The Golden Girls 

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 36 wins & 88 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Bea Arthur	...	Dorothy 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 who 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:

1990s | 1980s | female protagonist | female immigrant | elderly woman | 

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Taglines:

Meet four outrageous women who know when it comes to a good laugh, there's nothing like experience! (season 1)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to her EmmyTvLegends interview Rue McClanahan said the Golden Girls were not very close off screen, except for her and Betty. The others were not really friends.

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Goofs

The front porch shown in various episodes does not match the picture of the house shown at the beginning of each episode.

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Quotes

[Blanche and Dorothy are discussing Blanche's birthday gift to Rose: a detective to follow around Rose's boyfriend]
Blanche: Well I can't take it back, I paid in advance
Dorothy: Can't you get a refund?
Blanche: Well, no, I paid with nature's credit card
Dorothy: You never leave home without it.

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Alternate Versions

Most syndicated and cable versions in the USA and Canada, in addition to being cut by 1-2 minutes, use a 25-second version of the 1986 opening sequence on most episodes, or an extended version of said sequence in a small number of episodes. The 1985 and 1989 openings are usually replaced.

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Connections

Referenced in Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)

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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".

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian Norwegian

Release Date:

14 September 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Golden Girls

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 (180 episodes) 25 min (180 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1