This year, because of the Hall's tenth anniversary celebration, we have an induction every week chosen from four different categories: "League Of Themselves", "As Seen On TV", "The Tooniverse", and "Location, Location, Location". But even so, we'll still be able to maintain the tradition of saluting these "creataurs".
For this week, with the theme of "The League Of Themselves", we're paying tribute to the late impresario Aaron Spelling.
Spelling is probably the greatest executive producer TV will ever see. From the 1970's into the 90's, it seemed as though everything that had his name on it was golden - 'Fantasy Island', 'Dynasty', 'Charlie's Angels', 'The Love Boat', 'Beverly Hills 90210', 'Twin Peaks'.... He may not have actually created those shows, but the blessing of his imprimatur guaranteed that they got on the air. Even those shows that didn't succeed ('Clubhouse', for example), they at least got a chance because Spelling's name was attached.Just take a look at his IMDb.com page and run down that list of shows he produced!
http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0005455/
And as I would expect a smart producer to do, Aaron Spelling made his properties stronger by having them interconnect. The O'Bvious examples are the spin-offs: 'The Colbys' from 'Dynasty', 'Melrose Place' from 'Beverly Hills 90210'. Then there are the crossovers: 'Charlie's Angels' visited 'Vega$' and sailed on 'The Love Boat', which docked at 'Fantasy Island'. And whenever he could, he used his shows to serve as backdoor pilots for other projects. The "Toni's Boys" episode of 'Charlie's Angels, with Barbara Stanwyck as a distaff Charlie with three hunks working for her, is a great example.
Aaron Spelling had a powerful hold over Toobworld; his presence could even be felt from within the reality of the TV Universe. To prove that point, Aaron Spelling will be inducted into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame next week as well!
Deja view, baybee!
BCnU!
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