TV producer Aaron Spelling, who suffered a stroke on Sunday, died at his home last night. He was 83.
Spelling made the TV equivalent of junk food: rarely good, entirely irresistable. A quick tour of his imdb credits includes lots of stuff we don't remember, and lots more we do: "Starsky & Hutch." "The Love Boat." "Fantasy Island." "Charlie's Angels." "Hart to Hart." "Dynasty." "T.J. Hooker." "Melrose Place." "Beverly Hills, 90210."
Aaron Spelling's productions had great looking actors and overbred fashion and we loved them for the trashy glitter they were. The hair on "Dynasty" was bigger than any other TV hair; the "Charlie's Angels" outfits were hotter than any other TV outfits; the acid wash was lighter on "90210" than anywhere else.
Each show of Spelling's was so highly stylized for its time that in the moment we all — admit it — wanted to look and dress like the characters. And 5 years later we all looked back, wincing. (But another 5 years and they're wearing it to the Little Joy, so Spelling cycles right around.)
Aaron Spelling was known for two other things: he lived in "The Manor," a 56,500 square foot house with an ice skating rink, bowling alley and a room dedicated to gift wrapping. And he was the father of Tori, who played the virginal Donna on his "Beverly Hills, 90210." He was a little creepy and very very Hollywood. There won't be another like him.
Giving our final respects, we have to admit that we liked Gopher on "The Love Boat" (he was geek chic before geek chic). Who was your (possibly embarassing) Spelling favorite?
