The Golden Girls (1985–1992)

Four previously married women live together in Miami, sharing their various experiences together and enjoying themselves despite hard times.

Creator:

Susan Harris

Stars:

Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan

Won 4 Golden Globes. Another 35 wins & 84 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Bea Arthur	...	Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak (177 episodes, 1985-1992)
Betty White	...	Rose Nylund (177 episodes, 1985-1992)
Rue McClanahan	...	Blanche Devereaux (177 episodes, 1985-1992)
Estelle Getty	...	Sophia Petrillo (177 episodes, 1985-1992)

Storyline

The Golden Girls is based on the lives and interactions of four older women whom have all been divorced/widowed, and are now roommates. Dorothy's main goal during the series is to find a companion she can relate to while her mother Sophia adds her comical outlook and frequents "Picture This" stories. Rose's St. Olaf-ness makes her a little corny but lovable. One thing that changes nearly every episode is whom Blanche is courting.

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Plot Keywords:

roommate | older women | grandmother | divorcee | cheesecake | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian Norwegian

Release Date:

14 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Pantertanter

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Television, Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (180 episodes) 25 min (180 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the few series of its era to include openly gay and lesbian characters, and deal with related issues. The Pilot featured the Girl's openly gay personal chef Coco, and Blanche had an openly gay brother Clayton, who appeared in a couple of episodes. Another episode featured an old friend of Dorothy's who was Lesbian. At least one other episode dealt with the theme of HIV/AIDS. The series has also attracted a strong following among the LGBT community.

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Goofs

Depending on the episode, Dorothy either had no date for the prom and got pregnant by Stan, went to the prom with Stan and then got pregnant, or had another date to the prom who didn't show up and got pregnant by Stan. (Any way you look at it, though, Dorothy got pregnant by Stan.)

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Quotes

Blanche: My first was Billy. Oh, I'll never forget it! That night under the dogwood tree, the air thick with perfume, and me with Billy. Or Bobby? Yes, that's right, Bobby! Or was it Ben? Oh who knows, anyway, it started with a B.

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Connections

Referenced in Shameful Sequels: Lake Placid 2 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Thank You For Being A Friend"
Written by Andrew Gold
Sung by Cynthia Fee

User Reviews

Compulsively watchable TV-sitcom

With its bright, wicker-strewn set and four distinct female characters, I don't see how "The Golden Girls" could've missed. Add a terrific cast, and you've got a goldmine. My favorite episodes are the serious one about Alzheimers, the hilarious one where the women have to decide between a new roof or a painting by a dying artist, and any of those that prominently feature Beatrice Arthur (portraying my favorite golden girl, Dorothy Zbornak). Occasionally there was a dip in inspiration, such as the groan-filled two-parter about Blanche's moonlight madness party, or some fearsome overacting (Estelle Getty was the usual culprit). Still, the reruns never fail to get a laugh out of me, and I must know the episodes by heart by now. Sharp, canny writing, funny second plots to match the main action, brilliant characterizations and good writing for the supporting players. It is my generation's "I Love Lucy".