Post by jasong on Jan 28, 2018 13:20:54 GMT
Over the years I have read many articles, read IMDb, even watched all the Intimate Portraits that the girls were in and glanced over #GoldenGirls trivia and I just wanted to share some with you. So sit back with some popcorn. I'm not going over all of them, but most of them.
Casting of Dorothy-
Elaine Stritch (I think that's how its spelt lol) was in contention for the role of Dorothy, Stritch even saying during a broadway show she was close to being cast but it didn't happen. But as we all know Dorothy ended up being played by the legendary Bea Arthur.. BUT did you know as well, that the president of the network the show was on, almost didn't want Bea because of the #Maude episode "Maude's Dilemma" from 1972 season 1, he claimed that "fans would react in droves if she was cast." but in the end the script for Dorothy went to Bea.
Bea said no-
"OMG SHE DID WHAT?" I hear you say, yes its true, Bea passed on the script because she didn't want a "Vivian and Maude meet Sue-Ann Nivens", but after a phone call from Rue saying "This is a once in a lifetime script, you cant pass up on this." with Rue telling her that the roles were reversed that she would play a Nivens type character. That changed her mind. The rest is history.
Password and Puzzles-
Everyone knows that Betty loved the game Password, so much in fact that Betty and Rue played games, and they even left puzzles for each other to do on a blackboard that floated around in the kitchen. Try blackboard spotting the next time you watch an episode.
Between Takes-
Normally during a take when a person isn't needed they go back to the greenroom have a bite to eat maybe read a book and wait for their turns, according to an article, they would wait for each other to finish a take. The one of set (in the take) would do their scene the other (not in the take) would be off to the side. Aww cute.
Blanche and Rose Role Reversal-
You've probably heard of this one, but if you haven't, Rue was asked to play the part of Rose, and Betty was asked to play Blanche. But a late change of heart from the casting director, gave us Rue McClanahan's Sexy sassy Blanche, and Betty White's idiot, farm girl Rose. They took both roles into space with how good they portrayed them.
How much Cheesecake???-
Over 100 were eaten during the 7 year run.. But even more interesting is the fact Bea Arthur hated cheesecake, but like a boss she ate it anyway.
Sleeping in weird places-
According to on-set sources, Rue was found sleeping on set in weird places, where these places were wasn't said, but is laundry sleeping weird?
Those "Crazy Earrings"-
Bea didn't have pierced ears, so all of the crazy ones we see her wearing are clip-ons. (But if you watch later interviews and videos, they look pierced.. change of heart maybe?) also they were recycled for other characters. Kinda like the clothes..
Getty's Stage Fright-
She said she felt like a fraud, but it wasn't her fault. She wasn't a TV star until she got her gig on Golden Girls. Of course the freezing pissed off the others, but when you don't have a TV background and there is a real life audience there it can be intimidating.
Rue Originally was against Golden Palace-
McClanahan asked the producers if they could write a new room mate in for the Girls. The producers briefly considered the idea and even spoke with Doris Roberts to join the show, but after that Palace aired for a year.
Pilot and Finale Viewership-
The pilot was watched by 25 million viewers, beating out THE COSBY SHOW for ratings that week. The Finale was watched by 27.5 million people.
A Rarity for TV casts-
One of three TV-series to win Emmys for all its main characters. The other two are All in the Family (1971) and Will & Grace (1998). Mary Tyler Moore (1970) won Emmys for six different characters from a larger cast.
Bea Didn't Stay in Touch-
Bea Arthur, who was not close to the other cast members, did not stay in touch with her Golden Girls co-stars after the show ended. I assume she had to be reminded of press events from her manager, and because she decided to do her own show. But the girls went and saw it.
Not That Close?-
According to her EmmyTvLegends interview Rue McClanahan said the Golden Girls were not very close off screen, except for her and Betty. The others were not really friends. (This was especially prominent after Arthur died. Rue and Betty began regular contact every week via phone, until Rue's death in 2010.)
Reasoning Behind Sophia's Lines-
The writers of the show always tried to give Sophia the raciest lines. They did this because her character had a stroke earlier in life, which made her unable to control the things she was able to say.
That's ALOT of clothes-
Rue McClanahan had a clause written into her contract that she be allowed to keep all of Blanche's custom-made clothing. McClanahan had 13 closets filled with the designer wardrobe in her Sutton Place co-op in Manhattan.
Empty Nest-
During the shows run, during the episode "Empty Nest", was used as the pilot for the show Empty Nest. After Golden Palace Finished Getty joined the cast.
Bea v Betty-
Bea Arthur reportedly did not get along with her co-stars very well. Betty White admits in interviews that they did not have a good relationship. Rue McClanahan has said she didn't have a relationship with Bea either calling her very eccentric. The didn't seek out a friendship, but had a good working relationship according to sources.
The "Feud"-
According to multiple sources and the BTS from Jim Colluci's book, is that what started the Bea/Betty feud was the fact that Betty won the Emmy in 1986 first, that led to her calling Betty the "C" word whilst drunk. But other sources say its because of their personalities, that Bea wouldn't acknowledge the audience, and because she came from broadway she wanted it done, Betty on the other hand would be "hey sailor" blah blah to the audience... Basically this whole feud thing is a clash of personalities and the fact that Bea was military trained (Though she denied this, records are out there!) and a broadway singer she just wanted it done to go home.
The Show Was Supposed to end in season 5-
The show was originally intended to end after Season 5 but Bea Arthur agreed to stay 2 more years. Even Rue didn't think she wanted to come back. I think we can all see the last two seasons that Bea was just done.
Award Wins-
There were A LOT. Bea was nominated 4 times as was Rue, Estelle and Betty 9 times each. 68 nominations for awards another 11 wins. Wow.
Why Bea Left-
She was done with the entire premise. She wanted to go out there and do her own thing. Sources claim that she was sick of "Dorothy Bashing" because insults didn't rub off life on the other ladies. Bea left the show in 92, came back for 2 eps of Golden Palace, semi-retired from tv, and went back to broadway.
NOT JUST ANOTHER SHOW YO. THE SHOW THAT DEFIED A GENERATION.
Casting of Dorothy-
Elaine Stritch (I think that's how its spelt lol) was in contention for the role of Dorothy, Stritch even saying during a broadway show she was close to being cast but it didn't happen. But as we all know Dorothy ended up being played by the legendary Bea Arthur.. BUT did you know as well, that the president of the network the show was on, almost didn't want Bea because of the #Maude episode "Maude's Dilemma" from 1972 season 1, he claimed that "fans would react in droves if she was cast." but in the end the script for Dorothy went to Bea.
Bea said no-
"OMG SHE DID WHAT?" I hear you say, yes its true, Bea passed on the script because she didn't want a "Vivian and Maude meet Sue-Ann Nivens", but after a phone call from Rue saying "This is a once in a lifetime script, you cant pass up on this." with Rue telling her that the roles were reversed that she would play a Nivens type character. That changed her mind. The rest is history.
Password and Puzzles-
Everyone knows that Betty loved the game Password, so much in fact that Betty and Rue played games, and they even left puzzles for each other to do on a blackboard that floated around in the kitchen. Try blackboard spotting the next time you watch an episode.
Between Takes-
Normally during a take when a person isn't needed they go back to the greenroom have a bite to eat maybe read a book and wait for their turns, according to an article, they would wait for each other to finish a take. The one of set (in the take) would do their scene the other (not in the take) would be off to the side. Aww cute.
Blanche and Rose Role Reversal-
You've probably heard of this one, but if you haven't, Rue was asked to play the part of Rose, and Betty was asked to play Blanche. But a late change of heart from the casting director, gave us Rue McClanahan's Sexy sassy Blanche, and Betty White's idiot, farm girl Rose. They took both roles into space with how good they portrayed them.
How much Cheesecake???-
Over 100 were eaten during the 7 year run.. But even more interesting is the fact Bea Arthur hated cheesecake, but like a boss she ate it anyway.
Sleeping in weird places-
According to on-set sources, Rue was found sleeping on set in weird places, where these places were wasn't said, but is laundry sleeping weird?
Those "Crazy Earrings"-
Bea didn't have pierced ears, so all of the crazy ones we see her wearing are clip-ons. (But if you watch later interviews and videos, they look pierced.. change of heart maybe?) also they were recycled for other characters. Kinda like the clothes..
Getty's Stage Fright-
She said she felt like a fraud, but it wasn't her fault. She wasn't a TV star until she got her gig on Golden Girls. Of course the freezing pissed off the others, but when you don't have a TV background and there is a real life audience there it can be intimidating.
Rue Originally was against Golden Palace-
McClanahan asked the producers if they could write a new room mate in for the Girls. The producers briefly considered the idea and even spoke with Doris Roberts to join the show, but after that Palace aired for a year.
Pilot and Finale Viewership-
The pilot was watched by 25 million viewers, beating out THE COSBY SHOW for ratings that week. The Finale was watched by 27.5 million people.
A Rarity for TV casts-
One of three TV-series to win Emmys for all its main characters. The other two are All in the Family (1971) and Will & Grace (1998). Mary Tyler Moore (1970) won Emmys for six different characters from a larger cast.
Bea Didn't Stay in Touch-
Bea Arthur, who was not close to the other cast members, did not stay in touch with her Golden Girls co-stars after the show ended. I assume she had to be reminded of press events from her manager, and because she decided to do her own show. But the girls went and saw it.
Not That Close?-
According to her EmmyTvLegends interview Rue McClanahan said the Golden Girls were not very close off screen, except for her and Betty. The others were not really friends. (This was especially prominent after Arthur died. Rue and Betty began regular contact every week via phone, until Rue's death in 2010.)
Reasoning Behind Sophia's Lines-
The writers of the show always tried to give Sophia the raciest lines. They did this because her character had a stroke earlier in life, which made her unable to control the things she was able to say.
That's ALOT of clothes-
Rue McClanahan had a clause written into her contract that she be allowed to keep all of Blanche's custom-made clothing. McClanahan had 13 closets filled with the designer wardrobe in her Sutton Place co-op in Manhattan.
Empty Nest-
During the shows run, during the episode "Empty Nest", was used as the pilot for the show Empty Nest. After Golden Palace Finished Getty joined the cast.
Bea v Betty-
Bea Arthur reportedly did not get along with her co-stars very well. Betty White admits in interviews that they did not have a good relationship. Rue McClanahan has said she didn't have a relationship with Bea either calling her very eccentric. The didn't seek out a friendship, but had a good working relationship according to sources.
The "Feud"-
According to multiple sources and the BTS from Jim Colluci's book, is that what started the Bea/Betty feud was the fact that Betty won the Emmy in 1986 first, that led to her calling Betty the "C" word whilst drunk. But other sources say its because of their personalities, that Bea wouldn't acknowledge the audience, and because she came from broadway she wanted it done, Betty on the other hand would be "hey sailor" blah blah to the audience... Basically this whole feud thing is a clash of personalities and the fact that Bea was military trained (Though she denied this, records are out there!) and a broadway singer she just wanted it done to go home.
The Show Was Supposed to end in season 5-
The show was originally intended to end after Season 5 but Bea Arthur agreed to stay 2 more years. Even Rue didn't think she wanted to come back. I think we can all see the last two seasons that Bea was just done.
Award Wins-
There were A LOT. Bea was nominated 4 times as was Rue, Estelle and Betty 9 times each. 68 nominations for awards another 11 wins. Wow.
Why Bea Left-
She was done with the entire premise. She wanted to go out there and do her own thing. Sources claim that she was sick of "Dorothy Bashing" because insults didn't rub off life on the other ladies. Bea left the show in 92, came back for 2 eps of Golden Palace, semi-retired from tv, and went back to broadway.
NOT JUST ANOTHER SHOW YO. THE SHOW THAT DEFIED A GENERATION.
