Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (TV series)
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| Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | |
|---|---|
 The title card for the first three seasons. |
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| Format | Comedy Fantasy sitcom Comic fantasy |
| Created by | Nell Scovell |
| Starring | Melissa Joan Hart Caroline Rhea Beth Broderick Nick Bakay Jenna Leigh Green Nate Richert Lindsay Sloane Michelle Beaudoin Soleil Moon Frye Elisa Donovan |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 7 |
| No. of episodes | 163 + 3 TV movies (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Single-camera Multi-camera |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ABC (1996-2000) The WB (2000-2003) |
| Original run | September 27, 1996 – April 24, 2003 |
| External links | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch is an American sitcom based on the Archie comic book series Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. Its first four seasons aired on ABC from September 27, 1996 to May 5, 2000; the final three seasons ran on The WB Television Network from September 22, 2000 to April 24, 2003.
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[edit] Premise
The sitcom revolved around a girl who must learn to be responsible for her own actions. As she had the power of magic, she often used it to try to help her loved ones or herself, frequently resulting in literal puns that are often disastrous and humorous. She must also learn to hone her powers while keeping them a secret from those around her.
The program began with Sabrina's adventures in high school in the fictional town of Westbridge, located near Boston, Massachusetts (as opposed to Riverdale, Virginia in the comics). In the series' later seasons, Sabrina graduated from high school and enrolled in college, then moved on to her attempts to live on her own and keep a job at the local newspaper. Breaking further from its comic roots, the show ended with Sabrina's wedding with Aaron, although, in the end, she abandoned the wedding and ran off with Harvey.
[edit] Production
The series came on the success of the 1996 TV movie, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, in which Melissa Joan Hart had played Sabrina Sawyer, with the two aunts played by Sherry Miller (Hilda) and Charlene Fernetz (Zelda). The show is similar to the late 1980s syndicated sitcom Out of This World which also revolved around a teenage girl with magic powers of her own.
When the series came out later that year, Hart became Sabrina Spellman (the character's original last name in the comics), and the aunts were now played by Caroline Rhea (as Hilda) and Beth Broderick (as Zelda). The regular was Salem the wisecracking cat (a puppet that was voiced by Nick Bakay). Hart's real-life sisters Emily and Alexandra played Sabrina's cousins, Amanda and Ally respectively and sister Samantha played a bridesmaid in Sabrina's wedding. The show was never filmed in front of a studio audience, because of the special effects used in its production; a laugh track was used instead. The series was filmed in a single-format, hence every audience clip is laughter and never an "ooh" or an "aww".
Sabrina the Teenage Witch was produced by Hartbreak Films and Viacom Productions, and later was syndicated through Paramount Television - which would go on to absorb Viacom Productions in 2004, and be renamed to CBS Paramount Television in 2006. Then in 2007, the syndication arm was renamed to CBS Television Distribution.
Los Angeles commercial photographer Keith Munyan, himself a former model, got his start on the series, particularly handling all the shots of Beth Broderick.
[edit] Opening sequence
The opening titles of seasons 1-3 shows Sabrina in front of a mirror posing with four different costumes and outfits as the cast members' names quickly flash on the bottom of the screen. The first three outfits are always the same, but the fourth one changes from episode to episode. At the end, Sabrina would say some sort of pun that related to the last outfit, then magically disappear.
The opening sequence of season 4 features the characters in bubbles.
The opening credits of seasons 5-7 are accompanied with a vocal theme song and feature Sabrina at various locations around Boston: Harvard Bridge, Boston Common, Union Oyster House, Massachusetts State House, Quincy Market, Newbury Street, Harvard University, Tufts University, and Beacon Hill. In the credits of seasons 5 and 6, after leaving Newbury Comics on Newbury Street, Sabrina walks down a flight of stairs and then the computer graphics morph Sabrina into her room, lying on her bed next to Salem. In the final season, however, they morph her into arriving at Scorch. Upon pushing the door open, she is revealed to be walking into her house to greet Roxie, Morgan, and Salem.
[edit] Cast
[edit] Main
- Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman
- Caroline Rhea as Hilda Spellman
- Beth Broderick as Zelda Spellman
- Nate Richert as Harvey Kinkle
- Nick Bakay as the voice of Salem Saberhagen
[edit] Recurring
- Jenna Leigh Green as Libby Chessler (1996—1999)
- Michelle Beaudoin as Jennifer "Jenny" Kelly (1996—1997)
- Lindsay Sloane as Valerie Birkhead (1997—1999)
- Martin Mull as Principal Willard Kraft (1997—2000)
- David Lascher as Josh (1999—2002)
- Soleil Moon Frye as Roxie King (2000—2003)
- Elisa Donovan as Morgan Cavanaugh (2000—2003)
- Trevor Lissauer as Miles Goodman (2000—2002)
- Paul Feig as Biology teacher Mr. Eugene "Gene" Pool (1996—1997)
- Mary Gross as Mrs. Quick (1997—2000)
- Carl Michael Lindner as Dr. Brinkman (1998, 1999)
- Bridget Flanery as Jill (1996—1998)
- China Shavers as Dreama (1999—2000)
- Jon Huertas as Brad Alcerro (1999—2000)
- Alimi Ballard as Quizmaster Albert (1997—1998)
- Phil Fondacaro as Roland (1997—2000)
- George Wendt as Mike Shelby (2001—2002)
- John Ducey as Leonard (2002—2003)
- Diana-Maria Riva as Annie Martos (2002—2003)
- Bumper Robinson as James (2002—2003)
- Andrew Walker as Cole Harper (2002—2003)
- Dylan Neal as Aaron Jacobs (2003)
- Emily Hart as Amanda (1996—2003)
- Penn Jillette as Drell (1996—1997)
- Donald Faison as Dashiell (1997-1998)
[edit] Episodes
[edit] Film
There are three television movies made for the Sabrina, the Teenage Witch television series, one of which serves as the television pilot, and two are films within the series.
[edit] Soundtrack
| Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | ||
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| Soundtrack by Various Artists | ||
| Released | October 27, 1998 | |
| Genre | Pop, pop rock, rhythm and blues, top 40 | |
| Label | Geffen Records | |
The Sabrina, the Teenage Witch soundtrack, which was released on October 27, 1998 by Geffen Records, was certified Gold by the RIAA.
[edit] Track listing
- "Walk of Life" - Spice Girls
- "Abracadabra" - Sugar Ray
- "Hey, Mr. DJ (Keep Playin' This Song)" - Backstreet Boys
- "One Way or Another" - Melissa Joan Hart
- "Kate" - Ben Folds Five
- "Show Me Love" (Radio edit) - Robyn S.
- "Giddy Up" - 'N Sync
- "Slam Dunk (Da Funk)" - Five
- "Magnet & Steel" - Matthew Sweet
- "So I Fall Again" - Phantom Planet
- "I Know What Boys Like" - Pure Sugar
- "Smash" - The Murmurs, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey
- "Dr. Jones (Metro 7" Edit)" - Aqua
- "Soda Pop" - Britney Spears
- "Amnesia" (Radio remix) - Chumbawamba
- "Blah, Blah, Blah" - The Cardigans
[edit] Syndication
Currently, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch can be seen in the United States in syndication on cable television networks ABC Family and The N. In Canada, the show can be seen on YTV. The show also ran on Nickelodeon's TEENick 2003 to 2005.
[edit] DVD releases
On November 14, 2006, CBS Home Entertainment announced the release of the first season of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch on DVD. A four-disc set which contains all twenty-four episodes of the first season - presented in full screen along with English Stereo Surround tracks and Closed Captioning. The set was released on March 6, 2007. The second season was released on July 31, 2007 with some minor song replacements, such as the replacement of the Savage Garden song "Truly Madly Deeply" in the episode "The Equalizer". The release of the third season, on January 15, 2008, saw more cuts and song replacements, including the removal of the guest appearance by Phantom Planet. In season 4 episode one Britney Spears guest stars.
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| March 6, 2007 | August 27, 2007 | September 6, 2007 | |||
| The Complete Second Season | |||||
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| July 31, 2007 | August 10, 2008 | June 5, 2008 | |||
| The Complete Third Season | |||||
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| January 15, 2008 | September 1, 2008 | TBA | |||
| The Complete Fourth Season | |||||
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| June 17, 2008[1][2] | TBA | TBA | |||
| The Complete Fifth Season | |||||
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| December2008 | TBA | TBA | |||
[edit] International
Sabrina has been internationally broadcast by the following stations under the following names:
| Country | Name | Translation | Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Sabrina, shtriga | Sabrina, shtriga | Junior TV |
| Argentina | Sabrina, la Bruja Adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Telefe, Nickelodeon |
| Asia | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Star World (Stopped Airing in 2006) |
| Jordan, Lebanon, and other countries in the Middle East | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | ShowComedy on Showtime Arabia |
| Australia | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | TV1 and WIN Television formerly on the Seven Network and Network Ten |
| Austria | Sabrina - Total verhext | Sabrina - Totally Bewitched | ORF1 |
| Belgium | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Kanaal 2 |
| Bosnia | Sabrina, tinejdžerska vještica | Sabrina, The Teen Witch | Federalna televizija |
| Brazil | Sabrina, a Aprendiz de Feiticeira | Sabrina, The Apprentice Witch | Record, Nickelodeon, TV2 Guaíba |
| Bulgaria | Cабрина, младата вещица | Sabrina, The Young Witch | GTV, Diema |
| Canada | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch/Sabrina, l'apprentie sorcière | Sabrina, The Apprentice Sorcerer | ABC, the WB, YTV |
| Chile | Sabrina, la bruja adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | TVN, Nickelodeon |
| Colombia | Sabrina, la bruja adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | RCN, Nickelodeon |
| Costa Rica | Sabrina, la Bruja Adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenege Witch | Nickelodeon, Teletica |
| Croatia | Sabrina, mala vještica | Sabrina, The Little Witch | RTL Televizija |
| The Czech Republic | Sabrina, mladá čarodějnice | Sabrina, A Young Witch | TV Prima |
| Denmark | Sabrina - Skolens Heks | Sabrina - The School's Witch | TV3 (Viasat) |
| Dominican Republic | Sabrina, la Bruja Adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Teleantillas, Nickelodeon |
| Ecuador | Sabrina, la bruja adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Ecuavisa, Nickelodeon |
| Finland | Sabrina, teininoita | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | YLE TV2 |
| France | Sabrina, l'apprentie sorcière | Sabrina, The Apprentice Witch | France 2, Gulli |
| Germany | Sabrina, Total verhext | Sabrina, Totally Bewitched | Pro7 |
| Hungary | Sabrina, a tiniboszorkány | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | TV2, Viasat 3 |
| Iceland | Nornin Unga | The Young Witch | RÚV |
| India | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Star World |
| Ireland | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | RTÉ Two. |
| Israel | סברינה, המכשפה הצעירה (Sabrina, Hamekhashefa Ha-Tse'ira) | Sabrina, The Young Witch | Channel 3, Children Channel |
| Italy | Sabrina, Vita da Strega | Sabrina, A Witch Life | Italia 1, Boing |
| Japan | サブリナ | Sabrina | Disney Channel Japan |
| Malaysia | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | NTV7 |
| Mexico | Sabrina, la Bruja Adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Televisa, Nick |
| The Netherlands | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Nickelodeon |
| Norway | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | TV3 (Viasat) |
| Philippines | Sabrina The Teenage Witch | Sabrina The Teenage Witch | Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC) and (Nickelodeon) but they stopped airing it in 2006. |
| Perú | Sabrina, la Bruja Adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | América Televisión, Frecuencia Latina, Nickelodeon |
| Poland | Sabrina, nastoletnia czarownica | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Polsat |
| Portugal | Sabrina, a Bruxinha Adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenage Little Witch | RTP 2 |
| Romania | 'Sabrina, vrajitoarea adolescenta' | 'Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | TVR 2 |
| Russia | Сабрина - маленькая ведьма (Sabrina, malen'kaya ved'ma) | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | СТС |
| Serbia | Sabrina, veštica tinejdžerka | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | RTS 1 |
| Slovakia | Sabrina, mladá čarodejnica | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Markíza |
| South Africa | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | SABC 1 |
| Spain | Sabrina, cosas de brujas | Sabrina, Witches' Matters | Antena 3, Cuatro |
| Sweden | Sabrina Tonårshäxan | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Kanal 5 |
| Turkey | Sabrina | Sabrina | ATV |
| Ukraine | Сабрина - юна відьма | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Новий канал |
| United Kingdom | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Nickelodeon UK, CITV, itv1 |
| Uruguay | Sabrina, la Bruja Adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Saeta TV Channel 10, Nickelodeon |
| Venezuela | Sabrina, la bruja adolescente | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Venevision, Nickelodeon |
| Vietnam | Sabrina, cô phù thủy nhỏ | Sabrina, The Little Witch | VTV3, Đài truyền hình Việt Nam |
[edit] References
- ^ Season 4 Street Date for TGIF Series with Melissa Joan Hart. TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
- ^ Back of the 4th Season Box Shows Sabrina Holding Salem Tight. TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
[edit] External links
- Information about the series at TVAcres
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch at the ABC Family's official website
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch at The N's official website
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