Customer Reviews

Dreaming of Jeannie: TV's Prime Time in a Bottle

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Although I'm too young to remember watching "I Dream of Jeannie" during its first run on network tv, I grew up laughing aloud to years of reruns, and this book, full of great photos (where else can you see Jeannie and Dr. Bellows hanging at a Hollywood part with Ringo Starr! ), especially the beautiful color shots which jump off the page, told me everything--and even more than that!--I needed to know about the series and its stars, from Hagman's wierd quirks to Eden's "jeannie-al" personality to Bill Daly's dedication to his craft.

The author does a great job in his research, and interesting tidbits (related and unrelated) are plentiful and keep your interest as the pages turn (by themselves, if this were the tv show). The episode guide is a detailed reference source, and if you're a "Bewitched" fan as well, there's lots of info on that series (just don't be gullible enough to take those three "lost" episodes as gospel truth--I certainly didn't!)--pick up a copy and you'll see what I mean.

After I read this behind-the-scenes look at "Jeannie," it had me hunting for some of those episodes in syndication, just to laugh again watching poor ol' Dr. Bellows trying to figure out the whole damn thing!

By the very text of the title, one would expect that this book is completely dedicated to its 1965-70 namesake. Sadly, this is not the case. There are constant references to other television series, most notably, Bewitched. In fact, the final chapter is entirely devoted to this series.

Why the constant exposure of Bewitched? The author attempts to justify this by linking the two series together, citing references by TV Guide and others to reinforce his claim. The appropriation of other themes and plotlines in the entertainment industry is nothing new, and hardly worth the amount of space the author utilizes to cover it. Harlan Ellison, in his 1996 book City on the Edge of Forever, states succinctly in one paragraph what Cox does in many pages. But then again, Steve Cox is no Harlan Ellison.

Another reason for the inclusion of Bewitched may be the author's affection for the show. While there is nothing wrong with this, misrepresenting a work through misleading advertising is unethical. Two decades ago, Larry Commons staged a similar stunt. He published a fan magazine advertised as entirely devoted to one series, but when the subscriber count was up, he decided to "bait and switch." One irate reader wrote, "...'Superman' seems out of place here... My real point, Larry, is that you may like 'Superman,' which is fine, and so is an article and episode guide. But go beyond that and you may befuddle and isolate many of the readers." The situations are so similar that this letter could easily apply to Cox (substituting Bewitched for Superman, and Steve for Larry, of course).

Cox seems to have little fondness for "I Dream of Jeannie," though. He attacks the quality of the series from the first page, and continues to throw poisonous barbs (in the form of editorial asides) throughout the remainder of his book. For instance, when Hagman turned to a psychologist in order to deal with the mounting pressures, he adds, "(Obviously Dr. Bellows's sitcom psychobabble wasn't doing the trick.)" When he discusses the impact on young people by television, Cox adds, "(Not to shatter your force field, but Star Trek probably inspired more adolescents than both of the former combined. C'mon - Bones is, without a doubt, cooler than Bellows.)" And when the author mentions that Sheldon sent scripts to NASA in order to solicit their input, he adds, "(Whether the scripts nauseated NASA officials is classified information.)"

Although Cox nailed interviews with both Sheldon and Hagman, he glossed over the most intriguing question, why did the latter refuse to be a part of the 1985 reunion movie, 'I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later'? Hagman's pedestrian response about the pay issue seemed somewhat suspect. Why couldn't he have validated this with Sheldon, or using his Bewitched connections, with director Bill Asher?

Unfortunately, too many of the cast have now passed on, and were unable to share their insight. Barton MacLane died in 1969, Vinton Hayworth in 1970, Emmaline Henry in 1979, and Hayden Rorke in 1987. Yet in the acknowledgments, Cox expresses gratitude "for your insight, your warmth (applicable to some), your time, and your recollections" to "Hayden Rorke." Unless the author has the ability to converse with the dead, this would seem rather unlikely. He does speak with Rorke's brother, James Hayden Rorke, but not the actor who portrayed Dr. Bellows. However, assuming he did, why were no quotes printed?

One of the prerequisites to writing a quality book is to be enthused about your chosen subject. Cox freely admits he wrote this book because his friends "put him up" to it. At $16.95, I presume money provided powerful motivation as well (although he was not quite arrogant enough to admit it). Perhaps this explains the mediocrity of his publication. This is unfortunate, because a book about I Dream of Jeannie written by someone with intimate knowledge of the series and exemplary interviewing skills could produce an outstanding publication. Perhaps someday a book of this quality will surface.

This Book was a wonderful read. I breezed thru it in a blink of an eye. There is alot of information jam packed in it about the show and the people in it. I am a huge fan of the show and didn't know alot of the stuff that is in this book. Surprisingly the book has some great interviews from several of the stars, co-stars and people involved with the show, including Larry Hagman, which is a shock. The pictures are just incredible, it even has a color section with shots I have never seen before. There is lots of behind the scenes info and other rare black and white pictures also. I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy the classic tv shows. I found I could not put this book down and it really kept me interested at a fast paced level with new and interesting things around each chapter. You will love the book if you are a fan of the show. Check it out and have fun reading.

This is the first book I have ever seen that chronicles the popular TV sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie". The book is fairly well written, has interesting pictures, and some surprising revelations about the actors and crew. The Bill Daily interviews are especially interesting. However, if you're a big fan of "Jeannie", you may be put off somewhat by the authors smug attitude towards the show. They make it quite clear they are not fans of "I Dream of Jeannie". Two other gripes: the Jeannie episode guide doesn't include the first season. I don't know if that was just a glitch with my copy, or if they are all like that. Also, why the extended "Bewitched" section in the back of the book?

I found the book a real downer.
I get the feeling Steve Cox was not a fan of "I Dream of Jeannie".
It was a comedy show, but in this book it is basically derided as a TV show without direction or depth.
I don't agree. It was pure fantasy afterall. A genie and her master trying to cope in a real, modern world where genies don't exist and the problems she causes trying to please her master. In one blink she would get Tony into trouble, usually with Dr. Bellows.
Most of the problems came from Dr. Bellows who would walk right into Tony's house and catch Tony with an apple tree in his living room or an elephant in the bedroom.
Tony should have kept the curtains drawn and the doors locked.
The situations and Major Nelson's explanations were very funny.
Further I believe Tony Nelson cared deeply about his genie. There were many episodes where in the end he realizes he loves and needs Jeannie. Examples:(1)Episode where Jeannie can be sent away forever on Haji's birthday. (2)Before Tony proposes, Jeannie becomes angry and vows to leave for good. Tony flys to the Middle East to apologize and beg her to return with him.
Granted Jeannie caused headaches and problems for Tony and at times he would wish he had never found her bottle, but always in the end he realized he could not live without her.
I do agree that Jeannie and Tony should not have married.
Quality of the show's scripts went down to rock bottom at that point.
Writers could have done so much with wedding plans and such. Plots where Jeannie's parents and family could have insisted on attending wedding...
Unlike some reviews, I believe the book should have focused only on the TV show "I Dream of Jeannie".
The cover implies the text is an indepth, behind-the-scenes look at the 1960s TV comedy show "I Dream of Jeannie". But inside, the book showcases every "genie" in TV and movie history as well as the TV comedy "Bewitched".

Why in the world would any author write about a subject he/she so detested? That's the real question with this book. I don't get it.

The photos are a great addition, as are what little behind-the-scenes trivia exists. There's an awful lot of non-Jeannie "padding," as if the author couldn't find enough to write about the show and just stuck in some "stuff" to fill in space- like a whole chapter of an irrelevent real-life death, and the entire end chapter on "Bewitched," of all things!.

Worst of all, though, is the entire beginning of the book, with its constant drivel about how terrible the show was. Well, I was there in 1964. I watched the Jeannie shows when they were first-run. It was NOT terrible then, and it's still pretty cute today.

So, the question remains: Why in the world would anyone write an entire book that was obviously geared to a show's fans, when he/she couldn't say much nice about it? Sounds pretty ridiculous to me.

While "Dreaming of Jeannie" has some beautiful photos and some interesting information, I regret to say that if you are a true fan of the show you will most likely not be pleased. The overall tone from the author about the show is pretty negative. Most fans I know who have read it including myself were left with the obvious impression that he doesn't even like the show and were also left to wonder with that kind of attitude why he bothered writing it? With plenty of negativity but next to nothing good to say about the classic show (not to mention barely one endearing word about fans beloved Barbara Eden), it also left most of us wishing he hadn't written it.

Finally, a book on "I Dream of Jeannie", and a good one at that! As soon as I heard that this book was avalible, I went out and got a copy, (no easy task).
This book does a good job of explaining the very concept of the series, and just about every aspect of the sitcom, including the bottle, for those interested. It includes: small biographies on all the principal players, Barbara Eden, Larry Hagmen, and others, the costumes, the props, and the many changes from season to season, and a small summery of every episode.
It's a great book for Jeannie fans. I could say it's the best book on "Jeannie", which I would say, but there is no other book on "Jeannie." But it's a great book all the same!

I love this book! I absorbed it quickly, in about a day. Finally someone has written about this TV show, and Cox has done a fantastic job. I have a few of his other TV books and as usual, he delivers what we true fans want. His style is so easy to read I think because he takes a very professional stance with his reporting. What's more, the photos are stunning. I think there are a couple hundred photos and color that I've never ever seen before, and I've been a Jeannie collector for years. Everything I wanted to know is in here, as well as a few extras. I didn't know Hayden Rorke was gay! Larry Hagman comes out of this book as the most interesting one of all. The behind-the-scenes stories are nothing like the lame sugary-sweet stories we've gotten from fan magazines and websites over the years. If anyone has doubts from the dubious reviews on this page, then check out the book yourself. I did and I'm glad of it. The stuff about Paul Lynde is a hoot! Yes, master, this is the book to get! Jeannie herself couldn't have whipped up a better book.

Starting off with "Dreaming of Jeannie" is slightly boring the first chapter, but then gets fun and easy to read. If you don't really like to read like myself, this book will change your thoughts as it is a page turner and once you get started reading it is hard to put in down. I don't really like to read honestly but I can say that I do usually enjoy reading books about my favorite classic shows. After the first chapter the book is a page turner at fast paste and easy to read. I finished the book in an hour or two. The book is not that big and so I was left wanting more and more.

It has a brief description of the cast members BIO about half way thru the book. I wanted more from the main cast members BIO but didn't care as much for the other cast. He even writes about some "not so popular" cast members. It has some great information about the cast but I would have liked more. I did not learn that much about Bill Daily and would have liked more on him. It also has a description about some of the other shows and movies that the cast members starred in, which I did not really care too much for. I also knew more about Larry Hagman then what was described in the book. There was also had a description about how the show came to be and also about Sidney Sheldon. You will definitely learn things you did not know about the show and the cast members.

The only real intersting things I remember reading is the episode with Sammy Davis JR, when filming when he was in one episode Larry Hagman got into an argument with him and he almost did not do the show. He walked off set Barbara Eden talked him back on. I also learned that Hayden Rorke who played DR Bellows was gay. Also during filming one of the first episodes Barbara Eden jumped into Larry's lap and she accidentally hit her head on his knee and busted her chin. Shortly afterwards Barbara found out she was pregnant and had to take it easy. This was in the 1st season and they used her pink scarf to wrap about and cover her pregnant stomach. She never even looked pregnant, this was in season one.

Other then this bit of information, there was not much of anything else that I didn't allready know. Actually I allready knew that Barbara Eden was pregnant in season one. I did not know that Hayden Rorke was gay and lived with his partner 20+ years. I couldn't even find that info out online after trying to reasearch after reading the book. In the back section of the book is a short chapter about Bewitched. The author repeated many things he allready said in the book, I think he did this to take up more space to fill. The book is not as big as I wanted. The author could have told more things about the cast members and about the show but he did pretty much covered all of the basics. I did learn a lot of information and it was a super FUN read. It is definitely worth the $16.95 price but I wouldn't pay $50 for it.

All in all the book is a very FUN and interesting read, it has some beautiful pictures that takes up several pages and I think you will enjoy it. I hope another book is made soon that is thicker and has even MORE information. With all the pictures and repeative info, the book is not as big as it looks. If that would have been the case then it would have taken a few days to read. It is a great book but I do hope another Jeannie book is made that is much larger. I wish there was a section that had a list of collectibles that have been made and hand painted Jeannie bottles. Unfortunately several cast members died young and there was not many interviews with them in the past which makes it hard to write about them. I would have also liked there to have been more about the different episodes and a brief description and also if the actors liked them and which were ther favorites or most memorable. There should have been a list in the book of all the episodes, and a brief description. This is not too important because we have internet now but still it would have been a great addition to the book.