For frequent cast changes, Charlie's Angels ranks up there with M*A*S*H. In fact, that's probably all those two shows have in common. "Hot Lips" Houlihan had the hair, but could she authoritatively draw her weapon? Maybe in Cagney & Lacey, but maybe not as an Angel. 

Anyway, over the course of five seasons, six actresses slid into the three roles as Charlie's Angels. While each brought her own specific style to the part, the important thing was that, when the opening credits rolled, there were three silhouettes in the sequence.  Not all of them were going to be Farrah Fawcett-Majors, but Farrah did set a template for how wildly famous an Angel could become by starring in the show. 

Aaron Spelling, producer extraordinaire— not just of Charlie's Angels, but also The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, and Vega$— knew the show's starmaking power might be its undoing. In 1979, he spoke with the Fort Lauderdale News about the revolving door situation.

Watch Charlie's Angels on MeTV!

Sundays at 2 PM

*available in most MeTV markets

"Farrah was really a phenomenon," said Spelling. "And when she left, everyone wanted to know who was replacing her. The same thing will probably happen to Shelley [Hack], who replaces Kate [Jackson].

Charlie's Angels was the first show of its type; that's one reason for its success. There's a fierce loyaty to this show among young people, the 11-23 group, especially the girls. I think it's a fantasy come true for girls."

Hack made her debut in a two-hour episode featuring the Love Boat cast in cameos. It wasn't particularly well-received by critics, but that's not why folks tuned in anyway!