PODCAST

The Sitcom Studies Podcast

Marlessa Stivala and Katie DeFonzo

The ultimate TV sitcom analysis podcast with Marlessa Stivala and Katie DeFonzo

tv & film tv reviews

All Episodes

54:55

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 18: Divided He Falls & Man's Best...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2026/01/14

This week, we discuss what some have considered THE episode of Bewitched! We discuss which episodes we think are most representative of this sitcom and the important commentary this episode makes about unconditional acceptance. And bravo as always, Dick York - you shine in this one! As for the second episode that we have on tap for this week...let's just say we had "No" by Meghan Trainor on repeat... Historical Highlights: http://exhibits.library.miami.edu/miamidigital/1960s.html

38:06

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 17: Follow That Witch (Parts 1...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2026/01/07

We have an exciting two-parter this week - Samantha's very identity as a witch is at risk of being exposed! We're not entirely sure she handles the situation well, but at least there's so much to talk about here as we consider Sam's willingness to use her own magical abilities. We hope your 2026 is off to a great start! History Highlights: https://asginvestigations.com/private-investigator/history-of-private-investigations/

58:00

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 16: Disappearing Samantha & A Bum...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/12/31

What happens when there are magical forces at work that even Sam and Endora might not know how to handle? That and other questions will be answered this week...except we don't think we'll ever be able to answer why Samantha lets "Uncle Albert" into her home without picking up on any of the red flags.Wishing you and yours all the very best in 2026! History Highlights: https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-witches

56:31

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 15: The Leprechaun & Double Split

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/12/24

Merry Christmas Eve! While we wish we could sprinkle some seasonal magic to...spruce up?...these two episodes, we had a great time thinking a bit more deeply about the different dynamic that we see here between Sam and Darrin. And for the very first time, we just might have a grievance with out dear Samantha! We hope that you and yours enjoy a blessed and beautiful holiday. History

52:23

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 14: The Horse's Mouth & Baby's...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/12/17

We certainly see the more competitive side of our beloved characters this week! Samantha turns a race horse into a human; a friend of Darrin's turns to sports betting to earn some extra money; and Endora lets her annoyance with Gladys get the better of her when she makes it seem like little Tabitha has already started to talk...History Highlights: https://guides.library.harvard.edu/c.php?g=1108872&p=8085578 https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/seabiscuit-horseracing-us/

66:21

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 13: Double Tate & Samantha the...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/12/10

What would you do if you were granted three wishes for your birthday? We don't recommend wishing to be your boss for the day - of course, if you're like Darrin in these episodes, you wouldn't even know you had three wishes to begin with. We are also all for the body positivity that shines through here - but Samantha, did you really need to steal a famous fashion designer's work to finish your own?History Highlights:

55:00

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 12: Fastest Gun on Madison Avenue...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/12/03

This week on Sitcom Studies, Darrin's parents meet Endora for the first time (yikes!) and Darrin becomes a new heavyweight champion? While these two episodes were not our favorites so far, we do think these episodes offer plenty of food for thought surrounding some interesting gender role discussions. We just wish Tabatha were able to enjoy her little teddy bear in peace! Historical Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison

63:44

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 11: My Baby, the Tycoon &...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/11/26

We get another flashback episode this week and get to see what happened when Samantha met Darrin's parents for the first time. Is Phyllis overbearing from the very beginning? Should Darrin really feel guilty for the way he treats Aunt Clara? Oh, and then in the present day, there's also the possibility that Tabitha might be trying to influence the U.S. stock market...Happy Thanksgiving, wherever you are! We are eternally grateful to you if you've been along with us for the ride over the past ten

48:06

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 10: And Then There Were Three

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/11/19

Welcome to the world, sweet Tabitha. This week we finally get to meet the Stephens' little girl, as well as Sam's cousin Serena - and a nurse who gives Gladys a run for her money? History Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabitha

60:57

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 9: The Magic Cabin & Maid to Order

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/11/12

This week, time away at Larry Tate's cabin is supposed to help ease Darrin's burnout and Samantha feels pressured to hire a maid as her due date approaches. While we noticed some significant plot holes this week, the visual gags continue to impress. We hope all of your meal prep during the upcoming holiday season goes much more smoothly than it does for our Bewitched families!History Highlights: https://www.tastingtable.com/1278237/important-differences-between-broth-consomme/

60:43

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 8: Speak the Truth & A Vision of...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/11/05

We have two episodes this week that surprisingly see everything turn out for the best. Some of our favorite characters' innermost thoughts are revealed; Samantha shows once again how golden her heart is; and the Stephens are able to bring the joy of Christmas to a young boy in desperate need of some holiday cheer. We wholeheartedly encourage you to listen to this episode while decorating for the holidays. But wait - did Santa just call Darrin the wrong name, like Endorra would?Stream Marlessa's

100:43

SIDE QUEST 3: Bewitched Behind the Scenes, with...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/10/29

Happy Halloween! We are thrilled to be joined this week by Herbie J Pilato for a very special conversation about some important episodes of Bewitched not included in Season 2. Herbie is a renowned actor, writer, producer, and TV scholar who has devoted much of his career to preserving the history of Bewitched and other beloved classic sitcoms. He has written Bewitched Forever: The Immortal Companion to Television's Most Magical Supernatural Situation Comedy (2004) and Twitch Upon A Star: The

65:43

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 7: A Strange Little Visitor & My...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/10/22

You would think that babysitting a young warlock and confronting a jewel thief would be enough excitement for one week. But since this is Samantha and Darrin we're talking about...well, there's also the possibility that Larry Tate has been turned into a teddy bear. Historical Highlights: https://www.fastcompany.com/90220227/the-history-of-how-we-got-paid-vacation-in-the-us

65:06

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 6: Junior Executive & Aunt...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/10/15

This week Bewitched dives into questions of nostalgia, with Darrin...revisiting?...his childhood while working on a toy advertisement campaign and sweet Aunt Clara reuniting with her "one that got away"! We really enjoyed how much heart there was in these two episodes, but we also have a few notes on the writing - couldn't Samantha have turned herself into young Darrin so that all could be present at this important meeting? These episodes are all about looking back, but they make us all the more

65:39

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 5: The Very Informal Dress & And...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/10/08

This week's two episodes are all about the costumes and physical comedy, with Sam imagining characters from the Civil War era and Darrin ending up in jail after attending a work event with Aunt Clara. But some much deeper themes are explored here: Where do writers find their inspiration? How do we come to a more nuanced understanding of certain overlooked aspects of our history? And of course, the gaslighting of Gladys Kravitz continues...History

56:48

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 4: Take Two Aspirins... & Trick...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/10/01

Happy October! This week Darrin tries desperately to get the ingredients for a medicine that Samantha needs, and our favorite couple hosts the Tates for a Halloween party. Oh, and Endora turns Darrin into a werewolf? Let spooky season begin...History Highlights: https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween

65:22

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 3: The Joker is a Card, with...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/09/24

Please welcome a very special guest, podcast pioneer Kevin T. Porter, as he discusses with us this special episode of Bewitched, the first to feature Paul Lynde as Samantha's Uncle Arthur. Kevin is a comedian and renowned co-host of the Gilmore Guys podcast, included on Time's List of the 100 Greatest Podcasts of All Time, and he currently hosts the Good Christian Fun podcast. We had the best time discussing the life and influence of Paul Lynde; his role as a practical joker on Bewitched;

61:23

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 2: We're in for a Bad Spell & My...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/09/17

Sam and Darrin have a lot on their plates this week, between trying to save their friend Adam from a centuries-old curse to watching the Tates' son while they’re away. We meet Sam's father; Dick York once again proves he is a MASTER of physical comedy - but is Gladys Kravitz once again the true star here?Historical

61:49

BEWITCHED Deep Dive 1: Alias Darrin Stephens & A Very...

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/09/10

We meet both Gladys Kravitz and Aunt Clara in our first two episodes of Season 2, and we could not be more excited. But Darrin being turned into a chimpanzee AND experiencing pregnancy symptoms? Hopefully it's only up from here!Historical Highlights: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9745905/

18:17

BEWITCHED Has Got Us In Its Spell

The Sitcom Studies Podcast ·

2025/09/03

Welcome to Season 3 of the Sitcom Studies Podcast! We are kicking off September by beginning one of Marlessa's absolute favorites, an absolute classic during Spooky Season (and year-round) - Bewitched! We focus this introduction on considering some of the show's hidden themes, and Marlessa explains why she chose a Dick York season for our deep dive. Thank you for being along with us for what's sure to be a magical ride!

52 results

The Sitcom Studies Podcast

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE

David Yontef

Nerd Culture - A Gamekings Podcast

Blammo Media

UPodcast

UPodcast

The Writers Hangout

Sandy Adomaitis

The Sarah Fraser Show

Sarah Fraser