29 Years Ago, This Fantasy Teen Sitcom Had a Secret Weapon That Its Reboot Was Missing

It’s been nearly 23 years since Sabrina the Teenage Witch ended its seven-season run on ABC, yet it remains a beloved part of the cultural zeitgeist. The fan-favorite series cast a spell over families in the mid-1990s, so much so that it reinvented the character’s image from an Archie comics player to one undeniably linked to Melissa Joan Hart. Likewise, the entire cast from Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick to Nate Richert became icons of the decade, thanks to their perfect casting and unforgettable characters. Even when the show was rebooted with Sabrina: The Animated Series, the live-action sitcom’s influence was palpable. Netflix’s dark reimagining, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina paid tribute to its predecessor with references and even an appearance by Rhea and Brodrick in a sitcom-like Eldritch Terror. However, apart from the tribute episode at the end of the series, the show severely lacked the beloved cat Salem. While he did appear loyally by Sabrina’s side throughout the series, he didn’t have the same charm as of Nick Bakay’s take on the role, as he didn’t speak. While the argument can be made that the Netflix show was too dark to include Salem’s witty banter and guidance, the attributes brought to the sitcom and the reboot’s later, more campy nature only serve as a reminder of what the series lacked.

Salem’s Arc is More Interesting Than You Remember

Image by CBS

From the beginning, Salem made quite an impression on audiences. His cat form is a punishment bestowed on him by the Witches’ Council after he tried to take over the world. He is sent to live with the Spellman witches for 100 years. This immediately set him up for hilarious and incredible storylines. There’s no shortage of mischief for the character, with some highlights including his constant plotting against the Spellman’s, the time he temporarily turns human again and immediately attempts world domination again, or his multi-sitcom romp that shakes up the entire ABC TGIF universe (and by consequence some much later Disney Channel shows). However, Salem isn’t just a comically deviant anti-hero.

He always shared a special relationship with Sabrina, but their connection becomes a lot deeper as the series goes on. Sure, he never quite let’s go of his diabolical side, but he is a true guide to the titular witch, and cares very deeply for her. Additionally, his dark past allows him to be more than just a sidekick, it also allows him to act as a magical mentor of sorts, which not only serves Sabrina but also helps with exposition more entertaining for the audience. This element in particular feels sorely lacking from the Netflix series, especially as its plots became more convoluted. Take the time travel, Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka), for example. The plot was essential to wrapping up the first half of Season 2, and it never felt as though it was explained clearly enough. Having a talking Salem (or even two at that point, considering the circumstances), could have easily made the needed explanation feel both natural and complete. As for the argument that Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was too dark to include a talking Salem, the later episodes proved that there was plenty of room for the campy cat.

‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ Should Have Embraced the Camp of Talking Salem

When Chilling Adventures of Sabrina began, it quickly established a darker tone when compared to the original series. Based on the comic book series of the same name, the opening moments of the first episode feature a demonic murder, satanic symbolism, and all-around more mature themes. This format was largely consistent for most of the first season. However, by the time the Season 1 finale (billed as the ending of “Part 2” of the series) came around, it became clear that the show was heading into campier territory. From Dorian Gray (Jedidiah Goodacre) flirting with a naked Dark Lord (Luke Cook) to the strange performance of The Phantom of the Opera’s “Masquerade,” the finale was certainly unhinged, and it’s safe to say Salem would have fit right in. When the show returned for Season 2, most of the horror elements had been watered down and the show, leading to a show that was much lighter and could have benefited from a character like Salem to guide Sabrina as she went through various, highly fantastical, and at times comedic plots. When we consider the campy way that the show handled Lilith (Michelle Gomez) throughout the final season in particular, the issue with Salem’s inclusion becomes jarringly insignificant. Of course, the show did attempt to include a talking version of Salem. However, the results were less than satisfactory.

‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’s Take on Salem Lacked Charm

Image via Netflix

Salem may not always be the most moral character on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, but he’s easily the most charming. Sure, the puppetry hasn’t exactly aged well, but it almost doesn’t matter. The character is so well written and performed that we can overlook the less desirable effects. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina attempted to pay tribute to talking Salem in the series’ penultimate episode, when Sabrina Morningstar travels into the sitcom-esque Eldritch Terror. However, it largely misses the mark. There is a fun nod to the aforementioned puppetry, but the villainous nature of the character makes him cold and frightening.

While there is some merit to this, considering how diabolical he ends up being, the episode itself is so silly that it would have been fun to see the writing have more fun with Salem, especially considering how jarringly dark the following installment ended up being. It also could have made for a better twist. Having Rhea and Brodrick guest star was a nice touch, and they were easily the highlight of the episode, but the twist was rather obvious from the beginning, and having Salem more reflect his Sabrina the Teenage Witch counterpart would have been the perfect balance of nostalgia and excitement once it was revealed how evil he was.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina remains a Netflix favorite for many; however, without talking Salem, the show was always a pale comparison to Sabrina the Teenage Witch. From missed opportunities to under-explained storytelling, the ABC classic remains the most iconic take on the beloved witch. Luckily, fans can revisit it now on its new streaming home, and relive their favorite adventures, talking Salem and all!

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.