As an empire-building mogul — around 200 TV series and movies — Spelling never removed himself from the daily labor of producing: reading every script, watching dailies, approving every costume design and hairstyle. (He famously complimented Heather Locklear for never changing her locks.) His vision created careers — Smith's costar Farrah Fawcett may have been the most pinuppably famous — and revived others, giving Joan Collins a new lease on onscreen malevolence in Dynasty. ''Aaron was responsible for casting me as Alexis, and I will forever be grateful to him,'' Collins tells EW. And for the stars he felt the closest to, his generosity extended beyond a professional boost. ''Many, many times we'd go to fund-raisers together,'' says Smith, ''and there were a pair of diamond earrings on auction, or a fur coat. 'Baby, I want to get that for you!' And you said, 'No, no, no!' because, listen, he changed so many lives and opened up so many doors — that was the gift.''
Spelling was all about range, as capable of producing Nightingales (1989), a short-lived show about pretty nurses whose locker-room changing scenes caused a media stir over sexism, as he was of getting behind Family (1976-80), a lovely drama of subtlety and great acting by Sada Thompson and a young Kristy McNichol. He referred to much of his output as ''mind candy,'' yet won Emmys for such classy fare as an adaptation of Randy Shilts' AIDS-epidemic book And the Band Played On (1993) and a TV movie about the making of the atomic bomb, Day One (1989). Sometimes he managed to combine his instincts for pop entertainment with actor showcases that dealt with serious issues: 1981's The Best Little Girl in the World starred a barely known Jennifer Jason Leigh as a teen anorexic.
The most typical and popular Spelling productions became specific islands of fantasy. There were the dramas of conspicuous consumption (Dynasty, The Colbys). There were the shows that presented romance as a roundelay of puppy love, broken hearts, betrayal, and tingly exhilaration (Beverly Hills, 90210; Melrose Place). There were ones that offered family-as-oasis (7th Heaven, Summerland). And most simply, there was law-and-order as good-and-sexy (Charlie's Angels, The Mod Squad, T.J. Hooker).
Spelling is, finally, the most underrated producer in TV history. Yes, he fed us mind candy, but it was often flavorful fun with tanginess, and occasionally even a rich, dark pleasure. In the consumer culture we all inhabit, Aaron Spelling knew more about what makes us feel good than Willy Wonka and Dr. Phil put together.
THE STAR REPORT
Forget Kevin Bacon: Six Degrees of Aaron Spelling?
Over five decades, Aaron Spelling discovered, redefined, and just plain invented more stars than you can shake a galaxy at. From Joan Collins to Jessica Biel, his knack was uncanny.
1. JOHN TRAVOLTA
The Boy in the Plastic Bubble(1976)
2. FARRAH FAWCETT
Charlie's Angels (1976-77)
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