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.

---

Plot Keywords:

roommate | older women | grandmother | divorcee | cheesecake | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

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

In one episode, Blanche wants to watch the soap opera Another World. Rue McClanahan, who played Blanche, made several appearances on that soap opera.

---

Goofs

The layout of the house is entirely illogical. Not only does it not match the exterior shown, but the lanai is not in the back of the house, it's on the side of the front. The back hallway of the kitchen does not lead to the garage, it runs into the hallway to the bedrooms. The hallway to the bedrooms exists by itself, as either side of it leads to the kitchen or the backyard. The door on the side of the garage is on the wrong wall according to the layout of the kitchen, and the exterior of the house.

---

Quotes

[the girls visit a birthing center. A loud screech is heard]
Birthing Center Woman: It sounds like there's a mommy in the making!
Rose: It sounds like there's a mommy on *fire*!

---

Connections

Referenced in How I Met Your Mother: Life Among the Gorillas (2006)

---

Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Extremely entertaining and original

Being born in the late 80s, I actually got to watch these series when I was a teenager, and I couldn't help but love these four ladies sharing their experiences as four house-mates would. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is getting to watch how women that are not so young date, grieve, laugh and experience different traumas and situations, and to see all these through their eyes - and the eyes of their house-mates, of course! The episodes are light and refreshing, and many times one is surprised with beautiful lessons that are hard to forget. Also, these series prove to be a great way of representing older women, who are often forgotten and shunned by society, under a favorable light; I only wish there were more series and movies taking "golden girls" into account! I can't find a way to describe these series,except by saying the "Golden Girls" are unique! I don't think their appeal will ever die.