The Competition (2 Nov. 1985)

The girls' friendship is tested by a bowling tournament.

Director:

Jim Drake

Writers:

Barry Fanaro, Susan Harris (creator),

Stars:

Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Bea Arthur	...	Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak
Betty White	...	Rose Nylund
Rue McClanahan	...	Blanche Devereaux
Estelle Getty	...	Sophia Petrillo
Ralph Manza	...	Augustine Bagatelli

Storyline

The girls' friendship is tested by a bowling tournament.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 November 1985 (USA)

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions, Touchstone Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the beginning of the episode, Sophia is making her famous "14 hour" sauce. When Dorothy dips the spoon in to sample it, twice she sticks it in and both times it's revealed to have no sauce on it.

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Quotes

Blanche Devereaux: I'm fine. I just... feel a little cold and clammy, and, uh... just a little short of breath.
Dorothy Petrillo-Zbornak: Now, you just settle down. You hear me? Settle down.
Blanche Devereaux: Whoo! Don't make me do this, Dorothy. This ball feels like it weighs about a hundred pounds.
Dorothy Petrillo-Zbornak: Honey, I sympathize with you. I mean, anyone who has ever competed understands what you're going through, so listen, sweetheart, if you don't feel like bowling, you don't have to.
Blanche Devereaux: Oh, good.
Dorothy Petrillo-Zbornak: You just hold on to the ball and I'll throw you down the aisle.

User Reviews

Games people play

It's all out war at the bowling lanes when Rose betrays Blanche in an upcoming tournament and Sophia is determined to assert her independence over Dorothy by taking a trip home to Sicily...

"The Competition" is a pretty funny episode with a good plot that manages to involve all four of the girls and give them plenty to do.

"The Competition" has plenty of good points. Rose emerges as the winner of this episode here as her fierce competitive streak makes for some great comedy as does a rare alliance with Sophia. The two of them actually work well together and it Rose the chance to really be funny. Another highlight are the scenes between Estelle Getty and an old flame, played by Ralph Manza.

My main beef is that even though Rose's competitiveness is quite amusing, it doesn't seem to really fit with her personality, especially later. She's usually portrayed as sweet, cheerful, and naive so her anything-to-win competitiveness seems to be at odds with the rest of her character. To their credit, the writers would at least bring out this trait in many later episodes so it becomes easier to accept.

Definitely check this episode out as it is a terrific example of the comedy gold that would result when all four ladies interact. It also shows the real love between Dorothy and Sophia. However, one unfortunate by-product of this episode is that it would lend to the infamous inconsistencies on this show as Sophia's premarital past would change a hundred times over.