BuzzSugar

Could a Show About Older Folks Work on TV Today?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:30:58 -0700

In the wake of Bea Arthur's death, much has been written about Arthur's contribution to groundbreaking TV shows that focused on powerful women and the process of aging. One interesting question is whether a television show like The Golden Girls would ever make today's TV lineup. A USA Today writer muses:

There are stars who, when they leave, you realize how far we've come. With Arthur, sad to say, you realize how far we've regressed; there's no way Maude or Golden Girls gets on the air on any of the broadcast networks today. In an era in which networks cater to young viewers and kowtow to advertisers, everything about those shows would be a no-go, from the age of their stars to their no-holds-barred, no-sacred-cows style.

That's a sad sentiment, and I'm wondering if you think it's true. We have some evidence that it may be, as original Brothers and Sisters creator Jon Robin Baitz has charged that his show came to focus too much on youth and less on the older cast members. But shows like The Golden Girls and The Odd Couple once showed that aging could be both graceful and hilarious. Do you think a show starring an older cast could have a shot at success in today's entertainment climate?

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Saying Goodbye to Bea Arthur

BuzzSugar — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:30:23 -0700

I was heartbroken to learn that Bea Arthur died this weekend in her LA home at the age of 86. Already the Web is overflowing with tributes to the distinguished comedic actress, which says so much about her great talent. Reading through some of them, I realize that an entire generation came to know and love her as Maude Findlay. Some even remember her for her stage accomplishments, for which she won a Tony Award.

For me, though, she was the razor-sharp, doting daughter to Sofia on The Golden Girls. Just thinking about the character Dorothy brings a smile to my face, and even when I watched the show as a kid it was clear that only someone of enormous talent could make a character that prickly so likable and hilarious.

In addition to the tributes, it's heart-wrenching to read statements from those who knew her best. Betty White, who played Rose on Golden Girls, told Entertainment Tonight: "I knew it would hurt, I just didn't know it would hurt this much. I'm so happy that she received her Lifetime Achievement Award while she was still with us, so she could appreciate that. She was such a big part of my life."

It's so sad she's gone and amazing how many lives and generations she touched. After the jump, I've included one of my favorite Dorothy and Sofia clips to remember them by. To watch, read more.

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Lifetime Remembers Estelle Getty With Golden Girls Marathon

BuzzSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:30:15 -0700

The news of Estelle Getty's death has really put a cloud over my week. Since her passing, I keep finding myself wandering over YouTube to watch classic Golden Girls clips (the best are the ones with Getty's feisty old Sophia giving Blanche hell). It just reminds me of what a touchstone The Golden Girls really was.

YouTube clips may be convenient, but they hardly do the show - nor Getty - justice, which is why I'm thrilled Lifetime is running 10 Sophia-centric episodes in a marathon this Friday from noon to 5 p.m. (check your local listings for the exact times in your time zone). The final episode of the marathon with be the No. 1 “Sophia episode” as chosen by fans voting online.

Are you excited? Will you set your TiVo, DVR, what have you? To see a description of the episodes competing for the title of Sophia's best, read more.

"It's a Miserable Life"
The girls make a petition to save a 200-year-old oak tree. Everyone agrees on saving the tree, except for Frieda Claxton, the meanest lady in the neighborhood. Rose tells her that if she doesn't like the plans to save the tree, she should just drop dead. Coincidentally, Mrs. Claxton drops dead.

"Sisters"
For Sophia's birthday, Dorothy flies in her sister, Angela, from Sicily as a surprise. The trick soon becomes how to keep Sophia's surprise a surprise as she pulls out every trick in the book to find out. However, Dorothy's the one who's surprised when Sophia's reaction is that of disgust.

"Old Friends"
Sophia meets an old black man on the boardwalk and becomes quick friends with him. However, his strange behavior signals that he has a medical condition, Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile, Blanche accidentally gives away Rose's teddy bear at a garage sale.

"My Brother, My Father"
Sophia's brother, Angelo, a priest, is coming to Miami for a visit and he doesn't know Dorothy and Stan are divorced. So in order to spare his feelings, Sophia convinces Dorothy and Stan to pretend to be married. Meanwhile, Rose and Blanche prepare to star in a play, The Sound of Music.

"Old Boyfriends"
Sophia goes out with Marvin, a man she met through the personals, who likes moonlit nights and romantic Italian dinners and remembers when Sinatra was skinny. Marvin arrives for their date with his sister, Sarah, in tow. Due to his poor eyesight, his sibling drives him about. Wanting to be alone with Marvin after several dates, Sophia invites him to the house, where she instigates some hanky-panky. Uncomfortable, Marvin blurts out that Sarah isn’t his sister, she’s his wife! Meanwhile, Rose gets a visit from Thor Anderson of St. Olaf, who has been smitten with her since high school, but she doesn’t remember him at all.

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We'll Miss You, Estelle Getty

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:25:29 -0700

Sad news this morning, Buzz readers: Estelle Getty (a.k.a. Sophia from The Golden Girls) has passed away at the age of 84.

Best known as Sophia, the snappy, sarcastic mother of Bea Arthur's character Dorothy, Getty endeared herself to audiences everywhere for being hilariously no-nonsense - effectivey shattering the stereotype of the sweet old lady. According to the AP, Getty initially didn't get the part of Sophia because "she didn't look old enough to play 80." She later told an interviewer, "I could understand that. I walk fast, I move fast, I talk fast."

The AP article also includes this interesting tidbit:

Getty had gained a knack for one-liners in her late teens when she did standup comedy at a Catskills hotel. Female comedians were rare in those days, however, and she bombed.

Well, thank goodness she wasn't discouraged from continuing in the business; we'll all remember her as hilarious, sarcastic and spunky. We'll miss you Estelle Getty.

To check out a clip montage of classic Sophia moments, read more.

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Link Time! 4/10

BuzzSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:31:21 -0700

TV Squad is all ga-ga over the packaging of the Mad Men DVD set - and for good reason!
So, according to Vulture, maybe David Archuleta didn't have such a tough time deciding to sing "Angels," after all.
Someone on Pushing Daisies is gay, and if you want to know who, head to AfterElton.

After watching another schlubby guy-hot girl movie (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Cinematical asks, where are the movies where unattractive women score hot guys?
Hey, it's Give Me My Remote's first Office Thursday in months!
Cute alert! The Paste Magazine blog alerts me to the fact that Shel Silverstein's books and albums are being reissued.
Sure, Lifetime's gaining Project Runway - but, as Popwatch points out, that might not offset its loss of The Golden Girls reruns to the Hallmark Channel.
This week's Hump Day Hottie on FilmExperience was Dennis Quaid, which I find totally awesome.

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The Results Are In: Recast Golden Girls

BuzzSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:30:49 -0800

Every Wednesday on BuzzSugar, I post a Recast challenge, where I ask you to choose new actors for a classic TV show or movie. The reader who submits the best cast wins a BuzzSugar t-shirt!

While YumSugar's idea of an all-Sugar recast list for the Golden Girls is pretty fantastic, I had to go with real live actresses for this week's recast winner. There were many other ideas that I loved as well, though, from mamaseacat's Sex and the City recast to Allie1138's hilarious all-supermodel list.

I also liked the idea of having a Who's the Boss? reunion with Judith Light playing Dorothy and Katherine Helmond playing Sophia, as yipon suggested. biochemlovely and KristenDaBomb's idea of Blythe Danner as Rose is spot-on, though I would love to see Ellen Burstyn play Rose as well, like ChrissyBaby suggested. Finally, I was delighted to see Lena Olin on alynn's list to play Blanche. With a sweet Southern accent, Sidney Bristow's mom would make a great Blanche!

Overall, however, my favorite list this week comes from kateaustin456! To see who kateaustin456 picked along with a new cast photo, read more

kateaustin456's list:
Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak - Glenn Close
Rose Nylund - Melanie Griffith
Blanche Devereaux - Jane Fonda
Sophia Petrillo - Estelle Harris