Barbara Eden's Belly Button: The Enduring TV Scandal
In the annals of television history, few seemingly minor details have sparked as much enduring fascination and debate as Barbara Eden's belly button. Today, with the vast array of costumes and clothing styles displayed on screen, it's easy to overlook how profoundly different the landscape of television was in the mid-1960s. Back then, a leading lady revealing her navel was not merely a fashion statement; it was an act of scandalous defiance, a subtle rebellion against the strict moral codes governing broadcast media.
The iconic genie costume worn by Barbara Eden in "I Dream of Jeannie" became synonymous with this particular controversy. While the legend often suggests a deliberate and constant censorship of her midriff, the reality, as Eden herself has clarified over the decades, was a nuanced dance between network mandates, accidental reveals, and the burgeoning power of media gossip. This article delves into the captivating story behind one of television's most famous "unseen" body parts, exploring its origins, the network's surprising reactions, and its lasting cultural impact.
Barbara Eden: A Brief Biography
Born Barbara Jean Morehead on August 23, 1931, in Tucson, Arizona, Barbara Eden embarked on a career that would make her a household name. Before her iconic role as Jeannie, Eden had already established herself as a versatile actress, appearing in films and television shows throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s. She was known for her comedic timing, singing talent, and undeniable charm, often playing roles that required her to be "kissed, rescued, and sung to," as she herself humorously put it. Her journey to becoming one of TV's most beloved figures was paved with hard work and a knack for captivating audiences.
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Her life, like many public figures, also saw its share of personal milestones and challenges. For instance, while "I Dream of Jeannie" was on hiatus, Barbara Eden and her first husband, fellow actor Michael Ansara, welcomed their son, Matthew Ansara, on August 29, 1965. Tragically, Matthew passed away in 2001, a profound loss that Eden has spoken about with immense courage. Despite personal adversities, her professional career continued to thrive, largely due to the indelible mark left by her portrayal of the magical genie.
Personal Data & Biodata
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Barbara Jean Morehead |
| Born | August 23, 1931 |
| Birthplace | Tucson, Arizona, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer |
| Spouses | Michael Ansara (m. 1958; div. 1974), Charles Fegert (m. 1977; div. 1982), Jon Eicholtz (m. 1991) |
| Children | Matthew Ansara (son) |
| Notable Role | Jeannie in "I Dream of Jeannie" |
The Genesis of Jeannie's Iconic Costume
The costume worn by Barbara Eden as Jeannie was central to her character's allure and the show's visual identity. Sidney Sheldon, the creator of "I Dream of Jeannie," envisioned Jeannie's outfit as something both alluring and representative of her unique personality. He wanted the costume to be "a bit revealing" to capture viewers' attention, perfectly embodying Jeannie's carefree, innocent, and flirtatious nature. This design philosophy aimed to create a character that was magical, whimsical, and subtly sensual, without being overtly provocative. The choice of a two-piece ensemble, featuring a pink harem top and matching pants, was a deliberate artistic decision to evoke the exotic and fantastical world from which Jeannie emerged.
However, the network, NBC, had a different set of priorities and, more importantly, precise requirements regarding modesty on television. While Sheldon aimed for a certain level of revealing attire to draw viewers in, NBC's executives were acutely aware of the conservative sensibilities of the 1960s audience and the ever-watchful eye of television censors. This inherent tension between creative vision and network strictures would become a defining characteristic of the costume's legacy, particularly concerning the infamous topic of Barbara Eden's belly button.
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The Unseen Rule: NBC's Strict Directives
Despite the costume's inherently "sexy" design and Sidney Sheldon's intent to make it somewhat revealing, NBC's executives enforced a strict rule: Barbara Eden's navel was never to be shown on screen. Designers were given explicit instructions to ensure that the costume meticulously covered not only Barbara Eden's belly button but also the outline of her legs. This mandate stemmed from a deep-seated fear that any overt display of skin, particularly the midriff, would lead to immediate censorship or, worse, a backlash from conservative parent groups and religious organizations. The network was determined to avoid any controversy that might jeopardize the show's success or its own reputation.
This directive led to various creative solutions to keep the navel hidden. The waistband of Jeannie's harem pants was often pulled up unusually high, sometimes even sewn into the top, to ensure there was no gap where her midriff might be exposed. Additionally, a sheer, flesh-colored fabric was sometimes used to bridge any potential gaps, creating the illusion of exposed skin while maintaining full coverage. This meticulous attention to detail highlights the era's stringent broadcasting standards and the lengths to which networks would go to adhere to them, making the later "scandal" surrounding Barbara Eden's belly button all the more ironic.
Accidental Glimpses: The Truth Behind the Legend
The widely circulated legend suggests that Barbara Eden's belly button was a constant point of contention and deliberate censorship. However, the truth, as Eden herself has clarified over the years, is more nuanced. While NBC had a strict policy against its deliberate exposure, the actual instances of her navel being seen were largely accidental and, initially, overlooked by the network.
Early Slip-Ups and Network Indifference
Barbara Eden noted years later that in the early episodes of "I Dream of Jeannie," the harem pants, despite the designers' best efforts, would occasionally ride down from time to time. This unintentional movement would, for a fleeting moment, reveal her belly button to the camera. Surprisingly, according to Eden, "No one at the network cared" initially. Network executives and censors were seemingly unconcerned about these little, accidental peeks. This suggests that the initial focus was on preventing intentional exposure, rather than policing every single frame for an accidental glimpse. The decision to highlight her belly button on camera, when it did happen, was purely accidental, not a deliberate act of defiance from the production team or Eden herself.
The Mike Connolly Effect: How a Columnist Ignited a Sensation
If the network initially didn't care about accidental glimpses, what then propelled Barbara Eden's belly button into such a significant cultural talking point? The answer lies with the power of media and, specifically, a prominent columnist from The Hollywood Reporter, Mike Connolly. Barbara Eden has previously described how Connolly played a pivotal role in creating the enduring impression her navel left on the public consciousness.
A Global Chatter Ignites
Eden recounted that the chatter about her showing her belly button on TV first began when a journalist, likely Mike Connolly, visited her on the set of the show. She was already known in Hollywood, often typecast in roles where she was "kissed, rescued, and sung to." However, when Connolly "came in and started teasing me about my belly button," something shifted. This seemingly innocuous teasing, picked up by a widely read columnist, "spread like fire and spread around the world."
It was this media attention, rather than a deliberate act of rebellion or a network crackdown, that cemented the idea of Barbara Eden's belly button as a scandalous, forbidden sight. The rumors of her exposed tummy being censored, and future parodies about the outfit, gained traction because of this initial media buzz. Despite the growing legend, Eden herself remained unbothered by the discussion, perhaps because she knew the truth was far less sensational than the public narrative suggested. This incident perfectly illustrates how media narratives, even those based on playful teasing, can take on a life of their own and become ingrained in public memory, regardless of the underlying facts.
Enduring Fascination: Barbara Eden's Perspective Decades Later
Nearly six decades after blinking her way to TV stardom, Barbara Eden still gets asked about her belly button. This enduring fascination is a testament to the cultural impact of "I Dream of Jeannie" and the unique place her costume holds in television history. Eden looks back on her "Jeannie days" with great fondness, often reflecting on the absurdity and longevity of the belly button discussion with a sense of humor.
Fifty Years On: A Chuckle and a Legacy
Fifty years later, Eden just chuckles about the discussions had over her waistline. She once recalled how concerned NBC executives threw a fit when producer George Schlatter wanted to "premiere" her belly button. This anecdote highlights the network's consistent stance, even as the public narrative became increasingly focused on the "forbidden" navel. Eden's continued amusement at the topic underscores its almost mythical status.
During her 'TV Greats' interviews, where she looks back on her career and personal life, the topic of her belly button invariably comes up. She has embraced it as a quirky part of her legacy, often quipping, "Other people are known for very glamorous parts of their body — I’ve got a belly button." This self-deprecating humor further endears her to fans and reinforces the idea that what started as a media-fueled rumor became an iconic, albeit unusual, part of her public persona. In August 2019, at a 'Jeannie' exhibit opening, Barbara Eden was honored and continued to share stories of belly buttons and bottles, demonstrating that the conversation remains alive and well.
Scandal, Censorship, and Parody: The Outfit's Legacy
Jeannie's outfit was undoubtedly scandalous at the time it aired. Sidney Sheldon's intention for the costume to be "a bit revealing" to attract viewers and embody Jeannie's personality clashed directly with the prevailing conservative norms of 1960s television. NBC's executives, driven by fear of censorship and public outcry, imposed precise requirements on the designers, ensuring that Barbara Eden's belly button and the outline of her legs were never explicitly shown. This constant battle between creative freedom and network restrictions defined the visual presentation of the show.
The rumors of her exposed tummy being censored became a widespread narrative, even if the actual instances were accidental and initially ignored. This public perception of a "forbidden" navel fueled future parodies about the outfit, further embedding it into popular culture. From comedy sketches to animated shows, the image of Jeannie's covered midriff became a recurring gag, a shorthand for television's prudish past. Despite the constant chatter and the humorous parodies, Eden herself remained unbothered, perhaps finding amusement in the disproportionate attention given to such a minor detail. The outfit, and the controversy surrounding Barbara Eden's belly button, thus became a symbol of the era's evolving standards of modesty and the often-absurd lengths to which television networks would go to enforce them.
The Cultural Impact of a Navel
The story of Barbara Eden's belly button is more than just a quirky anecdote; it's a fascinating case study in media, censorship, and cultural evolution. It highlights the stark contrast between television standards of the past and the present. In 1965, the mere suggestion of a leading lady's navel was deemed "quite scandalous," leading to meticulous design efforts and network mandates. Today, such a detail would barely warrant a second glance.
The enduring legacy of Barbara Eden's belly button speaks volumes about the power of suggestion and the impact of media narratives. What began as accidental glimpses, largely ignored by the network, was amplified by a single columnist, transforming into a global phenomenon. This seemingly trivial detail became a symbol of the era's moral anxieties and the strictures placed upon female representation on screen. It also underscores Barbara Eden's remarkable ability to maintain her grace and humor in the face of decades of persistent questioning about a part of her anatomy that, by all accounts, was rarely, if ever, intentionally displayed. Her iconic status is not just about the magic of Jeannie, but also about the unexpected cultural ripple effect created by a perfectly ordinary belly button in an extraordinary costume.
Conclusion
The tale of Barbara Eden's belly button is a captivating footnote in television history, illustrating the dramatic shift in societal and broadcasting norms over the past six decades. From a "scandalous" hidden feature to a source of enduring amusement for Eden herself, its journey reflects a bygone era where modesty on screen was fiercely guarded. We've explored how network executives meticulously covered it, how accidental glimpses sparked a media frenzy, and how a Hollywood columnist inadvertently turned a non-issue into a global talking point.
Barbara Eden's good-natured acceptance of this peculiar aspect of her fame only adds to the charm of her legacy. Her ability to look back with fondness and humor at the discussions surrounding her waistline reminds us of the often-unpredictable ways in which pop culture moments are created and sustained. What began as a minor wardrobe detail became a symbol of an entire era's sensibilities, proving that sometimes, the smallest unseen parts can leave the biggest impressions. What are your favorite memories of "I Dream of Jeannie," and did you ever notice the belly button controversy while watching? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and explore our other articles on classic television and its lasting impact!
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