Surprising Stories from the Set of Bewitched

Before Bewitched even premiered, the show stirred controversy in certain parts of the country. Some viewers, particularly in Bible Belt states, expressed concern that a sitcom centered on witches might promote devil worship or anti-religious ideas.

The fears were largely based on the show’s premise rather than its content. Once Bewitched aired, it became clear the series was playful and family-friendly, focused on domestic comedy rather than dark magic. Still, the early protests highlight how provocative the concept of a lighthearted witch was in early 1960s television culture.