Back in the mid-70s, NBC decided to take a playful jab at ABC, dubbing it "Jiggle TV." The accusation? Using T&A to reel in audiences. But let's break it down, folks. Are we talking about Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman, Three's Company, or—wait for it—Charlie’s Angels? Come on, NBC, you can do better than that.
The Rise of Charlie’s Angels
Let's be real, who cares what NBC thinks? Charlie’s Angels, which premiered in 1976, was a cultural phenomenon from day one. The show centered on a trio of crime-fighting women: Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Jaclyn Smith. It captured the hearts of viewers worldwide. Women loved it because these characters were strong, independent, and didn’t need a man to save them. Men? Well, let's just say the bikinis didn’t hurt. But hey, it all fit the storylines, right?
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(Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images)
Surviving the Departure of Farrah Fawcett
When Farrah Fawcett left the show midway through the second season, there were doubts about how Charlie’s Angels would fare. But Cheryl Ladd stepped in and kept the momentum going. The show continued to thrive until 1981, even with cast changes. It became such a staple of pop culture that it inspired two feature films starring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, and Cameron Diaz, a 2011 TV reboot, and a new movie in the works.
(Photo by Pressefoto Kindermann/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Meet the Angelologist
Now, if you're looking for someone who knows everything about Charlie’s Angels, look no further than Mike Pingel. This guy is the real deal. He's written two books on the show, runs the site charliesangels.com, and has an impressive memorabilia collection. Not only that, but he worked as an assistant to the late Farrah Fawcett and is friends with the rest of the Angels. Some of them have even shown up at his birthday parties! Mike's got serious Angels cred, and he's the focus of this episode of Closerweekly.com's Classic TV & Film podcast.
