mark.waltz When I feel like doing absolutely nothing on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, I pull out one of my seven season DVD's of "Golden Girls" and pop it in. I must admit, I don't laugh like I used to, but the show brings on so many smiles and memories. Back in the 1980's through early 1990's, there wasn't a gay bar in any city that on Saturday night didn't at least have it on in the background, and if they did, that's because they didn't have a T.V. screen! So while this show is now gone more than 20 years in original episodes, the memory lingers on. I can even remember where I was when the last episode aired, played to a capacity crowd at the Midnight Sun video bar in San Francisco where everybody gathered to laugh and cry at the end of a truly memorable sitcom.My memories are not only of the four regulars: Bea, Betty, Rue, and Estelle, but the many memorable guest stars who popped in and out over the 7 years. "Hi, it's me, Stan", frequent visitor Herbert Edelman would say as Dorothy's ex-husband, the "yutz" whose own mother (Alice Ghostley in a role that was a far cry from either "Bewitched's" Esmerelda or "Designing Women's" Bernice) couldn't stand him. The lovable Brent Collins ("Another World's" Wallingford, the very first contract little person on soaps) had a great time as Betty White's love interest, enjoying the heck out of making Rue uncomfortable. "Shrimp?", she offers him before rushing out of the room, realizing her Faux Pos. Of course, Bea has to tell him that they're having short ribs for dinner. Peter Hansen, so noble as Lee Baldwin on "General Hospital", was an absolute snake in the grass as another beau who made the hair on Betty White's arm stand up. And when Lloyd Bochner gives all the women a Sophia Petrillo hairdo, you know that he's got a good way of making his chair go up and down. Bochner also had a memorable episode, popping Rue's fake bosoms in a spoof of "Picnic" where Bea is in drag as a country sheriff.Then, there's the many classic movie, Broadway and T.V. vets, whether it be Geraldine Fitzgerald (again in 2 different roles), Don Ameche (as a monk who turns out to be Rose's father), Nancy Walker (as Sophia's acerbic sister), Polly Holiday (as Rose's blind sister), Inga Swenson (as Rose's selfish sister), Sheree North (as Blanche's troubled sister), Monte Markham (as Blanche's gay brother), and among the many men who come in and out of their lives, Harold Gould (recurring as Rose's long-time boyfriend), Peter Graves, Dick Van Dyke, Alan King, and in the final episode marrying Dorothy, Leslie Nielsen. The show wasn't always consistent in details, giving pasts to each of them that were later changed in other episodes, and often, Blanche's man- hungry ways and Rose's naiveté weren't realistic. But you can't help love each of these characters for their eccentricities, and everybody who watches this show has a reason for choosing a particular favorite. My particular favorite is Bea Arthur's Dorothy; She has a way of making me laugh at her often pompous ways which hide her insecurities, and the way she retorts to the others is outrageously funny. "Shady Pines, ma!" "Silly Puddy, Rose!" "I'm going to spray paint it on my hump!", to mention just a few. The show was also often touching, dealing with issues such as sexual harassment, the threat of AIDS thanks to a blood transfusion, and senility. This was certainly one of the top 10 biggest new sitcoms of the 1980's, the others being "Cheers", "Murphy Brown", "Designing Women", "Cosby" and "Roseanne", to name a few. Some of the episodes here seem to have been copied by "Designing Women" which focused on younger women who may not have lived together, and while a better written show, "DW" isn't as consistently funny as "GG". The reunion of Arthur & MacLanahan after "Maude" and MacLanahan and White after "Mama's Family" is another piece of glue that holds it together, and with few exceptions, no sitcom has come since this show ended that has had the same impact.

Adriana Valenzuela (oonaheartsnonny96) This show demonstrates the perfect blend of comedy, drama, and heart. The comedy element makes me smile and laugh every time, from Rose's St. Olaf stories to Sophia's one liners. Even though the humor doesn't get a huge roar of laughter, you can sense that the writers and the actresses take a lot of time and effort to keep the audience amused. The drama element is also very spot on. Whether its something as super harsh as a character wanting to commit suicide or something as simple as an older person developing Alzheimer's disease. They handle it with a seriousness that also comes across as reassuring that things will turn out OK in the end. The heart element is spot on as well. The four main characters, despite their bickering, definitely care about each other like a real life family would. Overall, if you're looking for a show that combines humor, drama, and heart, grab your friends and watch The Golden Girls.

angelicseven All The Golden Girls TV series depicts what would be shockingly unacceptable for viewing audience back in the 50's and 60's and especially not for minors to view. It would not have been shown on TV and have been rated X for adults.. only to be seen at Drive In Theatres. Not only because of adult themes but because of the immoral swearing; which it could of done without for it to be a success. It goes to show behavior principles of right & wrong have been tossed out the window. Whenever I think of this show I'm reminded of a country song that says "slap grandma's mouth", which is what needs to be done with these mature women. As they are nothing like role model grandma's are suppose to be like and seems to encourage disgusting ways that are unacceptable for that age group. Golden years of mature women are suppose to be full of wisdom not more stupidity and certainly not repulsive to where you'd be ashamed of them. If anything, this show depicts through Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia dirty laundry of grandma's who try to come out looking clean at the expense of degrading each other or other people in ways that the viewing audience never seems to grasp. Instead of dirty old man.. we are seeing dirty old women. The creation of Golden Girls is nothing precious or really entertaining and reveals that there are some elderly women or grandma's who are nothing like we think or expect them to be. Which is a darker side of reality.On a more positive note it does show women at a mature age does and can have a life and just cause you're not around enough to see it, doesn't mean they aren't doing something. Also that some things can be ridiculous to the point of being funny at that age. It did however suggest if the elderly joined together under one household that they could compensate for each other to the point of not having to end up in a nursing home; which is kinda like in a prison. That together, there can be fun & meaningful purposes to live out your life in dignity than disgrace. It's bad that so much of society has bought into evil as the acceptable good.

ShelbyTMItchell Saw the first show as a kid in 1985. As it is a huge hit even today. As it shows four women that are either widowed or divorced. And are friends and roommates!Bea Arthur plays Dorthy who is no-nonsense but has a heart of gold and means well and acts like the straight man or straight woman in the group.Betty White who is hot these days, plays the dim-witted but funny Rose. Who always talks about her small town home in MN.Rue McClanahan plays the woman hungry Blanche. As she changes men from episode to episode it seems every week.Estelle Getty plays Dorthy's mom, Sophia whom Getty in real life, was the same age as the three women. Complete with false teeth and a wig with glasses. Who stole the lines and show from the other three.Sadly except for Betty White, all three women are together now in heaven. But we have the reruns. To always look forward to.That will last for years and years!As Rue played a dim-witted character in "Maude" with Bea. And Betty played a man hungry character Sue in "Mary Tyler Moore." They changed characters in matter of fact, at the last minute to avoid typecasting before the pilot ever hit the airwaves. As Betty was to be Blanche and Rue was to be Rose. Very smart of them to do that.Great show and really funny! After all these years!