Skip to content Barbara was pregnant
When I Dream of Jeannie began, a bit of a crisis emerged — Barbara was pregnant! This meant a scramble to quickly film 10 episodes before her baby bump became noticeable.
Things weren’t exactly smooth sailing on set either. Hagman, determined to make the show the best it could be, often butted heads with director Gene Nelson, who preferred to stick strictly to the script. Both men even wanted the other fired at times, but somehow, it all came together — much like the magic in Jeannie’s bottle!
Writer got fired
Jeannie’s mischievous twin sister, “Jeannie II,” a sultry brunette in a stunning green harem dress, was created by former Bewitched writer James S. Henerson.
Ironically, his creative endeavors had some serious consequences. In fact, Henerson was fired from Bewitched when it was discovered that he was juggling scripts for both iconic shows at the same time.
Hands-on approach
Barbara Eden took a hands-on approach in choosing the pink and maroon color combination for Jeannie’s harem outfit.
The playful pink reflects her whimsical, girlish side, while the maroon captures her fiery, headstrong spirit. Eden also chose the purple trim for Jeannie’s bottle, adding another layer of charm to her iconic look!
Barbara Eden was very shy
It’s hard to believe, given all her accomplishments in front of the camera, but Barbara Eden was quite shy as a child!
With her glasses, eye patch, and pigtails, she often felt self-conscious. To help her overcome this shyness, her mother signed her up for singing classes, setting the stage for her future stardom.
”In acting you lose yourself in a role. You are somebody else. You’re only bothered by shyness when you’re off stage,” she told The News in 1969.
The glue that held it all together
Hayden Rorke was an incredibly talented actor, best known for his role as the ever-suspicious Dr. Alfred E. Bellows on I Dream of Jeannie.
According to Barbara Eden, his contributions were invaluable to the show’s success. The actress described Hayden Rorke as the glue that held everything together during challenging times in production. She praised his kindness, professionalism, and wisdom, calling them truly priceless qualities.
So, next time you catch an episode, keep an eye out for these hidden gems — they might just make you appreciate the show’s playful spirit even more!
And don’t forget to share these delightful finds with fellow fans who love a little TV nostalgia!