Charlie's Angels

Hard to believe now that this middling TV Movie/Pilot, with a needlessly convoluted plot, would spark a phenomenon. Caught this on Starz Mystery Channel on satellite.

Seeing it for the first time in nearly 30 years, a few retrospective thoughts:

1. Interesting that Jaclyn Smith was front and center for the first act since she had the least amount of acting experience going in. Apparently, Kate Jackson (who was promised the lead) switched roles with her. Farrah is the 3rd banana here - history changed that.

2. It isn't surprising that the David Ogden Stiers character was dropped after the pilot. Originally added so that there would be a man who could "bail out" the Angels, he was really too stuffy for the show's fluff. David Doyle hit the notes perfectly.

3. I liked the jazzier sounding "main theme" as played in the movie. The rest of the score is typical 70's TV waka waka electronics.

4. Aside from a brief shot of Jacklyn Smith in a bikini and the requisite "Charlie Girl" snippets, there was little of the cheesy T&A exploitation that the show became known for (particularly in its first season).

And to think that this was hot stuff at the time. sigh.

I loved this show so much as a young girl. The Angels were role models to me. Everyone talks about the show as if it was meaningless and all about jiggling breasts and blowdried hair and perfect teth. Well, to me it represented women who had it all. Perfect looks and brains and courage to fight crime. I'll always love this show.

So have no real memory 1st time playing, but think rem re runs as do rem seeing something, think anyway. But the cheesy 70s, there is something about this era, this show, and others from. Well, entertaining this 1st episode, and funny to see whats his name from several movies, one where his partner, whats his name from fresh prince, think right name, goes back in time to well 69 not 70s. Good laugh and well might not be the "never ending move and action and so much, too much more at times over the top with little to no story at times" but well, like some new stuff too.

But this was a fun diversion from today, the slower pace of tv, and even longer running times, like and hr play is anywhere between 47 and 50 maybe 51 mins, today your lucky if it reaches.43 mins in actual show.

Sad though to think so many are no longer here, and ok, was awhile ago, as cant see names of when typing, but the one that was on a poster, maybe all as all were beautiful, well think all are beautiful in some way, and well we are all human, but the one that died from cancer, married to, (or not ?) but he stayed with her till ... he played the characters father who was called bones on well bones, to the one who played Bossley, the original to... think will find and watch the full series.

Unfortunately I have to agree with helpless_dancer, one of the other reviewers here. Yeah, of course this was way back then, but really, it was bad. I mean, this story is slow and ponderous and nothing exciting happens. Really, that it lifted off AT ALL after this... what a bummer of a TV movie. There was only one high point, right at the end, Farrah Fawcett-Majors cooing "be sure to call if you need us, you hear?" or something like that. The episode itself is way, way, way below later standard. And this criticism comes from The Raven, who usually goes all out to bestow compliments on pretty actresses.

This... bland. Argh. One and a half hours, gah!

Ah...if only shows were more like this show. Granted...the plots were not always the best but at least they were entertaining instead of depressing or just plain boring. These angels brought a lot of us growing up in the seventies a lot of joy and that is why it was a huge sensation. Now if they would only release all the rest of the seasons...this angel lover would definitely buy them. In a day when all the TV shows is just about sex, sex, sex...it is refreshing to see a show where they are never in bed. They did wear some bathing suits but so what...now they are getting to where they wear nothing. Perhaps that is what they need to draw viewers these days instead of their talent. Charlie's Angels will forever be around because they were and still are loved by millions.