(by 49 people)
Double, Double Toil and Trouble --
I can remember watching Samantha Stephens on "Bewitched" and wishing that I could be her. Oh, to be able to twitch my nose and have things happen for me. Needless to say, that wasn't a wish that ever came true, but that never stopped me from watching. (Still doesn't, thanks to reruns.) I never knew at the time I was watching ground breaking television - I just liked it. I never gave a second thought to the concept of "witchcraft" on TV, I was being entertained.
It would turn out to be a genre that continued to entertain me through the years: "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch", "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer", and "Charmed" have all been favorites of mine over the years ~ and they all have witches in them. Take a moment to check out their information here, and add your own favorites as well.
Samantha Stephens
"Bewitched"
Samantha StephensA young executive at an advertising agency, Darrin Stephens, an ad agency executive, falls in love with and marries sweet, beautiful Samantha Stephens. But, Sam has a secret and she tells him on their honeymoon that she is a witch with magical powers (and so are the members of her family). Sweet witch Samantha promises Darrin that she won't use her powers -- since he was against her using her "witch twitch" nose to conjure up magic -- unless it was to get him out of a jam! (Samantha's famous nose twitch was actually her twitching her upper lip, which made her nose wrinkle too.) Sam's mother, Endora doesn't much like her mortal son-in-law - you'll notice that she nearly never says his name correctly. Samantha and Darrin have an incredibly curious next-door neighbor Gladys Kravitz. Poor Gladys knows that there is something odd about Sam, but can never prove the weird situations she sees to her husband Abner Kravitz. Throughout their marriage, Samantha's relatives keep invading their household and using their magic - which drives Darrin crazy, but makes for great viewing.
"Bewitched" Episodes On VHS Available From Amazon
"Bewitched" At A Glance
"Bewitched" is an American situation comedy starring Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York (1964-1969), and Dick Sargent (1969-1972). The series was originally broadcast on ABC from 1964 to 1972. It continues to be seen throughout the world in syndication.It is the longest running supernatural sitcom of the 1960s-1970s. The genre included "I Dream of Jeannie", "My Favorite Martian", "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", "Nanny and the Professor", and "The Girl With Something Extra". Some videophiles have also included the dark comedies "The Munsters" and "The Addams Family".
TV Guide recently listed "Bewitched" as the 50th Greatest Television Program of All Time.
(...from Wikipedia)
"Bewitched" Seasons On DVD Available From Amazon
Characters On "Bewitched"
- Samantha Stephens -- Elizabeth Montgomery
(254 episodes, 1964-1972) - Endora -- Agnes Moorehead
(169 episodes, 1964-1972) - Darrin Stephens -- Dick York (156 episodes, 1964-1969)
Dick Sargent (84 episodes, 1969-1972) - Tabitha Stephens -- Erin Murphy (56 episodes, 1966-1972)
Diane Murphy (12 episodes, 1966-1971) - Larry Tate -- David White
(162 episodes, 1964-1972) - Louise Tate -- Kasey Rogers (33 episodes, 1966-1972)
Irene Vernon (13 episodes, 1964-1966) - Abner Kravitz -- George Tobias
(59 episodes, 1964-1971) - Gladys Kravitz -- Alice Pearce (29 episodes, 1964-1966)
Sandra Gould (29 episodes, 1966-1971) - Aunt Clara -- Marion Lorne
(28 episodes, 1964-1968) - Phyllis Stephens -- Mabel Albertson
(20 episodes, 1964-1971) - Dr. Bombay -- Bernard Fox
(18 episodes, 1966-1972) - Esmeralda -- Alice Ghostley
(16 episodes, 1966-1972) - Maurice -- Maurice Evans
(12 episodes, 1964-1971) - The Drunk -- Dick Wilson
(18 episodes, 1965-1972)
Video Clips From "Bewitched"
Prue, Piper, & Phoebe Halliwell, and Paige Matthews
"Charmed"
Prue is the eldest Halliwell sister. Born with the power of telekinesis, she later manifests an astral projection ability. Strong-willed, feisty and intelligent, she often took charge of situations and was always overprotective of her sisters. Though at times Prue lets pride dictate her way of handling things, she never lets her personal life interfere with her work life. On May 17, 2001, she was killed by Shax, a demonic assassin sent by the Source.
Piper Haliwell
Piper is the middle sister (until Prue's death). Her powers include the ability to freeze and explode objects at will. She is most concerned with having a normal life, and has always had reservations about being a Charmed One. She is quiet and reserved, often mediating between Prue and Phoebe. As the show progresses, she gains a stronger persona and takes more authority after Prue dies. She eventually becomes the mother of two sons (Wyatt and Chris) with her husband Leo Wyatt (who is also the Charmed Ones Whitelighter), and she goes to great lengths to protect her children.
Phoebe Haliwell
Phoebe is the original baby of the family and is a spontaneous, free-spirited young woman. The power she was born with is premonitions, which grow to enable her to see into the past as well as the future. This later allows her to project herself into the future. She later gains the powers of levitation, which she often combines with her martial arts skills, and the power of magical empathy. She is a romantic, and becomes a successful columnist and author. Early on, she often had a turbulent relationship with Prue; later, as she now finds herself as the middle sister, she mediates between Piper and Paige.
Paige Matthews
After Prue's death, Paige Matthews is drawn to Piper and Phoebe without any of them initially knowing that she is their baby sister. They come to find out that their mother, Patty Haliwell, had a secret love affair with her Whitelighter, Samuel Wilder. Because their love was against the rules, Paige was left at the doors of a church after she was born. She was adopted, and grew up as an only child. Her personality is bold and vibrant. Paige's birth power is telekinesis, but because she is part Whitelighter this ability combines with her natural orbing to create telekinetic-orbing. She comes into the craft quickly - also gaining the Whitelighter ability to heal those she loves.
"Charmed" Available From Amazon ~~ Seasons One through Five
"Charmed" At A Glance
Charmed is an American television series that ran for eight seasons on the now defunct WB. It was produced by Aaron Spelling and is about three sisters who are the world's most powerful good witches, known throughout the supernatural community as "The Charmed Ones", but known to everyone else as the Halliwells. Each sister possesses unique magical powers that grow and evolve over the course of their lives. The Charmed Ones live together in a house they call the manor and use their supernatural abilities to battle the warlocks, demons and other evil forces that populate San Francisco, California.
The show was the longest lasting of its generation of supernatural-themed shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Roswell. It is also noted for its mixture of multiple genres (from horror and fantasy to comedy and even soap). It also had (at the time) the highest rated debut for the WB Television Network with 7.70 million viewers tuning in for the series premiere "Something Wicca This Way Comes" in 1998 (this was later surpassed with the 2001 debut of Smallville which rated at 8.40 million viewers).
The theme song for Charmed, "How Soon Is Now?" is a cover version performed by Love Spit Love. The same version was previously used in the film The Craft. The original version was written and recorded by The Smiths.
The series ended its run on May 21, 2006 in the US. The Charmed series finale, "Forever Charmed", pulled in a season high of 4.49 million viewers.
Charmed is currently in syndication at TNT.[http://www.tnt.tv/series/charmed/]
"Charmed" Available From Amazon ~~ Seasons Six through Eight & The Boxed Set
Video Clips From "Charmed"
Characters On "Charmed"
- Holly Marie Combs ~~ Piper Halliwell
- Alyssa Milano ~~ Phoebe Halliwell
- Shannen Doherty ~~ Prue Halliwell
- Rose McGowan ~~ Paige Matthews
- Brian Krause ~~ Leo Wyatt
- Kaley Cuoco ~~ Billie Jenkins
- Jason Simmons & Kristopher Simmons ~~ Wyatt Halliwell
- Drew Fuller ~~ Chris Halliwell (adult)
- Jennifer Rhodes ~~ Penny 'Grams' Halliwell
- Finola Hughes ~~ Patty Halliwell
- James Read ~~ Victor Bennett
- Julian McMahon ~~ Cole Turner
- Ted King ~~ Inspector Andy Trudeau
- Dorian Gregory ~~ Inspector Darryl Morris
- Sandra Prosper ~~ Sheila Morris
- Greg Vaughan ~~ Dan Gordon
- Ivan Sergei ~~ Henry Mitchell
- Jenya Lano ~~ Inspector Sheridan
- Kerr Smith ~~ Kyle Brody
- Eric Dane ~~ Jason Dean
- Victor Webster ~~ Coop
Sabrina Spellman
"Sabrina, The Teenage Witch"
Sabrina SpellmanMost of Sabrina's adventures consist of Sabrina either trying to use her powers in secret (witches generally not being allowed to tell mortals about their abilities), learning more about her powers (either through her aunts or from trips to the "Other Realm", an extradimensional plane that was the home of various magical creatures, including witches), or trying to deal with the day-to-day trials of being a teenager. Sabrina also has a (mortal) boyfriend named Harvey Kinkle, who like nearly all the other mortals in Sabrina's world, is unaware his girlfriend is a witch. In the live-action sitcom, Harvey would eventually learn Sabrina is a witch on his own.
"Sabrina, The Teenage Witch" At A Glance
"Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" is an American sitcom based on the Archie comic book series "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch". Its first four seasons aired on ABC from September 27, 1996 to May 5, 2000; the final three seasons ran on The WB Television Network from September 22, 2000 to April 24, 2003.The sitcom revolved around Sabrina Spellman, who must learn to be responsible for her own actions. As she had the power of magic, she often used it to try to help her loved ones or herself, frequently resulting in literal puns that are often disastrous and always humorous. Sabrina also had to learn to hone her powers while keeping them a secret from those around her.
The program began with Sabrina's adventures in high school in the fictional town of Westbridge, located near Boston, Massachusetts (as opposed to Greendale in the comics). In the series' later seasons, Sabrina graduated from high school and enrolled in college, then moved on to her attempts to live on her own and keep a job at the local newspaper. Breaking further from its comic roots, the show ended with Sabrina's wedding, although, in the end, she abandoned the wedding and ran off with Harvey.
(...from Wikipedia)
"Sabrina, The Teenage Witch" Available From Amazon
Characters On "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch"
- Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman (1996 - 2003)
- Caroline Rhea as Hilda Spellman (1996 - 2003)
- Beth Broderick as Zelda Spellman (1996 - 2002)
- Nick Bakay as the voice of Salem Saberhagen (1996 - 2003)
- Nate Richert as Harvey Kinkle (1996 - 2003)
- Jenna Leigh Green as Libby Chessler (1996 - 1999)
- Michelle Beaudoin as Jennifer "Jenny" Kelly (1996 - 1997)
- Lindsay Sloane as Valerie Birkhead (1997 - 1999)
- Martin Mull as Principal Willard Kraft (1997 - 2000)
- David Lascher as Josh (1999 - 2002)
- Soleil Moon Frye as Roxie King (2000 - 2003)
- Elisa Donovan as Morgan Cavanaugh (2000 - 2003)
- Trevor Lissauer as Miles Goodman (2000 - 2002)
Video Clips From "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch"
Willow Rosenberg
"Buffy, The Vampire Slayer"
Willow RosenbergWillow was a kind, gentle, loyal friend to Buffy. But her witchy powers were strong, and when she was properly motivated, her sweet temperament could turn deadly. When her girlfriend and fellow witch Tara was murdered, Willow exacted a gruesome revenge, and it was her awesome powers that eventually doomed Sunnydale's Hellmouth.
"Buffy, The Vampire Slayer" Available From Amazon ~~ Seasons One through Five
"Buffy, The Vampire Slayer" At A Glance
"Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" is an American cult television series that initially aired from March 10, 1997 until May 20, 2003. It was created by writer-director Joss Whedon under his production tag, Mutant Enemy. The series narrative follows Buffy Anne Summers (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar), the latest in a line of young women chosen by fate to battle against vampires, demons, and the forces of darkness. Like previous slayers, Buffy is aided by a Watcher, who guides and trains her. Unlike her predecessors, Buffy surrounds herself with a circle of loyal friends who become known as the "Scooby Gang."The series usually reached between four and six million viewers on original airings. Although such ratings are lower than successful shows on the "big four" networks (ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox), they were a success for the relatively new and smaller The WB Television Network. Reviews for the show were positive, and it was ranked #41 on the list of TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time. "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" was also voted #3 in TV Guide's Top 25 Cult TV Shows of All Time and included in TIME Magazine's 100 Best TV Shows of All Time. It was nominated for Emmy and Golden Globe awards. The WB network ceased operation on September 17, 2006 after airing an "homage" to their "most memorable series," including the pilot episodes of "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" and its spin-off "Angel".
(...from Wikipedia)
"Buffy, The Vampire Slayer" Available From Amazon ~~ Seasons Six & Seven, and Boxed Set
Characters On "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer"
- Sarah Michelle Gellar ... Buffy Summers
- Nicholas Brendon ... Xander Harris
- Alyson Hannigan ... Willow Rosenberg
- Anthony Head ... Rupert Giles
- James Marsters ... Spike
- Emma Caulfield ... Anya
- Michelle Trachtenberg ... Dawn Summers
- Kristine Sutherland ... Joyce Summers
- Charisma Carpenter ... Cordelia Chase
- David Boreanaz ... Angel
- Amber Benson ... Tara Maclay
- Seth Green ... Oz
- Marc Blucas ... Riley Finn
- Danny Strong ... Jonathan Levinson
- Tom Lenk ... Andrew Wells
- Eliza Dushku ... Faith
Video Montage From "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer"
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Final Battle
Video of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Download this Video: http://www.mediafire.com/?ymgzqfxiyjy Song: Chosen By:Robert Duncan Donwload Music: http://www.duncanmusic.com/mp3/btvs_chosen_short.mp3 Enjoy the Video! Comment and rate pls! Disclaimer - BTVS is owned by 20Th Century FOX. No copyright infringement intended.
Runtime: 4:03
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Amanda Tucker
"Tucker's Witch"
Amanda TuckerHer P.I. hubby Rick (Tim Matheson) had the sleuthing skills, but Amanda (Catherine Hicks) had something even better: witchcraft, including the ability to communicate telepathically with her cat, Dickens. Her skills could be erratic. And when tracking down bad guys, like an international assassin who's out to bump off a celebrity hairdresser, conjuring up a bit of misinformation was often a dangerous thing. It was in the first episode that Amanda found out from her mother, that she's a witch. However, in this show, unlike Charmed, magic skips a generation. Amanda has the powers her mother doesn't.
"Tucker's Witch" At A Glance
"Tucker's Witch" aired from October 6, 1982 to July 9, 1983. Rick (Tim Matheson) and Amanda Tucker (Catherine Hicks) are a married couple who own and operate their own private-detective agency -- "Tucker & Tucker Investigation Agency" . Amanda's powers are a tremendous asset in solving cases, although they also have a tendency to get them into trouble. Characters On "Tucker's Witch"
- Amanda Tucker -- Catherine Hicks
- Rick Tucker -- Tim Matheson
- Marcia Fulbright -- Alfre Woodard
- Lt. Sean Fisk -- Bill Morey
- Ellen Hobbes -- Barbara Barrie
- Stucky -- Duncan Ross
Who's Your Favorite Television Witch?
Is Your favorite on this list? Then give them a vote. If your favorite is missing - add them in and I'll add them to the lens for you!
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i love charmed the show is off the hook
Posted September 26, 2008
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CleanerLife
If the TV show "Free Spirit" is ever released on DVD (or some digital format) it'd be worth seeing for Alyson Hannigan in her first regular TV role. She didn't play a witch, Corinne Bohrer played the witch/family housekeeper, and Alyson played one of the children Corinne's character, Winnie, took care of. Posted September 23, 2008 |
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MamaBoop
Love your lens. But I must say Samantha Stevens will always be my favorite witch. I wanted to be her as a child and I would never miss Bewitched on TV. Afterward I would play and pretend I was Samantha and try to make things disappear. Even now when I am running late for work..I wish I could just pop in like my favorite witch! Posted September 20, 2008 |
Does anyone know in which series of The Simpsons Marge played a witch and was thrown off a cliff? All I know is that it was a Halloween episode.
Posted July 29, 2008
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Taizo
Hi! I like "Bewitched". I knew American life from American comedy. It sure brings back memories. Posted July 23, 2008 |
from "Macbeth" ~~ Act IV, Scene 1
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Enter the three Witches.
1 WITCH ~ Thrice the brinded cat hath mew'd.
2 WITCH ~ Thrice and once, the hedge-pig whin'd.
3 WITCH ~ Harpier cries:-'tis time! 'tis time!
1 WITCH ~ Round about the caldron go;
In the poison'd entrails throw.-
Toad, that under cold stone,
Days and nights has thirty-one;
Swelter'd venom sleeping got,
Boil thou first i' the charmed pot!
ALL ~ Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
2 WITCH ~ Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,-
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
ALL ~ Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
3 WITCH. Scale of dragon; tooth of wolf;
Witches' mummy; maw and gulf
Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark;
Root of hemlock digg'd i the dark;
Liver of blaspheming Jew;
Gall of goat, and slips of yew
Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse;
Nose of Turk, and Tartar's lips;
Finger of birth-strangled babe
Ditch-deliver'd by a drab,-
Make the gruel thick and slab:
Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,
For the ingrediants of our caldron.
ALL ~ Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
2 WITCH ~ Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.
Boo-Liscious Website
Television Witches Over The Years Is Featured At:
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