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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ClassyCo" data-source="post: 272860" data-attributes="member: 7">Farrah became television's "It Girl" after being cast on CHARLIE'S ANGELS in 1976. As private investigator Jill Munroe, she was beautiful, athletic, and witty. She was the All-American girl-next-door given something of a California upgrade. She was approachable and nice, and not self-centered or vain because of her good looks. No wonder guys and gals back in 1976 went crazy for her. Farrah quickly became the most popular of the CHARLIE'S ANGELS trio, essentially eclipsing Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. She dominated popularity polls, and Farrah was apparently the actress with the highest "Q" (audience likability rating) of her time. Her red swimsuit poster (which ABC and the producers of CHARLIE'S ANGELS had nothing to do with) became the best-selling poster in history, eventually selling more than twelve million copies worldwide. Her off-screen marriage to fellow television star Lee Majors, the title character from THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN, also fueled her celebrity. Together, Farrah and Lee were Hollywood's "It Couple" in the late 1970s.  The public popularity of CHARLIE'S ANGELS was not as easily translated to the critical perception of the series. Contemporary television critics gave harsh reviews of the show they considered fluff and cheesy. There was more emphasis on "cheesecake" over undercover drama. Farrah herself was singled out for her flat refusal to wear a bra in many of the episodes, leading critics to coin CHARLIE'S ANGELS the first show within the "Jiggle TV" trend. The nickname was meant as a reference to the sexual attractiveness of the lead performers in a television show, and dominated the television landscape in the late 1970s (shows like THREE'S COMPANY further popularized the label). CHARLIE'S ANGELS received several Golden Globe Award nominations during its freshman season. Farrah was nominated for Best Actress in a Drama Television Series, while the series itself received a nomination for Best Drama Television Series. CHARLIE'S ANGELS had catapulted to the top of the Nielsen ratings; it had peaked at fifth place in the spring of 1977. It was seen by more than twenty million Americans on a weekly basis. Farrah once said of the show's enormous popularity: "When the show was number three, I figured it was because of our acting. When the show was number one, I figured it was because none of us wears a bra." Despite the popularity of the show, Farrah ultimately decided to leave CHARLIE'S ANGELS after one season in 1977. There have been many explanations given for her departure over the years. The most common one is that Farrah had tired of her one-dimensional role, and that she wanted to leave the show to broaden her acting opportunities. Farrah's agent at the time of her exit, Jay Bernstein, later said that Lee Majors was fundamental in Farrah's leaving the show. Apparently Majors was angry about Farrah's small salary (when compared to his), and he urged her to walkout on her contract. ABC and Aaron Spelling (the producer of CHARLIE'S ANGELS) was shocked at her decision, and they apparently tried desperately to keep her with the show. ABC optioned her a new contract with a bigger per-week percentage, and offered her the ability to make feature films, television guest spots, and television movies. Farrah turned down all the offers; she was persistent on leaving the show. After exiting CHARLIE'S ANGELS, she was apparently gray-listed in Hollywood. The audience was angry at her for leaving such a hit show, and producers were encouraged not to hire her. She was eventually replaced by singer-turned-actress Cheryl Ladd on the show, playing Jill's kid sister Kris Munroe. [ATTACH=full]27418[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]27419[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]27420[/ATTACH]</blockquote>

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