a lesser-known spinoff

Even Bewitched’s most ardent fans have probably forgotten all about the spinoff! Yep, a sister show briefly appeared on ABC in the late 1970s. And as its title suggests, Tabitha saw Samantha and Darrin’s daughter take center stage. Instead of being played by the Murphy twins, though, the character was portrayed by Lisa Hartman. Perhaps you saw her on The Masked Singer in 2020?

Samantha’s nose twitch was nothing but trickery

Famously, Samantha’s nose would twitch whenever something magical was about to happen. But while many fans tried to replicate Elizabeth Montgomery’s trademark move, they should know that it was all down to some studio hocus pocus. Color us disappointed! But it’s true. In an interview with Parade, Erin Murphy – who played Samantha’s daughter Tabitha – revealed that the nose twitch was nothing more than a “camera trick.”

Montgomery was the inspiration for her famous move

Speaking of that twitch, credit has to go to Montgomery herself. According to biographer Herbie Pilato, the quirk stemmed from a real-life movement that Montgomery would involuntarily make when nervous. So, director William Asher – who, conveniently, was also Montgomery’s husband! – wrote her tic into the show. And the rest is TV history.

The Darrin swap started a trend

Though some people may have been fooled by the transition from York to Sargent, more attentive viewers immediately picked up on the differences between the two actors. In fact, the switch was so jarring for some that the term “Darrin Syndrome” – the act of replacing lead actors with new stars – ultimately became part of the Hollywood lexicon.

A very famous actress could have played Tabitha

We can’t imagine Bewitched without Samantha and Darrin’s daughter Tabitha. We also can’t imagine anyone else but Erin Murphy in the role. But did you know that part almost went to future Silence of the Lambs star Jodie Foster? Yes, really! Helen Hunt was actually considered for Tabitha, too.

Paul Lynde actually had two roles

After Paul Lynde first showed up on screen as wacky Uncle Arthur, he quickly became a beloved recurring star. Avid fans will know, though, that Arthur wasn’t the only character Lynde played on the sitcom. The actor actually made his Bewitched debut as a nervous driving instructor in the episode “Driving is the Only Way to Fly.” Apparently, he impressed the powers that be so much that he ultimately nabbed a bigger role.

Montgomery hated that title sequence

Even if you haven’t ever seen an episode of Bewitched – too young, perhaps? – you’ll probably have caught the iconic animated intro. That was the work of none other than Hanna-Barbera. But one person wasn’t a fan. The mystery hater? Elizabeth Montgomery! Reportedly, Montgomery even believed that the show’s production team could have come up with something more creative.

The theme tune had an unlikely source

And if you haven’t watched that animated intro, then you’ll almost certainly be able to hum the Bewitched theme tune. We bet you’re tempted to do that right now! But while the famous earworm has now become synonymous with the show, it wasn’t a totally original piece of work. The bouncy track was actually a variation of a jingle used by Chevrolet in their commercials. Seeing as how Chevy in fact sponsored Bewitched, we can’t help but wonder if subliminal messaging was at work...

Bewitched had something unexpected in common with I Dream of Jeannie

Bewitched’s mix of fantasy and comedy inspired countless imitators – most notably NBC’s I Dream of Jeannie. But along with the obvious similarities in plot and characterization, Jeannie shared stuff with Bewitched that only eagle-eyed fans would notice. In particular, the two sitcoms were able to actually swap sets and props as their sound stages were so near to each other.

The cast could take advantage of a very nice perk

Working on any TV show has its perks, and being on Bewitched was no different. Speaking to the website Bewitched.net, star Kasey Rogers explained, “I wore all my own clothes on the show. You would take your clothes in the week before, and wardrobe would make sure they were all cleaned, pressed and altered for you.” Becoming an actor just to get out of laundry day? Not gonna lie, we’re tempted.

The special effects left a lot to be desired

Samantha’s magic may have required Bewitched to use special effects, but the show was severely limited by the technology of the time. For her house-cleaning spell, for example, producers literally stopped taping while crew cleaned up the set. Then they began rolling again when the stage was clear. And unfortunately for Montgomery, she had to stand in the same awkward pose until all was ready.

Montgomery got an offer she couldn’t refuse

Even though Elizabeth Montgomery got a whole lotta fame and money out of the show, she fell out of love with her role pretty quickly. Why? Well, she wanted a meatier part – something that would challenge her. So, after Bewitched’s fifth season, Montgomery made moves to leave. The only thing that coaxed her back? A hefty pay rise.

The show was interrupted for a historic event

While Bewitched wasn’t exactly Meet the Press, politics did affect its eight-year run. Alongside production starting on the same day as John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the show also aired at the time of the murder of Martin Luther King. The broadcast of 1968 episode “I Confess” had to be paused to run news of the civil rights leader’s death.

Montgomery became very rich off the show

But though Montgomery may have had very little love for Bewitched at the end, she still reaped the benefits long after its cancellation. Because the actress owned a 20 percent stake in the production, she earned millions from syndication. And that all added up. At the time of Montgomery’s death in 1995, she was estimated to be worth a whopping $40 million.

Erin Murphy now runs an ice pops company

Erin Murphy appears to have plenty of strings to her bow. And in 2014 she showed her entrepreneurial spirit by co-launching a firm that makes thirst-quenching but low-calorie ice pops. Mind you, you wouldn’t give any Slim Chillers to kids. Vodka martini’s their specialty, you see!

It was spoofed in WandaVision

The joys of Bewitched were introduced to a whole new generation when a hot new show spoofed the classic sitcom. WandaVision’s second episode saw Elizabeth Olsen take inspiration from her namesake Montgomery for her performance. And to make the homage even more authentic, special effects were created using strings – just as they were in Bewitched.

Montgomery’s sad end was swift

You may remember that we lost Montgomery way too soon. What you may not know, though, is that the Bewitched star was only diagnosed with colorectal cancer two months before her death. And by that point, tragically, the disease had already reached stage four. In an interview with Cancer Today, Montgomery’s boyfriend Foxworth revealed that the actress had been experiencing symptoms for quite a while before she sought medical help.

There are two revivals in the works

Remember that flop adaptation of Bewitched starring Nicole Kidman? Well, it doesn’t appear to have deterred Hollywood! In fact, there are apparently two remakes in the works. One is a small-screen version helmed by Kenya Barris, the creator of Black-ish. The other is a feature-length film involving Star Trek: Picard showrunner Terry Matalas.

Moorehead was initially reluctant to play Endora

A respected actress who’d previously worked with Orson Welles, Moorehead was reportedly lukewarm about the idea of taking on the role of Endora. That’s according to Herbie J. Pilato. And although Moorehead obviously agreed to do the pilot in the end, she had little faith that it would be picked up. Good job she was wrong!

David White lost his son in the Lockerbie disaster

Renowned for playing Darrin’s two-faced boss Larry Tate, David White was so devoted to his firstborn that he asked for his character’s son to be named after him. Tragically, the very real Jonathan lost his life in the Lockerbie disaster of 1988. Pilato later told Closer, “That was one thing [White] never got over. He was heartbroken.”

Montgomery once flirted with Elvis

Montgomery would often show up to the set of the movie Kid Galahad. Nothing odd in that, you’d think, seeing as her husband Gig Young was one of the stars. But rumor has it that the Bewitched actress may have been more interested in flirting with the film’s leading man. That’s right! Montgomery was apparently smitten with Elvis, and some say the King appeared to feel the same way. It’s not known whether the pair ever got together, though.

Moorehead’s death may have been A-bomb-related

There’s a theory that Moorehead’s death from uterine cancer is linked to her time on the set of The Conqueror. And there may actually be something in that. You see, several other stars of the 1956 picture – including Susan Hayward and John Wayne – also succumbed to cancer. According to People, 91 crew members in total were diagnosed with forms of the disease after working on location in Snow Canyon. The Utah site proved an unfortunate choice to say the least, as it lay downwind from a Nevada testing ground for atomic weapons.

The show owes its success to a Little Rascal

Yep, a former star of Our Gang – or perhaps you know it as The Little Rascals? – was instrumental to Bewitched’s success. Jackie Cooper was overseeing Screen Gems’ programming department when he packaged several sitcoms together for ABC. And, luckily, one of these shows just happened to feature the nose-crinkling adventures of Samantha Stephens.

Montgomery’s success made her actor father jealous

Montgomery’s actor father Robert never wanted her to follow in his footsteps. According to Pilato, the Top Secret star hoped that his daughter would live a conventional married life away from the spotlight. And he wasn’t too happy when Montgomery ended up as more successful than him. Apparently, Bewitched’s ratings dominance made the leading lady’s dad green with envy.

York got the job by jumping on Montgomery’s lap

York made sure that Bewitched’s casting team couldn’t forget him when he auditioned to play Darrin. Pilato told Closer that the actor jumped on Mongtomery’s lap before quipping, “Aren’t we cute together? You have to hire me.” The folks who’d seen the stunt obviously agreed! And the rest, of course, is ’60s sitcom history.

Alice Ghostley was initially asked to play another character

Alice Ghostley made 15 Bewitched appearances as housekeeper Esmerelda. Initially, though, she was approached to take over from the late Alice Pearce as busybody neighbor Mrs. Kravitz. Ghostley felt uncomfortable about stepping into the shoes of her friend and had similar concerns when she was asked to join the show in the wake of Marion Lorne’s death. Producer Bill Asher reassured her, however, that Esmerelda would only be a similar character to Aunt Clara – and not a direct replacement.

York didn’t like how Darrin acted towards Samantha

Darrin was never particularly supportive of his wife Samantha’s magical abilities. But the man who first played him? He apparently wished that the character had been a little more understanding. In his interview with Closer, Pilato claims that York “always saw the show as a love story about two people who truly did adore each other.” Often, though, he was directed to play Darrin as unforgiving.

Moorehead didn’t believe the show was challenging enough

Although Moorehead appeared to enjoy her time playing Endora, she didn’t think the role fully showed off her skills. Pilato claimed that she had once turned to York and said, “It’s fun to do the show, but when can we act?” Ouch! But Moorehead did have chops. She’d previously been a member of Orson Welles’ renowned Mercury Theatre rep company and had appeared in Citizen Kane.

York’s talents were discovered by a nun

York’s path to stardom wasn’t exactly conventional. You see, his talents weren’t spotted by an agent or drama teacher but by a nun! Yes, York was encouraged to pursue a career as a singer by one of the sisters at his school. And he was probably glad she did, as he landed his first regular gig on radio comedy That Brewster Boy at the age of just 15.

Irene Vernon was fired through no fault of her own

You have to feel for poor Irene Vernon. She’d spent two seasons playing Louise Tate but was given her walking papers before the third – and it was all down to circumstances beyond her control. Vernon was only let go because of her connection with Danny Arnold. He was a producer who’d quit Bewitched at the end of its inaugural season.

Jim Backus was the first choice to play Abner Kravitz

It’s difficult to consider anyone other than George Tobias playing Abner Kravitz. But the character actor wasn’t actually the first choice for the role! Jim Backus was the guy the producers initially wanted. Owing to his commitments on Gilligan’s Island, though, the man better known as Thurston Howell III turned them down.

Montgomery had a nose job during its run

Turns out that Montgomery may have had a little help when it came to twitching her nose! The actress reportedly underwent several cosmetic surgery procedures during Bewitched’s run, and, yes, they supposedly included a nose job. This was even alluded to in the sitcom itself. Samantha is asked on no fewer than three occasions whether she’s aware of a plastic surgeon named Dr. Hafner. Now, that’s a little rude...

Darrin’s secretary was married to someone behind the scenes

Montgomery and Asher weren’t the only real-life Bewitched couple on set. Jill Foster, who appears as Darrin’s secretary Betty, got married to director Bernard Slade in 1965. But just like their more high-profile counterparts, Foster and Slade were not a good match. Sadly, their relationship also ended in divorce.