I Dream of Jeannie Quotes

Context

This line was spoken by Jeannie (played by Barbara Eden) in the television show I Dream of Jeannie (1965-1970).

Back before sitcoms were mostly about different kinds of workplaces or attractive twenty-somethings, they were truly (and literally) magical. One of the most popular "fantasy" sitcoms in the 60s was I Dream of Jeannie, which was picked up by NBC to compete with ABC's Bewitched. Both shows starred a blonde, but Jeannie had a genie instead of a witch, plus several astronauts.

In the pilot of I Dream of Jeannie, an astronaut named Tony crashes in the South Pacific Ocean and, instead of becoming a guest star on Gilligan's Island, he discovers a bottle complete with a beautiful genie, who immediately falls in love with him. Much of the series' comedy comes from Tony trying to hide the existence of Jeannie so NASA doesn't think he's crazy. Jeannie's sister (played by Barbara Eden wearing a brown wig, because the show couldn't afford a guest star) also has a thing for Tony, and tries to ruin their relationship.

But, until later seasons when Tony actually starts to trust Jeannie, she mainly stays in her bottle where she "thinks" about doing magical things and then "blinks" them into existence. It seems sad, but by the end of the series, she and Tony have a real relationship, and he even shows her to his coworkers at NASA.

Because even supernatural beings trapped inside Jim Beam whiskey bottles for 2,000 years deserve a little bit of happiness.

Where you've heard it

You may have heard this quote from a parent, grandparent, or older relative, who keeps getting left behind while you do fun stuff. Seriously, older people can party too! (See Woodstock.)

Additional Notable References:

• Here is the famous animated intro to I Dream of Jeannie. Isn't it adorable?
• Ferris Bueller dances to the I Dream of Jeannie theme in his blue Converses, which match Jeannie's signature outfit.
• In Charmed, there's an episode called "I Dream of Phoebe" where one of the sisters turns into a genie, complete with a blue outfit.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Unless you're actually confined to a small space, like a magical bottle, closet under the stairs, or an apartment in Brooklyn, don't be so dramatic. Just save this quote for the late night TV reruns.