In 1976, Charlie's Angels took the television world by storm. A revolutionary concept for its time, featured 3 strong, independent female leads, Kate Jackson as Sabrina Duncan, Farrah Fawett Majors (as she was known at the time) as Jill Monroe and Jacklyn Smith as Kelly Garrett. David Doyle rounded out the cast as Bosley, the go-between for Charlie, who was never seen, and his 3 Angels.
Season 1 would be as perfect as it gets, with the chemistry between the 3 leads being undeniable. But, what really made the show a sensation was the" IT" factor provided by FFM. From her iconic hair to her cheesecake poster, people just couldn't get enough of her. She did not yet have the acting chops she would display in movies later, but no one cared. At that time, Kate was the established actress in the group and her "brains" character of Sabrina contrasted nicely with FFM's athletic glamour girl and Smith's orphaned beauty personas. And even though Farrah garnered most of the attention, people viewed their characters equally because something just "clicked" between the 3 and the show was more about the interaction of characters than the plots.
Kate Jackson is on record saying that the quality of the show lessened with the departure of FFM and for some reason she never warmed to her replacement, the very capable Cheryl Ladd, who played Jill's sister Chris. While still enjoyable, the show did lose the "pizazz" that FFM provided and there was a noticeable lack of chemistry between Sabrina and Chris. Many of the new plots involved Kelly and Chris taking on superficial roles together, whether as beauty contestants, ice skaters stewardesses or cheer leaders with Sabrina taking a more dignified cover.
Once Jackson left after season 3, the show lost steam, not because of Shelly Hack as the upper crust Tiffany Welles, but because of the loss of the Sabrina character. While still watchable, it was obvious that the show was losing steam.
In season 5, Hack was out, and Tanya Roberts was in as Julie Rogers, an ex-model who was mentored by a parole officer. Finally, the Angels had the original concept of blond, brunette and auburn haired angels. But, it was too little too late and the show had run it's course.
Bottom line is that this was a show ahead of it's time, featuring 3 independent female leads, launched the career of an inimitable and memorable celebrity, and despite major cast changes, survived 5 seasons.
Season 1 would be as perfect as it gets, with the chemistry between the 3 leads being undeniable. But, what really made the show a sensation was the" IT" factor provided by FFM. From her iconic hair to her cheesecake poster, people just couldn't get enough of her. She did not yet have the acting chops she would display in movies later, but no one cared. At that time, Kate was the established actress in the group and her "brains" character of Sabrina contrasted nicely with FFM's athletic glamour girl and Smith's orphaned beauty personas. And even though Farrah garnered most of the attention, people viewed their characters equally because something just "clicked" between the 3 and the show was more about the interaction of characters than the plots.
Kate Jackson is on record saying that the quality of the show lessened with the departure of FFM and for some reason she never warmed to her replacement, the very capable Cheryl Ladd, who played Jill's sister Chris. While still enjoyable, the show did lose the "pizazz" that FFM provided and there was a noticeable lack of chemistry between Sabrina and Chris. Many of the new plots involved Kelly and Chris taking on superficial roles together, whether as beauty contestants, ice skaters stewardesses or cheer leaders with Sabrina taking a more dignified cover.
Once Jackson left after season 3, the show lost steam, not because of Shelly Hack as the upper crust Tiffany Welles, but because of the loss of the Sabrina character. While still watchable, it was obvious that the show was losing steam.
In season 5, Hack was out, and Tanya Roberts was in as Julie Rogers, an ex-model who was mentored by a parole officer. Finally, the Angels had the original concept of blond, brunette and auburn haired angels. But, it was too little too late and the show had run it's course.
Bottom line is that this was a show ahead of it's time, featuring 3 independent female leads, launched the career of an inimitable and memorable celebrity, and despite major cast changes, survived 5 seasons.