Would 'I dream of Jeannie' Work As A TV Show For Today's Audiences? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-06-2010, 04:32 PM

Or is it too quirky to be a viable sitcom?

old grouch · 06-06-2010, 10:55 PM

Unfortunately, the only way it would work today would be if the writers added a lot of sex and dirty jokes.

MickeyMac · 06-07-2010, 12:40 PM

No way in hell would this work. First off people would have problem with Barbara Eden calling Larry Hagman master (being we are so p.c. and all). As mentioned above if it were on it would be loading with obscene jokes and really bad humor.

Torgo · 06-07-2010, 01:20 PM

Plus, they wouldn't even bother with a bottle, Jeannie and Tony would be sharing a bed. And Roger would be using her for sexual escapades on the side.

catlover79 · 06-07-2010, 01:24 PM

I agree with all you guys - all your points are right on the money. I feel the same way.

Marvo301 · 06-07-2010, 02:41 PM

At least Jeannie would finally be allowed to show her belly button! (and almost everything else too!

)

CAJeannieFan57 · 06-08-2010, 08:15 PM

They would have to change Tony's and Roger's profession - astronauts are not on the front page of the paper like they were back in the '60s during the space race.

catlover79 · 06-08-2010, 11:12 PM

Yes, NASA and the race to get on the moon was all the rage back in the mid/late 60s. What do you suppose their careers would be today? How would they tie in Dr. Bellows?

Torgo · 06-09-2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Yes, NASA and the race to get on the moon was all the rage back in the mid/late 60s. What do you suppose their careers would be today? How would they tie in Dr. Bellows?

Dr. Bellows would probably be changed to a female, and they'd make her Tony's "life coach"

catlover79 · 06-09-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

Dr. Bellows would probably be changed to a female, and they'd make her Tony's "life coach"

Oh lord, please no!

OH Nuts! · 06-09-2010, 03:27 PM

Yes, all these points that have been mentioned surely point that IDOJ would likely bomb today. Or would have to be so remodeled it wouldn't be able to recognize it.

catlover79 · 06-09-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Yes, all these points that have been mentioned surely point that IDOJ would likely bomb today. Or would have to be so remodeled it wouldn't be able to recognize it.

Exactly.

TV Knowledge Fan · 06-15-2010, 12:30 AM

...PROVIDED you follow Sidney Sheldon's original guidelines: for instance, he never set out to do a "sexy" situation comedy. He said, in 1968, he was writing "boy meets girl"- in this case, the girl is a very beautiful 2,000 year old genie who insists on fulfilling her ancient tradition as a genie for the boy- "Master"- who doesn't really want her around, and doesn't want her to do anything for him...but she insists, even if it almost kills him or embarrasses him at the wrong time. Yet, he does have affection towards her, but is reluctant to show it at times.

Sidney knew what he was writing about...."boy meets girl", with the perennial "battle of the sexes" thrown in. His scripts are exactly what the series should be [and he wrote the best ones]. He usually set Jeannie's ancient background against everyday, modern situations [most of which, of course, she didn't understand] and how she coped with them.
One good sequence involving her trying to use a modern implement was in "How To Be A Genie In Ten Easy Lessons": she's using Tony's washing machine, which she doesn't notice isn't plugged in...she puts the clothes in, closes the lid, blinks, and the clothes float out, neatly packaged and wrapped in plastic! She then observes, "These washing machines are truly miracles". Very whimsical...

Unfortunately, James Henerson, his head writer during the final two seasons and the second most prolific writer on the series after Sheldon, tended to write situations that were mostly live-action "slapstick" cartoons, with Jeannie as "Gracie Allen". The underlying tension of Jeannie and Tony Nelson's relationship tended to dissolve into Jeannie's rotten sister's latest scheme or another madcap chase involving "Djinn-Djinn". That's what most people remember about the show these days...and if anyone tried to revive "JEANNIE" as a new series, that's exactly how it would unfold.

Let's face it- the universal appeal of the series was interpreted by different groups: those who liked to see light, romantic comedy (in the early seasons) and "the battle of the sexes"; those who fervently wished they had someone like Jeannie in their own home {and who didn't?}, and those who liked the "slapstick" and frantic moments.

What it boiled down to was, having your own personal genie isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Very few creative talents, and most people, don't understand this. All they see is the "sexism" of Jeannie calling Tony "Master", and that she's supposedly "subservient" to him. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Barbara Eden herself once observed, "She was saying 'yes, master', but she was doing her own thing". Especially if Jeannie thought what she was doing was in "Master's" best interests...she could also be jealous, stubborn, and behave like a mischevous child. Most people have forgotten that, too.

True, some elements would have to be changed {"Dr. Bellows" as a female? Why not? Adding another element in the "battle of the sexes" couldn't hurt}, but again, I say you CAN produce "I DREAM OF JEANNIE" today...IF you stay true to the original idea of the series.

James28 · 06-15-2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAJeannieFan57

They would have to change Tony's and Roger's profession - astronauts are not on the front page of the paper like they were back in the '60s during the space race.

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Yes, NASA and the race to get on the moon was all the rage back in the mid/late 60s. What do you suppose their careers would be today? How would they tie in Dr. Bellows?

Girls, we are NOT changing the profession of those characters. It doesn't matter what is all the rage or in the front page today or in the mid-to-late 60s. Notability of the 60s space race is not temporary. Try to give them a different NASA-related job other than an astronaut, if there is any, instead of putting up pointless anachronisms into the series. Pre-1992 rocks, today smells. Those posts are trying to tell me that NASA sucks. NASA does not suck.

But if we did any of that, any IDOJ revival would most likely end up an EPIC FAIL.

Marvo301 · 06-15-2010, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim856796

Girls, we are NOT changing the profession of those characters. It doesn't matter what is all the rage or in the front page today or in the mid-to-late 60s. Notability of the 60s space race is not temporary. Try to give them a different NASA-related job other than an astronaut, if there is any, instead of putting up pointless anachronisms into the series. Pre-1992 rocks, today smells. Those posts are trying to tell me that NASA sucks. NASA does not suck.

But if we did any of that, any IDOJ revival would most likely end up an EPIC FAIL.

I suppose they could be space shuttle astronauts.

06-06-2010, 04:32 PM	#1
Brian Damage Moderator Forum Legend I'm Rich Bitch Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 62,155	Would 'I dream of Jeannie' Work As A TV Show For Today's Audiences? Or is it too quirky to be a viable sitcom? __________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-07-2010, 01:20 PM	#4
Torgo Senior Member The master would not approve. Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 3,334	Plus, they wouldn't even bother with a bottle, Jeannie and Tony would be sharing a bed. And Roger would be using her for sexual escapades on the side. __________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King

06-07-2010, 01:24 PM	#5
catlover79 Moderator Forum Legend God Bless Val Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 67,655	I agree with all you guys - all your points are right on the money. I feel the same way. __________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

06-07-2010, 02:41 PM	#6
Marvo301 Forum Veteran I got a rock. Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 16,486	At least Jeannie would finally be allowed to show her belly button! (and almost everything else too! ) __________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Alfred Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

06-08-2010, 08:15 PM	#7
CAJeannieFan57 Forum Regular Member Join Date: May 01, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 783	They would have to change Tony's and Roger's profession - astronauts are not on the front page of the paper like they were back in the '60s during the space race. __________________ Donna Webmaster, The Jeannie Sisters Website http://www.jeanniesisters.com An *I Dream of Jeannie* Fan Website

06-06-2010, 10:55 PM	#2
old grouch Senior Member Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,848	Unfortunately, the only way it would work today would be if the writers added a lot of sex and dirty jokes.

06-07-2010, 12:40 PM	#3
MickeyMac Moderator Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 16,962	No way in hell would this work. First off people would have problem with Barbara Eden calling Larry Hagman master (being we are so p.c. and all). As mentioned above if it were on it would be loading with obscene jokes and really bad humor.

06-08-2010, 11:12 PM	#8
catlover79 Moderator Forum Legend God Bless Val Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 67,655	Yes, NASA and the race to get on the moon was all the rage back in the mid/late 60s. What do you suppose their careers would be today? How would they tie in Dr. Bellows?

06-09-2010, 03:27 PM	#11
OH Nuts! Forum Celebrity Riding on the Cannonball! Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 41,100	Yes, all these points that have been mentioned surely point that IDOJ would likely bomb today. Or would have to be so remodeled it wouldn't be able to recognize it. __________________ Thank you SHOUT! & Antenna TV xxoo You both Rock!!

06-15-2010, 12:30 AM	#13
TV Knowledge Fan Senior Member Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,427	I say you CAN do a "new" version of the series... ...PROVIDED you follow Sidney Sheldon's original guidelines: for instance, he never set out to do a "sexy" situation comedy. He said, in 1968, he was writing "boy meets girl"- in this case, the girl is a very beautiful 2,000 year old genie who insists on fulfilling her ancient tradition as a genie for the boy- "Master"- who doesn't really want her around, and doesn't want her to do anything for him...but she insists, even if it almost kills him or embarrasses him at the wrong time. Yet, he does have affection towards her, but is reluctant to show it at times. Sidney knew what he was writing about...."boy meets girl", with the perennial "battle of the sexes" thrown in. His scripts are exactly what the series should be [and he wrote the best ones]. He usually set Jeannie's ancient background against everyday, modern situations [most of which, of course, she didn't understand] and how she coped with them. One good sequence involving her trying to use a modern implement was in "How To Be A Genie In Ten Easy Lessons": she's using Tony's washing machine, which she doesn't notice isn't plugged in...she puts the clothes in, closes the lid, blinks, and the clothes float out, neatly packaged and wrapped in plastic! She then observes, "These washing machines are truly miracles". Very whimsical... Unfortunately, James Henerson, his head writer during the final two seasons and the second most prolific writer on the series after Sheldon, tended to write situations that were mostly live-action "slapstick" cartoons, with Jeannie as "Gracie Allen". The underlying tension of Jeannie and Tony Nelson's relationship tended to dissolve into Jeannie's rotten sister's latest scheme or another madcap chase involving "Djinn-Djinn". That's what most people remember about the show these days...and if anyone tried to revive "JEANNIE" as a new series, that's exactly how it would unfold. Let's face it- the universal appeal of the series was interpreted by different groups: those who liked to see light, romantic comedy (in the early seasons) and "the battle of the sexes"; those who fervently wished they had someone like Jeannie in their own home {and who didn't?}, and those who liked the "slapstick" and frantic moments. What it boiled down to was, having your own personal genie isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Very few creative talents, and most people, don't understand this. All they see is the "sexism" of Jeannie calling Tony "Master", and that she's supposedly "subservient" to him. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Barbara Eden herself once observed, "She was saying 'yes, master', but she was doing her own thing". Especially if Jeannie thought what she was doing was in "Master's" best interests...she could also be jealous, stubborn, and behave like a mischevous child. Most people have forgotten that, too. True, some elements would have to be changed {"Dr. Bellows" as a female? Why not? Adding another element in the "battle of the sexes" couldn't hurt}, but again, I say you CAN produce "I DREAM OF JEANNIE" today...IF you stay true to the original idea of the series.

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