This short-lived Aaron Spelling series for ABC followed the same tried and tested formula he used on The Love Boatand Hotel,with no demanding plots or storylines and a glittering array of guest stars in every episode.
The title referred to the setting for the series – a glossy celebrity-oriented People-style magazine called (natch) Glitter.
As ABC’s press department described it, “Glitter, the hottest magazine on the newsstands, sends its teams of reporters to probe the nation’s most glamorous places and people.”
The lead characters were Sam Dillon (David Birney) and Kate Simpson (Morgan Brittany), the magazine’s star reporter who covered the juiciest stories.
Other key players included publisher Charles Hardwick (Arthur Hill), chief photographer Clive Richlin (Arte Johnson), receptionist Angela Timini (Tracy Nelson) – who was madly in love with Chip the mail clerk (Timothy Patrick Murphy), reporter Jennifer Douglas (Dianne Kay) and Pete Bozak (Christopher Mayer).
The series was flashy and unabashedly romantic, with happy endings in most of its subplots and a revolving door full of guest stars – including Phyllis Diller, Ginger Rogers, Juliet Prowse, Florence Henderson, Robert Reed, Tom Bosley, Marion Ross, Erin Moran, Mike Connors, Linda Evans, Cyd Charisse, Melissa Sue Anderson, Lee Meriwether, Justine Bateman, Robert Goulet, Millicent Martin and Anthony Newley – who seemed to be on their way to or from appearances on The Love Boat.
Unfortunately, the series tanked in the ratings and was cancelled after only six episodes had aired.
The remaining eight episodes aired in 1985 in a late-night slot opposite The Tonight Show during the Christmas holiday.
Sam Dillon
David Birney Kate Simpson
Morgan Brittany Charles Hardwick
Arthur Hill Clive Richlin
Arte Johnson Chip Craddock
Timothy Patrick Murphy Angela Timini
Tracy Nelson Shelley Sealy
Barbara Sharma Pete Bozak
Christopher Mayer Terry Randolph
Melinda Culea Earl Tobin
Dorian Harewood Jennifer Douglas
Dianne Kay
The lead characters were Sam Dillon (David Birney) and Kate Simpson (Morgan Brittany), the magazine’s star reporter who covered the juiciest stories.
