Thank You for Being a Friend: 'The Golden Girls' turns 40 !
40 years ago, on September 14, 1985, NBC took a chance on a Saturday night sitcom about four women in their 'golden years' who decide to live together under one roof in Miami. 'The Golden Girls' quickly became a ratings hit and 'must see TV' for a Saturday night, winning multiple awards over its seven year run. It has lived on in syndication every since the series ended, scoring legions of younger fans throughout the decades.
I remember watching the show the night it premiered with my mother and father (I remember my sister, 24, was out on a date that night with this really hot guy she worked with). We had a small color TV on the kitchen counter, and for some reason we watched it while we sat at the kitchen table (I remember earlier that evening my mother made pizza and my aunt and uncle came over for dinner, but wanted to get home to watch this show, I guess that's why we stayed at the table). I remember we couldn't stop laughing, and it became a Saturday night ritual to sit in the kitchen and watch the show on the counter-top TV.
Who else remembers watching it the night it premiered ?
| by Anonymous | reply 9 | September 14, 2025 5:04 PM
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The sky was so gold that evening.
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | September 14, 2025 2:26 AM
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53 years ago, on September 12, 1972 "Maude" premiered, starring Bea Arthur. It ran for six years.
I remember watching it with my mother and father in the living room late on a school night (it aired at 9:30 on Tuesdays). I was 8 years old and didn't understand the jokes, but my parents couldn't stop laughing. I didn't bother asking to stay up and watch it again during the school year ( I usually watched the summer reruns). Years later, I watched the entire series in syndication - and finally got the humor.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | September 14, 2025 2:30 AM
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Twice. Well, I would have anyway.
| by Anonymous | reply 4 | September 14, 2025 2:54 AM
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I've always found Harvey funnier than Carol and R3 shows Isabel Sanford is funnier than her too. Carol really can't do Beatrice Arthur.
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | September 14, 2025 3:04 AM
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Watching the 40th anniversary marathon now on Hallmark.
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | September 14, 2025 5:17 AM
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My go-to comfort show. Been in heavy rotation since 2016.
| by Anonymous | reply 7 | September 14, 2025 4:52 PM
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I vaguely remember watching the premiere but thinking that it was very funny and it was going to be a hit.
The NBC Saturday night lineup in the mid to late 80's was classic. And comfort food for a gay kid.
I hated when the critics started to gripe that all three kept getting nominated for lead actress (maybe because they deserved it) because I don't recall that kind of criticism happening for any other show that had multiple nominations in one category.
| by Anonymous | reply 8 | September 14, 2025 5:04 PM
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My cousins had all come up for the weekend so we could all go to the Big E in West Springfield, MA. That night we watched the season premieres of “Gimme a Break” and “The Facts of Life” (the chief had died and Edna’s Edibles burned down) and we saw the series premieres of GG and “227”.
| by Anonymous | reply 9 | September 14, 2025 5:04 PM
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