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47 years ago, ABC telecast it's last Prime Time episode of "Bewitched"

posted 5 years ago by [deleted]
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On Saturday, July 1, 1972 , ABC aired the last prime time episode of 'Bewitched' , concluding it's eighth and final season in prime time. The series would then move to syndication in September, 1973 where it would run forever.

The last episode to air in prime-time was a repeat of "Adam: Washout or Warlock ?" which was not the final episode of the series. This episode originally ran on December 29, 1971, and was filmed August 5, 1971. (The last new episode of the series aired on March 25, 1972 titled "The Truth, Nothing but the Truth, So Help Me Sam").

Original TV Guide Description for BEWITCHED on July 1, 1972:

Little Adam - warlock or mere mortal? Maurice Evans (as Sam's Dad) is among those determined to put the question to the test. Samantha: Elizabeth Montgomery. Darrin: Dick Sargent. Endora: Agnes Moorehead. Adam; David Lawrence. Tabitha: Erin Murphy. Supporting Cast ... Enchantra: Diana Chesney. Grimalda: Maryesther Denver. (Rerun)

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

While I appreciate your little piece of history, the show was NEVER filmed in just one day. August 5th, '71 would've
been one of several filming days (perhaps the last).

The show was basically filmed over three days (with pickup shots of the main cast completed at a later date).

[–] mikwalen63 (6) 5 years ago

I do wish they'd used Adam more! This one episode was the only prominent story he got. Otherwise, he was just "there".

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

This tired rehash is one of my least favorites of the entire series. Adam had no personality or charm, and his
even being "born" into the series was pointless.

And the episode comes nowhere near "Witches and Warlocks are my Favorite Things."

I have a soft spot for several in that tired final year, but this dud isn't one of them.

[–] mikwalen63 (6) 5 years ago

It was a rehash of the corresponding Tabitha episode from 66. Even down to the point where the council wanted to take him to the special school. I enjoy it because since he was on the show, it was *something* that made use of him. I suppose if there had been a 9th season, any Adam episodes would have been rehashed of earlier Tabitha stories- Adam goes to school and causes havoc, Adam has wish craft issues, etc.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

Ugh! BW is painful enough in its final year. Anything beyond that would've been so awful.

I have always maintained that Maurice Evans was so special that he elevated every episode he is in
that isn't topnotch (the mule ep; the Paris ep in season eight). But even he can't save "Adam, Warlock
or Washout." And those actresses were just terrible - and who in the HELL is Grimelda??

This dud reaches its nadir when Sargent starts BARKING like a dog.

As for the kid, all he does is just get suspended by wires and lifted around the set. He doesn't look like
he has special powers (little Erin Murphy was so cute as an infant, putting her finger on her nose to
"twitch").

I'm a huge fan of BW, but, to me, Esmeralda, Adam and even Dr. Bombay were annoying to watch. The
latter was effective as an egotistical doctor in his first outing, "There's Gold in Them Thar Pills", but
he just became campier and campier, as if he had just stepped out of a John Waters' film.

[–] mikwalen63 (6) 5 years ago

GB, I love that - "just stepped out of a John Waters film" LOL!!

[–] [email protected] (5497) 5 years ago

The twins who played Adam were very cute, but Adam just didn't add anything to the show. I doubt if the Stephens would have had another baby if Elizabeth Montgomery wasn't expecting a baby.

They managed to wring out a few funny episodes. I enjoyed the one where Adam was born and Maurice put a spell on the baby and everyone fell in love with him. The scene with Endora and Maurice was touching.

The "baby naming" episode is at least original. Endora is worried about how Maurice will take "second billing" if the baby is named Frank Maurice. I'm not a fan of the name Adam, but I really dislike Frank. It makes me think of a hot dog! haha

But otherwise, Adam didn't add anything new to the show.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 5 years ago

I like (but don't love) those eps, too.

Curiously, I recently watched my ONLY favorite non-Darrin season five ep, "Mrs. Stephens, Where
are You?" In it, Phyllis asks Serena about Maurice, as "we've never met him." Yet in "Naming the
New Baby", the two sets of parents ARE acquainted. No biggie, as they could've met off camera
during Sam's summer pregnancy. But I know other fans would call this an (unnecessary) blooper.