Come Aboard, We’re Expecting You
July 1st, 2006
I know I’m a little late on this, but I’ve been trying to figure out a way to honor Aaron Spelling here at EGW. As you know, he passed away last week at the age of 83.
I watched and adored both Melrose Place and Beverly Hills 90210 in their time - and like so many others my age, the wardrobes and exploits of Brenda Walsh, Donna Martin, Amanda Woodward and Michael Mancini will be taking up precious space in my memory forever. But there is one Aaron Spelling show that I truly loved, one that I looked forward to with breathless anticipation every week, one that captured my devotion and admiration like no other: The Love Boat.
My parents called it ‘The Dumb Boat’ (clever, Mom and Dad), and would not let my sister and I watch the show without first giving us a lecture about it’s complete lack of merit, insulting portrayal of women, and potentially harmful effect on our brain cells. But their attempts to use Spelling as a Teaching Moment and impart some media literacy did not deter us! We soaked up every vapid, campy moment that we could, and prayed the parents would forget about us upstairs long enough so that we could catch most of Fantasy Island, as well (it was on next). At the first notes of The Love Boat theme song we’d start singing along, hoping for at least one young, pretty woman to appear among the guest stars popping up inside the life saver.
We also practiced the Julie McCoy wink over and over and over.
I could go on and on here, but the point is this: I have finally found a fitting tribute to Spelling’s most genius hour. Thanks to Wikipedia, here is a comprehensive list of The Love Boat guest stars over the years. RIP Aaron.
P.S. Julie McCoy is back in the form of Angela Carone, who has become an accomplished cruise director when it comes to gathering and entertaining our cocktail clatch every other week. Now if only she’d bring the wink into her repetoire…
But who’s going to be the Merle Stubbing to Angela’s Julie McCoy? And what about Vicky, Doc, Gopher and Isaac?
I just know that I get to be Charo.
Coochee, cooche, COO!
Right on, Jessica, except. . .
My favorite Aaron Spelling from back in the day was Charlies Angels and I, too, have been chided on more than one occasion for my enduring fondness for loving one of Spelling’s creations.
Where I saw 3 fun, smart, kick-ass, stylish women, others noted the man behind the speaker phone and fat Bosley running the show.
Whatever.
When we played Charlies Angels we felt powerful, manipulative (not manipulated) and hot. I’d play it again today - I’m Jaclyn Smith. . .
Oh YES! Michelle, you’re the perfect Kelly! I used to play Charlie’s Angels…I was Sabrina, the smart one with a raspy voice and slight overbite (though my overbite at the time was beyond subtle). Once, as I was stalking the bad guy, inching my way along a wall to pounce from around a corner with my arms up in front of my face in gun toting position (i.e. one hand wrapped around the wrist of the other for support), a bee attacked me and stung me in the armpit.
I ran home crying and my prey escaped.