The Sitcom Studies Podcast

It's our final two episodes of Bewitched! Darrin is once again really struggling with his insecurities, even to the point of believing that all of his success is due to Samantha's help - trust your wife, Darrin! Louis Kravitz is struggling with his own kind of trust issues as he looks to rediscover his love of performing. And of course, Alice Pearce maker her final appearance as Gladys.
Historical Highlights: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jascha_Heifetz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Stern
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Hurok
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stradivarius
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_Hall

It's just a bit busy this week: Charlie Leach is back; Darrin's client Toni is turned into a cat; and Endora is, as usual, planting some unfortunate seeds of doubt in her daughter's mind. And of course there's some time travel thrown in as well. Would you go back in time to find out what might have been?
Historical Highlights: https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/g60027790/celebrity-weddings-1960s/

This week, we discuss what some have considered THE episode of Bewitched! We discuss which episodes we think are most representative of this sitcom and the important commentary this episode makes about unconditional acceptance. And bravo as always, Dick York - you shine in this one! 
As for the second episode that we have on tap for this week...let's just say we had "No" by Meghan Trainor on repeat...
Historical Highlights: http://exhibits.library.miami.edu/miamidigital/1960s.html

We have an exciting two-parter this week - Samantha's very identity as a witch is at risk of being exposed! We're not entirely sure she handles the situation well, but at least there's so much to talk about here as we consider Sam's willingness to use her own magical abilities. 
We hope your 2026 is off to a great start!
History Highlights: https://asginvestigations.com/private-investigator/history-of-private-investigations/ 

What happens when there are magical forces at work that even Sam and Endora might not know how to handle? That and other questions will be answered this week...except we don't think we'll ever be able to answer why Samantha lets "Uncle Albert" into her home without picking up on any of the red flags.
Wishing you and yours all the very best in 2026!
History Highlights: https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-witches

Merry Christmas Eve! While we wish we could sprinkle some seasonal magic to...spruce up?...these two episodes, we had a great time thinking a bit more deeply about the different dynamic that we see here between Sam and Darrin. And for the very first time, we just might have a grievance with out dear Samantha! 
We hope that you and yours enjoy a blessed and beautiful holiday. 
 
History Highlights: 
https://womenshistory.si.edu/blog/voices-independence-four-oral-histories-about-building-womens-economic-power
https://www.oneadvisorypartners.com/blog/the-history-of-women-and-money-in-the-united-states-in-honor-of-womens-history-month
https://www.chase.com/personal/investments/learning-and-insights/article/women-in-wealth-throughout-history-a-united-states-timeline
 

We certainly see the more competitive side of our beloved characters this week! Samantha turns a race horse into a human; a friend of Darrin's turns to sports betting to earn some extra money; and Endora lets her annoyance with Gladys get the better of her when she makes it seem like little Tabitha has already started to talk...
History Highlights:
https://guides.library.harvard.edu/c.php?g=1108872&p=8085578
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/seabiscuit-horseracing-us/
 

What would you do if you were granted three wishes for your birthday? We don't recommend wishing to be your boss for the day - of course, if you're like Darrin in these episodes, you wouldn't even know you had three wishes to begin with. We are also all for the body positivity that shines through here - but Samantha, did you really need to steal a famous fashion designer's work to finish your own?
 
History Highlights: https://daily.jstor.org/dressmaking-liberated-american-women-then-came-the-men/
 

This week on Sitcom Studies, Darrin's parents meet Endora for the first time (yikes!) and Darrin becomes a new heavyweight champion? While these two episodes were not our favorites so far, we do think these episodes offer plenty of food for thought surrounding some interesting gender role discussions. We just wish Tabatha were able to enjoy her little teddy bear in peace! 
Historical Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison

We get another flashback episode this week and get to see what happened when Samantha met Darrin's parents for the first time. Is Phyllis overbearing from the very beginning? Should Darrin really feel guilty for the way he treats Aunt Clara? Oh, and then in the present day, there's also the possibility that Tabitha might be trying to influence the U.S. stock market...
Happy Thanksgiving, wherever you are! We are eternally grateful to you if you've been along with us for the ride over the past ten months. Let the holidays begin!
History Highlights: https://www.nyse.com/history-of-nyse