Just heard about this. He died Friday at 83, following a stroke.
It's just unbelievable, looking back on his career, just how much of an influence this man had on television and pop culture.
I'm actually a little shocked that he died. Just seemed to me that he'd recover from this stroke to a degree, but then retire. I grew up watching Spelling's shows, especially the one's in the late '70s. Most of shows were always fun, and had a degree of cheesiness to them.
I remember his shows from the 1970s very well. Every time the words "An Aaron Spelling Production" flashed across the screen, you could bet your life you were in for 60 minutes of crap with stars / guest stars like:
* Dick van Patten
* Charro
* Dick Gautier
* Tom Bosley
* Sandy Duncan
* Zsa Zsa Gabor
* Eva Gabor
* Dick Sargent
* Desi Arnaz, Jr.
* Norman Fell
Damn . . . this hellish list goes on and on with no end!
I had forgotten about the movies he produced as well - especially one of my favorite '80s comedies 'Mr. Mom'.