Updated: August 26, 2023

Who can forget the sassy melody of the I Dream of Jeannie theme song, the colorful opening animated sequence, or the sight of the effervescent Barbara Eden making sourpuss Larry Hagman's life miserable? Since its debut in 1965, the series delighted audiences with the antics of Jeannie, a 2,000 year old genie and the astronaut, Tony Nelson, that became her begrudging master when he discovered her bottle on a beach.

Though it only lasted five years, it has become an enduring television classic, and a time capsule for some of the ideas and concepts of the mid 20th century in America. At the time of its premier, it was considered incredibly risque for two unmarried young people to live together, especially with the sort of iconic outfit that Jeannie strutted around in. Thanks to its widespread syndication, generations of fans have been enjoying it in re-runs for over fifty years.