Shelley Gets The Blame

Shelley in a promo pic from 1980

Shelley left Charlie's Angels at the end of its 4th season in 1980 and many of her fans were disappointed. Many felt that she became a scapegoat for the floundering series. The 3rd season of Charlie's Angels had fallen 8 places in the Nielsen ratings, from no. 4 to no. 12; and Shelley's addition to the cast brought renewed interest in the series. She was THE Charlie Girl after all, loved by millions around the world. Her casting brought free and even more publicity to the series. In fact, her debut episode finished at no. 1 in the ratings the week it aired. Her second episode finished in the top 5 that week. As did her third, fourth and fifth episodes. Then it began to spiral down as, after her second episode, she was given little to do or say. Then by the end of the season, she was blamed for the dip in the ratings. How then was she supposed to bring the series back to the top 5 position? By her mere presence alone?

a fan defends Shelley,1980

The World Belongs to Charlie 3

Shelley in a 1978 Charlie perfume ad pic

Shelley was THE Charlie perfume Girl. She catapulted herself as well as the brand to worldwide recognition and success. There were others before her, but it was Shelley that captured the imagination of many worldwide. A few months after she began endorsing the brand, it became the no. 1 scent in the entire world. Shelley was (and is) the quintessential Charlie Girl - gorgeous, sexy, young as well as vibrant and confident. She was, and actually still is, an inspiration to many worldwide.

Shelley in a 1978 Charlie perfume ad/contest promo ad

In 1978, Charlie was huge brand name in the world; and in Australia, Charlie launched "The World Belongs To Charlie" competition. "The Charlie Times" was a four-page magazine advertisement for the Charlie brand. It had a story that provided clues to the cut-out answer form/entry form (included in the ad) to be sent in by anyone interested. First prize was a four-week holiday for two in Spain then France. The second prize was a two-week holiday for two in Tahiti. And 200 pairs of Polaroid sunglasses and 300 Charlie gift packs were to be given out as consolation prizes. Kind of Wow, right?

Good Vehicle

Shelley in a promo pic from 1983

In 1983, Shelley starred in her 2nd TV series Cutter to Houston. She starred as Dr. Beth Gilbert alongside Jim Metzler who played Dr. Andy Fenton and Alec Baldwin who played Dr. Hal Wexler. The three of them ran the Cutter Community Hospital located in the fictional small town of Cutter. When they had problems they couldn't handle, they asked help from a big city hospital in Houston via computer or helicopter. Shelley had been getting good reviews for her acting efforts after leaving Charlie's Angels in 1980. Her performances on stage, the big and small screens were a revelation to her critics and detractors alike. Cutter to Houston was a good vehicle for her to further develop her acting chops.

a writeup about Shelley from 1983

Swimsuits Plus

closeups of Shelley from a spread

for Sears Spring Through Summer 1967 catalog

Shelley appeared in many catalog spreads throughout her modeling career. She appeared in many catalogs for Sears. In the Sears Spring Through Summer 1967 catalog, she appeared in the spread called "Swimsuits Plus... Each With a Clever Coordinate" which featured a swimsuit that had a coordinating wardrobe piece to be worn over it. She wore the Peekaboo Smash, a set made from white eyelet embroidered cotton and lined with pink ribbon. The swimsuit was a 2-piece suit with a high-rise bra and skimpy shorts that zipped at the back. It had a coordinating shift dress that had a V-neck and back buttons. And  of course, Shelley looked sensational in both.

Shelley in a spread

for the Sears Spring Through Summer 1967 catalog

A Great Night's Sleep

a closeup of Shelley in an ad

for Sealy Posturepedic mattresses, 1973

Shelley appeared on many ads during her tenure as Supermodel in the 1970s. In 1973, she appeared in an ad for Sealy Posturepedic mattresses. The ad said, "You'll be glad you didn't buy an ordinary firm mattress," and, by the look on her face, Shelley seemed to agree. Shelley looked so refreshed in the ad, anybody would just go out and get themselves a Sealy for a great night's sleep.

Shelley in a two-page ad

for Sealy Posturepedic mattress, 1973

Vital, Alive Girl

Shelley in a 1979 promo pic for Charlie's Angels

In 1979, for the 4th season of Charlie's Angels, Shelley was brought in as Angel no.5 (Tiffany Welles) to fill in for Kate Jackson (Sabrina Duncan) who left the series after season 3. Shelley was already famous as Revlon's Charlie perfume Girl and was familiar and loved by many around the world. Everyone was excited to see THE Charlie Girl fight the baddies for The Charles Townsend Detective Agency - most especially her mom, Patricia, who was a former model herself. "Shelley is a vital, alive girl," she told one reporter. "That's why she liked doing those Charlie commercials so much. They showed her vitality," she added. She always knew that Shelley was destined to be a star.

a writeup/tidbit about Shelley, 1979

Women's Apparel

a closeup of Shelley

from a fashion pic for Sears, 1975

Shelley appeared in many catalogs during the 1970s. She started modeling junior fashions but later graduated to fashions for young women. She appeared in catalogs for Sears, JCPenney, Montgomery Ward, Spiegel and many others. Catalog work was common among models in the '70s; and many top models, as well as Supermodels, graced the pages of catalogs. Plus, catalog modeling paid much higher fees because of the volume of pictures and the work required.

Shelley in a fashion pic

for the Sears Spring Summer 1975 catalog