'Charlie's Angels' Will No Longer Be Former Cops, But Former Criminals?!?

[Brian Damage]

EW has fresh details about ABC’s Charlie’s Angels reboot: Unlike the original 1970s series, where the team of private investigators were disgruntled graduates of the police academy, the update currently has the crime-fighters as a trio of not-so-angelic criminals. In the pilot, Charlie brings them together and offers an opportunity to redeem themselves — by working for him, of course.

One major character is still being tweaked, however, and keep in mind pilots tend to undergo plenty of changes before they air. One of the trio has been previously reported as a con artist, while another is an ex-Marine and weapons expert.

Though the recent feature films were light-hearted (and, like the new series, executive produced by Drew Barrymore), sources say the new show will be a “fairly serious, non-campy” take on the concept.

But ABC’s Angels will match the original series in at least a couple key respects… Angels will consist of self-contained episodes — a new adventure each week, rather than having a serialized storyline. (There are some serialized elements, of course, like with all shows, but it’s mainly episodic).

Also, Charlie will remain a voice in a box — no video at least, when talking to the Angels – and the story will explain why, in the age of iChat and Skype, he’s still using such low-tech communication. (81-year-old Hart to Hart star Robert Wagner is near a deal to play Charlie.)

The pilot begins shooting in March, which gives stars Minka Kelly, Rachael Taylor and Annie Ilonzeh time for some specialized training for the physical demands of the show.

The script is being polished by executive producers Al Gough and Miles Millar, and then, like all pilots, could get tweaked more in the coming months. ABC will decide in late
April or early May whether to pick it up to series for fall...

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/01/31/ch...ls/#more-32170

[Marvo301]

Once upon a time three little girls committed felonies. They were each assigned to very hazardous prisons. I took them away from all that and now they work for me. My name is Charlie.

[catlover79]

.

[Mr. Television]

Obviously they didn't learn anything from the Bionic Woman remake. You don't take a light hearted series and make it serious.

[catlover79]

Of course, they didn't learn!! They've never heard the phrase "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it"!!

[Rezny@gmail.com]

I'll bet that Aaron Spelling is probably rolling around in his grave right now.And I'll bet Leonard Goldberg is probably none too happy either,nor are,if they still live,creators of "Charlie's Angels",Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts.

[Rezny@gmail.com]

Oops! I meant if creators Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts were still alive(are they?),they wouldn't be too pleased with the reboot.In closing:Oh,when will Hollywood and knuckleheaded network executives ever learn?

[gidgetgrape]

I'm so tired of TV shows and movies glorifying criminals. Let's let the good guys (i.e. the people who went to college and trained for their professions) win for change.

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

I'm so tired of TV shows and movies glorifying criminals. Let's let the good guys (i.e. the people who went to college and trained for their professions) win for change.

Very well said gidgetgrape!

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

I'm so tired of TV shows and movies glorifying criminals. Let's let the good guys (i.e. the people who went to college and trained for their professions) win for change.

Going to college and training for professions doesn't mean you're good or bad.

Lots of criminals (real-life and on television) graduated from college and trained for their jobs. It's what they do with their knowledge that makes them good or bad; depending on one's view.

[gidgetgrape]

Originally Posted by JamesG

It's what they do with their knowledge that makes them good or bad; depending on one's view.

That's true. My point is (and I say this as someone concerned about the negative impact of TV on children and teens) that I'd rather see a show in which the characters made responsible choices because they wanted to, not because they are apart of some sort of criminal rehabilation program. Most people, if "they do the crime, they do the time." They don't get to put a badge on.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

Most people, if "they do the crime, they do the time." They don't get to put a badge on.

This idea isn't new. Looks like a copy of "The Mod Squad" to me.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by rrezny@usnetizen

Oops! I meant if creators Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts were still alive(are they?)

Nope. Ben Roberts died in 1984, and Ivan Goff passed in 1999.

[Pavan]

Give it a chance, it is a great script. It's only a pilot pick-up. I think it will get a series pick-up come May at upfront, though.

[JT]

It doesn't say that the show is going to be serious, it says that it'll be a serious take on the original. Meaning, it won't be played for laughs like the movies were. That's a good thing, IMO.