A Question of Success
Aaron Spelling had already found success with The Mod Squad and The Rookies, so executives had to know that it was a good bet that it was a good bet that this series would be TV gold as well. But, he was spinning a slightly different combination with Charlie’s Angels. Beyond just a procedural show or detective drama, he threw in some fantasy and glamor.
Spelling hoped that it would have just the right mix to attract a wider demographic than the young-adult viewers he’d previously drawn. This show too was a further testing ground for the type of dramas he went on to develop with Dynasty, Beverly Hills 90210, and Melrose Place. It was a provocative, even cutting-edge concept, but it was still shaped within the auspices of traditional male-centered society. That meant that their boss was a man, but the Angels were also frequently underestimated.
