In 1996, we were blessed with the epic and magical television series known as Sabrina, The Teenage Witch and for seven seasons, we got to watch all her witchy adventures. Some 20 years later and the show is still a fan favorite for many, not just us 90’s babies. In honor of its anniversary, we’ve rounded up some little known facts about the beloved show that you really need to know.
Movie Land
In 1996, the show’s pilot was actually a made-for-TV movie starring Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina, although her last name was Sawyer and not Spellman. Her aunts were also played by different actresses, and the gorgeous Ryan Reynolds played one of her love interests, Seth. Crazy.
Movie Land
It’s Britney, B***h
In Britney Spears’s 1999 music video for her hit single “(You Drive Me) Crazy”, our girl Melissa was a part of the video (look it up on YouTube ASAP, it’s gold). Therefore, the pop star herself guest starred in an episode of Sabrina later that year. Dreams really do come true!
It’s Britney, B***h
Ratings
The odds were staked against the show from the get-go. ABC actually expected the small-screen adaptation of Clueless to dominate but Sabrina, the Teenage Witch ruled TV land with over 12 million viewers. Take that!
Ratings
The Slayer
Probably one of the best things that could have ever happened to Melissa Joan Hart and Sarah Michelle Gellar is THIS casting choice. Turns out that producers were initially taken with Sarah Michelle Gellar for the role of Sabrina Spellman but Gellar chose to star in Buffy the Vampire Slayer instead. Yup, BEST decision ever.
The Slayer
Lover Boy
At the end of season four, quite a few “secondary” characters left show, including Martin Mull and Nate Richert. Heartthrob Richert, who portrayed Harvey, Sabrina’s human boyfriend since the first season, was released from the show in order to give it a more “grown-up look” as Sabrina was heading to college. Not long after and Richert was back. He appeared in the fifth season and was then reinstated as a series regular (thank heavens!)
Lover Boy
Will the real Salem please stand up?
The sassy, satirical, and downright relatable Salem went through a few changes in the course of the show’s run. The show actually used seven real cats, two animatronics, and also two stuffed animals to play the hilarious Salem.
Will The Real Salem Please Stand Up?
Bye Then
Remember Sabrina’s best friend, Jenny Kelly, from season one? Yeah, most likely, you do! Thing is though, she mysteriously left after the end of season one and no one knows exactly why Michelle Beaudoinn left the show.
Bye Then
Hello Prauge
Oh goody, another goodbye. David Lascher played Sabrina’s love interest, Josh, from season four to six. However, in the show he left for Prague to become a photographer while in the real world, Lascher actually wanted to pursue other projects.
Hello Prauge
Mom Knows Best
Melissa Hart’s mom, Paula, was more than just the producer for all seven seasons, she was driving force that convinced the production company to turn the comic into a movie, and then finally into a show. Good choice, eh?
Mom Knows Best
