Due to the extremely strict censorship rules on television during this time, Jeannie had to be seen leaving the bedroom any time she entered the bedroom with Tony during the series. Yes, even if she was going to be leaving in smoke!
During the time “I Dream of Jeannie” was airing on television, most television shows would show two twin beds in the bedroom of any couples, even if they were married! It was very common for married couples never to be shown as sharing a bed in those times! Just another scandalous aspect of “I Dream of Jeannie!”
Barbara Eden- Our Favorite Genie
Barbara Eden was adored by her fans and also loved by the television critics! She got two Golden Globe nominations for her role as comedic legend Jeannie on “I Dream of Jeannie.”
It was easy to see that Barbara Eden is drop-dead gorgeous. It was said that the sexual tension she had with the character of Tony was something that really drove the show to success and was the cause of a lot of comedy in the writing. That is probably why when the writer decided to marry Jeannie and Tony, it was really the beginning of the end for the show, which ultimately led to its cancellation.
Historic TV Prop
Barbara Eden, of course, got to keep the famous original bottle that was used as a prop on “I Dream of Jeannie.” It was of course where she lived, so it seemed only fair that she got to keep it! She kept this precious memento in her bank vault for many years.
Jeannie’s bottle was widely known as one of the most popular props in all of television history, so it was no surprise that Barbara ended up donating it. She gave the bottle to the Smithsonian Institution which is in Washington, D.C. It remains there and remains ever so popular!
Alternatives Facts
Set in sunny Florida, “I Dream of Jeannie” was set in Cocoa Beach and Tony was supposed to be an astronaut from NASA. The show had all the astronauts working in Florida which they made work for the series, but it was not actually based on truth. At the time, NASA had moved their astronauts from Florida to Texas. So if Tony really did work at NASA, he would have been in Houston with the rest of them, training at the Manned Spacecraft Center.
Luckily, factual inaccuracies were typically overlooked since it was just a fictional TV show, and not supposed to be based on any sort of reality.
Florida Shows Love To Jeannie
While the show may have been filmed in California, the mayor of Cocoa Beach Florida, where the show was said to take place, was sure a big fan of Jeannie! In 1996, Barbara went to speak at Space Days at the Kennedy Space Center 27 years after the series ended.
During this event, Joe Morgan, the mayor of Cocoa Beach Florida, gave Barbara a street sign that said: “I Dream of Jeannie Lane.” The sign was more than just a sweet gesture. The street sign was actually put up on a road off of Florida State A1A. It is a real place!