Dr. Bombay
Encyclopedia
Dr. Bombay is a fictional warlock
character who appeared in eighteen episodes of the television series Bewitched
(originally broadcast from 1964 to 1972). The role of Samantha's family "witch doctor
" was played by actor Bernard Fox. He once reprised the role for the eventual spinoff series, Tabitha
. Although fond of Samantha, he tends to regard her husband Darrin with little more than amused contempt. Occasionally he plays on Darrin's preconceptions, once declaring, after performing a simple procedure, "I could've worn a black cloak and stirred a steaming cauldron
, but you said you were in a hurry!" On another occasion, he ominously demanded Darrin's soul in payment and, in response to Darrin's nervous reaction, said to Samantha, "Bit of a square, isn't he?"
Usually summoned by an incantation such as "Calling Dr. Bombay! Calling Dr. Bombay, Emergency! Come right away!", he would appear in an outrageous costume, appropriate for whatever bizarre activity he had been interrupted doing, with or without the attractive "nurses" whom he romanced. His antidotes for witch diseases and spells gone awry would often cause complications of their own. He usually ended his visits by teleporting away during a burst of laughter at one of his own witticisms. Dr. Bombay apparently served the witch/warlock community under the authority of the Witches Council, since Samantha's Aunt Hagatha once threatened to appeal to the Council to have him replaced.
In 1999, Bernard Fox reprised the role of Dr. Bombay for two episodes of the supernatural-themed soap opera
, Passions
; the series also included several other characters with allusions to Bewitched, but Fox is the only actor from the sitcom to actually appear as his same character in Passions.
Warlock
The term warlock in origin means "traitor, oathbreaker".In early modern Scots, the word came to be used as the male equivalent of witch ....
character who appeared in eighteen episodes of the television series Bewitched
Bewitched
Bewitched is an American situation comedy originally broadcast for eight seasons on ABC from 1964 to 1972, starring Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York and Dick Sargent , Agnes Moorehead, and David White. The show is about a witch who marries a mortal and tries to lead the life of a typical suburban...
(originally broadcast from 1964 to 1972). The role of Samantha's family "witch doctor
Witch doctor
A witch doctor originally referred to a type of healer who treated ailments believed to be caused by witchcraft. It is currently used to refer to healers in some third world regions, who use traditional healing rather than contemporary medicine...
" was played by actor Bernard Fox. He once reprised the role for the eventual spinoff series, Tabitha
Tabitha (TV series)
Tabitha is an American fantasy sitcom that aired during the 1977-1978 season on ABC. It is a spin-off of Bewitched, which had ended its run several years earlier...
. Although fond of Samantha, he tends to regard her husband Darrin with little more than amused contempt. Occasionally he plays on Darrin's preconceptions, once declaring, after performing a simple procedure, "I could've worn a black cloak and stirred a steaming cauldron
Cauldron
A cauldron or caldron is a large metal pot for cooking and/or boiling over an open fire, with a large mouth and frequently with an arc-shaped hanger.- Etymology :...
, but you said you were in a hurry!" On another occasion, he ominously demanded Darrin's soul in payment and, in response to Darrin's nervous reaction, said to Samantha, "Bit of a square, isn't he?"
Usually summoned by an incantation such as "Calling Dr. Bombay! Calling Dr. Bombay, Emergency! Come right away!", he would appear in an outrageous costume, appropriate for whatever bizarre activity he had been interrupted doing, with or without the attractive "nurses" whom he romanced. His antidotes for witch diseases and spells gone awry would often cause complications of their own. He usually ended his visits by teleporting away during a burst of laughter at one of his own witticisms. Dr. Bombay apparently served the witch/warlock community under the authority of the Witches Council, since Samantha's Aunt Hagatha once threatened to appeal to the Council to have him replaced.
In 1999, Bernard Fox reprised the role of Dr. Bombay for two episodes of the supernatural-themed soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
, Passions
Passions
Passions is an American television soap opera which aired on NBC from July 5, 1999 to September 7, 2007 and on The 101 Network from September 17, 2007 to August 7, 2008....
; the series also included several other characters with allusions to Bewitched, but Fox is the only actor from the sitcom to actually appear as his same character in Passions.