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Golden Girls Forever: An Unauthorized Look Behind the Lanai
The complete, first-ever Golden Girls retrospective, packed with hundreds of exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes and never-before-revealed stories, more than two hundred color and black-and-white photos, commentary, and more.
They were four women of a certain age, living together under one roof in Miami—smart and strong Dorothy, airhead Rose, man-hungry belle Blanche, and smart-mouthed matriarch Sophia. They were the Golden Girls, and for seven seasons, this hilarious quartet enchanted millions of viewers with their witty banter, verve, sass, and love, and reaffirmed the power of friendship and family.
Over thirty years after it first aired, The Golden Girls has become a cult classic, thanks to fan fiction, arts and crafts, podcasts, hundreds of fan blogs and websites, and syndication. Now, Golden Girls Forever pays homage to this wildly popular, acclaimed, and award-winning sitcom. Drawing on interviews with the show’s creators, actors, guest stars, producers, writers, and crew members, Jim Colucci paints a comprehensive portrait of the Girls both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes.
Illustrated with hundreds of photos, including stills from the show and a treasure trove of never-before-seen and newly rediscovered photos, Golden Girls Forever includes:
• Girls and Their Guests: short profiles of the show’s most famous guest stars
• Why I Love the Girls: Lance Bass, Laverne Cox, Ross Mathews, Perez Hilton, Zachary Quinto, Chris Colfer, Jason Collins, and many, many other celebrities share their love of the Girls
• Exclusive interviews with ninety-four-year-old Betty White; the famously private Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan, before their deaths; and fan-favorite actors who appeared on the show
• Harvey Fierstein's tribute to his close friend, Estelle Getty
Bursting with fun facts, anecdotes, reminiscences, and insights, Golden Girls Forever is the ultimate companion to the show for fans old and new.
They were four women of a certain age, living together under one roof in Miami—smart and strong Dorothy, airhead Rose, man-hungry belle Blanche, and smart-mouthed matriarch Sophia. They were the Golden Girls, and for seven seasons, this hilarious quartet enchanted millions of viewers with their witty banter, verve, sass, and love, and reaffirmed the power of friendship and family.
Over thirty years after it first aired, The Golden Girls has become a cult classic, thanks to fan fiction, arts and crafts, podcasts, hundreds of fan blogs and websites, and syndication. Now, Golden Girls Forever pays homage to this wildly popular, acclaimed, and award-winning sitcom. Drawing on interviews with the show’s creators, actors, guest stars, producers, writers, and crew members, Jim Colucci paints a comprehensive portrait of the Girls both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes.
Illustrated with hundreds of photos, including stills from the show and a treasure trove of never-before-seen and newly rediscovered photos, Golden Girls Forever includes:
• Girls and Their Guests: short profiles of the show’s most famous guest stars
• Why I Love the Girls: Lance Bass, Laverne Cox, Ross Mathews, Perez Hilton, Zachary Quinto, Chris Colfer, Jason Collins, and many, many other celebrities share their love of the Girls
• Exclusive interviews with ninety-four-year-old Betty White; the famously private Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan, before their deaths; and fan-favorite actors who appeared on the show
• Harvey Fierstein's tribute to his close friend, Estelle Getty
Bursting with fun facts, anecdotes, reminiscences, and insights, Golden Girls Forever is the ultimate companion to the show for fans old and new.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2016
317 people are currently reading
2097 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
January 6, 2023
One of my favorite shows... rewatched at least three full times in the course of my life. Seeing some of the drama behind the scenes helps viewers understand the ups and downs of a show. A bit jaded but mostly light and fluffy in areas where I wanted it to go further - but still a very good way to learn about the show.
May 20, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Nonfiction
If I’m taken to an isolated island and asked to choose one book to read for the rest of my life, I won’t be able to answer or choose. But on the other hand, if you ask me to choose one TV show that will be the only thing I will ever watch, then I will immediately answer you, “The Golden Girls”! I am at a loss for the number of times I have watched this incredible television program. Many, many times, and I know I will continue to do so.
If you are a huge fan of the television show, then you absolutely have to have the hardcover version of this book. The pages are of high quality, and there are a lot of pictures and references included. It is absolutely stunning. The book is broken up into sections, and each section focuses on a different topic. These topics range from how the show began on the pages to the casting and shooting of the show. There are lots of tidbits that I didn’t know about.
Following that, there is a section that discusses all seven seasons. Within each season, there are details and commentaries from the cast, crew, and guest stars discussing the episodes, the themes they explore, the challenges they face, and everything else that they go through while filming them. After that, the final few sections discuss the sets, the theme song, the fashion, the craze, and the fandom of the show.
In my opinion, the only thing that could be considered a drawback is the fact that the book did not contain all of the episodes from all of the seasons. At least eighty percent of the episodes are present, as far as I can tell. I just wish that the rest of them were also present.
From my perspective, reading this book was like going on an exciting ride because I kept reading about a couple of episodes and then watching them! It was a wonderful opportunity for me to watch the show once more, but this time with additional comprehension of how each episode was constructed, how the writers organized it, what was included, and what was ultimately taken out of the show.
I’m so glad I have a copy of this book, which I will treasure, just like I have every episode of the show treasured in my mind. After all, they didn’t call them the Golden Girls for nothing.
Genre: Nonfiction
If I’m taken to an isolated island and asked to choose one book to read for the rest of my life, I won’t be able to answer or choose. But on the other hand, if you ask me to choose one TV show that will be the only thing I will ever watch, then I will immediately answer you, “The Golden Girls”! I am at a loss for the number of times I have watched this incredible television program. Many, many times, and I know I will continue to do so.
If you are a huge fan of the television show, then you absolutely have to have the hardcover version of this book. The pages are of high quality, and there are a lot of pictures and references included. It is absolutely stunning. The book is broken up into sections, and each section focuses on a different topic. These topics range from how the show began on the pages to the casting and shooting of the show. There are lots of tidbits that I didn’t know about.
Following that, there is a section that discusses all seven seasons. Within each season, there are details and commentaries from the cast, crew, and guest stars discussing the episodes, the themes they explore, the challenges they face, and everything else that they go through while filming them. After that, the final few sections discuss the sets, the theme song, the fashion, the craze, and the fandom of the show.
In my opinion, the only thing that could be considered a drawback is the fact that the book did not contain all of the episodes from all of the seasons. At least eighty percent of the episodes are present, as far as I can tell. I just wish that the rest of them were also present.
From my perspective, reading this book was like going on an exciting ride because I kept reading about a couple of episodes and then watching them! It was a wonderful opportunity for me to watch the show once more, but this time with additional comprehension of how each episode was constructed, how the writers organized it, what was included, and what was ultimately taken out of the show.
I’m so glad I have a copy of this book, which I will treasure, just like I have every episode of the show treasured in my mind. After all, they didn’t call them the Golden Girls for nothing.
April 3, 2016
I haven't inhaled a book this large in a single sitting in quite some time. In fact I haven't encountered a book like this -- that is so reflective & celebratory of such a deserving show -- outside of the Doctor Who/Star Trek/Star Wars universes. This is a highly informative anecdotal history & loving tribute to the last of the great old school sitcoms, deservedly highlighting its timeless appeal across the decades. My only complaint is that it doesn't cover every single episode...but that would have resulted in a book three times its current length. But that's me: always wanting too much of the good thing I've already been given...and this is, most definitely, the archetypal "good" thing. A wonderful read, and a magnificent historical pop culture overview.
August 20, 2016
Very comprehensive book detailing how the show came to be made. My favourite parts were the episode recaps, with detailed behind the scenes interviews with writers, producers, guest stars, and of course the fabulous four stars of the shows. Highly recommend this one for any fan of the Golden Girls.
March 31, 2021
I'm so glad I hadn't read this book until now. It was the perfect book to read during the COVID-19 quarantine time because Golden Girls is such a comforting show. I watched The Golden Girls on TV when I was a kid and most of their jokes went right over my head, but I still loved it. As an adult it's really my comfort show that I watch when I'm upset or home sick or just to have a comforting, familiar show on. This book really gives you a lot of background about the show, the actresses, guest stars, and lots of other fun facts. The only thing I wish had been included was a listing of all the episodes by season. Chapter 5 covers all 7 seasons, but only highlights some of the episodes, usually ones with guest stars or something unique. I wish there had been just a few pages of episodes by season given. The last chapter showed the lasting impact of the show, not just on other TV shows, but just in people's lives. The show is still being shown on TV in reruns and still gaining new fans which is really rare in television. If you are a fan of The Golden Girls this book is a must-own!
Some quotes I liked:
"Having popularized the Golden Rule of Four, The Golden Girls is the thematic ancestor of many shows that followed. Only one year after the Girl's premier, along came the Southern version (Designing Women), followed in the 1990s by the black version (Living Single) and the urban version (Sex and the City)." (p. 24)
"Richard Vaczy: Shortly before this episode [177 &178], my hometown of Sayville, Long Island, had experienced a series of arson fires that had burned down half of Main Street. So to help the town rebuild, we auctioned off a walk-on part on The Golden Girls, with airfare and hotel. And in the end, the man who played the prom king paid twenty-four thousand dollars for that experience." (p. 311)
[Which of the Girls is Your Favorite?] "Dorothy - Because she did more with one eyebrow than most people can do with an entire script. - Maile Falangan, Actor." (p. 347)
"By the summer of 2006 - fourteen years after The Golden Girls ended its original run - the show was still drawing eleven million viewers per week and thirty million per month on the Lifetime cable network, its home from 1997 - 2009. Although up against much newer sitcom competition, any given one of the show's seven daily airings still ranked among the top three 'off-network' sitcoms shown by Lifetime, and among the top seven on any cable channel. 'There aren't too many shows from 1985 which hold up like that,' notes television historian Tim Brooks...Tim explains that the steady viewership of The Golden Girls, barely changed from 1997 to that point in 2006, was very unusual...'But The Golden Girls has turned out to be a long-distance runner.'" (p. 348-49)
"Right from the beginning, young people liked the show. I thought and thought about why and I finally realized it is because the show may have been about older ladies, but it was still very antiestablishment. - Bea Arthur" (p. 363)
Some quotes I liked:
"Having popularized the Golden Rule of Four, The Golden Girls is the thematic ancestor of many shows that followed. Only one year after the Girl's premier, along came the Southern version (Designing Women), followed in the 1990s by the black version (Living Single) and the urban version (Sex and the City)." (p. 24)
"Richard Vaczy: Shortly before this episode [177 &178], my hometown of Sayville, Long Island, had experienced a series of arson fires that had burned down half of Main Street. So to help the town rebuild, we auctioned off a walk-on part on The Golden Girls, with airfare and hotel. And in the end, the man who played the prom king paid twenty-four thousand dollars for that experience." (p. 311)
[Which of the Girls is Your Favorite?] "Dorothy - Because she did more with one eyebrow than most people can do with an entire script. - Maile Falangan, Actor." (p. 347)
"By the summer of 2006 - fourteen years after The Golden Girls ended its original run - the show was still drawing eleven million viewers per week and thirty million per month on the Lifetime cable network, its home from 1997 - 2009. Although up against much newer sitcom competition, any given one of the show's seven daily airings still ranked among the top three 'off-network' sitcoms shown by Lifetime, and among the top seven on any cable channel. 'There aren't too many shows from 1985 which hold up like that,' notes television historian Tim Brooks...Tim explains that the steady viewership of The Golden Girls, barely changed from 1997 to that point in 2006, was very unusual...'But The Golden Girls has turned out to be a long-distance runner.'" (p. 348-49)
"Right from the beginning, young people liked the show. I thought and thought about why and I finally realized it is because the show may have been about older ladies, but it was still very antiestablishment. - Bea Arthur" (p. 363)
November 8, 2016
Given the choice between trying a new show or watching Golden Girls reruns, I take the latter. GG is one of my go-to TV binges when I'm feeling down, so definitely I picked up this book. I enjoyed reading the story behind its development and the oral histories from people involved in various episodes deconstructed by the author. The one takeaway you get from GG, which the book affirms, is the show's timelessness. I'm reading about the many people who have appeared on the show and realize so many have passed away...yet they don't seem like old people. Then you remember The Golden Girls' original run was 30 years ago. o.O
While I enjoyed the book, I'll take off points for the section where various celebrities talk about their favorite Girls and such. I would rather have seen that space go to more episode analyses.
Really, though, it's a book for die-hards.
While I enjoyed the book, I'll take off points for the section where various celebrities talk about their favorite Girls and such. I would rather have seen that space go to more episode analyses.
Really, though, it's a book for die-hards.
April 17, 2016
Not so much a detailed look behind the scenes as a gushing retread of oft-heard anecdotes, episode synopses' (with some interesting details sprinkled in via interviews with guest stars and writers of those episodes) and a look at continuing influence of show. Too much random, though; a more objective, critical eye with a deeper look at the production of the show over its seven years--and a good look at the failed sequel series--would have had more appeal.
June 20, 2023
I’m a sucker for anything that’s Golden Girls, and I love a good nonfiction read. this one took me a while only because I was busy. Otherwise I probably could’ve gotten through it in a day. well worth a read, though I’m sure most of my friends on her will disregard it and that is perfectly okay :)
December 4, 2021
A must read ONLY if you are a REAL Golden Girls fan. I say it that way because if you are just the casual Hallmark watcher, it’s not for you. I have been a fan since I was a kid. I have seen every episode 50 or more times, and I know almost all the words. In this book you get an episode by episode breakdown from the girls (with the exception of Estelle, because I think she was having memory issues even on the show), the guest stars, writers and producers. You get some touching and hilarious information and you get first hand interviews about what it was like to work with Bea, Betty, Rue, and Estelle. You also get some wonderful trivia, and some neat idea fan have come up with over the years and other shows inspired by The Golden Girls. Also, it does explain the reasons for some of the inconsistencies in writing and goes through the set and why it’s structure didn’t completely make sense. Like I said, it’s true to its crew. It is worth every moment to read this and now, I can’t wait to go back and watch each episode with the behind the scenes information. I can tell you that this book is very honest but kind. None of the stars, writers, or anyone else is drug through the mud. I especially loved getting to know the many facets of Bea Arthur. This is fabulous!
April 5, 2017
This book is simply delightful from cover to cover. The bulk of the content consists of a summary of virtually every episode (fewer of the early ones than the later) accompanied by one to three full pages of commentary and anecdotes from cast and crew. It's an absolute treasure trove of behind the scenes trivia in which any fan of the show will revel. Bookending the episode guide is even more information about the cast and pop culture references to the show that continue to this day.
This book can be thought of as the DVD commentary track for this wonderful, timeless comedy. If you're a fan, you'll be grinning from ear to ear for most of the read. I imagine you will also find yourself starting the show up from the beginning as soon as you finish the book just to try to spot some of the BTS references that you never caught before.
This book can be thought of as the DVD commentary track for this wonderful, timeless comedy. If you're a fan, you'll be grinning from ear to ear for most of the read. I imagine you will also find yourself starting the show up from the beginning as soon as you finish the book just to try to spot some of the BTS references that you never caught before.
April 2, 2021
This book is for every Golden Girls fan, a Must Read!
April 25, 2016
I loved this book! Beautifully laid out and filled with photos. Very well researched and fun to read. It has synopses of almost every episode, as well as behind the scenes stories and interviews with the cast and crew. (My only disappointment with this book is that there wasn't a description and story for each episode. Practically every one was included so I can't imagine why all weren't. My favorite episode, A Midsummer's Night Dream, was unfortunately omitted. )
The book itself is beautiful with an eye-catching cover. This is not a book you stick on a shelf; it's a book you display on a coffee table!
The book itself is beautiful with an eye-catching cover. This is not a book you stick on a shelf; it's a book you display on a coffee table!
October 1, 2018
I remember my grandmother telling me about "The Golden Girls" and how much she enjoyed watching it on Saturday nights. Now I wish I'd watched it with her, but I'm sure she thought it was too racy for my young ears. I discovered it on my own years later through reruns. Now I own the entire series on DVD. As a show, it's held up incredibly well. I just wish I could watch a few episodes with the cast and hear the behind-the=scenes' tidbits. This book is the next best thing. It's fairly gentle (although you get the idea that Bea Arthur was difficult). There are so many voices from the show (cast, crew, guest stars) taking through the episodes. I loved this book from start to finish.
January 28, 2018
So excited to receive this for my 38th birthday- dies hard GG fan! Loved the in-depth look at each episode, I’ll definitely pull the book out while watching TV to ‘look into’ each particular episode. Also liked the pictures and learning about the show’s creation.
Would have liked some more little known facts and gossipy stuff, but over all, a lovely book!
Would have liked some more little known facts and gossipy stuff, but over all, a lovely book!
January 2, 2019
This book was just ok. There were some interesting pieces, but I really wanted more about the women themselves. This is not that book. The majority of the book is reviewing episodes from the perspective of the writers, executives and production.
February 14, 2022
I quit reading it. I got tired of the format, which was pretty much a retelling of specific episodes. I always liked the tv show The Golden Girls, but in this format it comes across as more of a soap opera.
January 22, 2023
Very disappointing. It’s just summaries of episodes and pictures of old sets (empty). I regret gifting this to a friend before reading it. The behind-the-scenes stories were interesting, and I would have liked to have seen more of those.
January 7, 2022
Before I was Even Born
Before I was even born this show was on. I needed this to be the first book of 2022. Betty White’s death hit me hard. And while I had lots of people checking on me (you would have thought I was related to her) I don’t think anyone understands. I was in the third or fourth grade when I fell in love with this show during winter break. These ladies’ faces and voices I have seen and heard on a daily basis as much as my own family. The Golden Girls go on family trips too. Why Sophia has now been to Disney World with me alone to make her never want to go back. This book made me realize how amazing it was to put this show together. This book had its down points (some drawn out explanations on some things.) This book was really good. These ladies were my friends when I didn’t have friends and that’s why I think I gravitated towards them. I hope this show is always remembered and played.
Before I was even born this show was on. I needed this to be the first book of 2022. Betty White’s death hit me hard. And while I had lots of people checking on me (you would have thought I was related to her) I don’t think anyone understands. I was in the third or fourth grade when I fell in love with this show during winter break. These ladies’ faces and voices I have seen and heard on a daily basis as much as my own family. The Golden Girls go on family trips too. Why Sophia has now been to Disney World with me alone to make her never want to go back. This book made me realize how amazing it was to put this show together. This book had its down points (some drawn out explanations on some things.) This book was really good. These ladies were my friends when I didn’t have friends and that’s why I think I gravitated towards them. I hope this show is always remembered and played.
April 3, 2020
3.5 - For super fans only! The meat of the book is a play-by-play of every episode, which works better as a reference book rather than something I’d want to read straight through. I loved the latter part that talked about sets, costumes, and the eternal fandom, but overall I just felt very validated as a person who goes to bed with the Girls every night.
January 20, 2021
This is one of my favorite shows and I LOVED this book! There were so many fun behind the scene facts and reading about them taping the finale did make me tear up a little. So good!
May 5, 2024
How else could one rate scripture?
August 13, 2020
I love The Golden Girls. When I heard about this book, I knew I had to check it out. Ultimately, I have mixed feelings. I loved the section where episodes were highlighted(though there were a lot of them), and I also loved seeing the crew's perspectives behind the episodes, particularly those of the actors. Still, parts really dragged on for me. In particular, I found all the background on guest actors really annoying. I also was annoyed where the author brought in his own political beliefs near the end. I'm glad I read this, but at the same time, I have to admit that it was a hard book to stick with.
May 5, 2019
3.75*
You'll only enjoy this if you love the show, which I do, despite some of its era-specific flaws. These are some hilarious, stereotype-defying ladies.
You'll only enjoy this if you love the show, which I do, despite some of its era-specific flaws. These are some hilarious, stereotype-defying ladies.
August 27, 2022
Great read for any super fan. This book is full of behind-the-scene facts, interviews, set/design background, photos, and just great info on the Girls. Highly recommend.
August 28, 2021
This books is full of great Golden Girls tidbits and trivia. I thoroughly enjoyed the interviews from the creative teams who put the episodes together.
September 15, 2019
I watch the show all the time. It’s on for background while I cook and while I sit and knit. I was really looking forward to learning more about the behind the scenes stuff. Within the first few pages, I spotted a couple of factual errors. Then the repeat Bea Arthur bashing. She was well known to be shy so the repeated comments from guest stars saying she wouldn’t talk to them on set was a bit much. My biggest beef with the book is how they did a synopsis of most of the episodes but not all. They left out quite a few of the really good episodes. The pictures are great but the complete resumes of the guest actors was unnecessary. Cut those out and you would have had room for the synopsis of all the episodes.
August 13, 2016
3.5 stars. I loved all of the behind the scenes pictures and interviews from the crew and the Girls themselves. The breakdown of the episodes was interesting and made me appreciate the show even more. However, the commentary on those pages needed more editing. I found myself skipping over paragraphs where the writer kept going on and on about the résumés of the guest stars of the show. I would have liked to have read more about the main cast and crew instead of the actor who spoke two lines throughout the whole episode.
I had a big problem with the way Colucci wrote about Bea Arthur. The interviews and comments he included painted Arthur to be an unkind person to be around. There was more than one interview from a guest actor who would speak of how Arthur would completely ignore them on set and not make them feel welcome on the show. (The guest actors in question often had tiny roles that didn't require nearly as much time filming.) It was well known that Arthur was incredibly shy, and she would speak of her shyness in interviews throughout her career. Colucci did not include this at any point in the book, so the reader who may not be familiar with Arthur would see her as a terrible person. I feel like it insults her and her memory, especially since she is no longer around to defend herself.
I also skipped most of the conclusion. I would have liked these pages to be used for expanding the sections on the sets and costumes. Some of the conclusion was completely unnecessary. Under the section titled "Golden Shout-Outs" (p 350), Colucci brings up the quote from Republican senator Mitch McConnell in 2013 where he refers to the show. Colucci adds a comment at the end of the paragraph about how "right-wingers are out of touch." That was unnecessary and insulting to people who may vote one way and are not "out of touch." I didn't have a problem with Colucci mentioning McConnell's (negative) quote using the show's title, but he should have left his personal political bias out of this book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I wish a better writer and editor had taken on this project. There is so much more that could have been done with it, and so much that should have been omitted.
I had a big problem with the way Colucci wrote about Bea Arthur. The interviews and comments he included painted Arthur to be an unkind person to be around. There was more than one interview from a guest actor who would speak of how Arthur would completely ignore them on set and not make them feel welcome on the show. (The guest actors in question often had tiny roles that didn't require nearly as much time filming.) It was well known that Arthur was incredibly shy, and she would speak of her shyness in interviews throughout her career. Colucci did not include this at any point in the book, so the reader who may not be familiar with Arthur would see her as a terrible person. I feel like it insults her and her memory, especially since she is no longer around to defend herself.
I also skipped most of the conclusion. I would have liked these pages to be used for expanding the sections on the sets and costumes. Some of the conclusion was completely unnecessary. Under the section titled "Golden Shout-Outs" (p 350), Colucci brings up the quote from Republican senator Mitch McConnell in 2013 where he refers to the show. Colucci adds a comment at the end of the paragraph about how "right-wingers are out of touch." That was unnecessary and insulting to people who may vote one way and are not "out of touch." I didn't have a problem with Colucci mentioning McConnell's (negative) quote using the show's title, but he should have left his personal political bias out of this book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I wish a better writer and editor had taken on this project. There is so much more that could have been done with it, and so much that should have been omitted.
November 17, 2020
It's the cast, show and all the episodes encapsulated in one book.
April 4, 2017
I was super excited to get this book because I love all things Golden Girls, but honestly, it didn't have enough behind-the-scenes information. Many of the episodes I was most interested in only had a brief summary or some commentary from the director about how someone couldn't remember her lines. Also, what I find most revolutionary about the show is that it depicts older women in a very positive way, without ridiculing them for their age or appearance or showing them as sexless. That's huge! Women in television series today who are post-menopausal are playing grandmas or crazy shrews. But none of that is addressed.
Instead, the writer focused a LOT on how gay-friendly the show was, almost to the exclusion of everything else. I mean, yes, the show was gay-friendly, but it was about four STRAIGHT women who had been through marriages, divorces, deaths, raising kids and health crises, and all the author can address is how positively it showed the admittedly minor gay characters? At the very end of the book, several well-known writers, designers, actors, etc. are asked which character they identify most closely with. Haven't we all considered whether we are a Dorothy, Blanche, Rose or Sophia? I was excited to see who each person picked. But all the famous people who were polled are gay men - not a single woman was asked to weigh in!
All this felt very annoying to me. I'm glad other people love the show, too, but show how much it meant to EVERYONE, not just one group.
Instead, the writer focused a LOT on how gay-friendly the show was, almost to the exclusion of everything else. I mean, yes, the show was gay-friendly, but it was about four STRAIGHT women who had been through marriages, divorces, deaths, raising kids and health crises, and all the author can address is how positively it showed the admittedly minor gay characters? At the very end of the book, several well-known writers, designers, actors, etc. are asked which character they identify most closely with. Haven't we all considered whether we are a Dorothy, Blanche, Rose or Sophia? I was excited to see who each person picked. But all the famous people who were polled are gay men - not a single woman was asked to weigh in!
All this felt very annoying to me. I'm glad other people love the show, too, but show how much it meant to EVERYONE, not just one group.
March 22, 2021
Already being a Golden Girls fan, I didn't know how much of this would be new to me. There was something I didn't know on the very first page. This is more of a retrospective of memorable episodes and cast & crew commentary on said episodes. That is most of the book. It was interesting and informative and I enjoyed it. Some interesting fun facts in there. I also enjoyed the chapter about the wardrobe. What was completely missing is the actual behind-the-scenes drama. I have heard or read about it from other sources but it is nearly completely missing from this book. I had a feeling that was the case as there were interviews with the main cast and I doubt they would participate if the book was full of gossip. The only thing they hint at (several times) is that Bea Arthur was difficult. I still want to know the real behind-the-scenes drama. Even though that isn't in this book, what IS in the book is really interesting! Well worth the read.
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