“I Dream of Jeannie” is a classic American sitcom that aired from 1965 to 1970. The show revolves around a United States astronaut named Tony Nelson, who discovers a beautiful genie named Jeannie in a bottle while stranded on a deserted island. Jeannie, played by Barbara Eden, falls in love with Tony and tries to help him with her magical powers. However, one aspect of the show that caused controversy was Jeannie’s revealing costume.
Jeannie’s iconic costume consisted of a cropped pink top and harem pants that exposed her midriff. The costume was designed by Gwen Wakeling, who had previously worked on other popular shows like “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” At the time, the costume was considered too risqué for television, and some viewers found it offensive.
Despite the controversy, the costume became an essential part of the show’s identity and was even marketed to fans. Merchandise, such as dolls and costumes, were sold based on Jeannie’s look. Some fans even dressed up in Jeannie’s costume for Halloween, although it was banned in some schools for being too revealing.
Barbara Eden, who played Jeannie, defended the costume and argued that it was a reflection of the character’s Arabian heritage. She also noted that she wore a body stocking underneath the costume, so there was no actual skin exposure. Eden also claimed that she had never received any complaints about the costume during her time on the show.
Despite the controversy surrounding Jeannie’s costume, “I Dream of Jeannie” remains a beloved show and an important part of American pop culture. The show tackled themes such as gender roles, love, and friendship, and was one of the first TV shows to have a female lead character with magical powers. The character of Jeannie was also an inspiration for many women, who saw her as a symbol of empowerment and freedom.
In conclusion, the controversy over Jeannie’s revealing costume on “I Dream of Jeannie” reflects the changing attitudes towards gender and sexuality in American society during the 1960s. Despite the criticisms, the show was groundbreaking in many ways and helped pave the way for future TV shows with strong female characters.
I Dream of Jeannie was a popular television sitcom that aired from 1965 to 1970. The show centered around the magical adventures of Jeannie, a beautiful and powerful genie who falls in love with her astronaut master, Captain Tony Nelson. The series was created by Sidney Sheldon and starred Barbara Eden as Jeannie and Larry Hagman as Captain Nelson. The show was well-received by audiences and became a classic of its time, with its influence still felt in pop culture today.
