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!