Farrah Fawcett was arguably the most difficult angel to replace but Cheryl Ladd managed to pull it off quite nicely. However, after Kate Jackson left Charlie's Angels at the end of the third season the show started to drop in the ratings during the final two years until it was cancelled.

Shelley Hack simply put, was not a hit with the viewers after Kate left and was replaced with Tanya Roberts, who could not bring the ratings back up again.

Which of the two actresses gets most of the blame as the worst replacement?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUUXS767Ro0/UZeYfS_peXI/AAAAAAAAEf4/ea0_SIsYnfE/s1600/02+Ca5th+b.jpg

Well, IMO, Cheryl Ladd can be taken off the list immediately, because her presence really saved the show after Farrah left. I think there was real concern that would have been the end of it, but Cheryl's winning personality (and beauty) won over viewers, big time. Many preferred her to Farrah.

And I think honestly both Shelly and Tanya were given almost impossible tasks. Shelley came in at Year Four, and the other girls have pretty much admitted the scripts that she had were written with Kate in mind, so they never really gave her a character to sink her teeth into. That's a pretty rough row to hoe.

And Tanya, far from being unpopular, really did win over fans. I think the issue was that by Season Five, particularly the end of it, the stories had just about become exhausted and the ladies themselves were becoming a bit weary of it all.

I voted Shelley Hack.

Well, IMO, Cheryl Ladd can be taken off the list immediately, because her presence really saved the show after Farrah left. I think there was real concern that would have been the end of it, but Cheryl's winning personality (and beauty) won over viewers, big time. Many preferred her to Farrah.

And I think honestly both Shelly and Tanya were given almost impossible tasks. Shelley came in at Year Four, and the other girls have pretty much admitted the scripts that she had were written with Kate in mind, so they never really gave her a character to sink her teeth into. That's a pretty rough row to hoe.

And Tanya, far from being unpopular, really did win over fans. I think the issue was that by Season Five, particularly the end of it, the stories had just about become exhausted and the ladies themselves were becoming a bit weary of it all.

My thoughts exactly.

Well, IMO, Cheryl Ladd can be taken off the list immediately, because her presence really saved the show after Farrah left. I think there was real concern that would have been the end of it, but Cheryl's winning personality (and beauty) won over viewers, big time. Many preferred her to Farrah.

I definitely agree with you. In fact, it seems most CA fans prefer Kris. From what I've seen, Kelly is the most popular angel, but kris seems to be a close second.

It's been a long time since I've seen any of the fourth or fifth season episodes, but I would say Shelley Hack based on memory. She didn't seem to really fit as I recall.

Wasn't she a model when she was hired for the show? I believe she had little or no acting experience when she was on CA.

It's been a long time since I've seen any of the fourth or fifth season episodes, but I would say Shelley Hack based on memory. She didn't seem to really fit as I recall.

Wasn't she a model when she was hired for the show? I believe she had little or no acting experience when she was on CA.

She was best known at the time for being the "Charlie" perfume girl, coincidentally enough. I think they kind of played that up a bit when they promoted the new season.

She was best known at the time for being the "Charlie" perfume girl, coincidentally enough. I think they kind of played that up a bit when they promoted the new season.

Yes, I remember a few media sources mentioning the "Charlie" thing too.

Shelly Hack

You know what's weird? I can't remember how they explained any of the girls leaving the show. I seem to recall Jill was doing something with racing? As far as Sabrina and Tiffany, I'm blank. I am sure they explained it, but I have no recall of it at all.

Sabrina had left to get married (and it was stated she was pregnant) and Tiffany "decided to stay back East" as per a Bosley comment.

Sabrina had left to get married (and it was stated she was pregnant) and Tiffany "decided to stay back East" as per a Bosley comment.

Thanks; both pretty weak farewells, but what could they have done, really? The decisions were made in the off season, and they couldn't have the actresses come back for a proper send off.

I like all the Angels.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUUXS767Ro0/UZeYfS_peXI/AAAAAAAAEf4/ea0_SIsYnfE/s1600/02+Ca5th+b.jpg

Did the three of them really pose together?

Did the three of them really pose together?

I'd say almost certainly not, given the timetable of when they left. Shelley and Cheryl probably did, and their portion of the photo is probably correct, but I'd bet my money they pasted Tanya in here. Why on earth would Shelley pose with the actress that was replacing her, smiling happily as she did? LOL

I'd say almost certainly not, given the timetable of when they left. Shelley and Cheryl probably did, and their portion of the photo is probably correct, but I'd bet my money they pasted Tanya in here. Why on earth would Shelley pose with the actress that was replacing her, smiling happily as she did? LOL

Yeah, that's what I was guessing.

I agree. That wouldn't make any sense.

Did the three of them really pose together?


The photo is shopped, but it does look very good.

Yes it does.

I can't find the original picture/pose, but here is a pic from the original (with Jackie) photo shoot...

https://www.fame10.com/entertainment/tvs-6-worst-character-replacements/?streamview=all

1. Tiffany Wells – Charlie’s Angels
The character Tiffany Wells (played by Shelley Hack) joined Charlie’s Angels during the show’s fourth season as Kate Jackson’s replacement. Producers were using Hack’s character to bring the glamour back to the show; however, it ended up having the opposite effect. Critics were not impressed with Hack’s performance and neither were viewers. Charlie’s Angels ended up losing 40% of its audience during her time on the show. Hack was let go from her contract in February 1980, three months before the series four finale aired. For season five, Hack was replaced with Tanya Roberts who played the character Julie Rogers, but even she couldn’t save the series from cancellation. Ratings continued to disappoint and the show was finally cancelled in the spring of 1981 after five seasons.

Didn't someone say that it was stated in the "Charlie's Angels" casebook that every time Farrah Fawcett guest starred in Season 4, the ratings took a dip?

Didn't someone say that it was stated in the "Charlie's Angels" casebook that every time Farrah Fawcett guest starred in Season 4, the ratings took a dip?

That's odd. You think it would have been the opposite.

I liked it when Farrah guest starred and we had four angels.

That's odd. You think it would have been the opposite.

I liked it when Farrah guest starred and we had four angels.

I'd be very surprised if this was true.

The Casebook said that "An Angel's Trail" ranked especially low and that even Farrah's return "could not reverse the trend" (of falling ratings). I thought "Fallen Angel" was the best of her return engagements and overall a great episode, but IMO "The Prince and the Angel" was not only her worst return guest spot but also S4's most boring episode.

That's odd. You think it would have been the opposite.

I liked it when Farrah guest starred and we had four angels.

I agree. I liked all the Jill/Farrah returns. I was very shocked to hear a poster state that in the CA casebook it was stated that in the 4th season, Farrah's episodes caused the ratings to go down and her last episode was the lowest in the entire season. Wow! Hard to believe.

I agree. I liked all the Jill/Farrah returns. I was very shocked to hear a poster state that in the CA casebook it was stated that in the 4th season, Farrah's episodes caused the ratings to go down and her last episode was the lowest in the entire season. Wow! Hard to believe.

Maybe with Kate Jackson gone, the novelty had worn off and the show didn't have the same drawing power anymore. Maybe the fans grew tired of Farrah's recurring appearances. Who knows, really?

Maybe with Kate Jackson gone, the novelty had worn off and the show didn't have the same drawing power anymore. Maybe the fans grew tired of Farrah's recurring appearances. Who knows, really?

I guess you're right. It's just shocking because I thought that Farrah was so popular back then.

I guess you're right. It's just shocking because I thought that Farrah was so popular back then.

Like any show, the novelty eventually wears off and there's diminishing returns. Plus, I'm sure the cast changes didn't help either.

Maybe with Kate Jackson gone, the novelty had worn off and the show didn't have the same drawing power anymore. Maybe the fans grew tired of Farrah's recurring appearances. Who knows, really?

Perhaps a bit of both.

IMO, when Kate left fans were getting already sick of CA. The formula had gotten old. For me, Kate's departure was the beginning of the end of CA.

I think most CA fans liked Farrah's guest appearances, but remember... Farrah broke her contract with Spelling for greener pastures. After that, the media portrayed her as a greedy, self-centered person with little integrity.

Perhaps a bit of both.

IMO, when Kate left fans were getting already sick of CA. The formula had gotten old. For me, Kate's departure was the beginning of the end of CA.

I think most CA fans liked Farrah's guest appearances, but remember... Farrah broke her contract with Spelling for greener pastures. After that, the media portrayed her as a greedy, self-centered person with little integrity.

I think I'd agree with this. I do kind of wonder if the show would have lasted any longer had Kate stayed; maybe, but I rather doubt it.

There really are only so many ways you can have three attractive ladies go undercover to solve crimes. Maybe three years is about the limit...? I did think there were good episodes in the last two years as well, but it's true that they had a finite number of stories to deal with. The show was almost all about plot; they didn't really delve into the characters too much, so all they had was storyline; when that dried up, there was really nowhere to go.

I think I'd agree with this. I do kind of wonder if the show would have lasted any longer had Kate stayed; maybe, but I rather doubt it.

There really are only so many ways you can have three attractive ladies go undercover to solve crimes. Maybe three years is about the limit...? I did think there were good episodes in the last two years as well, but it's true that they had a finite number of stories to deal with. The show was almost all about plot; they didn't really delve into the characters too much, so all they had was storyline; when that dried up, there was really nowhere to go.

That is a very good point. If they had delved into the characters as human beings it would've been more interesting and the show may have lasted longer. They did touch on their personal lives a few times, but not much. I enjoyed episodes that showed them with love interests, it gave them much more depth.

Perhaps a bit of both.

IMO, when Kate left fans were getting already sick of CA. The formula had gotten old. For me, Kate's departure was the beginning of the end of CA.


I agree. To me, she was the leader, the central character. Jaclyn was great, but she didn't have that quality that Kate had in terms of being in charge.

CA has been airing where I live and it's pretty terrible, even in Season 1, with the lovely Farrah Fawcett Majors. I never realized how bad these actresses were, when I watched the show as a child. Kate Jackson is the most annoying, so far. She talks to everyone like they are in kindergarten, or like she is in kindergarten. And the wide eyed girl act just doesn't work for her at all.

Right now the episode "Angels at Sea" is airing and the main guest star is absolutely unwatchable. Not to mention that this episode has almost the same plot as a Starsky and Hutch episode which would have aired in 1976 - bomb on ship, everyone is going to die.

Jacklyn Smith and David Doyle are the only actors who make this show watchable at all. Worst replacement is probably not Cheryl Ladd, but I'm having trouble with half of the original cast right now.

CA has been airing where I live and it's pretty terrible, even in Season 1, with the lovely Farrah Fawcett Majors. I never realized how bad these actresses were, when I watched the show as a child.

Of course you didn't. None of us did. We didn't have the capacity for that at such a young age.

And being that I was 10 years old when the show debuted, I can tell you that as a guy, part of the reason the show was so compelling was the fact that they were very attractive women...sometimes in skimpy outfits.

:D

CA has been airing where I live and it's pretty terrible, even in Season 1, with the lovely Farrah Fawcett Majors. I never realized how bad these actresses were, when I watched the show as a child. Kate Jackson is the most annoying, so far. She talks to everyone like they are in kindergarten, or like she is in kindergarten. And the wide eyed girl act just doesn't work for her at all.

Right now the episode "Angels at Sea" is airing and the main guest star is absolutely unwatchable. Not to mention that this episode has almost the same plot as a Starsky and Hutch episode which would have aired in 1976 - bomb on ship, everyone is going to die.

Jacklyn Smith and David Doyle are the only actors who make this show watchable at all. Worst replacement is probably not Cheryl Ladd, but I'm having trouble with half of the original cast right now.

Well, I just disagree with the fundamental point here.

The scripts were what they were; mostly boiler plate "mysteries" to plug the girls' into some kind of undercover operation. Nothing complicated or fancy, mostly. But I don't see the acting as bad; the actresses delivered the lines they were given. That's really all they could do and I think they did it well.

Jackson and Majors were both award winning and/or nominated actresses, and I'd argue that the rest were at the very least, decent.

Different strokes, I guess.

Of course, it doesn't hold up as well now if your middle-age as it did when you were ten. But I have to disagree about Kate's acting. She is the one who gave the show gravitas. That was sorely missing in S4. Jaclyn/Kelly just didn't have what it took to be a forceful leader, and Shelley/Tiffany couldn't be the New Angel AND take charge, so the producers/writers threw everything to Cheryl and the balance and chemistry suffered.

I do think even if Kate stayed viewers would have been tuning out anyway, and that the high ratings at the start of S4 were only out of curiosity about the new Angel. I've said this before, but had Jamie Lee Curtis been ten years older in 1979, she would have been perfect as a "Sabrina" type replacement. She can play short-tempered, hot-headed and no-nonsense beautifully and that kind of character was what was missing in the later years.

Well, I just disagree with the fundamental point here.

The scripts were what they were; mostly boiler plate "mysteries" to plug the girls' into some kind of undercover operation. Nothing complicated or fancy, mostly. But I don't see the acting as bad; the actresses delivered the lines they were given. That's really all they could do and I think they did it well.

Jackson and Majors were both award winning and/or nominated actresses, and I'd argue that the rest were at the very least, decent.

Different strokes, I guess.

You can watch the show today and think they did it well? The delivery doesn't seem exaggerated and cheesy to you, especially from Jackson and Fawcett Majors?

I don't know if my expectations are too high because I remember liking the show as a child, but watching CA now makes me cringe on how many levels of badness there are to it, especially Farrah when she's trying to be funny and cute and Kate Jackson just in general. I always remembered her as the serious one but watching now, it's just not there. And I'm shocked that my memory could be so wrong.

It feels like the equivalent of a show getting by on it's looks, and that's with the original cast. Once the replacements start airing...I can't imagine it being any worse.

But I mean no offense to anyone watching and loving CA today, it's more about personal disappointment.

Of course, it doesn't hold up as well now if your middle-age as it did when you were ten. But I have to disagree about Kate's acting. She is the one who gave the show gravitas. That was sorely missing in S4. Jaclyn/Kelly just didn't have what it took to be a forceful leader, and Shelley/Tiffany couldn't be the New Angel AND take charge, so the producers/writers threw everything to Cheryl and the balance and chemistry suffered.

I do think even if Kate stayed viewers would have been tuning out anyway, and that the high ratings at the start of S4 were only out of curiosity about the new Angel. I've said this before, but had Jamie Lee Curtis been ten years older in 1979, she would have been perfect as a "Sabrina" type replacement. She can play short-tempered, hot-headed and no-nonsense beautifully and that kind of character was what was missing in the later years.

So far, from what I've seen, Kate is the one who acts like most of the show is a joke, and that everybody she talks to needs to be spoken to like they are a dim-witted child. We're only about half way through season 1. My expectations for her may have been the highest, because she doesn't have that "sex symbol" image. I'm very surprised by what I've seen so far, and as I said Jacklyn and David are really the only regulars who seem believable and good to me.

As someone here just said, "different strokes."

So far, from what I've seen, Kate is the one who acts like most of the show is a joke, and that everybody she talks to needs to be spoken to like they are a dim-witted child. We're only about half way through season 1. My expectations for her may have been the highest, because she doesn't have that "sex symbol" image. I'm very surprised by what I've seen so far, and as I said Jacklyn and David are really the only regulars who seem believable and good to me.

As someone here just said, "different strokes."

Hi, KatieAnn. :) :)

I love when people have different opinions. It would be pretty dull if we all thought the same.

I'm curious.

Who do you prefer Cheryl Ladd/Kris or Farrah Fawcett/Jill?

And did you like Shelley Hack or Tanya Robert better than Kate Jackson on the show?

You can watch the show today and think they did it well? The delivery doesn't seem exaggerated and cheesy to you, especially from Jackson and Fawcett Majors?


I used to watch it with the sound off. :D

In fact, that's when VCR's first made their appearance and would tape it and skip to the parts when Farrah was on.

http://www.muldrake.com/farrahhair.jpg

How do you not melt at that face?

Hi, KatieAnn. :) :)

I love when people have different opinions. It would be pretty dull if we all thought the same.

I'm curious.

Who do you prefer Cheryl Ladd/Kris or Farrah Fawcett/Jill?

And did you like Shelley Hack or Tanya Robert better than Kate Jackson on the show?

Hi. :)

From what I remember I liked both Cheryl and Farrah and didn't have a preference, but I did think that it was nice that Jill's sister took her place and that Jill visited. I never knew anything about the drama behind Cheryl Ladd joining the show, probably because I watched it in reruns in the 80s, not when it was originally airing, and it was never mentioned. It was just another afternoon show to me.

Really I liked all of them when I was a kid. They're all pretty women, and I thought it was so great that they worked as private investigators. I never questioned it. It's just re-watching now that I see how artificial they seem, except for Jacklyn Smith and David Doyle.

My first comment was written when I was watching a really annoying episode, and it just inspired me to comment, probably unfairly. I appreciate the responses I've read, and the different perspectives, even though my comments are mostly negative...I'm going to keep watching to see if I can find something to appreciate beyond Kelly and Bosley.

Hi. :)

From what I remember I liked both Cheryl and Farrah and didn't have a preference, but I did think that it was nice that Jill's sister took her place and that Jill visited. I never knew anything about the drama behind Cheryl Ladd joining the show, probably because I watched it in reruns in the 80s, not when it was originally airing, and it was never mentioned. It was just another afternoon show to me.

Really I liked all of them when I was a kid. They're all pretty women, and I thought it was so great that they worked as private investigators. I never questioned it. It's just re-watching now that I see how artificial they seem, except for Jacklyn Smith and David Doyle.

My first comment was written when I was watching a really annoying episode, and it just inspired me to comment, probably unfairly. I appreciate the responses I've read, and the different perspectives, even though my comments are mostly negative...I'm going to keep watching to see if I can find something to appreciate beyond Kelly and Bosley.

Okay. Thanks for replying.

I used to watch it with the sound off. :D

In fact, that's when VCR's first made their appearance and would tape it and skip to the parts when Farrah was on.

http://www.muldrake.com/farrahhair.jpg

TMI.

:D

CA has been airing where I live and it's pretty terrible, even in Season 1, with the lovely Farrah Fawcett Majors. I never realized how bad these actresses were, when I watched the show as a child. Kate Jackson is the most annoying, so far. She talks to everyone like they are in kindergarten, or like she is in kindergarten. And the wide eyed girl act just doesn't work for her at all.

Right now the episode "Angels at Sea" is airing and the main guest star is absolutely unwatchable. Not to mention that this episode has almost the same plot as a Starsky and Hutch episode which would have aired in 1976 - bomb on ship, everyone is going to die.

Jacklyn Smith and David Doyle are the only actors who make this show watchable at all. Worst replacement is probably not Cheryl Ladd, but I'm having trouble with half of the original cast right now.

BLASPHEMY!


:lol:

The show did not need to be super serious with great acting, it was the 70's. Kate Jackson once said in a People mag interview:"It [the show] was so light, that if you dropped it from the ceiling, it was take several days to hit the floor".

Regardless, the show was VERY popular at the time. It had very high ratings. Spelling gave the public what they wanted; three very pretty, mostly bra-less women, running around and kicking ass.

BLASPHEMY!


:lol:

The show did not need to be super serious with great acting, it was the 70's. Kate Jackson once said in a People mag interview:"It [the show] was so light, that if you dropped it from the ceiling, it was take several days to hit the floor".

Regardless, the show was VERY popular at the time. It had very high ratings. Spelling gave the public what they wanted; three very pretty, mostly bra-less women, running around and kicking ass.

I think you kind of hit on what I have suspected, the fact that it was the 70's. It must have been about the times. CA feels very much about a certain time, and one might not fully "get" it if they didn't live in that era.

Starsky and Hutch might have the same quality that CA has, being another Aaron Spelling show, but I find it easier to watch. I think it's the friendship between S&H that sets it apart, because truthfully it can be just as silly as CA.

I loved this show and my favorite was Jacklyn Smith (probably because she looked the most like me) but I look at it differently now as a woman compared to a kid. Out of the replacements I think Ladd worked the best because she looked and acted the most like the person she was replacing and the show was still popular. The show started losing steam and Hack just didn't seem to fit. By the time Roberts entered the show it wasn't that popular now. I remember by then I didn't watch it as much and when I did it just seemed like they were going through the paces and didn't care.

Perhaps a bit of both.

IMO, when Kate left fans were getting already sick of CA. The formula had gotten old. For me, Kate's departure was the beginning of the end of CA.

I think most CA fans liked Farrah's guest appearances, but remember... Farrah broke her contract with Spelling for greener pastures. After that, the media portrayed her as a greedy, self-centered person with little integrity.

The producers probably underestimated how important Kate was to the show. She brought some seriousness and legitimacy that kept the show balanced. She was the most believable as a detective and she pretty much always played the alpha of the trio.

Definitely Shelly Hack.

Hack really wasn't that good looking. Tanya Roberts was the hottest Angel and she was only in the last season.

Definitely Shelly Hack.

Hack really wasn't that good looking. Tanya Roberts was the hottest Angel and she was only in the last season.

I blame the producers for Shelley Hack.

They hired a model instead of an actress.

(Hack was a model, I believe, and had little or no acting experience when their hired her).

I blame the producers for Shelley Hack.

They hired a model instead of an actress.

(Hack was a model, I believe, and had little or no acting experience when their hired her).

To be fair, both Farrah Fawcett and Jacklyn Smith had been models as well, though by then had some acting experience (for example both guest starred on the Partridge Family). Both turned out to really be good actresses in later projects.

To be fair, both Farrah Fawcett and Jacklyn Smith had been models as well, though by then had some acting experience (for example both guest starred on the Partridge Family). Both turned out to really be good actresses in later projects.

Agreed.

One didn't watch Charlie's Angels for Emmy-level performances.

;)

Agreed.

One didn't watch Charlie's Angels for Emmy-level performances.

;)

True, men watched for the ladies and women watched to pretend they were the ladies.

True, men watched for the ladies and women watched to pretend they were the ladies.

I was only 10 years old when it premiered and I was definitely watching it for the ladies.



;)

I'd watch it for the ladies too.

Not me, I wanted to be them but I wasn't into women (still aren't, I'm a straight woman).

The producers probably underestimated how important Kate was to the show. She brought some seriousness and legitimacy that kept the show balanced. She was the most believable as a detective and she pretty much always played the alpha of the trio.
Bingo. Farrah got the headlines but Kate was the most important angel. Once she left the show slowly collapsed.

Bingo. Farrah got the headlines but Kate was the most important angel. Once she left the show slowly collapsed.

Agreed. She was the anchor, the "brainy" one. Kind of like a leader IMO.

The producers probably underestimated how important Kate was to the show. She brought some seriousness and legitimacy that kept the show balanced. She was the most believable as a detective and she pretty much always played the alpha of the trio.

Absolutely.

Sabrina had left to get married (and it was stated she was pregnant) and Tiffany "decided to stay back East" as per a Bosley comment.

After learning about Kate Jackson's vocal displeasure with the scripts, I'm kind of surprised that they didn't just kill Sabrina off in retaliation. I wonder if they didn't consider that because they wanted to keep the window open for a potential return.

As for Shelley Hack and Tanya Roberts, and which post-Jackson replacement is "worst". Well, you have one actress who always seemed like she was sleepwalking through her episodes (Shelley), and another (Tanya) who always sounded like she had memorized the script phonetically. :lol:

I definitely agree with you. In fact, it seems most CA fans prefer Kris. From what I've seen, Kelly is the most popular angel, but kris seems to be a close second.

I wonder if one reason why Tiffany (Shelley) and Julie (Tanya) may have not have connected with the audience as well as Kris (Cheryl) is that it was much harder to relate to them given their background. You had a cerebral, Ivy League educated girl in Tiffany and an ex-model in Julie. They weren't one of the original Angels little sister, who also came from the police force to prove herself.

I think that hiring the Charlie perfume girl and then replacing her character with an ex-model in Tanya Roberts' character, pretty much ruined whatever credibility the show had left. It was as if the producers after Kate Jackson left, pretty much gave up trying to convince us that Charlie's Angels wasn't a "jiggle show" about hot women running around in tight-fitting outfits and bikinis.

I wonder if one reason why Tiffany (Shelley) and Julie (Tanya) may have not have connected with the audience as well as Kris (Cheryl) is that it was much harder to relate to them given their background. You had a cerebral, Ivy League educated girl in Tiffany and an ex-model in Julie. They weren't one of the original Angels little sister, who also came from the police force to prove herself.

I think that hiring the Charlie perfume girl and then replacing her character with an ex-model in Tanya Roberts' character, pretty much ruined whatever credibility the show had left. It was as if the producers after Kate Jackson left, pretty much gave up trying to convince us that Charlie's Angels wasn't a "jiggle show" about hot women running around in tight-fitting outfits and bikinis.

Probably that and the fact that the novelty of the show was gone and the show was just a revolving door for beautiful babes.