Edited November 12Nov 12 by Soapsuds

 

On 6/24/2025 at 8:03 PM, DRW50 said:

(I think the show should have ended about 2-3 seasons before it did).

Ah the Marc Cherry years. They really mark a contrast to the show’s first 4-5 seasons. The show turned into more dramedy fare between Rose and Miles and whole Cheeseman ordeal, Stan and Dorothy becoming the show’s “Will they or won’t they?”, and Rose learning her husband had a fling with Blanche were all a bit much and didn’t always work. The later 91-92 episodes that have those Designing Women-esque zingers about Clinton, Trump etc. feel a bit out of place for a show I always think of the Reagan 80’s but it was a sign of changing times I suppose. 
 

The Bea/Betty situation has been out there for years and years now, none of it was new as Betty admitted after Bea’s death the two of them had different personalities and just didn’t get along. Now whether or not Betty could be a real life Sue Ann Nivens…who knows. None of them bashed each other publicly while they were alive or talked bad about the show and Betty even had the upmost respect for Bea. I agree with @VeeI say a case of 4 old school actresses who showed up and got the job done. 

Edited July 3Jul 3 by soapfan770

14 hours ago, soapfan770 said:

I agree with @VeeI say a case of 4 old school actresses who showed up and got the job done. 

I agree with @Vee, too.  IDK why people are always surprised whenever actors on long-running TV series or movies admit that they don't always get along, when 1) these people are artists at the end of the day, and artists are nothing if not temperamental; and 2) "everyday" people don't always get always along with their co-workers either.

I say, as long as they showed up on time and prepared and they didn't bore the audience, I really don't care what happens anymore BTS.

On 7/2/2025 at 7:51 PM, soapfan770 said:

sign of changing times

If you ignore fashion, technology, and pop culture references, The Golden Girls still holds up. Even though The Golden Girls focused on four 50+ women, its main theme of friendship appealed to viewers of all walks of life. 

I'd even go as far as to say The Golden Girls has aged a lot better than two shows it influenced, Friends and Sex and the City.

24 minutes ago, kalbir said:

If you ignore fashion, technology, and pop culture references, The Golden Girls still holds up. Even though The Golden Girls focused on four 50+ women, its main theme of friendship appealed to viewers of all walks of life. 

I'd even go as far as to say The Golden Girls has aged a lot better than two shows it influenced, Friends and Sex and the City.

Oh absolutely. TGG still remains my favorite sitcom of that era.

I give TGG the edge for being such a warm and comforting show with great characters whilst also being laugh out funny at the same time. It certainly holds up for me well in terms of both its comedy and its attitude toward social issues and human beings in general.

One of the elements in which it remains FAR ahead of its time however is in portraying senior citizens. The characters live rich, dynamic, and vibrant lives - so many contemporary shows still fail at this when it comes to the elderly.

Edited July 5Jul 5 by soapfan770

Today (September 14) is the 40th anniversary of the premiere of The Golden Girls.

Find Out What Happened to the Cast of 'The Golden Girls' as Show Turns 40

The Golden Girls Turns 40! 7 Surprising Revelations from Behind the Scenes

'Golden Girls' 40th anniversary: The 5 best episodes to revisit - Los Angeles Times

Was about to post about the 40th

 

@Soapsuds We think alike

40 years! It's amazing that a show that premiered so long ago is still more progressive in many ways than tv-shows nowadays.

September 14, 1985...The Golden Girls debuts on NBC. The debut/first episode ranked #1 in the weeklty ratings beating the Cosby Show!! Debut/1st Episode ranks #1!

Golden Girls tribute on the Emmys tonight on CBS.

56 minutes ago, Soapsuds said:

Golden Girls tribute on the Emmys tonight on CBS.

https://deadline.com/2025/09/golden-girls-emmy-tribute-reba-mcentire-little-big-town-1236530549/

9 hours ago, DRW50 said:

https://deadline.com/2025/09/golden-girls-emmy-tribute-reba-mcentire-little-big-town-1236530549/

Reba has found the secret to eternal youth and beauty. WOW. 

I completed a rewatch of The Golden Girls for the 40th anniversary. Seasons 1-3 were my favorite seasons. Seasons 4 and 5 were enjoyable as well. Seasons 6 and 7 had their funny moments but something felt off that I couldn't exactly place. I think The Golden Girls had a good run and ended at the right time.

28 minutes ago, kalbir said:

I completed a rewatch of The Golden Girls for the 40th anniversary. Seasons 1-3 were my favorite seasons. Seasons 4 and 5 were enjoyable as well. Seasons 6 and 7 had their funny moments but something felt off that I couldn't exactly place. I think The Golden Girls had a good run and ended at the right time.

Agreed. I need to do my own rewatch as well.

The first four seasons for me were the best.  Season 5 was solid fun too but I seem to remember the excess number of clip shows thrown in. Seasons 6 and 7 had a different set of writers (hello Marc Cherry!) and does feel off. Certainly enjoyable but some of the continuing storylines didn’t feel right at all. I will say Season 7 stands out as feeling different than the rest because while there’s a number of episodes and moments I enjoy, it definitely feels more like a 90’s show even more so than it’s other contemporaries which served up 80’s leftovers in their final seasons. 
 

I agree it ended at the right time though although I’m still a bit mixed on the finale. Interesting though Estelle Getty would continue to play Sophia for another 3 seasons on two other shows.