Charlies Angels S1

 

 

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I gave this show two stars because that's all it had. Kate Jackson and Jacklyn Smith. Farrah just had to be herself, one dumb blond playing another dumb blond. She was never famous for her brains or her talent which she had neither. Lindsay Wagner was a far superior actress winning the Prime Time Emmy Award for best actress for that year. Even though Farrah later claimed that she won that Emmy. Which made her not only brainless but a liar as well. Farrah never won anything. She was nominated for an Emmy for her role in the Burning Bed but didn't win. Which I thought showed a lack of judgment on the part of the Prime Time Emmy Awards to even consider that she was good enough for a nomination. As you can probably guess from reading my review, it's safe to say that I was never a fan of hers.

"Charlie's Angels: The Complete First Season" was one of the first TV-on-DVD box sets I ever bought and since 2003 I have watched a few episodes here and there, finally having finished viewing them all recently.

Compared to the plastic slim cases used for almost all DVD releases today, this bulky set looks positively archaic. There are six discs and each of them is housed in its own separate plain plastic snapcase. This set could have easily been condensed into half the size, but to be fair, at the time of its original release, the studios were still experimenting with different ways to package these sets.

The episodes themselves are unedited and look brighter and clearer than they ever did on TV, though they are not perfect.

The original 90-minute pilot telefilm is included, and while it lays the groundwork, it's not as entertaining as the episodes that came after.

There was a magic chemistry among the three original Angels during this first season, and the show was an instant ratings hit. After 1976 turned into '77, it seemed Angel-Mania exploded and the ladies appeared on every magazine cover imaginable; the toy production was not far behind.

Kate, Farrah and Jaclyn shine in every episode this season and some of my favorites include:

"Lady Killer": My favorite of the season. A great script that sort of parodies Hugh Hefner and Playboy but with Hugh O'Brian as the publisher of "Feline" magazine. Jill goes undercover as a centerfold. The script has clever dialogue, great action sequences and a "twist" ending--all the marks of a great episode.

"The Seance": Kelly goes undercover as an heiress and while under hypnosis is forced to revisit her unhappy childhood in an abusive orphanage. I love how Sabrina and Jill show genuine concern as Kelly spirals out of control.

"Dancing in the Dark": Jill teaches disco, Kelly joins a blackmail ring, and Sabrina plays a nerdy victim while Dennis Cole plays the handsome villain.

"Angels at Sea": Frank Gorshin plays a homicidal maniac who plants three bombs on a luxury liner. Another great team episode that ends with each of the Angels diffusing a bomb.

"Angels in Chains": The prison episode with guest inmate Kim Basinger--'nuff said.

The first season found a more gritty feel to most of the episodes. It's too bad they lost some good writers like Barney Rozenzweig because from Season 2 onward, the show seemed "cleaned up and dumbed-down" a little for the younger viewers, when it moved to 9pm instead of 10.

There's also a fun featurette that looks back on the show. Only downside to it is that it barely touches on the contributions of Cheryl Ladd, Shelley Hack and Tanya Roberts.

Still, if you want to see why "Charlie's Angels" became an instant pop-culture phenomenon or you're a child of the '70s looking for a good retro buzz, this set will do the trick.

OK! Finally!, but come on not enough extras, and why no Easter eggs, and why no interviews.

Man this show does not get old, and is still to much fun and by God I enjoyed each and every show. Hope they release the soundtrack for the series.

Nawaf

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4.0 out of 5 stars Nice
I was the biggest Charlie's Angels fan back in the day. It was a nice trip down memory lane watching these old clips. Read more

Published 21 months ago by Mei Li

5.0 out of 5 stars HELLO ANGELS !
What we have here is a trip back to 70's television. I picked this set up more for nostalgia than anything else. Read more

Published on July 19 2004 by The Critic

1.0 out of 5 stars The stars were not the problem...
In all honesty, I think all of the stars who appeared on this show; Kate Jackson, Jacklyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett, Tanya Roberts, Cheryl Ladd, all wanted to be taken seriously and... Read more

Published on July 13 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars cooler at the time
one of those shows that was cooler at the time it came out.the story lines worked well&the Ladies were Hot. Read more

Published on Jun 6 2004 by A customer

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!
This is an amazing set to own! I remember LOVING every minute of every show, I am still a HUGE Jacyln Smith fan...Never cared for Farrah at all but Smith is still a hottie! Read more

Published on April 11 2004 by Lotus Scrum

5.0 out of 5 stars GET THE REST OF THE SEASONS OUT!!
I remember being a teenager watching first run episodes of Charlie's Angels when I was growing up. This release of the entire season one brings back great memories for me... Read more

Published on Mar 4 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Amen, Ashi!
No, "Charlie's Angels" was never meant for perusal by the same eggheads that drooled all over "Roots," or...well, you get the picture. Read more

Published on Feb 9 2004 by Brent

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Angels are back.
I have season one and two of "The Simpsons" and have barely seen all the episodes from them. Read more

Published on Jan 31 2004 by Eric Larsen

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but missing the extras!
This was one of my absloute favorite shows growing up and I was shocked to see that the whole season was out. Well I knew I just had to have it. Read more

Published on Jan 29 2004 by 80s Chick

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful nostalgic visit to the past.
I admit I LOVE this show and the first season was my favorite and the original angels were the best angels.
It was great to go back and watch these shows again. Read more

Published on Jan 17 2004

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