Customer Reviews

The Charlie's Angels Casebook

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a fan of television, and especially Charlie's Angels, it was a no-brainer for me to get this book... and I must say that this is definitely in the top ten of the best written, and most informative TV-related books. I thought I knew everything there was to know about Charlie's Angels, but Mr. Condon and Mr. Hofstede have proven me wrong! Every page is loaded with little-known facts, info, trivia, tidbits, and insights, that are invaluable to any fan of the Angels. From Kate Jackson to Tanya Roberts, they're all here (And who could forget our beloved Bosley, the late David Doyle). You'll find the true stories behind, among many others, the creation of Charlie's Angels, the last minute decision that put Jaclyn Smith in the role of Kelly Garrett, Farrah's departure after the first season and the lawsuit that ensued, Kate and Cheryl Ladd's true relationship, how Shelley Hack really felt about being hired and then, ultimately, fired, and the massive search for the "final" Angel. In between you will find personal recollections from the Angels, as well as various guest stars, directors, producers and writers from the series' five season run. There is also an extensive episode guide, with commentary and additional info about each episode, as well as a guide to the massive amount of Angels merchandise produced over the years. And don't miss the full page photo of co-author Jack Condon's world-renowned Charlie's Angels collection! (As a side-note, I'd like to mention that I own several books published by Pomegranate Press, LTD., and I love all of them. Each of them contains a wealth of information and rare photgraphs of the various shows they cover, which include Dark Shadows and The Night Stalker.) Take it from a die-hard fan, you will not be disappointed!

This is a wonderful book... I couldnt put it down. Full of great behind the scenes details plus an episode guide that is carefully researched and very complete. Also features a merchandise section...wow, was there alot of merchandise made featuring these ladies.. and it looks like co-author Jack Condon has everything ever made. Wait till you see the photo of his collection. Impressive. Great photos of the angels too. This is a great book for the Charlies Angels fan or anyone who wants to take a trip down memory lane.

This is such a fun book! Lots of rare photos of all cast members. I really enjoyed the stories and anecdotes from all the personal interviews with the different cast members. This book obviously took lots of time and effort to compile.
I was won over in the first few pages where proper hommage is paid to the Angels' predecessors in female crime-fighting : Anne Francis as Honey West and Diana Rigg as Emma Peel. Charlie's Angels was perhaps ground-breaking but these 2 women broke the ground for the Angels in the previous decade. After this bit of history, it was evident that the author really knows his subject matter.
Just tons of fun facts in this book! Nice filmographies of each cast member and a very cool reference section on all the merchandise created for the show.
There is also a review of each episode of the show. This may be my favorite part as the author points out various bloopers or script inconsistencies that make the show all the more endearing. I didn't know that Rossano Brazzi was an Olympic athelete! The only drawback about his book is that it's so much fun to read that it leaves you wanting more! Thanks for a job well-done Jack!

It is a great achievement to write a book about a television series that is simultaneously informative and affectionate, and Jack Condon and David Hofstede have succeded on both counts.

Packed with anecdotes, trivia and the true stories behind the tabloid banners from which most of us garnered our "Charlie's Angels" information during the '70s, this book is a fascinating mosaic that emcompasses the creation and development of a hugely successful TV series, as well as the impact it had on the lives of its stars. To their credit, Condon and Hofstede didn't ignore the contributions of the writers and producers, without whom we might all be asking, "Farrah who?" It is this attention to the big picture that differentiates this book from most of its genre, and the authors obviously share the readers' fondness for a show that remains a guilty pleasure for millions more than a quarter century after its debut.

For "Angels" memorabilia collectors, Condon is the best resource you will find. An episode guide that puts to shame any you'll find on the web clinches the deal. The book is a keeper.

This is such a fun and informative book that takes the show seriously enough to give it its due, and still point out its flaws and limitations. I think their work on the show and on later projects has shown that these were actresses who could have handled meatier storylines and better scripts. Growing up in the 70s, I loved "Charlie's Angels"--I recall that Kris (Cheryl Ladd) was my favorite, and I believe I started watching it in the 2nd or 3rd season. I remember my twin sister and I LOVED the trucking Angels episode, so we definitely watched the Shelly Hack season, but I think we quit when Tanya Roberts joined--I was bothered then (and still kinda am) that she wasn't an ex-cop, like the others, I thought that was integral to the show.

Whenever people talk about the show being sexist, I always tell them that Charlie's Angels was the one action show we could "play" as kids where my sisters and friends could run around wielding "guns" and catching bad guys and "driving" fast cars--and not have to pretend we were boys. I highly recommend this book for any fan of the show, or anyone interested in television production in general.

Like author Jack Condon, I was 11 years old when "Charlie's Angels" burst onto the scene in 1976. It quickly became my primary addiction, one my mother allowed me along with a Wednesday night bowl of fresh stove-popped corn eaten from a special plastic bowl. I to this day have that "Charlie's Angels bowl" in my adult pantry and will occaisionally enjoy a particuarly satisfying bowl of popcorn poured in to it!

Reading the background of the show's creation and the interesting dynamics between the actors, producers and crew bring it all full circle. Each cast member's situation is put nicely into perspective and none come away looking like the villain. The girls basically cared deeply for each other, especially the original three, and did what they could to make a show with as much entertainment value as possible.

Farrah's departure after season one was seen as a prima donna move by many (including my wise, 12-year old self) in those days. But Jack and his coauthor point out that she was indeed the victim of a celebrity phenomenon of unimagined proportions and a jealous husband who wanted to keep her closer to home. Of course we were all bowled over by her subsequent work in the "Burning Bed" and "Extremities".

Each angel and supporting cast member is biographed in a concise and entertaining way in the book and we're never left wondering "Whatever happened to ? " That plus the episode guide (with commentary) is the best bit of play-by-play since "Inside Oscar" - the unofficial history of the Academy Awards!

FUN, NOSTALGIC, INFORMATIVE, everything an Angels fan could hope for!

It may have taken a quarter of a century, but Jack Condon and David Hofstede's "Charlie's Angels Casebook" has finally proven once and for all that the critical tide has finally turned for "Charlie's Angels." Long condemned as mindless T & A (mostly by, non-watchers I assume), the show has suffered a bad rap, despite the fact that merely casual viewings of most episodes reveal characters who are portrayed as strong, independent, resourceful women supporting each other in perilous environments. That they could do so convincingly, while perfectly coiffed and at the very height of fashion, though often snickered at, is what made this show a true phenomenon, and an enduring original to boot. Both inside and out, these were women to be admired (but not too crudely, or you might get your ... kicked).

Condon and Hofstede take on the equally admirable task of tackling the series with the perfect combination of intensive research, cast and guest-star interviews, light-hearted facts, respect and humor. This is truly a book for "Charlie's Angels" fans, BY "Charlie's Angels" fans. The inclusion of a full episode guide, comprehensive merchandise gallery, and oodles of great photos makes this book not only an invaluable resource for die-hard fans, but also a great reference and introduction to the series for those just discovering its charm.

For once, a book about television has been written by exactly the people who should be writing it - scholars, fans, and experts. Their love for the series really sets this book apart, and will keep you reading from cover-to-cover, re-igniting all the wonder that "Charlie's Angels" first inspired in millions of TV viewers the first time they heard those magic words, "Once upon a time, there were three little girls..."

This is an outstanding episode guide/reference source for the Charlie's Angels television series. I collect books such as this for my TV favorites. The Angels casebook contains everything which I would expect to find in an episode guide. It has episode descriptions and commentaries. There are quotes from cast members and a great deal of background information on the show. The writing is insightful, entertaining and of a high quality. The book also contains an appropriate volume of photographs, most B&W with a middle section of color shots. Jack Condon is the ultimate Charlie's Angels collector. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the show is evident throughout the book. David Hofstede has written several TV/movie related books prior to this one. His experience in such endeavors combines with Condon's Angels' expertise to create an excellent TV series book. This will be a fine addition for TV collectors and an absolute must for hardcore Charlie's Angels fans!

As a little boy I was a big fan of Charlie's Angels and this book brings back all the memories of the show from its beginnings to its end. Also evokes the era of the seventies. So well researched by the authors that I learned a lot about a show I thought I knew so much about. Episode guide is excellent and the comments to each episode are even better! Cast gripes and gossip and legal problems are all here as well as the Farrah Phenom. Great section on Angels collectibles too. This book is structured well and makes for a quick and interesting read. Loaded with photos and comments from the cast this is a book that is re-readable. Fans of the show and/or the actresses shouldn't be without it. Jack and David did a great job with this one. Pick it up now and relive the story of six little girls who went to the police academy some twenty years ago! Thanks for the memories!

This is a great book. I'm a huge fan of the series and Farrah Fawcett. It's a great book for fans of the hit TV show,from the actresses profiles to the series episode guide and commentary. Great pictures too!