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Buzz Brainteaser

BuzzSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:30:29 -0700

Welcome to Buzz Brainteaser, the trivia feature on BuzzSugar! Every weekday I'll test your knowledge about TV shows, music, and movies. If you enter in the correct answer, you win points!

In the Golden Girls episode "To Catch a Neighbor," the ladies work with two detectives to find out if their new neighbors are criminals. Name the actor who played the younger detective, Bobby Hopkins.

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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Buzz Brainteaser

BuzzSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:30:52 -0700

Welcome to Buzz Brainteaser, the trivia feature on BuzzSugar! Every weekday I'll test your knowledge about TV shows, music and movies. If you enter in the correct answer, you win points! What is the name of Dorothy's ex-husband on Golden Girls? (Just the first name is fine, though you can include a last name if you'd like!)

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 08:00:49 -0800

The ultimate question: Pretty in Pink vs. Sixteen Candles. Which do you choose?
Project Runway started this week! Check out my rundown and gallery of photos from the season premiere.
The writers strike entered its second week and is still going strong. Whose side are you on: the writers' or the studios'?
Ever wanted to hear Madonna's songs all folky-fied? Check out these folk artists' covers of "Material Girl," "Lucky Star" and "Dress You Up," among others.
Sufjan Stevens wants your holiday songs!
Lassie... John Stamos... Lucille Ball... Simon Cowell... Are these the top TV icons of all time?
Lavender Brown and Narcissa Malfoy have been cast for the sixth Harry Potter movie!
This week's recast challenge is The Golden Girls! What new actresses could play these spunky, hilarious parts?

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Recast Golden Girls and Win a Prize!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:30:19 -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!

If you could recast this 1985-1992 TV show with new actors, who else could capture the charm and pep of these funny ladies in their "golden" years? Who could play the flirty Southern belle Blanche, sweet Rose, no-nonsense Dorothy and her wisecracking mother Sophia?

Leave your entry in the comment section below, and I'll pick one winner to feature Tuesday, November 20, complete with a "new" cast photo.

To see a list of characters to recast and a photo of the BuzzSugar t-shirt, read more

Characters to recast:
Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak (Beatrice Arthur)
Rose Nylund (Betty White)
Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan)
Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty)

If you need more of a refresher - or just a sweet trip down Memory Lane - check out the opening to Golden Girls. "Thank you for being a friend!"

The BuzzSugar t-shirt

Link Time! 1/25

BuzzSugar — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 14:50:09 -0800

Pop Candy tells you where to find the "Lost" producers talking about upcoming episodes.
"Gilmore Girls" takes its indie-rock references very seriously, notes Stereogum.
Hecklerspray is delighted that no one wants to buy the Dakota Fanning rape movie.
Idolator unlocks the secret to making the MTV web site much less annoying.
Popwatch finds Pierce Brosnan gearing up for another Thomas Crown Affair.
I Guess I'm Floating makes my day by posting a soaring new Andrew Bird track.
Now that Anne Heche is ditching her husband for co-star James Tupper, TV with MeeVee digs up a hilariously revealing interview with Tupper.
Give Me My Remote has the details on Emily VanCamp from "Everwood" joining "Brothers and Sisters."
Fear not, "SVU" fans: TV Squad reports the stars will be back.
You can thank Best Week Ever for this hilarious clip of the Golden Girls starring in Clueless.