Special chemistry
Larry Hagman had a reputation for being difficult to work with. It got to the point where the producers were seriously discussing the possibility of replacing him.
But Barbara Eden was categorically against it. ‘There was a chemistry between us that I’ve never had with any other actor,’ she admitted.
And you could really feel it. Their on-screen interaction looked natural and effortless, just as it should be with a truly strong acting duo.
Hagman, who was just a month younger than Eden, remained her friend for life.
Barbara was pregnant
When filming for I Dream of Jeannie began, a small problem unexpectedly arose — Barbara turned out to be pregnant. Because of this, ten episodes had to be filmed urgently before her growing bump became noticeable.
And things were far from smooth on set. Hegman, who was determined to make the series as good as possible, often clashed with director Gene Nelson, who preferred to stick strictly to the script. At times, the two men went so far as to want to sack one another, but somehow all this chaos still came together to form a coherent whole — almost like magic from Genie’s bottle.
The screenwriter who was sacked
Genie’s mischievous doppelgänger, Genie II — a striking brunette in a lavish green harem outfit — was conceived by former ‘Bewitched’ screenwriter James S. Henerson.
The irony is that his creative output had serious consequences for him. Henerson was sacked from ‘Bewitched’ when it emerged that he was writing scripts for two cult TV series simultaneously.
Personal involvement in creating the character
Barbara Eden was personally involved in choosing the pink and burgundy colour scheme for Ginny’s famous harem costume.
The playful pink colour reflected the character’s light-hearted, mischievous and almost girlish side, whilst the burgundy emphasised her temperament and stubborn nature. Furthermore, it was Eden herself who chose the purple trim for Genie’s bottle, adding yet another detail to her instantly recognisable look.
Barbara Eden was very shy
It’s hard to believe, but despite all her success in front of the camera, Barbara Eden was very shy as a child.
Because of her glasses, eye patch and pigtails, she often felt awkward and self-conscious. To help her daughter overcome her shyness, her mother enrolled her in singing lessons — and this ultimately proved to be the first step towards her future fame.
In 1969, she told The News: ‘In acting, you lose yourself in the role. You become someone else. Shyness only bothers you when you’re off stage.’
The man who held it all together
Hayden Rork was an incredibly talented actor and is best remembered by viewers for his role as the perpetually suspicious Dr Alfred E. Bellows in the series I Dream of Jeannie.
According to Barbara Eden, his contribution to the show’s success was truly invaluable. The actress described Hayden Rork as the very person who held everything together during the most difficult periods of filming. She particularly valued his kindness, professionalism and wisdom, considering these qualities priceless.
So next time you’re rewatching the series, take a closer look at these hidden details — they might just make you love its mischievous spirit even more.
And don’t forget to share these amusing discoveries with other fans of TV nostalgia.