Elizabeth Montgomery twitches up one last round of magic and mayhem in Bewitched: The Complete Eighth & Final Season along with Dick Sargent, Agnes Moorehead and David White. A European tour launches the final season in which Samantha and Darrin encounter the likes of King Henry VIII, the Loch Ness Monster and a Leaning Tower of Pisa that’s suddenly standing straight! Back at home, Tabitha faces her first day in school while Adam’s witchcraft powers are put to the test. Serena flirts with a wealthy client after losing her powers, and the Stephens family becomes an unlikely host to George and Martha Washington after the first President is arrested for exercising his right to free speech. Look for special guest appearances by Peter Lawford (of the original Rat Pack), Julie Newmar (Catwoman on TV’s Batman), Bernie Kopell (Doc on TV’s The Love Boat), Billie Hayes (Witchiepoo on TV’s H. R. Pufnstuf) and Will Geer (Grandpa Walton on TV’s The Waltons). Also returning are series regulars Alice Ghostley (Esmeralda), Maurice Evans (Maurice), Erin Murphy (Tabitha), Bernard Fox (Dr. Bombay) and Kasey Rogers (Louise Tate).The final season of Bewitched witnesses Samantha Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery) hobnobbing with historical figures and literary characters–in other words, it’s just another year in the life of a suburban witch. In the two-part opener, Sam and her mortal husband, Darrin (Dick Sargent), wind up in 16th-century England–where Henry VIII tries to make Sam his spouse. With help from Sam’s mother, Endora (Agnes Moorehead of the electrifying eye shadow), her neck remains intact, and the three return to the era of miniskirts and plaid pants. In the episodes to come, they also mix it up with Hansel and Gretel and George and Martha Washington. After their trip to Europe, daughter Tabitha (Erin Murphy) turns a brat into a bullfrog, son Adam (David Lawrence) reveals his powers, cousin Serena (Montgomery in black bouffant) loses hers, and Darrin’s ad agency boss, Larry (David White), experiences a Big-like return to youth. Other season 8 regulars include jittery Aunt Esmeralda (Alice Ghostley) and skirt-chasing Dr. Bombay (Bernard Fox), while standout guest stars include Batman‘s Julie Newmar as a seductive cat lady and H.R. Pufnstuf‘s Billie Hayes as a child-eating witch (alas, Bernie “Doc” Kopell’s over-the-top turn as a hippie warlock is more grating than laugh-generating).
If Frank Oz’s postmodern take on Bewitched, with Nicole Kidman, boasted superior special effects, the original’s low-budget visuals offer half the fun, notably a papier-mâché Loch Ness monster and visible wires when Grandpapa Maurice (Maurice Evans) makes his grandson levitate. After the fifth season departures of Paul Lynde and Dick York, some of the show’s initial lunacy dissipated–airing opposite The Carol Burnett Show and All in the Family certainly didn’t help–but this set still offers 26 episodes packed with more creativity than most of the supernatural comedies to follow in its wake. –Kathleen C. Fennessy
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April 2, 2010
#1
I grew up w/Bewitched on TV in it’s first run. It was a cute little, enjoyable sitcom that we all enjoyed watching. Like all sitcoms,it was made to a formula and got a little long in the tooth by the time they filmed the final episode.
My question is: If they can put 8 seasons of this, and Andy Griffith and ALL the various incantations Star Trek on tape or DVD, why can’t they seem to get past season 2 of Hill Street Blues!!
Sorry, I know this is not exactly the right place to post this, but like many HSB fans, I am sick of them putting a lot of crap on DVD for us to spend our money on (the three series mentioned are excepted) and ignoring many of the well done shows of those times.
I have been waiting for years, and I know others have been doing the same. It’s time to buck-up.
Again, ‘sorry to post this here, but it was time (for me) to speak out on this subject.
April 2, 2010
#2
This was the worst season ever. Many of the story lines had been done during previous seasons. There has never been any chemistry between Elizabeth M and Dick S. so after Dick Y. the show went down hill. If you are a collector like me I say buy it. If your looking for a quality show, I say pass.
April 2, 2010
#3
Bewitched was the number one show of its time. It was so successful that NBC had to emulate it with Dream of Jeannie, another magic-based show.
That witchcraft, historically held as the worst form of behavior, was held to be noble and funny was an odd choice. They obviously were trying to undo the stereotype, as the beautiful and gracious Liz Montgomery was chosen for the lead role. People of my age might remember her from several serious roles on the Twilight Zone, of all things…
The series was divided in two; she had two actors to play her husband. Most people prefer the 1st actor, but I preferred the 2nd one(i.e. the one here and in later years).
April 2, 2010
#4
I love Elizabeth M.and all the cast on Bewitched. Even though all is gone now, except the children. Sure, there is a lot of bloopers in it. But, being a classic sitcom, the bloopers just don’t matter. There is a few missed episodes, but thats okay. Maybe in time they will come out with the lost episodes. The DVD is worth it. Jammet
April 3, 2010
#5
Although an eight year run is considered successful for any television show by today or yesterday’s standards, the eighth and final season of Bewitched missed the mark on several points.
First, it was clearly obvious that missing were cast regulars Gladys and Abner Kravitz. They were, however, mentioned in two episodes but never seen. Also absent was beloved Uncle Arther as Paul Lynde was busy with his own variety show.
Esmerelda, Doc Bombay, Daddy and Serena made a few appearances but not nearly enough if you ask me. Instead, a slurry of guest stars swept the canvas in what appeared to be re-cycled story lines from seasons passed. A couple of original episodes aired that seeemed fun but still lost steam as Liz Montgomery had expressed a lack of interest in coming back for an eighth season. That seemed to come through in some of her scences in this final homage to one of the most original sitcoms in American broadcast history.
All in all, for the die hard fan, it is a must for your collection. Bewitched – The Complete Eighth and Final Season hits stores on DVD July 14th, 2009. Happy twitching!