| TV or Not TV | |
|---|---|
| Season 8, Episode 8 Series Episode 236 | |
| |
| Airdate | November 3, 1971 |
| Written by | Bernie Kahn |
| Directed by | William Asher |
| Episode Guide | |
| Previous "The Ghost Who Made a Spectre of Himself" |
Next "A Plague on Maurice and Samantha" |
TV or Not TV is the eighth episode of the eighth season and the 236th episode of the Bewitched series. The episode was completed by June 17, 1971.
Plot[]
Tabitha and Adam are watching Punch and Judy, a puppet television show in which Punch always beats Judy. Although Samantha explains to Tabitha that what Punch is doing to Judy is wrong in real life, her brother, imitating the puppets, starts hitting her. Tabitha zaps herself into the television studio to tell Punch his behavior is bad in front of the broadcast audience and the studio crew, including Darrin and his client, Lester Silverton, a toy manufacturer who sponsors this children's television show. The latter wants to know and soon discovers the girl's true identity. He wants her back on the show. The Stephenses try to dissuade Tabitha, but she wants to become a television star. However, after a day in the studio, Tabitha changes her mind. She is already tired of the grind of television work. Sam tells her she cannot quit, but she can flub her lines and get fired. With a bit of witchcraft, Samantha suggests that Mr. Silverton employ his own daughter instead of Tabitha as the little girl star of Punch and Judy.
Trivia[]
General[]
- The title of this episode alludes to the famous quote "To be, or not to be: that is the question" from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet (Act III, Scene I).
- First episode filmed for Season Eight.
Casting[]
- Agnes Moorehead did not appear and received credit only.
- Guest star Wanda Hendrix had served as leading lady to Elizabeth Montgomery's father Robert Montgomery in Ride the Pink Horse (1947). Hendrix had also been a supporting player in one of Elizabeth Montgomery's few cinematic vehicles, Johnny Cool (1963).
Cast[]
- Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens
- Dick Sargent as Darrin Stephens
- David White as Larry Tate
- Erin Murphy as Tabitha Stephens
- David Lawrence as Adam Stephens
- John Gallaudet as Lester Silverton
- Kathleen Richards as Robin Silverton
- Wanda Hendrix as Helen Silverton
- Robert Q. Lewis as Director
- Barbara Dodd as Script Girl
- Ed Call as Steamboat Bill
- Bob Baker as 1st Puppeteer
- Roy R. Etherington as 2nd Puppeteer
- Greg Lawrence as Adam Stephens (uncredited)
See Also[]
Sources[]
- Pierce, David L. "The omni-directional three-dimensional vectoring paper printed omnibus for Bewitched analysis : a.k.a. the Bewitched history book." BearManor Media, 2012, pages 645-647.
- James, Adam-Michael. "The Bewitched Continuum: The Ultimate Linear Guide to the Classic TV Series." (Foreword and Edited by Herbie J. Pilato), Bright Horse Publishing, 2014, pages 524-525.
- Pilato, Herbie J. "Bewitched forever : the immortal companion to television's most magical supernatural situation comedy." Summit Pub. Group, 1996, pages 205-206.
- TV or Not TV on the Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on December 18, 2024.
- TV or Not TV on Wikipedia. Retrieved on December 18, 2024.
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