About
"The most interesting person on screen is someone who's different."
In her two-and-a-half-hour interview, Barbara Eden chronicles her start in television and her work on early television series including I Love Lucy. She discusses her first regular series role as "Loco Jones" on How to Marry a Millionaire. She then goes on to talk about her starring roles on I Dream of Jeannie and Harper Valley PTA. She speaks of reuniting with Larry Hagman for a six-episode stint on Dallas, and with Bill Daily in two I Dream of Jeannie reunion movies. Eden also discusses some of the many made-for-television movies she appeared in, as well as her then-current career plans. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on April 25, 2000 in Beverly Hills, CA.
Highlights
Barbara Eden on changing her name to "Barbara Eden"
Barbara Eden on her guest appearance on the I Love Lucy episode "Country Club Dance"
Barbara Eden getting the role of "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie and her interpretation of the character
Barbara Eden on the perceived anti-feminist aspects of I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on her role in the feature film and series Harper Valley PTA
Barbara Eden on joining the cast of Dallas and reuniting with Larry Hagman
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her early life and influences; on choosing to go to Los Angeles to start her performing career; on her first series role, in How to Marry a Millionaire
On her first series televsion role, on How to Marry a Millionaire; on her guest appearance on the I Love Lucy episode "Country Club Dance"; on guest-starring on various series; on the trajectory of her career, and on starring in the feature film "The Brass Bottle"
Chapter 2
On guest appearances on various dramatic series; on her feature film roles including "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and working with producer Irwin Allen
On getting the role of "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie: on playing "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie
On working with Sidney Sheldon, and co-stars Larry Hagman, Bill Daily, Hayden Roarke, and others on I Dream of Jeannie
On filming the pilot of I Dream of Jeannie; on the "rules" for "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie; on the belly button "controversy"
Chapter 3
On the belly button controversy on I Dream of Jeannie; on how special effects were done and the look of the sets on I Dream of Jeannie; on a typical workweek on I Dream of Jeannie
On memorable episodes of I Dream of Jeannie; on Don Rickles and Bob Denver guest-starring on I Dream of Jeannie
On "Tony Nelson" and "Jeannie" getting married on I Dream of Jeannie, and on the end of the show; on starring in various made-for-television movies
Chapter 4
On some of her TV movie work including The Feminist and the Fuzz, The Stranger Within, Stone Street, and How to Break Up a Happy Divorce; on her role in the feature film and subsequent series Harper Valley PTA
On taking on the role of producer for made-for-television movies; on starring in Brand New Life; on joining the cast of Dallas and reuniting with Larry Hagman
On touring with Bob Hope for the Bob Hope Specials
Chapter 5
On hosting Championship Ballroom Dancing; on then-current projects; on the craft of acting
On the impact of I Dream of Jeannie; on her fan mail
On her mentor; on how she would like to be remembered
On b-roll pictures from her career- "Jeannie's" bottle from I Dream of Jeannie; with the cast of I Dream of Jeannie; as "Jeannie" in I Dream of Jeannie; on the set of Kismet; with Tim Conway; with Bob Hope
Shows
Andy Griffith Show, The
Barbara Eden on guesting on The Andy Griffith Show
Bob Hope Specials
Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope for the Bob Hope Specials
Burke's Law
Barbara Eden on working on Burke's Law
Dallas
Barbara Eden on joining the cast of Dallas and reuniting with Larry Hagman
Dr. Kildare
Barbara Eden on guest-starring on the Dr. Kildare episode "If You Can't Believe the Truth"
Gunsmoke
Barbara Eden on one of her first television jobs, on Gunsmoke
Harper Valley PTA
Barbara Eden in her role in the feature film and subsequent series Harper Valley PTA
How to Marry a Millionaire
Barbara Eden on her first series role, in How to Marry a Millionaire
I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden getting the role of "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie and her interpretation of the character
Barbara Eden on working with Sidney Sheldon, and co-stars Larry Hagman, Bill Daily, Hayden Roarke, and others on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on filming the pilot of I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on the "rules" for "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on playing "Jeannie's" sister on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on the perceived anti-feminist aspects of I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on the controversy over showing her belly button on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on the belly button controversy on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on how special effects were done and the look of the sets on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on a typical workweek on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on memorable episodes of I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on Don Rickles and Bob Denver guest-starring on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on "Tony Nelson" and "Jeannie" getting married on I Dream of Jeannie, and on the end of the show
Barbara Eden on the impact of I Dream of Jeannie
I Dream of Jeannie… 15 Years Later
Barbara Eden on reprising her role as "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie… 15 Years Later and I Still Dream of Jeannie
I Love Lucy
Barbara Eden on her guest appearance on the I Love Lucy episode "Country Club Dance"
Perry Mason (1957-66)
Barbara Eden on guest-starring on Perry Mason
Rawhide
Barbara Eden on guest-starring on Rawhide with Clint Eastwood
Route 66
Barbara Eden on guest-starring on Route 66 and The Virginian
Topics
Censorship / Standards & Practices
Barbara Eden on the controversy over showing her belly button on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on the belly button controversy on I Dream of Jeannie
Characters & Catchphrases
Barbara Eden getting the role of "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie and her interpretation of the character
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Barbara Eden on her mentor
Gulf War
Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope's USO tour in the Persian Gulf
Historic Events and Social Change
Barbara Eden on the perceived anti-feminist aspects of I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope's USO tour in the Persian Gulf
Pivotal Career Moments
Barbara Eden on her mentor
Pop Culture
Barbara Eden getting the role of "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie and her interpretation of the character
Representation on Television
Barbara Eden on the perceived anti-feminist aspects of I Dream of Jeannie
Television Industry
Barbara Eden on the controversy over showing her belly button on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on the belly button controversy on I Dream of Jeannie
War
Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope's USO tour in the Persian Gulf
Women
Barbara Eden on the perceived anti-feminist aspects of I Dream of Jeannie
Professions
Actress
Barbara Eden on the craft of acting
Performers
Barbara Eden on the craft of acting
Genres
Comedy Series
Barbara Eden on her first series role, on How to Marry a Millionaire
Barbara Eden on her guest appearance I Love Lucy
Barbara Eden on guesting on The Andy Griffith Show
Barbara Eden on starring on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden on starring as "Jeannie" on I Dream of Jeannie
Barbara Eden in her role in the feature film and subsequent series, Harper Valley PTA
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Barbara Eden on joining the cast of Dallas
Legal Dramas
Barbara Eden on Burke's Law
Medical Dramas
Barbara Eden on guest-starring Dr. Kildare
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope for the Bob Hope Specials
Western Series
Barbara Eden on one of her first television jobs, on Gunsmoke
Barbara Eden on guest-starring on Rawhide
People
Irwin Allen
Barbara Eden on starring in the Irwin Allen feature films "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and "Five Weeks in a Balloon", and various other feature films
Lucille Ball
Barbara Eden on her guest appearance on the I Love Lucy episode "Country Club Dance"
Bill Daily
Barbara Eden on working with I Dream of Jeannie co-star Bill Daily as "Roger Healey"
Clint Eastwood
Barbara Eden on guest-starring on Rawhide, starring Clint Eastwood
Andy Griffith
Barbara Eden on guesting on The Andy Griffith Show
Larry Hagman
Barbara Eden on working with I Dream of Jeannie co-star Larry Hagman as "Major Tony Nelson"
Barbara Eden on reuniting with Larry Hagman for Howling in the Woods, and other made-for-television movies
Barbara Eden on joining the cast of Dallas and reuniting with Larry Hagman
Bob Hope
Barbara Eden on touring with Bob Hope for the Bob Hope Specials
Don Knotts
Barbara Eden on guesting on The Andy Griffith Show and working with Don Knotts
Don Rickles
Barbara Eden on Don Rickles' guest appearance on I Dream of Jeannie
Hayden Rorke
Barbara Eden on working with Hayden Rorke as "Colonel Alfred E. Bellows" on I Dream of Jeannie
Sidney Sheldon
Barbara Eden on working with I Dream of Jeannie creator/producer Sidney Sheldon
Aaron Spelling
Barbara Eden on working with Aaron Spelling on Burke's Law