‘The Golden Girls’ at 40: Here are the 5 best episodes, according to one of the show’s writers

by

One could say, “Few TV shows receive as much universal affection as ‘The Golden Girls.’ Remarkably, very few shows continue to maintain a dedicated and expanding fanbase forty years after their debut.

In natural and easy to read language: “Forty years ago, on September 14, 1985, the popular comedy ‘The Golden Girls’ first aired on NBC. This show featured Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, and Estelle Getty as four elderly single women living together in Miami.

The show “The Golden Girls” is often hailed as one of television’s top sitcoms ever, and it stands out for tackling intricate themes, some of which were considered sensitive or contentious during its era. This iconic series didn’t hesitate to explore storylines concerning topics like sexual harassment, same-sex marriage, HIV/AIDS, elder care, and immigration policies, among others.

Not only were the topics groundbreaking, but so was the very premise.

Television

White mastered the art of television, with her ability to live authentically under the spotlight being rarely equaled then or now.

Ron Simon, a senior curator at the Paley Center for Media, noted that the concept of assembling these women, primarily in their 50s, was groundbreaking back then. Typically, only one older woman would appear on a show. However, having them united – working together, battling together, loving together – paved the path for numerous other shows to emerge with similar themes.

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I’d like to share my thoughts on a particular series that has truly captured my heart. This show continues to captivate audiences because it’s more than just a comedic spectacle – it delves into a deeply relatable societal issue in America: loneliness.

What sets this series apart is the development of its characters, who eventually form a family amongst themselves. This heartwarming journey resonates with countless viewers, including myself. It’s this human connection that makes the show so endearing and timeless.

Furthermore, just as the show itself, the theme song “Thank You for Being a Friend,” sung by Cindy Fee (covering Andrew Gold’s original from 1978), is now inextricably linked to the series.

A post shared by The Golden Girls (@goldengirls)

Stan Zimmerman, a screenwriter, filmmaker, and showrunner renowned for his work on “The Golden Girls,” shared that it’s heartwarming to witness the impact of the series, as it seemed to provide comfort to many viewers by helping them feel less isolated or understood and appreciated.

He stated that within the LGBTQ+ community, this show was a unique bonding experience where individuals could share laughter with their grandparents. He explained that laughter has a dual effect; not only does it lighten the mood, but it also helps to open up one’s heart and mind simultaneously.

In 2024, Zimmerman, the author of “The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore,” which chronicles his stint as a writer in Hollywood’s hit TV shows, emphasized that the show’s popularity is far from a thing of the past. Instead, it remains relevant and attracts new viewers – some of whom weren’t even born when it first debuted. You can stream all seven seasons of this beloved series on Hulu.

To mark the 40th anniversary of “The Golden Girls,” Zimmerman picked out, in his opinion, the top five standout episodes from the show’s run.

Television

All types of people, such as Dorothy’s and Roses (representing different demographics), gays, older individuals often referred to as “grays”, and suburban mothers took part in the recent festivity honoring a cherished television show at Chicago’s Navy Pier last weekend.

‘The Engagement,’ Season 1, Episode 1

According to Zimmerman, pilots (first episodes) can be quite challenging to get right, as they need to feel authentic yet offer a glimpse of what the show could become. The pilot episode featuring Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia was particularly appealing and welcoming, making it an obvious top choice in his mind.

Susan Harris has crafted an exceptional pilot, not only does it boast a talented cast and direction by Jay Sandrich, but the four main characters fit together seamlessly. It’s incredibly witty and intelligent, as we’ve come to expect from her.

‘Isn’t It Romantic?,’ Season 2, Episode 5

In this Season 2 episode, Zimmerman mentioned that discussions triggered by the show concerning LGBTQ+ identity were particularly significant to him. Here, Dorothy’s friend Jean arrives and stays with the ladies, but Dorothy fails to inform Rose and Blanche about Jean being a lesbian. When Jean starts having feelings for Rose and it becomes known, Blanche expresses confusion as to why she favors Rose over her.

A post shared by The Golden Girls (@goldengirls)

Despite appearing somewhat whimsical, this episode contained some groundbreaking dialogue, given its original broadcast date. Jean openly expressed pride in her identity without any shame, which was met with understanding and acceptance by Rose. As Zimmerman noted, this marked a significant stride in the representation of LGBTQ individuals on television.

‘Not Another Monday,’ Season 5, Episode 7

During one episode tackling heavy subjects, the narrative in Season 5 revolves around a dear friend of Sophia, who, due to chronic physical discomfort in later life, wrestles with the thought of taking her own life.

Zimmerman expressed his admiration by saying, “I was incredibly amazed they handled such a serious topic with tact, humor, and finesse.” He further added, “What made the show exceptional was its ability to navigate between these contrasting realms. To me, that’s what life is all about – experiencing moments of laughter and tears in quick succession.

‘Adult Education,’ Season 1, Episode 20

In a turn of events, Blanche chooses to attend classes at the nearby community college in pursuit of the qualification necessary for a work promotion at her museum job. However, after failing an exam, her professor proposes that she can receive an A grade if she agrees to go out with him romantically. Disheartened by this act of harassment, Blanche discusses the matter with the dean, only to be let go due to lack of witnesses.

As a passionate cinephile, I was thrilled to have the opportunity, alongside my writing partner James Berg, to tackle the sensitive issue of sexual harassment in one of our episodes. Interestingly, this topic resonated with us particularly due to the early encouragement from Estelle Getty, who portrayed Blanche Devereaux. She approached us right at the beginning, urging us to delve deeper into her character and not shy away from stories that would help shape her development. I vividly remember her saying, “Don’t be afraid to give me narratives that will aid in my character growth.” Her words inspired us greatly.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit, the writers masterfully interwove humor amidst the weighty themes, creating some truly memorable dialogue. In fact, during production, I found myself pleasantly surprised by lines that felt almost too daring, such as the witty remark, “You can kiss my A.” It’s those unexpected moments of levity that make the film even more captivating and add to its overall charm.

He remarked that when a show is successful, comments from the four women involved might not initially appear as inappropriate.

‘Blanche and the Younger Man,’ Season 1 Episode 9

In my film critique perspective, in the closing scene of Zimmerman’s selection, a tense atmosphere unfolds as Rose’s mother pays a visit, and their relationship strains due to overprotectiveness from Rose. They engage in heartfelt conversations about Rose’s mother’s advancing age and mortality concerns. Simultaneously, we witness Blanche pursuing a romance with an energetic aerobics instructor who is significantly younger than she – a relationship that gives this episode its title.

A post shared by The Golden Girls (@goldengirls)

Upon considering this acclaimed episode, which received a nomination from the Writers Guild of America, Zimmerman (collaborating with Berg) expressed wonderment: “As a fledgling writer, how on earth did I choose to tackle such a topic?

As a cinephile, let me share an interesting tidbit about this particular episode – it’s one of my favorite ones penned by Zimmerman due to a clever touch he incorporated: He actually wove some of White’s own words into Rose’s dialogue concerning her character’s deceased husband. Quite intriguing, wouldn’t you agree?

Zimmerman stated that he had used a direct quote from an article in The New York Times where Betty White discussed her husband, Allen Ludden. This quote was later incorporated into the script. Interestingly, White spoke about Charlie as she often spoke about Allen.

He went on to say that he often wished he could’ve explained to her the origin of that particular quote, but unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance. The experience served as a reminder – try not to have regrets in life, seize every opportunity when it presents itself.

Read More

2025-09-11 13:31