There’s Nothing Like a Dame, ’88

Aaron Spelling knows a thing or two about women. We mean, his “Charlie’s Angels,” 1976 to 1981, was a landmark of sorts. Now, on the verge of “Angels ‘88,” he asserts that times have changed--and so have women.

In fact, he says his research into the now women has included poring over “every magazine from L.A. Style to Elle to Vogue to Glamour” and looking at lines of clothes like Outback Red.

“I think we’ve all grown up since ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and I’m not apologizing for anything,” said the man who also brought us “Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island,” “S.W.A.T.” and “Mod Squad.”

“ ‘Charlie’s Angels’ was what it was for that time. It was the look for that period,” he said. The series was not without its detractors. Some dubbed it “jiggle television.”

Now, at the behest of 20th Century Fox chairman Barry Diller, Spelling is getting ready to bring a new set of crime-fighting Angels to the little screen, with the debut set for August.

Spelling, as exec producer, and Duke Vincent, as executive supervising producer, said in a conference-call interview that they’re searching for a modern image: “We’re looking for a new look. We want them to be different, we want them to be today ,” said Spelling.

“It’ll be much more the young look in commercials today,” he said, referring to the Anne Klein and Calvin Klein looks.

“We would like to have very attractive young ladies who can act. We hope they’d be role models.”

Spelling described “Angels ‘88” as “an entertainment action-adventure show with comedy.” It’s about four actresses who play detectives in a TV series that flops because it’s up against “The Cosby Show.”

“Now the rug’s been jerked out from under them. When they’re fired, they don’t have a lot of money.”

So, to foot the bills, the foursome--proud Tasha, funky Connie, athletic Bernadette and talented Pam--become private eyes.

Like “Charlie’s Angels,” the new show also will be directed at 18-34-year-olds. But unlike the original Angels, who wanted to be cops and attended the Police Academy, these Angels want to be actresses, and they continue to try out for roles throughout the series.

He conceded that the old series was not wholly realistic: “Three of the most beautiful girls in the world worked for a man who they never saw and made $500 and wore $5,000 gowns.”

But the new show will be more realistic, the producers promised. The new Angels will be individual in dress, style, attitude and personality, They’ll be women of the ‘80s--intelligent, independent, take-charge women. Who also are vulnerable, Vincent added.

As for looks: “We’re not going for just gorgeous,” Spelling said. “These girls are not bimbos in any way. They’re today. They’re sensitive and they’re very bright. We’re not portraying dum-dums with a Southern accent walking around.”

In fact, there won’t be a Charlie-in-the-box barking orders. And Bosley, Charlie’s go-between, will be gone too. Instead, a fourth angel was added so that two sets of Angels can pursue cases, allowing for an interplay of characters.

Moreover, they “don’t need two men coming to the rescue physically or emotionally on the show,” Spelling said. “They’re not governed, they’re not guided by men at all. They don’t take orders from anyone.”

Meanwhile, the hunt for Angels has begun, with talent agents throughout the U.S. submitting photos and resumes.

And next week, Fox and Spelling Productions are launching a talent search for women who can play 21-25-year-olds, according to Fox spokesman Brad Turell.

The quest will kick off Thursday with an open call from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fox Studios in L.A.

Casting directors then will go to New York, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Detroit, San Francisco, Dallas and Nashville in search of Angels. Then open calls will be made in another 50 cities.

Finally, on April 6, the Angels of the late ‘80s will be announced to TV audiences--and the rest will be history.

How many women will they audition?

Said Spelling, “We hope it’s hundreds.”

Said Vincent, “We’re scared it’s thousands.”