Eden, Hanson Drop In on ‘Sabrina’

“Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” has long been a bit of a throwback to the ‘60s sitcom tradition. So it’s fitting that we now have an episode featuring Barbara Eden, one of that era’s icons, and the pop group Hanson, in one of TV land’s most timeworn devices.

In tonight’s show (8 p.m., the WB), Eden is billed as making her first sitcom appearance since “I Dream of Jeannie” ended its original five-year run in 1970. Given her work in so many other venues over the years, from guest roles on “Dallas” to those L’eggs pantyhose commercials to movies, theater and various TV specials, it’s hard to believe she’s been away from the format so long.

This time, instead of playing a fun-loving, mischief-making though subservient genie, Eden is bossy Great Aunt Irma, matriarch of the Spellman family and “holy terror of the other realm.” Aunt Irma has gotten wind of the fact that Sabrina’s ex-boyfriend (Nate Richert) knows that Sabrina (Melissa Joan Hart) is a witch, and she has come to grill him on whether he can be trusted with the secret. It’s also Sabrina’s birthday, which adds to the young witch’s problems as only a classic sitcom formula can.

Eden and company play her appearance straight, with no post-ironic hints of her former TV life in a bottle, save for one use of the Jeannie-esque phrase “Very well” before a bit of magic. In this context, keeping the self-referential humor to a minimum is entirely appropriate. It’s also worth noting that Eden is scheduled to return as Aunt Irma in a second episode next month. The materialization of teen-pop trio Hanson in tonight’s episode doesn’t work nearly as well. Eldest brother Isaac, we are told, was the boyfriend of Roxie (Soleil Moon Frye) before he became famous, and now he’s coming for dinner. But circumstances conspire, and wouldn’t you know it, he and his brothers are playing their yet-to-be-released song “Strong Enough to Break” before a spellbound on-screen audience.

Though the segment feels shoehorned into the show, it may play nicely with “Sabrina’s” young demographic.