Spanish Newspapers Bea Arthur Obituary

It's very cool that someone kept this. In Spanish no less.

Golden Quote of the Day

Sophia: What are you talking about? They hate each other! They fight all the time!

Blanche: Oh, it has all the signs of a classic love/hate relationship! And from the sparks of that conflict rise the flames of desire. Flames that ignite in an uncontrollable frenzy of lust, passion and ecstasy!

5 Little Facts

 

 

• When asked by Rose about her marriage in the first episode of the series, Dorothy says she is from Queens. In all the other episodes, Dorothy says she is from Brooklyn. 
  

•   Actress Elaine Stritch was considered for the role of Dorothy.   

 

• One of the TV stage managers on this show from 1987 until 1992, Kent Zbornak, has the same last name as one of the lead characters, Dorothy Zbornak.

 

• Numerous episodes involve jokes about the girls unintentionally encountering a penis, whether real, in a painting, or even an erotic cake. Each time, Dorothy's reaction is the same: "Whoa!"   

 

• When the actresses trying out for the part of Dorothy, the description of the character was "a Bea Arthur-esque role".

Golden Tats?

 I've never been one for tattoos myself. I don't like the idea of putting something on that I can't take off again. Also, they just tend to look ugly over time. Don't lie, you know it's true.

Novelty tattoos are possibly the stupidest things on Earth, in my very humble opinion. Even more stupid, novelty tattoos based on an item from times past, or in this case a show from past times. Now I love the GG's, as I'm sure you've picked up by now, but it is beyond me why anybody would want to tattoo their wrinkly old faces on their bodies!

 Go to Google and type in the words "Golden Girl Tattoo" and just sit back and watch the monumental amount of images that flood the screen. My God, a lot of people really think that these are a good idea! They are all horrendous, and many of them bear no likeness to our favourite Girls at all.

Also, interestingly enough, many of these tattoo owners seem to be men. Those legs above obviously belong to a woman, and I don't know who owns that lovely Mount Goldmore up there, but yeah, mens like the GG tattoos!

Now, I wonder if I google "Balki Bartokomous tattoos" how many will pop up?

Golden Quote of the Day

Rose: "My mother always used to say: "The older you get, the better you get, unless you're a banana.""

Betty White cake on Cake Boss

Ah, the Betty White cake. Perfect for every occasion!

Actually, it's really only perfect for a few occasions, such as a fan club meeting, gay dudes birthday or roasting Betty White (not literally! She's already a cake, how much more of her do you want?).

This time it was option c. - the roast. Made by Cake Boss star Buddy Valastro, the cake is 5'2" and made of vanilla cake with buttercream and a chocolate frosting. That thing in her hand (that I thought was a purse) is actually a silver fox, also edible, was added because of Betty's long time animal rightsviews and also to go with the roasts theme (though I think Betty might be a golden fox?).

Golden Quote of the Day

Blanche: This necklace is a priceless heirloom. It belonged to my grammy. I've only worn it three times in my whole life, and each occasion marked the beginning of a passionate romance. And tonight I've decided to wear it with clothes.

Golden Quote of the Day

Rose: You know what I think? 

Blanche: That reindeer really know how to fly?

Rue McClan-a-can!

In 1968 our lovely Rue had a starring  role in what appears to be a pretty small time movie, Walk the Angry Beach. It's the story of Sandy; a woman who moves to Hollywood to become an actress but ends up becoming a stripper. Rue plays Sandy, and this was quite early in her career.

I have never seen this classic piece of crap, so I can't really review it. However I have been able to find several clips of her now famous stripping scene. However, all of the uploads either contain "new" music or have people chitter chatting on top of them. I'm posting the latter, and I think it's a MST3 clip.

I love the comparison between Rue's bum and a Victorian couch, and the whole Art Garfunkel stripping thing.

I don't know if she's just in character or not, but Rue looks quite uncomfortable here. She may not have today's version of "sexy stripper body", but I think she looks pretty damn good. Not the best dancer in the world though!

Someone's Excellent GG Tumblr

Okay, everybody needs to check out this persons awesome TUMBLR account What Would Dorothy Zbornak Wear?

From what I can tell, all of the GG's are represented on the site, but Dorothy is the Grande Damme! I'm assuming the point of the site is to poke fun at today's "fashions", and how god-awful they are. That or some kid thought putting GG's heads on pictures of today's fashions was funny. Whatever!

Golden Quote of the Day

(Stan walks out the door)
 

Dorothy: Oh Ma, why did I ever marry that man?
 

Sophia: Because he knocked you up.
 

Dorothy: Why did I ever let that happen?
 

Sophia: Because he got you drunk.
 

Dorothy: Why am I having this conversation with you?!
 

Sophia: Beats the hell out of me!

The Bea Arthur Dog Park

Yep, it's a real place!

Owned by PeTA and located at 501 Front Street, Norfolk, VA, The Bea Arthur Dog Park has a pool in the summertime, a shaded area for relaxing, a toy box for doggy fun, and a separate play area for small dogs, as well as access to the Elizabeth River. The park is open 24/7 and is free, free, free!

Bea was a committed animal rights activist and frequently supported PeTA campaigns. She joined PeTA in 1987 after a Golden Girls anti-fur episode (the one with the minks). The park is named "The Bea Arthur Dog Park" in her honour.

Golden Girls Costume

This kicks absolute ass! Absolutely!

I can't tell if it's a man or not, but judging by the hips it's probably a woman. This may be the single greatest idea for a costume ever and this person wins 1000 cool points for making (and wearing) this!

Golden Quote of the Day

(Blanche & Rose practising for their parts in the Sound Of Music.)
 

Rose: (Hollering) The Nazis are coming! The Nazis are coming!
 

Sophia: Quick! Everybody grab a gun and get into the basement!

The Dancing Trio...Um, Duo!

Whoever made this is my God!

"Go Dorothy, go!"

"Gosh, I didn't realize how long Dorothy's solo is!"

From Season 1, Episode 18, "The Operation"

Golden Quote of the Day

Blanche: [after Sophia slaps Blanche's grandson David for mouthing off] Is that all you Italians know how to do, scream and hit?

Sophia: No, we also know how to make love and sing opera!

Golden Quote of the Day

Dorothy: I'd kill Gloria if she wrote a book about my sexual life.
 
Sophia: You'd kill your sister over a pamphlet?
 
Dorothy: Shut up Ma!

Supporting Actor: Nancy Walker

 

Nancy Walker (May 10, 1922 – March 25, 1992) was an American actress and comedienne of stage, screen, and television. She was also a director. During her five-decade long career, she may be best remembered for her long-running role of Ida Morgenstern, who first appeared on several episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later became a prominent recurring character on the spinoff series Rhoda.

For those of you who don't already know, this is Aunt Angela!

  

Walker made her stage debut in 1941 in Best Foot Forward. The role provided Walker with her film debut too when she signed a contract to make a film version, starring Lucille Ball, which was filmed in 1943. That same year she appeared in the second film version of Girl Crazy. Her next film was Broadway Rythym, in which she had a featured musical number, "Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet".

Her height (4'11") reportedly made her difficult to cast, however her comic talents did garner her a few roles. She was nominated for a Tony Award in 1956 for her work in the musical Phoenix '56 and again in 1960 for her performance in the hit musical Do Re Mi.

Her appearances in musicals led to several record releases. One such release, I Hate Men (1959), has been identified as having one of the worst album covers of all time

Dozens of television roles followed, providing her with steady work. Her career spanned five decades, and her work includes: The Carol Burnett Show, Family Affair, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, McMillan and Wife, The Nancy Walker Show, Alice, The Golden Girls and True Colors. Walker also occasionally worked as a director as well, mostly for television, but she did direct one major motion film, Can't Stop the Music, which was a huge failure but now has a cult following.

Nancy Walker and her second husband, musical theater teacher David Craig, had a daughter, Miranda. David died in 1998, aged 75, from lung cancer. Miranda Craig was an advertising copywriter; she died in 2000, aged 47. Nancy also died from lung cancer on March 25, 1992, aged 69.  Her ashes were scattered in the Virgin Islands.

5 Little Facts

 

• Estelle Getty (Sophia) is 1 year, 2 months and 12 days younger than Bea Arthur (Dorothy), even though Sophia is Dorothy's mother. She is also the second youngest of the four actresses (Rue McClanahan being the youngest, Betty White the oldest).

 

• It took 45 minutes in make-up for Estelle to be transformed into Sophia.  

• Estelle suffered from stage fright, every Friday night for 26 weeks during the show's taping.

• In several episodes which showed flashbacks to when Dorothy and Sophia were living in New York during the '40s and '50s, Estelle appears without the wig and makeup.Even though I know that's how she actually looks, I can't help but think it's fake when I watch it. The red hair throws me off!

• Estelle played Sophia on six different shows: The Golden Girls, The Golden Palace, Empty Nest, Blossom, Nurses and Ladies Man (Never heard of this one!)

Golden Quote of the Day

Blanche:  "I can't believe you said that! Oh, if I weren't a lady I'd deck you."
Dorothy: "You try and I'll have you on your back so fast you'll think you're out on a date."

Supporting Actor: Herb Edelman

"Hi, it's me. Stan"

Herbert (Herb) Edelman (Nov 5, 1933 - July 21, 1996) was an American film, stage and television actor. He is most famously known for his role as Stan Zbornak on The Golden Girls, a role which won him two Emmy nominations. He also had a recurring role on the 80's tv series St. Eslewhere.

Before choosing the life of an actor, Edelman studied to become a veterinarian at Cornell University, but left during his first year. He served in the Army, he was a student at Brooklin College (Theatre), but eventually dropped out. He later worked as a hotel manager, and as a cabbie.

Edelman was cast in Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park, a role he won after meeting the plays director while driving cabs.Edelman reprised his role in the film version of the same name, and appeared in the movie versions of Simon's The Odd Couple and California Suite.

He remains best known for his three decades in television, usually as a co-star, recurring character, or guest star on such shows as The Golden Girls, That Girl, Maude, Kojak, Cagney and Lacey and Welcome Back, Kotter. Occasionally Edelman was in the lead role. He starred in the 1976 children's series Big John, Little John as well as The Good Guys, in 1969. He also appeared  in Steambath, a controversial PBS comedy/drama, during 1973. From 1984 to 1988, he had a recurring role on St. Elsewhere. Edelman also appeared in ten episodes of Murder She Wrote between 1984 and 1995. His last role was on an episode of Burke's Law in 1995.

Edelman was married to actress Louise Sorrel from 1964 to 1970. He was also married to a woman named Marylin Cosgrove, whith whom he had two children (daughters Brianna and Jacy).  He was romantically linked with actress Christina Pickles, from the mid-1980s until his death. Which is awesome.

A keen painter and sculptor, he was also a gifted linguist, fluent in Japanese, French, Spanish, Italian, Yiddish, Hebrew, German and Russian.

Edelman died at age 62 of Emphysema. He is buried at Montefiore Cemetery, Springfield Gardens,Queens County,New York, USA.

Want to show Herb some love? You can visit his Facebook Page.

Golden Quote of the Day

Blanche: What was your first impression of me?
Rose: I thought you wore too much makeup and were a slut. I was wrong. You don't wear too much makeup

Dorothy a la Barbara Kruger

I'm not sure who made this, but as the title says it's Dorothy, done in the style of feminist artist Barbara Kruger.

Also, it's awesome!

Golden Quote of the Day

Sophia: Rose, just remember, you're smarter than people say you are. You've got good sense, and you know what you're doing.

Rose:Oh, Sophia.
 
Sophia:Blanche, you're a slut.
 
Blanche:Oh, Sophia.

That Classic Theme Song

Without exaggerating, I think every single person in the world knows every single word to The Golden Girls theme song.

So, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. But really, even people who aren't fans of the show ( aka: stupid jerks), can usually belt out the first few lines of the song with very little prompting. It's probably one of the best known theme songs out there (my opinion), tying in awesomeness with only a few others, like The Littlest Hobo, Thundercats and the Raccoons! ( also my opinion).

Cynthia Fee sang the theme song for the series, and apparently did nothing else (at least in the show business industry) that I can find. I guess if you are only going to have one huge success in your music career this was a pretty good way to go.

But did you know that it was originally written and recorded in 1978 by Singer/Songwriter Andrew Gold, whose version was a minor hit on the Billboard Pop Chart. He also did nothing else that I've ever heard of, but it seems he was somewhat popular in the 70's and has a bit of a fan base.

Also, because I know your dying to have this typed out for you, the lyrics:

Thank You For Being a Friend

Thank you for being a friend

Travelled down the road and back again

Your heart is true,

you're a pal and a confidant

And if you threw a party

Invited everyone you knew

You would see

the biggest gift would be from me,

and the card attached would say:

Thank you for being a friend

More Golden Baked Goods

As first mentioned before on TYFBAF, GG baked goods seem to be a hit.

I think these babies are cupcakes too, but they also could be really heavily iced cookies? Who knows. What I do know is that they are a big pile of awesome!

Dorothy and Sophia are the best, Rose is okay. That looks nothing like Blanche though, Dear Baker!

I love the use of Marshmallows as an artistic medium!

Golden Quote of the Day

Dorothy: Oh... but you thought we'd be interested in the story of little Yimminy, the boy who was raised by a moose?
Rose: That moose not only raised little Yimminy, he put him through medical school!

5 Little Facts

• In the pilot episode Blanche's last name is Hollingsworth, not Devereaux. It is revealed later that Blanche's maiden name was Hollingsworth, her married name was Devereaux. 
• It was not originally in the script for Blanche to have a Southern accent, Rue McClanahan was told to speak with her original Alabama accent. Rue thought the accent was unappealing, and wanted Blanche to be over-the-top Southern. 
•  In the episode "Wham, Bam, Thank You Mammy", Blanche's full name is revealed to be "Blanche Marie Hollingsworth", but in a later episode she says her full name is "Blanche Elizabeth Devereaux", making her initials B.E.D.
•  Though it is widely believed that Blanche's age is never actually revealed, in an episode called "Mother's Day", it is shown in a flashback that Blanche was 17 in 1949. That would make her 53 years old when the series began in 1985 and 60 when it ended in 1992.However, if you asked Blanche I'm sure she'd tell you she was 29.
• Blanche's name was taken from Blanche DuBois, another timeless Southern Belle from "A Streetcar Named Desire"

Golden Quote of the Day

"Like we say in St. Olaf, Christmas without fruitcake is like St. Sigmund's Day without the headless boy."
~ Rose Nylund

*Good Lord, I wish she'd gone into more detail about this one!*

Shake it, Rose!

Rose has got some hot moves!

*I didn't make either of these, but I don't know who did. Credit goes to them, whoever they are. They must be awesome!*

Golden Quote of the Day

"The laws in St. Olaf are very stringent. Their motto is 'Use a gun, go apologize.'"

~Rose Nylund

Etch-a-Sophia

Since I seem to be on a Sophia kick today:

Golden Quote of the Day

"Why do blessings wear disguises? If I were a blessing, I'd run around naked."

~Sophia Petrillo

Whatever happened to Coco?

Any true Golden Girls fan will remember Coco, the flamboyantly gay cook. We were introduced to him in the pilot, and then he was never seen or heard from again. Whatever happened to Coco?

Coco: An Okay Petunia

Originally, the plan was for Coco to be a regular character on Golden Girls, however when the series was picked up his character was dropped. Why, you ask? What could be better than a smart mouthed gay cook?

Zulu, Queen of the Dwarf People

That's right baby! Sophia had originally been planned as an occasional guest star, however her character did so well with the test audiences that she became a regular character, and having an Italian cook in the house made Coco's role pretty much obsolete. So the girls lost their flaming flambe-er for a deceitful Sicilian Gecko and t.v. history was made.

Can anyone honestly say they missed Coco?

Bea Pumpkin

Why the hell not?

Golden Quote of the Day

"My first was Billy. Oh, I'll never forget it! That night under the dogwood tree, the air thick with perfume, and me with Billy. Or Bobby? Yes, that's right, Bobby! Or was it Ben? Oh who knows, anyway, it started with a B"

~Blanche Devereaux

Golden Quote of the Day

Dorothy: "Oh, Angela, you really don't have to go!"
Aunt Angela: "Thank you, Dorothy. I'd love to stay, but I hate your mother."

 Good old Aunt Angela with Sophia

Rue with a Pearl Earring

Ah, yes. Another Golden take on some classic art. This time we have the Blanche version of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer's masterwork "Girl with a Pearl Earring".

It actually works quite well, no?

And here's the original