After learning this tidbit, its clear that the only difference between the Golden Girls and the Sex and the City ladies is how they style their hair. The reasons for her departure are speculative, but the popular theory is that Arthur felt as though the quality of the sitcom had begun to slip by the seventh season, and she wanted to leave while the show was still popular. Sophia had her 50th birthday in April 1956, making her character 79 years old when the series premiered in 1985, according to a flashback scene in Season 2s , Roses age is the easiest to determine, owing to Dorothy revealing it in Season 1, Episode 22, Job Hunting. Dorothy exposes Roses age is exposed during a chat in which Rose describes her problems finding a new career after leaving her prior one at the, Sophia then recounts to Dorothy the account of the night Dorothy was conceived in Season 3, Episode 5, Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself. Sophia claims it happened in 1931, so Dorothy was most likely born in 1932, based on her sign. Colucci, Jim (2016). Here We Go Again: My Life in Television. Whatever the reason, it is clear that the Golden Girls are truly ageless. Sophia, Dorothys straight-talking mother, was the Golden Girls houses oldest figure. It was popular for addressing a demographic that rarely saw the spotlight on television or in Hollywood: senior women. [2] Each of the four stars received an Emmy Award, making it one of only four sitcoms in the award's history to achieve this. We will always remember Rue McClanahan, Betty White, Bea Arthur, and Estelle Getty for bringing joy into our lives and for being our friends. Dorothy states she is a Leo in Season 4, Episode 10, "Stan Takes a Wife," placing her birthday either in late July or early-to-late August. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. Blanche Elizabeth Marie Devereaux (ne Hollingsworth) is one of the four, fictional, main characters on the highly-acclaimed, revered, and well-received 1985-1992 NBC situation-comedy/sit-com TV series, The Golden Girls, and its spin-off, The Golden Palace. If technically supported by the home television, this system allowed their audience to watch the show either in the dubbed German version (by default) or the original English version. [56] In 2020, owners marketed the property for $3 million. [84], After the original series ended, White, McClanahan, and Getty reprised their characters in the CBS series The Golden Palace, which featured Rose, Blanche, and Sophia selling their house to buy and run a hotel in Miami. One such source is the actors who played the characters. "[62], Bea Arthur had a preference for wearing loose-fitting clothing, like slacks and long sweaters, along with sandals, because she hated wearing shoes. The show was a hit with viewers of all ages. We assume that middle-aged women continue to live their lives working, partying, being mothers, or hanging with their friends. Your email address will not be published. Then, in Season 3, Episode 5, "Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself," Sophia tells Dorothy the story of the night Dorothy was conceived. The story follows four older single women (three widows and one divorced) who share a home in Miami, Florida. It also won three Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series Musical or Comedy. Mulligan and Manoff were alumni from one of Susan Harris' earlier shows, Soap. was an off-Broadway show that opened in the summer of 2003 in New York City at Rose's Turn theater in the West Village, and ran until November of that year. ISBN978-0-06-242290-3. McClanahan was 51 years old by the time The Golden Girls premiered, and she was 58 when it concluded. That was the case. She joined the cast as Rose Nylund, a Norwegian-American hailing from St. Olaf, Minnesota. During its original run, The Golden Girls received 68 Emmy nominations, 11 Emmy awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and two Viewers for Quality Television awards. The wooden accents, columns, and doors were painted to mimic bald cypress wood, popular in South Florida homes, with rattan furniture and tropical-printed upholstery chosen for the furniture. There are no tricks. [42], Creator Susan Harris went on to contribute another four episodes to the first season, but became less involved with the sitcom throughout its run; she continued reading all scripts, however, and remained familiar with most of the storylines. [24] Produced to introduce the network's 198485 season schedule, two actresses appearing on NBC shows, Selma Diamond of Night Court and Doris Roberts of Remington Steele, appeared in a skit promoting the upcoming show Miami Vice as Miami Nice, a parody about old people living in Miami. [33] The character of Sophia was thought by the creators to enhance the idea that three retirement-aged women could be young. The Golden Girls ran for seven seasons from 1985 to 1992. Fans of all ages still enjoy The Golden Girls and its actors today. Sophia was never afraid to admit how old she was, often using it to her advantage over the other women in the house. For example, in the pilot episode, Blanche states that she is 54 going on 55, which would mean that her age at the start of the show was 54. Their regular writer declined, so Witt asked his wife, Susan Harris,[24] who had been semiretired since the conclusion of their ABC series Soap. 100 Black-Owned Businesses to Shop Now. Roses age is the easiest to determine, owing to Dorothy revealing it in Season 1, Episode 22, Job Hunting. Dorothy exposes Roses age is exposed during a chat in which Rose describes her problems finding a new career after leaving her prior one at the grief counseling center. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. Blanche was 17 in 1949, according to Season 3, Episode 25, Mothers Day, when she and her mother reminisce about one of Blanches dates. In the first season of Golden Girls, it is revealed that Rose (Betty Whites character) was 55. How Old Was Rose Nylund On Golden Girls? If she had returned, her character would have been in her sixties. Lifetime, which held the rights to The Golden Girls at the time, aired reruns of The Golden Palace in the summer of 2005, and again in December of that year. According to the show, Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) is 55 . As a tribute to the success of The Golden Girls, all four actresses were later named Disney Legends as part of the class of 2009.[78]. Although the four main stars appeared to have good chemistry onscreen, there was some tension on the set between Betty White and Bea Arthur, whose personalities clashed during filming. The series finale of The Golden Girls was watched by 27.2 million viewers. All the lead actresses won Emmy awards for their performances on the show. 3. It was popular for addressing a demographic that rarely saw the spotlight on television or in Hollywood: senior women. How old were The Golden Girls supposed to be on the show? Although the women's ages were rarely disclosed, some deductive work may be used to approximate how old each Golden Girl was at the commencement of the series. Finally, Sophia is stated to be in her late 70s, suggesting that she was between 77 and 79. She passed away in 2010, at the age of 76, after suffering a brain hemorrhage. Designing Women began competing against The Golden Girls. Subscribe So why do the ladies in Golden Girls seem so much older than the characters in And Just Like That, even though theyre all supposed to be around the same age? However, the exterior backdrop seen through the kitchen window changed from the view of Chicago high-rises to palm trees and bushes for the Miami setting. Blanche was inspired by the popular fictional characters Blanche DuBois (from A Streetcar Named Desire, a famous 1947 Broadway play written by Tennessee Williams) and Vivien Leigh, who portrayed the same character in the 1951 film adaptation alongside Marlon Brando. Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux in the 1985 sitcom The Golden Girls (Credit: NBC). Getty figured it would be her last chance to find television or film work. Lets see how each actress was cast in their respective roles and how their careers continued after the show concluded. The Golden Girls Almost Had a Fifth Main Character - Here's Why He Was Dropped The Golden Girls broke boundaries with its main cast of older women, but it originally broke even more with the lost fifth member of the hit sitcom. Because none of the other Golden Girls explicitly disclose their ages, the logical process begins with Dorothy. This could be because the writers wanted to create an atmosphere of timelessness, allowing the show to appeal to viewers of all ages. Actress Elaine Stritch was also considered for the role, but she blew her audition by using curse words, which was something that the writers felt was out of character for Dorothy. "[34] Getty continuously battled stage fright during her tenure on the show. This indicates that Sophia was likely close to her real-life age. In the first season of Golden Girls, it is revealed that Rose (Betty White's character) was 55. Blanche Devereaux, a widow, was joined by Rose Nylund, a fellow widow, and Dorothy Zbornak, a divorced woman after they both answered a room-for-rent post on the bulletin board of a local grocery shop. An instant ratings hit, The Golden Girls became an NBC staple on Saturday nights. It had a total of 180 half-hour episodes across its seven seasons. The sitcom was conceptualized by writer Susan Harris. She is also the only living core cast member from the series. Rose, who was born in 1934, would have been around 51, while Sophia, who was born in 1906, would have been 79. When Arthur first received the script for The Golden Girls, she loved the concept of having senior women as the stars of the show. ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Golden_Girls&oldid=1139544706, "Thank You for Being a Friend" (instrumental), "I was running all over the house grabbing anybody who would listen. [68] Many episodes of the series followed a similar format or theme. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. The Golden Girls is one of the most beloved and enduring sitcoms of all time. In 1989, Marc Sotkin, previously a writer on Laverne & Shirley and a producer on another Witt/Thomas series, It's a Living, assumed head writing responsibilities, and guided the show (to varying degrees) during what were its final three seasons. White, Betty (2010). I kept reading scenes to them and saying, 'God, this is brilliant [] There's nothing trendy about this show. When your brain is frozen like that, you can't remember lines. At this time, syndicated reruns began airing, distributed by Buena Vista Television (now DisneyABC Domestic Television), the syndication arm of Disney, whose Touchstone Television division produced the series. She was portrayed by Betty White for 8 years, totalling 204 episodes.. Rose was supposed to be played by Rue McClanahan, while Blanche Devereaux, one of Rose's roommates, was to be played by White.However, Jay Sandrich, the director of the show, suggested that Betty and Rue switch . The Golden Girls Almost Had a Fifth Main Character - Here's Why He Was Dropped The Golden Girls broke boundaries with its main cast of older women, but it originally broke even more with the lost fifth member of the hit sitcom. Richard Vaczy and Tracy Gamble, previously writers on 227 and My Two Dads, also assumed the roles of producers and head writers. DO YOU LOVE SHOES? The shows executives were unsure how the public would react to the eccentric program because older women in leading roles were rarely seen on television. According to Evans, "I wanted a sexy, soft, and flowing look for Rue, a tailored, pulled-together look for Bea, a down-home look for Betty, and comfort for Estelle. She reconsidered, however, after hearing that McClanahan and White had switched roles. The classic NBC comedy The Golden Girls broke boundaries with its cast of four older women, a representation that was previously lacking on television. [39] In 2011, White stated that she believed it was her "positive attitude" and perky demeanor that got on Arthur's nerves. At the age of 86, Bea Arthur passed away from lung cancer in April 2009. The series ran for a total of seven seasons and a total of 180 full-length episodes. Plus, Sophia was a great cook. Initially, White was considered for the role of Blanche Devereaux, which eventually went to Rue McClanahan. [83] The 21-disc collection features all 180 episodes of the series as well as all special features contained on the previously released season sets; it is encased in special collectible packaging, a replica of Sophia's purse. The Golden Girls is one of the most well-known television shows of all time. Rue McClanahan is the youngest Golden Girl! In addition, the character of Sophia had originally been planned as an occasional guest star, but Getty had tested positively with preview audiences, so the producers decided to make her a regular character. : Extreme Stunt Show, discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS, List of awards and nominations received by The Golden Girls, "TV Guide Magazine's 60 Best Series of All Time", Golden Girls appears to get better with pop culture age, "7 Things You Might Not Know About The Golden Girls", "The Golden Girls - Cast/Crew Documentary (2/9)", "These Are the Most-Watched TV Series Finales of All Time: 17", "The TV Ratings Guide: 1987-1988 season ratings", "Golden Girls: A 20th Anniversary Oral History", "Catching Up with the Golden Girls' Susan Harris", "Crackle's Creator Conversation: Soap's Susan Harris", The Interviews: An Oral History of Television, "Betty White and Bea Arthur's Friends Open Up About Their On-Set Feud", "Say It Isn't So, Girls! As such, this social belief is shown on our screens in the Sex and the City reboot, whereas Golden Girls portrayed societal norms of the 1980s. The basic facts to work with are that The Golden Girls began in 1985 and ended in 1992, both in real life and in-world. Please endeavor to share this article with family, friends, and colleagues. Considering how easily Blanche lied to her housemates about her age (and that Sophia immediately called her out and said she'd be 70 when the kid graduates), it's safe to assume that 53 is her actual age going into The Golden Girls. [3] In 2013, TV Guide ranked The Golden Girls number 54 on its list of the 60 Best Series of All Time. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. The Golden Girls was a highly-acclaimed and rated, well-received, popular American situation-comedy/sit-com television series that aired on NBC originally from September 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992. Shopping Guide We didn't want the show to be about four dowdy ladies. This suggests that her character was likely around the same age. [63] Much of Arthur's wardrobe was custom-made because at the time, finding off-the-rack clothing that was flattering for a taller woman was difficult. As one of the few times in television history where three shows from the same producer, set in the same city, aired back-to-back-to-back on the same network, the three shows occasionally took advantage of their unique circumstance to create storylines carrying through all three series, such as "Hurricane Saturday". However, there are some clues that can be found in the show itself. However, with some detective work, audiences can figure them out. Despite her enjoyment in playing Dorothy, the show eventually concluded when Bea Arthur decided to depart the show in 1992. In this article, we will explore the evidence and try to uncover the true ages of the Golden Girls. As of 2019, every episode is available for streaming on Stan. In Season 2, Episode 1, "End of the Curse," Blanche believes she is pregnant, and states she'll be 65 by the time the child graduates high school. In Southeast Asia, Rewind Networks began airing reruns of The Golden Girls on its HD channel, HITS, in 2013. One, while the characters ages on the show appeared to be quite. By Zachary Guida Jan 31, 2023 10 Ways Audience Popularity Gave TV Characters Greater Roles Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). This faade, along with the Empty Nest house, sustained hurricane damage leading to Disney's 2003 decision to bulldoze the houses of "Residential Street" and construct its Lights, Motors, Action! [107] When that idea was not well received, Harris retooled the series as a vehicle for Richard Mulligan, and the following year Empty Nest debuted, starring Mulligan as pediatrician Harry Weston, a widower whose two adult daughters moved back home. For instance, Blanche mentions in one episode that she was married in 1952, which would have made her 21 at the time. For example, one or more of the women would become involved in some sort of problem, often involving other family members, men, or an ethical dilemma. Rose was probably closer to 51 than her stated age of 55, and Sophia was likely closer to 79 than her stated age of 77. McClanahan insisted on the character having a thick Southern accent, a popular aspect of her character throughout the show. Bea Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak, Estelle Getty as Sophia Petrillo, Betty White as Rose Nylund, and Rue McClanahan as Blanche Devereaux in the 1985 sitcom The Golden Girls (Credit: NBC). In any event, Arthur chose to commit to a seventh and final season. Sarah Jessica Parker and Betty White, both of whom play a 55-year-old woman. Carl Gettleman, one of her two sons, says the co-star of the TV show "The Golden Girls" died early Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at home in Los Angeles. [64] Rue McClanahan had a special clause written into her contract allowing her to keep her costumes, which were mostly custom-made for her, utilising expensive fabrics. [9], The pilot was taped on April 17, 1985.[10]. In reality, all but one of the principal cast members of the Golden Girls had enormous age gaps between their true ages and the ages of their roles. At some point, they would gather around the kitchen table and discuss the problem, sometimes late at night and often while eating cheesecake, ice cream, or some other dessert. Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty, and Betty White reprised their roles in the 1992 spin-off series The Golden Palace (Credit: CBS). [7][8], The first episode features a cook/butler named Coco (played by Charles Levin), but the role was dropped before the second episode. Reportedly, a second season was approved before being cancelled the day before the network announced its 199394 schedule. Cherry commented on read-throughs of the scripts that "generally, if the joke was a good one, the women found a way to make it work the very first time they read it. At times, she even froze on camera while filming. The Golden Girls first aired on September 14, 1985, and it continues to appeal to both young and older audiences. It was my positive attitude, and that made Bea angry sometimes.. When the show initially aired, NBC took a chance. [70][self-published source?] [71], On Metacritic, the series has an overall score of 82 out of 100, based on 6 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim. Disney's Michael Eisner explains, "Estelle Getty made our three women into girls. Hulu estimated that over 11 million hours were spent viewing this sitcom in 2020 alone, making it one of the top ten most binge-watched series on the streaming service. [59], Costume designer Judy Evans created distinctive looks for each of the four actresses to suit their characters' personalities and to reflect the Florida setting. [50] She had reportedly started to show signs of the dementia during the filming of the television series, when, despite more than three decades of theater work, she began to struggle to remember her lines, and in later seasons of the show, had to rely on cue cards. Required fields are marked *. In Season 4, Episode 10, Stan Takes a Wife, Dorothy declares that she is a Leo, indicating that her birthdate is in late July or early-to-late August.
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