The Golden Girls

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NBC (ended 1992)
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Show Summary

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The Golden Girls, which ran on NBC from 1985 until 1992, centers around four women all near or above the age of 50. Created by Susan Harris (Soap, Empty Nest), the series was an immediate hit in it's Saturday night timeslot.

The show mainly involved four women. The stories involve dating and solving various problems. The story of the week sometimes included issues such as harassment, homosexuality, impotence, AIDS, death, and adultery.

Just Who Are the Golden Girls?

Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak (Beatrice Arthur) is the tall, headstrong, witty and sometimes mean Golden Girl. Not known for her looks but she is definately intelligent. Despite being unlikely pairs, she still manages to get along with...

Rose Lindstrom Nylund (Betty White) is the innocent Minnesota dumb (bleached) blonde of the girls. She is very sweet and kind to animals but can be persistant and annoying. She can be mean and insulting on some occasions, though, especially to...

Blanche Elizabeth Hollingsworth Devereaux (Rue McClanahan)is the sex-starved, conceited, arrogant, self-absorbed Golden Girl. She has a heart deep down inside and her mind is only in one place...sex. She gives the word Grandma a new meaning! Blanche is the owner of the house...a house whom every man in Miami's seen at least once. They usually get along with her but she is often at odds with...

Sophia Spirelli Petrillo Weinstock (Estelle Getty) is the elderly, Sicilian, overly sarcastic, always-scheming mother of Dorothy. She has a good heart but will always speak her mind and tends to do things that gets on the nerves of others, especially her own daughter.

That's the set-up...the 4 Miami Golden Girls under one roof...comedy ensured!

First Telecast: September 14, 1985 Last Episode: May 09, 1992 Last Telecast: September 14, 1992 Episodes: 180 Color Episodes + 1 Reunion Special

Theme Song: "Thank You for Being a Friend"

Written by: Andrew Gold Sung by: Cynthia Fee

NBC Broadcast History

September 1985-July 1991----Saturdays----9:00 p.m. August-September 1991----Saturdays----8:30 p.m. September 1991-September 1992----Saturdays----8:00 p.m.

Nielsen Ratings: (Top 30 or Better)

#7 (tied with Dynasty) in the 1985-1986 Season #5 in the 1986-1987 Season #4 in the 1987-1988 Season #6 in the 1988-1989 Season #6 in the 1989-1990 Season #10 in the 1990-1991 Season #30 (tied with In the Heat of the Night) in the 1991-1992 Season

*Now Airs On Lifetime Television Network. Check your local listings.

Theme Song Lyrics (full version)

Thank you for being a friend, Travel down the road and back again, Your heart is true, You're a pal and a confidant!

And if you threw a party, Invited everyone you knew! You would see, The biggest gift would be from me, And the card attached would say, Thank you for being a friend!

Please note, the theme song in sydnication is shortened due to time constraints.

Check out the Sheet Music for the theme song at Andrew Gold's Web-Site.

SPINOFFS Empty Nest-In May of 1996, Golden Girls second season spawned an episode titled 'Empty Nests' about George and Renee Corliss, a Miami couple that needs to spend a little bit more time with each other. The pilot was not picked up until 1988 but all the actors were replaced and the series was retooled after Dr. Harry Weston, a pediatrician widower, living with his daughters Barbara and Carol with constant drop ins by the annoying Charley Dietz.

Nurses-Nurses debuted in 1991 and could be considered more of a spinoff to Empty Nest. It was about the Miami General Hopsital nurses at the hospital where Harry worked.

The Golden Palace-A continuation of The Golden Girls involving Rose, Blanche and Sophia moving into and owning a hotel.

Brighton Belles-A short-lived British remake.moreless
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Episode Guide

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S 7 :  Ep 27
S 7 :  Ep 26 Aired 5/9/92
S 7 :  Ep 25 Aired 5/9/92
S 7 :  Ep 24 Aired 5/2/92
S 7 :  Ep 23 Aired 4/25/92

Cast & Crew

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Fan Reviews (161)

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  • What a crew!!!!!!!!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By adiva4life1, Dec 17, 2011
    It was an outstanding show! This show had something for everyone. Young and old it put a smile on everyone's face. When at the years it ran it didn't seem that far off, but it was WOW!!!! I can remember watching just one episode a week with my father. And now I think that the marathons are too far and in between. I tried to pick out which was my favorite creator but can't. All the ladies get my vote. It's sad to think that the only one alive now is Betty White and she is still standing strong even on her new sit come. They don't make actresses like that anymore.moreless

  • This sitcom is the only good thing Lifetime will ever show.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By jmbsonic555, Oct 28, 2011
    The Golden Girls, which ran on NBC from 1985 until 1992, centers around four women all near or above the age of 50. Created by Susan Harris (Soap, Empty Nest), the series was an immediate hit in it's Saturday night timeslot. The show mainly involved four women. The stories involve… More dating and solving various problems. The story of the week sometimes included issues such as harassment, homosexuality, impotence, AIDS, death, and adultery.
    This sitcom is hilarious, original, and clever as it takes real life situations and makes them funny, sad, or weird.
    RIP Dorothy, Sophia, and Blanche

    10 out of 10moreless

  • Funny, hilarious many times, entertaining, classic... A lot of good things can be said about "The Golden Girls".

    8.5
    "Great"
    By acmb, Oct 15, 2010
    Funny, hilarious many times, entertaining, classic... A lot of good things can be said about "The Golden Girls".

    Watching this series is easy to think anything can be solved either with a hug or with a piece of cheese and chocoloate cake. Memorable characters made a memorable show and four great actresses gave the life. Four different women: Dorothy (Bea Arthur) the witty, ironic, and sarcastic girl; Rose, the naive and good-hearted girl; Blanche, the maneater and spicy girl; and Sophia, more sacarcastic than her daughter and the one who always makes up stories about Sicily.

    It is very easy to love them and it is very easy to laugh with them. It doesn'tmatter how much time has passed since the first time the series was broadcasted, this show is classic because of a reson, it was pioneer in the genre putting four middle aged women talking about anything with humour and a bit of drama. A must see.moreless

  • A staple of 1980s sitcoms.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By piccolomaster, Aug 06, 2010
    The Golden Girls (1985-92) is one of the best sitcoms of the 1980s. When it first aired in 1985, I knew this show was going to be a success. The writing, acting, and direction was simply wonderful. The characters are well drawn. Dorothy Zbornak, Rose Nylund, Blanche Elizabeth Devereaux (yes it spells BED) and Sophia Petruillo are all iconic TV characters that will never be forgotten. My personal favorite characters are Rose and Sophia. However, I also like Dorothy and Blanche.

    I am happy to own all 7 Seasons of the Golden Girls. I love all seven seasons of this wonderful sitcom. Here is my star rankings of each season, one star to four stars (best): Season one***1/2, Seasons 2-4****, Season 5-6***1/2 and Season 7***. I am hoping that they release Golden Palace (1992-3). I consider this show as Season 8 because it is a part of the Golden Girls universe. Speaking of which, I hope Empty Nest (1988-1995) and Nurses (1991-4) will be released on DVD. RIP to the wonderfully talented Estelle Getty, Beatrice Arthur and Rue McClanahan. You all are sorely missed. God bless you all and thank you for being a friend...moreless

  • One of the best comedies of all time

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By junterz, Jul 25, 2010
    I'm old enough to remember when this show originally aired. Even back then, my sisters and I would laugh hysterically at the antics of Rose, Blanche, Dorothy and Sophia. The family favorite was always Sophia because she was so sarcastic and blunt, just like my sisters and me. The brilliant writing still speaks today, though some of the subjects may be dated, the comedy is often timeless. I enjoy this show still, now on Lifetime where I am able to relive the hilarious lives of these spinning women, a pickup every morning before I have to go to work. Long live the Golden Girls!moreless
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buddies and gal pals, catfights, for the nostalgic, for women, laugh track

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