Bewitched (TV Milestones)

Walter Metz

Softcover | 13.34 x 1.27 x 17.78 cm | 160 pp

Wayne State University Press | 2007 | 9780814332313

The classic situation comedy Bewitched chronicled the everyday lives of Samantha, a witch, and Darrin Stephens, her mortal husband, dramatising the often humorous troubles caused by their "mixed marriage." For much of its eight-year run, Bewitched enjoyed strong popularity because of its broad appeal. A parade of magical characters, animals, special effects, and gimmickry used to portray witchcraft ensured that the series appealed strongly to children, while its domestic tensions, feminist undertones, and hints at gay and lesbian subculture grabbed the attention of adult viewers.

Bewitched also participated in industrial innovations, like the shift from black-and-white to colour television production, and found itself caught in the political shift from Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society to Richard Nixon’s staunch conservatism. With all of these factors in mind, Walter Metz considers the series an important touchstone in 1960s and 1970s culture.