Barbara Eden Reveals Pregnancy Reason Behind Black and White ‘Jeannie’ Episodes

LOS ANGELES, CA — Barbara Eden, the star of the classic sitcom ‘I Dream of Jeannie,’ revealed the surprising reason why the show’s first season was filmed in black and white. In an interview, Eden shared that she was pregnant during the show’s initial filming.

“I was pregnant. I was going to have a baby, and so they started fast,” said the 94-year-old actress. “I think they thought I was going to die or something. They didn’t want to invest the money in the color.”

This revelation contradicts the long-held belief that the black and white format was due to limitations in special effects for color television at the time. Instead, Eden explained that the producers were concerned about the potential upheaval her pregnancy could cause.

Eden gave birth to her son, Matthew Ansara, on August 29, 1965. Three months later, the first color episode of ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ aired on December 18, 1965. Eden starred in the NBC sitcom from 1965 to 1970, appearing in a total of 139 episodes.

In a previous interview, Eden expressed her initial worries about her career. “The same day that ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ sold, the doctor told me I was pregnant,” she said. “I was thrilled, but I knew they’d have to replace me.”

She praised the show’s creator, Sidney Sheldon, for his quick action, stating, “He got to work, and we did the first 13 shows with me pregnant.”

Sadly, Matthew passed away in 2001 at the age of 35 from an accidental drug overdose. Eden has often spoken about her son and the joy he brought her during his life.

Reflecting on motherhood, Eden said, “I don’t know if becoming a mom changed me, but it was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. It’s a miracle, having a baby.”

Despite the passing of her son, Eden remains active in her career and reflects fondly on the impact of ‘I Dream of Jeannie’. The earlier black and white episodes have since been colorized for home releases, and the show continues to entertain new audiences today.