On October 20, 1985, Barbara Eden reprised her most famous role in “I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later,” an NBC TV movie based on the network’s 1965-70 sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie.”
The flick finds Jeannie’s marriage to astronaut Tony Nelson being tested: When he postpones his retirement to go on one last mission, she takes their teenage son T.J. and moves out.
“Dallas” star Larry Hagman, who played Tony in the original “Jeannie” sitcom, reportedly wanted too much money to appear in the movie, so producers replaced him with “M*A*S*H’s” Wayne Rogers.
Two of Eden and Hagman’s original co-stars did return: Bill Dailey reprised his role as Tony’s best friend and fellow astronaut Roger Healey, while Hayden Rorke – in his final performance – again played NASA psychiatrist Alfred Bellows.
Mackenzie Astin, son of ’60s sitcom stars John Astin and Patty Duke, played T.J.
“I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later” is notable for featuring the first on-screen appearance of Eden’s navel, which NBC wasn’t allowed to show in the ’60s.
That probably helped the movie draw an impressive 18.4 million homes, making it the week’s 11th most-watched broadcast.
Exactly six years later – on October 20, 1991 – NBC aired a second reunion movie: “I Still Dream of Jeannie.”
This time, Tony was away on a top-secret mission, forcing Jeannie to hit singles bars in search of a new temporary master.
Daily again played Roger, Christopher Bolton portrayed Tony Jr. and Hagman’s “Dallas” nemesis Ken Kercheval appeared as one of Jeannie’s suitors.
“I Still Dream of Jeannie” was seen in 11 million homes, finishing 39th in the weekly ratings.
On TV
Here’s the prime-time lineup for Sunday, October 20, 1985:
7: World Series, Game 2 (ABC), “60 Minutes” (CBS), “Punky Brewster” (NBC)
7:30: “Silver Spoons” (NBC)
8: “Murder, She Wrote” (CBS), “Amazing Stories” (NBC)
8:30: “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” (NBC)
9: “Crazy Like a Fox” (CBS), “I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later” (NBC)
10: “MacGyver” (ABC), “Trapper John, M.D.” (CBS)
… And the lineup for Sunday, October 20, 1991:
7: “Life Goes On” (ABC), “60 Minutes” (CBS), “True Colors”(Fox), “Adventures of Mark & Brian” (NBC)
7:30: “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose” (Fox), “Eerie, Indiana” (NBC)
8: “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (ABC), World Series, Game 2 (CBS), “In Living Color” (Fox), “Man of the People” (NBC)
8:30: “America’s Funniest People” (ABC), “Roc” (Fox), “Pacific Station” (NBC)
9: “Dynasty: The Reunion, Part 1” (ABC), “Married … With Children” (Fox), “I Still Dream of Jeannie” (NBC)
9:30: “Herman’s Head” (Fox)
The Record
For the week of October 20, 1985:
Top novel: “Texas” by James A. Michener
Top song: “Take On Me” by a-ha
Top movie: “Commando”
Top TV show: “The Cosby Show” (NBC)
In the news: President Reagan touted the proposed “Star Wars” missile defense system
… And the week of October 20, 1991:
Top novel: “Scarlett” by Alexandra Ripley
Top song: “Emotions” by Mariah Carey
Top movie: “Other People’s Money”
Top TV show: World Series, Game 6 (CBS)
In the news: Bill Clinton sought the Democratic presidential nomination
Caption: NBC’s advertisements for “I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later” from TV Guide’s October 19, 1985, issue, and “I Still Dream of Jeannie” from the magazine’s October 19, 1991, edition.
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