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Darrin worked for an advertising company and his boss Larry Tate played by David White never learned that Samantha was a witch despite strange events taking place on a weekly basis. Across the road lived nosy neighbour Gladys Kravitz played first by Alice Pearce, who won an Emmy for this role and then after the death of Miss Pearce by Sandra Gould. Adding to the fun was the Stephen's witch daughter Tabitha, and various witches, warlocks and mere mortals. The program made use of clever-for-the-time special effects to work its magic, and the storylines were imaginative and good-natured. Most episodes ended with Darrin, having been the victim of witchcraft throughout the episode (often with a spell put upon him by Endora), affirming his love for Samantha and acknowledging that, like it or not, he would have to accept witchcraft in his life.
The show was an immediate hit and was second only to Bonanza in its first season. It continued to rate well for another six years, but it lost some popularity when Dick York who played Darrin left the series due to health problems and was replaced by Dick Sargent. The drop in popularity is ironic in light of the fact that Sargent had been the original choice to play Darrin but had been unavailable in 1964. Bewitched finally ended its run in 1972 but continues to be seen throughout the world in syndication.
Characters
