A New Girl Replacing Karate Kid
Already on the iffy list for renewal
in the fall, "The Avengers" is about to suffer what could be a fatal
cast change.
Diana Rigg, a British actress who can be a lady and sexy
at the same time, leaves the English-made spy spoof March 20 to devote full
attention to movies and the stage. She will be replaced by a 20-year old
Toronto girl, Linda Thorson, winner of a talent hunt among 200 young actresses.
Technically, Linda is not a replacement. Diana has been Emma
Peel, karate-loving assistant to John Steed (Patrick Macnee). Linda will
assist Steed in espionage, but in the role of Tara King. She will rely
more on feminine guile than athletic skill.
ABC used "The Avengers" as a mid-season replacement
this season, just as it had done earlier. This led to rumours that the
network was not fully appreciative of its merits. Actually, ABC executives
are its greatest fans.
But part of the problem can be traced to the fact that the
show, which has a loyal but relatively small audience, is a quality British
production. The studio, unlike the sausage factories of Hollywood, is
not geared to turning out shows by the mile.
So, production schedules are short-term. The American
Broadcasting Co. can't plan any long-range booking.
ABC Television Ltd is, despite its name, in no way related
to the American Broadcasting Co. In Britain, ABC stands for Associated
British Corp. whose company, Associated British Productions, produces "The
Avengers" at its Elstree Studios.
The production company hopes that Linda Thorson will be able
to take over for Diana Rigg as well as Diana did after Honor Blackman, later
to gain fame as Pussy Galore in the James Bond movie, "Goldfinger",
left the series. Macnee has been with the show since it was spun out of
an earlier British series "Police Doctor," in 1961. When Ian
Hendry, who had the title role in that show, was killed off, ending the series,
Macnee, the second male lead, set off to avenge his death in a new series.
And thus "The Avengers" was born. How soon
will it die? Much depends on how quickly Linda Thorson can make its fans
forget Diana Rigg.
From: TV Magazine, USA, March 3rd 1968.