Surprising Stories from the Set of Bewitched

The massive success of Bewitched proved that fantasy-based sitcoms could thrive in prime time. Its popularity reassured networks that audiences were eager for lighthearted magic mixed with everyday life, especially when anchored by charming, relatable characters.

That success directly paved the way for I Dream of Jeannie in 1965. NBC saw Bewitched’s ratings and cultural impact and greenlit another supernatural comedy built around a magical woman and a mortal man. Together, the two shows defined a full era of whimsical, escapist television in the 1960s.