As close to the perfect woman as you'll ever get: sharper- tongued and more well-informed than James Bond (it's not just the ladies that fall for that British accent, either), sleeker in her skin-tight Sixties fashions than her pre- Mazda Miata Lotus Elan, and a better mock-martial artist than David Carradine. Heck, she was so cool she didn't even scream when she was ambushed by a giant space plant, beset by a killer robot, or challenged by karate experts--male and female alike--much less tied to a railroad track. (I am of course referring to the totally imaginary character she portrayed on the classic UK television series The Avengers, but, after all, I did say "fantasy," and not just because, however true, my only chance with a "girl" like her would be in one.)
Now, almost thirty years later, she's won a Tony, been knighted by the Queen of England, and hosts a show on PBS. Let's see if Pamela Anderson will be doing the same in 2020. (Well, maybe that last one, but only if it involves puppets.)

Ms. Drake, seen here in her only regular role (at least, that I know of) as Lt. Ellis from the short-lived Gerry Anderson television series UFO, was the apple of my eye for the majority of my pre-pubescence. (Interestingly enough, she also has the distinction of appearing on episodes of both the original Avengers alongside fellow feline femme Diana Rigg and the New Avengers a decade later.) Why female SHADO Moonbase personnel had to wear those purple wigs was a question, like who the mysterious aliens were, they never did get the chance to answer since the show was cancelled after a single season, but it really didn't matter as long as their uniforms also included the form-fitting space-suits. Those in the know will remember Pizzicato Five's tribute to the unmistakable look on their Bossa Nova 2001 album cover.

When an actress receives as much attention as she does on the Internet, you know there's got to be something special about her--not to say that I think there isn't--I mean, she's funny, good-looking, smart, and all, but so are so many other television personalities who don't have their own web pages. No, it takes a little extra to achieve cult status: in her case, second-billing (actually third, since Rebecca Schull, too, remained a regular) on popular NBC sitcom Wings wasn't at all in her favor, much less leaving after only two seasons, unless, of course, you take into account her character on the show--ex-Desert Storm pilot, strong-willed and independent, tough as nails--and she fell for the wacky, fun-loving guy we all want to be.