In recognition of the most prolific TV producer in history (Aaron Spelling), here are some of my reflections on the programs with which he was associated:
Starsky and Hutch--Very campy now. Along with The Streets of San Francisco, established the format for the buddy-cop genre. My earliest memories of the show were that it was cool to "be-in-the-know" about it and to play at being the characters, but the whole program was over my head. Very bad movie remake, even with Ben Stiller.
Family--It creeps me out to think of Meredith Baxter playing an adolescent. I'll always know her as Alex P. Keaton's mom.
Charlie's Angels--My most cognizant memory of adult female attraction. Prior to Charlie's Angels, the girls I liked were--girls. Whether they were in my pre-K class, or at the playground, they were my age, but the Angels I would think about all the time back when I was 8, 9, and 10. I remember watching it on sleep-overs at my buddy's house. I can still hear that music! The voice of John Forsythe was perfect. I crushed on Jaclyn Smith like you wouldn't believe--and I loved Cheryl Ladd and Tanya Roberts. I can remember that famous Farrah poster--a copy was hanging above the work desk of my best friend's father, which shocked me, because it was very alluring and he was married to a beautiful lady. I had a hard time with that one, even at 9.I couldn't stand Kate Jackson. Jaclyn is 60 now--and still gorgeous.
The Love Boat--My, oh my, the memories that come roaring back with those three words! My sisters and I would watch this show every Saturday night growing up--and it brought such joy! We loved Gopher, and Julie McCoy, Isaac, and Captain Stubing. But we couldn't stand Vicki! Most of the guest stars I had never heard of--as they were mostly old-timey Hollywood-types, but I was exposed to them for the first time here (hi, Charo!). I have since read that Spelling often cast his old cronies on the show to reward them on the specials where they actually did leave the set--that's a fun fact for ya. And The Love Boat (along with Happy Days) also began the long, and tumultuous TV career of Ted McGinley--television's "Johnny-Come-Lately." Every show he'd join, would go off the air, soon after he became a regular. Check it.
Fantasy Island--Teamed with The Love Boat, it was quite the 
combination on Saturday nights. I loved trying to imitate the music, sounds, and voices in each opening--from the theme, to the airplane motor, to Tatto's footsteps on the stairs, the bell-clang, and Tattoo's voice shouting, "Da play-an, da play-an." Ricardo Montalban would then describe each visitor to the island and their hopes and dreams--revealing their darkest weakness, too--as he spoke to Tattoo. He would then cheer up to announce, "Smiles everyone, smiles! I am Mr. Roarke, your host, welcome--to Fantasy Island!" I loved it! I watched too much TV as a kid. I had whole commericals memorized...
Hart to Hart--I thought this was the coolest show! I'm a litte older now--between 10 and 15 during it's run, so by then I was ready for the sophistication of this madcap husband and wife detective team. I thought 
Robert Wagner was the stud--and I wanted to be just like him some day. It was really ironic that many years later when I was a freshman in college playing an older part, that my director would compliment me by saying I looked like Robert Wagner in my makeup (ha!). Max, the butler, was great, too--but again, I had a huge crush on the female star--Stephanie Powers. I loved to watch her do her little hair flip when she got upended or in a bind. She also had this great, raspy voice (pre-Demi Moore). Another thing I remember, was that the Harts ended every show in bed--snuggling and reflecting poignantly on their just-closed case. They would then shut out the lights and giggle or moan as the credits would roll. Hey, I was 14!
Dynasty--We weren't allowed to watch this show as kids, but I was very familiar with all the big-time stars on this soap, as they were all living their 15 minutes right about then. One story I have on Joan Collins is this: I was at a taping of a local TV talk show in Boston during college and I remember Joan being a guest via satellite. When we'd go to commercial, she'd berate the host and be terribly abusive toward him--scolding him for questions he asked, etc... Then when we'd come back from the break, she'd be all sunshine again for the home audience. She really was a rhymes-with-witch.
T.J. Hooker--Two words: Car slides. William Shatner (in his staccato delivery) mastered the slide across the car hood--he and John Schneider (Bo Duke), anyway. They should have had a showdown to see who was 
the best. Darn it--That could have been an event on "Battle of the Network Stars!" This program also featured Heather Locklear who starred on both T.J. Hooker and Dynasty at the same time. Locklear is also the cousin of Marla Maples--Donald Trump's 2nd wife. I should be ashamed that I know all this stuff.
Twin Peaks--This show was all the rage when I was in college, but I never really watched it. I was having too much fun for television.
Beverly Hills 90210--It was amazing how many moral lessons were wrapped up into each show. I soon figured out the formula: Each episode would have a "dangerous theme," after pontificating on how none of 
them would ever do such a thing, one of the characters would plunge head-long into this issue, this character would struggle, the others would intervene, and they would all emerge with "a valuable life lesson." It was mind-candy. At least in the early years, then it became pretty salacious by the end.
Melrose Place--Big, campy fun. I had a mid-20's crush on Laura Leighton. This show introduced a lot of actors who are now (or just were) in the successful second acts of their careers: Courtney Thorne-Smith, Marcia Cross, Doug Savant, and Kristin Davis.
Thanks for the memories, Mr. Spelling, they might even be enough for me to overlook Tori's acting.
