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Jason T. · #1 04-03-2006, 02:38 AM

I was watching Lifetime a couple of nights back (because that's what a boy in Amarillo, TX who can't find a date does after a night of Bush-bashing online), and I noticed -- Golden Girls is the best show ever made. Simply because I don't think there is any other show that I could watch over and over again without getting tired of it. I mean, seriously, I've been watching Golden Girls since I was little -- by little I mean the age of 10, of which the show was already off the air and well into re-run heaven -- and I still look forward to seeing it every weeknight.

Anyway, the point of this topic is I wanted to ask everyone if:

1) Do you feel the same way about the Golden Girls?
-and-
2) Is there any other show you feel that way about?

markolas · #2 04-03-2006, 08:33 AM

Yes, I love The Golden Girls. I don't watch it on Lifetime anymore since they've started coming out on DVD. The Lifetime episodes are edited to high heaven.

I remember my grandmother loved the show (this was during its original run). She used to watch that and 227 with Marla Gibbs.

diamondsnake · #3 04-03-2006, 08:48 AM

Yes, I love this show to death. Dorothy is my favorite! She doesn't even have to say anything, she can still crack me up! Just one look and Bea Arthur can steal the show.

My favorite lines ever:

(Someone rings the doorbell late at night)
Rose: Who on earth could that be?
Dorothy: Maybe it's a Jehova's witness with a caffeine problem.

Dorothy: What am I still doing up? I'm subbing for a teacher who was stabbed by a student. I need all the strength I can get.

JazmenFlowers · #4 04-03-2006, 09:16 AM

I adore The Golden Girls. I've seen every episode at least 4 times and each time I laugh just as hard. They are all still relevant today as well. I remember when I was young I used to love this coloring book called The Golden Girls. Each girl was named after a jewel and had powers related to that jewel. Well, I was flipping through the TV Guide and saw a TV show called The Golden Girls. I was ecstatic. I couldn't believe it. Much to my surprise when I turned the channel...it wasn't what I expected.

If I had only known...

As for other shows, I'd have to say Murphy Brown, Designing Women, Step By Step (LOVE Suzanne Somers) and Major Dad.

JazmenFlowers · #5 04-03-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diamondsnake

Yes, I love this show to death. Dorothy is my favorite! She doesn't even have to say anything, she can still crack me up! Just one look and Bea Arthur can steal the show.

amen!

one thing I noticed and always laugh at is the wardrobe. Rose always has on some nice little dress, a bit more on the conservative side; Blanche is always slinky/slutty; Sophia always has on some kind of granny outfit; and Dorothy (THIS IS MY FAVORITE) always has on some ass backward outfit. I know it all correlates to their personality and role on the show, I get that. But why do they always have Dorothy in some blazer that buttons on the shoulder, is double-breasted with an elastic waistband and the sleeves are rolled up to her elbows? It's hilarious. I love it...it's always funny to see what they put her in next.

GypsySorcerer · #6 04-03-2006, 09:25 AM

The Golden Girls is a great show. I remember watching it on Saturday nights with Empty Nest and all those other 80s sitcoms. Dorothy and Sophia were my favorites. I must say, that Rose always bugged the **** outta me.

I also love: Three's Company (so goofy, but so funny); Wonder Years (why isn't this out on DVD

); Wings (which is coming out on DVD in May!); Moonlighting, Cheers, etc etc. I pretty much love all of 80s TV.

cliffdweller · #7 04-03-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

But why do they always have Dorothy in some blazer that buttons on the shoulder, is double-breasted with an elastic waistband and the sleeves are rolled up to her elbows?

Or gigantic shoulderpads and larger than life tunic tops?

Poor Dorothy, she got the wardrobe shaft!

I always loved Blanche's mules (flip floppy shoes).

Brwn_eyes0511 · #8 04-03-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

(LOVE Suzanne Somers)

Who doesn't? She is great!

DavidMn · #9 04-03-2006, 12:53 PM

I used to watch it all the time with my Grandma.

skcin · #10 04-03-2006, 12:58 PM

Golden Girls is the ****. I love it, still laugh out loud every time I watch it.

Richard B · #11 04-03-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason T.

1) Do you feel the same way about the Golden Girls?
2) Is there any other show you feel that way about?

1) It's okay. Not my favorite, but I have seen some very funny episodes though. Dorothy is certainly my favorite character.

2) Good Times. I can not get enough of this show. I have the complete seasons on DVD and watch them over and over. I only like it up to Season 3, since John Amos left the show after that and it went downhill quick.

I'm a sucker for Norman Lear productions: Good Times, All In The Family, Maude, Sandford and Son, and The Jeffersons.

SuzeQuze · #12 04-03-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

1) It's okay. Not my favorite, but I have seen some very funny episodes though. Dorothy is certainly my favorite character.

2) Good Times. I can not get enough of this show. I have the complete seasons on DVD and watch them over and over. I only like it up to Season 3, since John Amos left the show after that and it went downhill quick.

I'm a sucker for Norman Lear productions: Good Times, All In The Family, Maude, Sandford and Son, and The Jeffersons.

I've been watching Good Times here and there since its been on that cable channel that escapes me. Thelma almost married someone named "Ebay"! That cracked me up. I remembered the episode vaguely, its weird how a TV show from 25+ years ago is still in my head somewhere. I didn't realize these were on DVD! Wow. Here's some cool info http://www.tvparty.com/70good.html

I'm with you on GG, I just don't find it as enthralling as others seem to. Right now its the Gilmore Girls for me, ironically enough. LOVE that show and hopefully will get seasons 3 and 4 and maybe even 5 for my birthday! I'm though season 2 right now, I'm a bit late catching on. Thanks Hayles!

Richard B · #13 04-03-2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

I've been watching Good Times here and there since its been on that cable channel that escapes me. Thelma almost married someone named "Ebay"! That cracked me up. I remembered the episode vaguely, its weird how a TV show from 25+ years ago is still in my head somewhere. I didn't realize these were on DVD! Wow. Here's some cool info http://www.tvparty.com/70good.html

I'm with you on GG, I just don't find it as enthralling as others seem to. Right now its the Gilmore Girls for me, ironically enough. LOVE that show and hopefully will get seasons 3 and 4 and maybe even 5 for my birthday! I'm though season 2 right now, I'm a bit late catching on. Thanks Hayles!

Good Times is seriously so funny and yes, it does linger. They tackled so many controversial topics, especially for their time period. Seasons 1-3 are really where it was at, the second season certainly hitting their comedic stride. It's so funny yo hear the audience. I mean they went nuts including pounding on their risers...even when JJ wouldn't even utter a word...the audience would just erupt.

John Amos (James Evans) and Esther Rolle (Florida Evans) were strong, smart role models, especially for a ghetto environment. I mentioned before here, but the writers were white jews. LOL. No wonder I could relate.

SuzeQuze · #14 04-03-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Good Times is seriously so funny and yes, it does linger. They tackled so many controversial topics, especially for their time period. Seasons 1-3 are really where it was at, the second season certainly hitting their comedic stride. It's so funny yo hear the audience. I mean they went nuts including pounding on their risers...even when JJ wouldn't even utter a word...the audience would just erupt.

John Amos (James Evans) and Esther Rolle (Florida Evans) were strong, smart role models, especially for a ghetto environment. I mentioned before here, but the writers were white jews. LOL. No wonder I could relate.

The article I linked to mentioned that. Apparently Amos was fired for being a "disruptive force". He didn't like the show going in a silly direction where the character of JJ was not a role model and such and was vocal about it.

I don't think TV shows of today tackle these subjects anymore. This show was very liberal-minded. I don't think shows today deal with such heavy issues. So in a way we have gone backward. Although TV has always steered toward fantasy over reality, though many folks don't necessarily see that. I would love to see a principled but hilarious show like this today.

Richard B · #15 04-03-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

The article I linked to mentioned that. Apparently Amos was fired for being a "disruptive force". He didn't like the show going in a silly direction where the character of JJ was not a role model and such and was vocal about it.

I don't think TV shows of today tackle these subjects anymore. This show was very liberal-minded. I don't think shows today deal with such heavy issues. So in a way we have gone backward. Although TV has always steered toward fantasy over reality, though many folks don't necessarily see that. I would love to see a principled but hilarious show like this today.

I read that site before. I also heard the John Amos dispute was over money and that Esther Rolle was very displeased with the direction of the show and in particular JJ's role, which is why she left after Season 4, but returned for Season 6 (the final season).

Also, after they fired John Amos, it was one of the first shows, especially a situation comedy to actually kill off a major character. The beginning of Season 4 was the announcement that he died in car accident.

I agree with you, I watch these episodes and I think the same thing. There was some serious meat in Good Times. One in particular was a 2-part episode with JJ in love and ready to marry without the approval of his parents. He and his fiance decide to elope, only to find out that she was a heroin junkie. I mean they showed it all, the rubber tube, the needle and then her withdrawl systems when it is found out that JJ grabbed Thelma's purse instead of hers. Riveting.

Not to mention other strong topics: alchoholism, gangs, guns, teen pregnancy, unwanted babies, international foreign policy (Cuba related), politics, child abuse, etc.