Charlie's Angels Stars Reunite at Emmys After 50 Years

The Television Academy reunited the stars of 'Charlie's Angels' on the Emmys stage this week. Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson, and Cheryl Ladd appeared together to mark the show's 50th anniversary.

The original series, which aired from 1976 to 1981, received only four Emmy nominations and never won. Kate Jackson earned two acting nods, while David Doyle, who played Bosley, received one. A sound editing nomination in 1977 rounded out the tally.

Limited Emmy Recognition

Jaclyn Smith spoke to Variety about the show's reception. "It would have been nice to have gotten Emmys, but there was a snobbism about it," she said. "They didn't like all the glamor. They put us down. We were Barbie dolls." She argued that critics overlooked the show's narrative depth and the devotion between the characters. Series producer Aaron Spelling called it "eye candy," but Smith insists he also gave it mystery and danger.

A Lasting Sisterhood

The off-screen bond between the stars mirrored their on-screen camaraderie. Cheryl Ladd emphasized their supportive relationship. We were women that were completely for each other. We weren't like, 'I'm better than you,' she said. There was no fighting. She believes the show presented a powerful model of women united.

The core cast included Farrah Fawcett as Jill Munroe, Jaclyn Smith as Kelly Garrett, and Kate Jackson as Sabrina Duncan. Cheryl Ladd joined as Kris Munroe after Fawcett's departure following the first season. John Forsythe provided the voice of the unseen Charlie.

Legacy and Later Adaptations

Smith found the recent PaleyFest celebration and Emmys reunion emotional, noting the absence of late colleagues Farrah Fawcett, David Doyle, and John Forsythe. She said it is rewarding that the show's "magic" continues to bring joy to multiple generations.

She praised the early 2000s film reboots starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu for evolving the winning concept with spectacular stunts and a tongue-in-cheek tone. However, she was not surprised by the failure of the 2019 film directed by Elizabeth Banks. Smith called Banks talented but said the departure from the original formula did not work. She cited the multiple Bosleys and a lack of camaraderie among the leads as key missteps, contrasting it with the original's essence of sisterhood and loyalty.

Smith believes the series used sex appeal as a tool while maintaining a strong feminist backbone, ultimately changing women's roles on television. The reunion at the Emmys served as a sign of its enduring cultural impact.