MovieChat Forums > Charlie's Angels (1976) Discussion > The fourth season

The fourth season

posted 8 years ago by rdgroyal87
30 replies | jump to latest

Despite being the Lear popular season, I have always loved season 4. I'm rewatching the complete series, and I'm currently on sn 4 and I must say I still really like it! The show is remembered for being "jiggle tv" but this season doesn't have any of that. The three girls are dressed in beautiful suits and sweaters most of the time and they look stunning! I also really like the story structure of season 4 episodes. Some episodes focus on only one angel, but there are also many with the three of them working together. I also care a lot more about the plots in season 4 than I did in the first three seasons. I will admit that the chemistry between the three Angels is no where near as good as it was in the first three seasons, and Shelly hack is a bit stuff in the beginning...but I love Tiffany anyway! I have to say the only thing I truly don't like about this season is the way that Sabrina's absence was explained, and the handling of Tiffany in the first episode. Overall, this season has a certain charm about it, that sets it apart from other seasons. There is also a sentimental attachment that I have to this season, perhaps because O watched this season the most when I was younger. Anyways, I wanted to hear other popped thoughts on this season

[–] trainyourdog 8 years ago

I liked Season Four. And I easily liked it more than Season Five. For one thing, I really liked Tiffany, especially when she wasn't wearing an atomic Cocker Spaniel hairdo.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/95301854@N08/9217087902/in/dateposted-public/

[–] rdgroyal87 8 years ago

You might like her hair in "cruising Angels"

[–] sdtcats 8 years ago

I also loved Tiffany. I didn't like the solo episodes that much but I did love "Angels On Campus", Tiffany's first solo episode. You are right about the chemistry but I still love Season 4. Some other favorites are, Angels Go Truckin', Fallen Angel (Loved Timothy Dalton), Angels On The Street, Homes Sweet Homes, Dancin' Angels, Nips And Tucks, (Tab Hunter fan here), Three For The Money, The Prince And The Angel, Angels On Skates, Angel Hunt, Of Ghosts And Angels, and One Of Our Angels Is Missing.

[–] engle_james 8 years ago

Season 4 is my favorite by a long shot. Angel Hunt, Angels on the Street, Toni's Boys, Campus Angels, Fallen Angel, and Angels at the Altar are some of my favorite episodes of any season.

[–] paranoja 8 years ago

Tiffany wasn't as bad as said, however, Kate Jackson was the strongest actress on the show and those were the shoes Shelley Hack had to step into. It didn't help that the showrunners didn't exactly expand her character early on and then tried to make her sound like a faux-Sabrina.

[–] kmj-35654 8 years ago

As it turned out, Farrah Fawcett was a lot easier to replace than Kate Jackson. It was tough to replace the team leader and the "smart one". The new Angel could not just come in and take charge over the two vets Kris and Kelly. Poor Tiff had some tough shoes to fill. Therefore, Kris became sort of the leader in season 4 by default.

I liked season 4. It was by far the most glamorous season with all the designer fashions, fur coats, and evening gowns the Angels wore ( so long Sabrina with your turtle necks and jeans! lol). Many of the cases took place in ritzy hotels, on yachts, cruise ships, expensive restaurants, and Beverly Hills mansions. Jill became involved with a mysterious jewel thief and a European prince. Kelly became a wealthy heiress ( sort of). Kelly and Kris fought over soap hunk Bobby Ewing. The shows were often more "soap opera" like. Season 4 was Charlie's Angels meets Dynasty!

The main problem was that the producers and writers did not give the Tiffany Wells character a good presentation in the 1st episode. It was like she just walked in the office, shook hands with her new co-workers and it was off to the Caribbean islands! And when Jill came back to visit, she hardly seem to realize that a new Angel was in the office! The writers didn't even bother to have a scene where Jill and Tiffany were introduced! I've come to believe that it was just laziness on the writer's part. No doubt that if Sabrina had returned to visit, they would have had her ignore Tiffany also! LOL And you began to notice how distant and uninterested the remaining original Angel Jaclyn Smith was much of the time during season 4. It seems that in season 2 when Cheryl Ladd replaced Farrah more time, energy, and effort was put in by the cast and crew to keep the show going. But by season 4, everyone was losing interest.

[–] a_l_i_e_n 8 years ago

The new Angel could not just come in and take charge over the two vets Kris and Kelly. Poor Tiff had some tough shoes to fill. Therefore, Kris became sort of the leader in season 4 by default.

That always bothered me because it seemed like Jaclyn, being the only original cast member, would be the natural choice to step into the role of leader. And Kris (no longer the cute and slightly nervous rookie) took on a more serious, almost icy demeanour that really didn't work for her. Even her hair seemed at times to be rather tightly bound and severe and it just didn't suit her. Didn't like the new Kris of season 4 much at all.

[–] horizonbeach 8 years ago

That always bothered me because it seemed like Jaclyn, being the only original cast member, would be the natural choice to step into the role of leader. And Kris (no longer the cute and slightly nervous rookie) took on a more serious, almost icy demeanour that really didn't work for her. Even her hair seemed at times to be rather tightly bound and severe and it just didn't suit her. Didn't like the new Kris of season 4 much at all.

Bingo!

I couldn't agree more and not only did Jaclyn not step up as the leader, she seemed totally out to lunch during much of this season and even looked sad much of the time. And you're right, bossy, icy, take charge Kris didn't work at all. Cheryl Ladd is just a naturally cute, bubbly, warm person (or at least comes across that way in everything I've seen her in) and this season four persona just did not fit her.

To be fair, Jaclyn has said that after the other two original Angels left she really was just calling in her performances, in so many words, because she really wanted off of the show too but felt that she needed to honor her contract, which was very noble of her. And Cheryl Ladd probably felt that she had to step up and act like the leader, since Jaclyn obviously wasn't interested. Cheryl was also going through a divorce at the time and was probably at least somewhat distracted.

I think that Shelley Hack and some of the better episodes were the highlights of season four. She was pretty, bright, and charming and her acting did improve as the season went on. The writers didn't seem to care for her (Ed Lakso has been quoted as saying flat out that she couldn't act and he was the big cheese of the show's writers) so she got the short end of the stick from them much of the time, but she was fun to watch and had her character been better written and the other Angels warmed up to her more and treated her a little more like they treated Jill and Sabrina, maybe things would have been different. As it was, Shelley Hack took the full blame for the ratings drop and that just wasn't fair.

[–] a_l_i_e_n 8 years ago

To be fair, Jaclyn has said that after the other two original Angels left she really was just calling in her performances, in so many words, because she really wanted off of the show too but felt that she needed to honor her contract, which was very noble of her.

I never knew that about Jaclyn. How unfortunate that the show wasn't enjoyable for her anymore, but, yeah, respects to her for staying with it to the end. Also seems especially appropriate then that she was the one who got the cameo appearance in the 2000 big screen treatment. It probably is best to pull the plug on shows like this when major players start to leave; they got lucky surviving Farrah's departure, but losing Kate really left a gaping hole that wasn't easily filled.

I think that Shelley Hack [...] was pretty, bright, and charming and her acting did improve as the season went on.

She certainly became a better actress as her career progressed, starring in two series of her own, and even being directed by "Empire Strikes Back" director Irvin Kershner in the pilot for "Seaquest".

[–] TMC-4 (19389) 7 years ago

https://www.datalounge.com/thread/19354681-who-was-the-worst-charlie-s-angels-replacement-actress-

I liked Shelly Hack but the writing was no longer gritty or interesting. The show was much better the first season and a half when the Angels were conning bad guys and beating them at their own games. Season 3 and 4 it became more of a mystery show. After Shelly's addition to the show the ladies appearance went up a notch.. Their hair, makeup, and clothing were flawless. I think she had a lot to do with that. She had been a New York high fashion model since she was a teenager. At one point, one of my favorite actresses was going to be cast. Her name was Claudia Jennings. Producers decided against her at the last minute because they discovered her nude scenes in movies and her long running centerfold work with Playboy magazine. I think she would have returned some of the appeal the original show had because she was gorgeous and very hard working. I heard that Shelly Hack was the reason it took so long for season 4 to be released on DVD. She was holding out for more money. TNT ran a week long marathon which allowed fans to tape the shows, then she relented and the season was released on video. I lose respect for actors when they do not consider their fans and co-workers.

—Angels fan in flyover country

reply 113 9 minutes ago

[–] bcoin 8 years ago

Shelly Hack was so underrated as Tiffany. That fact is only made worse at the end of season 4. Shelly was so much better toward the end of the season. What a shame she was let go.

[–] Italiano66 8 years ago

I agree that Shelley Hack was very underrated as Tiffany. She was classy and could also be very funny. Her character was much improved by the end of the season. Plus, she was given more to do as the season progressed; I'm not sure if this was actually the case or if it had more to do with the order in which the episodes were aired. It really was a shame that they let Shelley go. She really got a bum rap.

I wasn't a fan of the "one angel focused" episodes because there was hardly any screen time for the other two angels. Don't even get me started on the Jill guest appearance episodes; we were lucky to see Tiffany for 5 minutes on those. I liked when the three angels were all working as a team.

Season 4 has some of my favorite episodes of the entire series: Angels on Campus, Angel Hunt, Cruising Angels, Angels on the Street, Catch a Falling Angel, Nips and Tucks, Three for the Money, Angels Go Truckin', Homes Sweet Homes, Angels at the Altar.

[–] trainyourdog 8 years ago

Especially when she looked like this:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/95301854@N08/9217087902/in/dateposted-public/

[–] Noirdame79 8 years ago

Shelly Hack was so underrated as Tiffany. That fact is only made worse at the end of season 4. Shelly was so much better toward the end of the season. What a shame she was let go.

I agree. Before I purchased the 4th season DVD (I was too young to have watched the series when it originally aired), I kept reading complaints online about how "wooden" Shelley Hack was as Tiffany Wells. I had seen Hack in other things and felt that she was a decent actress. While she is given very little do in the early episodes of the season, by mid-way through Tiffany had become a much more established character and the chemistry with Jaclyn, Cheryl and David Doyle was wonderful. I also liked that the wardrobe became more glamorous (except for the furs), and there were less duds than in Season 3. I also found that I did not miss Kate Jackson at all. I liked Sabrina in the first two seasons but by the third it was so obvious that Jackson had lost interest and was just going through the motions; I also didn't like how much influence she apparently had on wardrobe, etc. Also, knowing how she treated Cheryl Ladd and seemed to blame her for changing the tone of the show, well, it's probably better that Jackson departed. Farrah Fawcett seemed different during her guest appearances. It was nice to see her again but Jill's spirit just wasn't the same. It's a shame that Jill and Tiffany didn't have the opportunity to interact more.

Shelley Hack's casting had nothing to do with the show's demise. Times were changing, and the writers were clearly running out of ideas by Season 5. Charlie's Angels, despite new blood and a new look, was sadly on its last leg. Tanya Roberts did well during her stint but sadly, it ran out of steam.

[–] austin-pearce 7 years ago

And they shoved Shelley Hack into scripts written for Kate Jackson.

[–] InherentlyYours 7 years ago

True. Hack ruined the 4th season.

However, not because her scripts was written for Jackson. Why people say this is strange. She was not the new "Sabrina".

[–] thylacine80 7 years ago

And they shoved Shelley Hack into scripts written for Kate Jackson.

Yes, exactly, that was a lazy idea, and it made the show to lose viewers.
But fortunately, guest writers were invited and gave Tiffany a real personality and a distinctive direction.

By the end of the season, she was interesting, much more that Sabrina's character.
Then, they made the mistake to replace her with Tanya Roberts, and that was the end of the show (Roberts is hot and sweet, but her character was just out of place).

[–] InherentlyYours 7 years ago

Yes, exactly, that was a lazy idea, and it made the show to lose viewers.
But fortunately, guest writers were invited and gave Tiffany a real personality and a distinctive direction.

It wasn't a lazy idea, since it wasn't the idea at all. The show lost viewers due to Hack as a walking mannequin, not because of making her the new replacement for Jackson. Hack played Hack. When they added Tanya to the show, it wasn't to "replace" Hack either. When they added Mary Jane Croft to The Lucy Show, it was not to "replace" Vivian Vance (nor her lines).

Thick-skulls abound.

By the end of the season, she was interesting, much more that Sabrina's character.

"Sabrina" (Jackson) could act. This was a TV-series show, not The Price is Right.

[–] thylacine80 7 years ago

We already told you that we don't expect you to understand Hack's talent.
You're not objective enough to be able to see it.

[–] InherentlyYours 7 years ago

"We" already told you that you're too subjective to not see it.
So, we can't expect you to be capable.

[–] InherentlyYours 7 years ago

Shelley Hack's casting had nothing to do with the show's demise. Times were changing, and the writers were clearly running out of ideas by Season

How do you know this? Times changed in the span of 1 year? You said you were not born yet to watch the show when they first aired. I was watching the debut of Hack.

She was the cause of the ratings declining, if you look at trivia and the ratings description. The ratings slipped in season 4, as soon as Hack was hired. But even if the ratings did not slip, because people think Hack is pretty, charming .. does not mean she was an actress of caliber who remotely understood characterization. It seems she had to be directed by rote.

[–] thylacine80 7 years ago

this season has a certain charm about it

Absolutely. What's the episode do you prefer in season 4 ?
I'll have to go with home sweet homes. Tiffany was so funny and so creative ! And the 3 ladies each had a specific and equal cover.

[–] sdtcats 7 years ago

I love that episode too! All three Angels were great in that!

[–] rdgroyal87 7 years ago

My favorite is probably a tie between "Angels on the streets" and "One love, two angels"

[–] thylacine80 7 years ago

Yes Angels on the street is great too.
Especially when Kelly and Tiff talk back to the bad guy.

[–] sdtcats 7 years ago

"Especially when Kelly and Tiff talk back to the bad guy."

My favorite part of the episode!! I loved when the bad guy told Tiffany he wasn't talking to her and she replied,: "Well I was talking to you!"

[–] sherm456 7 years ago

My favorite part of the episode!! I loved when the bad guy told Tiffany he wasn't talking to her and she replied,: "Well I was talking to you!"

I love that part, too! I hope once in my life someone says "I wasn't talking to you" so I could use that retort. I suppose preferably not at work!

[–] thylacine80 7 years ago

I loved when the bad guy told Tiffany he wasn't talking to her and she replied,: "Well I was talking to you!"

YES !!! This is my favorite part too !
Shelley Hack was so good in this !
I like the previous lines as well, when she says "We've always worked alone. No booze, no needles".

[–] horizonbeach 7 years ago

And wasn't Richard Lynch just the perfect guy to play Freddie the pimp? He played such a convincing bad guy.

He was also in an episode of "Starsky and Hutch" where he played a psycho who would get in a taxi and then strangle the driver from behind with a big metal claw thing. Scary! Sneaking out of bed and watching that episode when I was about twelve probably warped me for life, lol.

[–] sdtcats 7 years ago

Agree about Richard Lynch! He was always so good at playing evil. He scared me too. I remember a TV movie he did called "Vampire". He was excellent in that also!