Was that just code for “Well, she’s not as pretty as Jaclyn or Farrah?” Did she ever do anything that indicated she was smarter than the other Angels? I think I saw quite a few episodes in the original run, as well as reruns, but I can’t for the life of me remember any plots.
I can’t answer the question for certain, but I always thought that Kate Jackson was MUCH more physically attractive than Farrah Fawcett, by a long ways…
Of course Jaclyn Smith is one of the most stunning women in the history of all television, so the other two were just a slight distraction for me—I was only a kid when Charlie’s Angels was on, but I remember well the “funny feeling” I got when I saw Jaclyn Smith on screen—Woah!!!
She was my favourite, though Smith was hotter. I was somewhat indifferent to Fawcett.
Just sayin’
Plus when it came time for Sheriden’s wife to appear on Babylon 5, I woulda preferred Jackson over Gilbert.
I love how the responses so far have nothing to do with plot or character. Just who’s hotter. Heh.
As I recall what the writers were pleased to call “plots” and “characterization,” in general Sabrina was usually given the more, uh, cerebral, or crafty, roles in their various undercover assignments. Like, if they were investigating some shenanigans at a circus, Kelly (Smith) might go undercover as an acrobat, Kris (Ladd) would have a guise of a knife-thrower’s assistant, and Sabrina would usually be a promoter or publicist or some such deal. This assignment division wasn’t followed 100% – I seem to recall one ep where during some investigation into jewel heists, Sabrina was a rather amusingly ditzy French society girl obsessed with jewelry – but usually if one Angel had a more strategic role, it was “Bri.”
She was the “smart” one by default. I thought Jackson prettier than Fawcett-Majors or Smith, but as one sees, that is a matter of opinion.
*
Charlie’s Angels* was intended to be a star vehicle for Kate Jackson, of course that is not what happened.
From the episodes I recall Jackson did seem to be “the leader” of sorts and a bit more intelligent than the other two. But this was not by any huge margin.
Part of this also stems from the fact Jackson refused to do “cheesecake.”
I recall in interviews with Cheryl Ladd, she said that Kate Jackson, not only didn’t want to wear the swim suit but plain out refused. This put her into a default “smart mode” 
She said Jacklyn Smith didn’t like it, but unlike Jackson, would do the cheesecake shots, while Jackson refused to do it period
I also recall Ladd saying that, while she and Jackson got on well, once Jackson left she was grateful, because she was able to stand up and say she was done with the swimsuit poses and pushed that onto Tonya Roberts
She just make the news today
Most definitely. In my opinion, Jackson was pretty, but not in the same ballpark as *Farrah and miles behind Smith.
*Speaking of pre-Angels Farrah, before she adopted ‘The Hair,’ a look that really looks ridiculous looking back. I think Farrah marks one of the turning points to the era of “Big Hair.”
Kate was my favorite Angel, and I remember being a bit upset that she never wore a bathing suit, or anything particularly skimpy (although I remember seeing her in some fairly tight, form-fitting pants – yummy!). I never understood the whole “Farrah phenomenon” – I mean, I definitely thought Farrah was sexy, but I sure did not think that she was any sexier than Kate or Jaclyn. I guess that blonde mane of hers made quite a bit of difference for a lot of guys, though!
I don’t remember the plots much, but I have a general recollection that Sabrina did come off as being the leader, to some extent.
On a side note, I think I recall that Kate posed for Playboy in the early 1970s. It would be fun to see those pics!
I was always more attracted to Jackson but I agree Smith was more of a “classic” beauty.
I always liked Jackson’s raspy voice. Farrah never did that much for me.
That and her huge toothy smile.
I remember Mad Magazine’s take on this:
Sabrina: Why does everyone think I’m the egghead of this group?
Jill: You wear your neckline so much higher than the rest of us.
Yup. Jackson seemed like the approachable Angel, the other two were sort of divas. Even at the ripe young age of 10 I was turned off by the diva personality. And Jackson’s voice- definitely hot.
Interesting. I’m a straight female so my opinion probably doesn’t hold much water, but I always thought Kate was by far the most attractive Angel. Farrah looked like a ditz, and Jaclyn Smith had that vacant, not-quite-there “beauty pageant contestant” expression that turned me right off. Kate had pretty hair, a sparkle in her eye, and she looked like she might have a brain cell or two to rub together. And I always liked the fact that she didn’t do the swimsuit jiggle thing.
Again, straight female, though.
The others obviously had nothing going for them beyond tits and hair.
Jackson had a kind of tough broad, not-just-a-pretty-face vibe; she just seemed so much smarter. I don’t think there was any more to it than that. And yeah, as a gay kid, Jackson was always my favorite Angel. She was a favorite actress of mine at the time; she just seemed so much more like a real person than anyone else on that show.
I seem to remember a TV critic saying something like this:
“Kate was cute-pretty; Farrah was sexy-pretty; and Jaclyn was beautiful-pretty.”
Interesting point of view, if remembered correctly!
^ Exactly!
That’s Jacklyn, Kate, and Farrah, if you’re confused.
If nobody liked Farrah, how’d all those posters get sold? 
I watched the show for the intricate plots. 
And for Jaclyn Smith & Cheryl Ladd.
IIRC, when Kate Jackson left the series they had her character Sabrina marry Charlie! Considering that he could apparently have any number of beautiful women he wanted, Sabrina must have greatly impressed him.
I am just about 99.5% certain this isn’t true. She left after the 3rd season to get married and had a kid at some point, but it wasn’t to Charlie.