Bewitched, American television situation comedy that aired on ABC from 1964 to 1972, frequently receiving high ratings.
Bewitched followed the fortunes of Samantha (played by Elizabeth Montgomery), a suburban housewife who also happens to be a witch. The show is set in Westport, Connecticut, where Samantha and her mortal husband, Darrin Stephens (Dick York, 1964–69; Dick Sargent, 1969–72), an advertising executive, struggle with their unorthodox marriage and with maintaining a facade of normalcy, lest Samantha’s supernatural powers become known to the outside world. Their lives are complicated by Samantha’s tampering, mortal-hating mother, Endora (Agnes Moorehead); a nosy neighbour, Gladys Kravitz (Alice Pearce, 1964–66; Sandra Gould, 1966–71); and Darrin’s demanding boss, Larry Tate (David White). Samantha typically casts her spells by twitching her nose and mouth; this “witch twitch” became one of the show’s signature elements. The plot usually involved a threat or complication to Samantha and Darrin’s life as a married couple, often arising from an extended family member or a dilemma at Darrin’s job. Endora routinely casts spells on Darrin in hopes of sabotaging her daughter’s marriage. Over the course of each episode, Samantha is at pains about whether or how to employ magic, which she has promised not to use at the request of her husband. She can make objects and people disappear or reappear, turn people into animals, or set the table with a slight flare of her nostrils. By episode’s end, Samantha’s efforts—both supernatural and otherwise—result in the restoration of order. Samantha and Darrin’s marriage withstands all trials, and they ultimately have two children, Tabitha (Erin Murphy) and Adam (David Lawrence).
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In 1977 ABC commissioned a spin-off series called Tabitha, starring Lisa Hartman in the role of Samantha’s witch daughter. The show was canceled in its first season. In Nora Ephron’s film Bewitched (2005), Nicole Kidman played an actress and witch hired to star in a TV remake of the series.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Pat Bauer.
