"The Golden Girls" (1985) TV series 1985-1992

Creator:

Susan Harris
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

14 September 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Four previously married women live together in Miami, sharing their various experiences together and enjoying themselves despite hard times.

Plot Keywords:

Roommate | Casual Sex | Miami Florida | Color In Title | Sarcasm

Awards:

Won 4 Golden Globes. Another 34 wins & 79 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. Nov. 12	11:00 PM	HALMRK	Twice in a Lifetime	#5.20
Thur. Nov. 12	11:30 PM	HALMRK	Sisters and Other Strangers	#5.21

Cast

Bea Arthur	...	Dorothy Petrillo Zbornak / ... (180 episodes, 1985-1992)
Betty White	...	Rose Nylund (180 episodes, 1985-1992)
Rue McClanahan	...	Blanche Devereaux (180 episodes, 1985-1992)
Estelle Getty	...	Sophia Petrillo (180 episodes, 1985-1992)

Series Directed by
Terry Hughes		(108 episodes, 1985-1990)
Lex Passaris		(24 episodes, 1990-1992)
Matthew Diamond		(21 episodes, 1990-1991)
Jim Drake		(8 episodes, 1985)
Peter D. Beyt		(6 episodes, 1991-1992)
Paul Bogart		(4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Jay Sandrich		(2 episodes, 1985-1987)

Series Writing credits
Susan Harris		(105 episodes, 1985-1992)
Barry Fanaro		(24 episodes, 1985-1989)
Mort Nathan		(24 episodes, 1985-1989)
Terry Grossman		(22 episodes, 1985-1989)
Kathy Speer		(22 episodes, 1985-1989)
Winifred Hervey		(14 episodes, 1985-1989)
Tracy Gamble		(14 episodes, 1989-1992)
Gail Parent		(14 episodes, 1989-1992)
Richard Vaczy		(14 episodes, 1989-1992)
Christopher Lloyd		(11 episodes, 1986-1989)
Marc Cherry		(11 episodes, 1990-1992)
Jamie Wooten		(11 episodes, 1990-1992)
Robert Bruce		(10 episodes, 1988-1990)
Martin Weiss		(10 episodes, 1988-1990)
Tom Whedon		(10 episodes, 1989-1992)
Jerry Perzigian		(10 episodes, 1990-1992)
Don Seigel		(10 episodes, 1990-1992)
James Vallely		(10 episodes, 1990-1992)
Mitchell Hurwitz		(9 episodes, 1990-1992)
Marc Sotkin		(7 episodes, 1989-1992)
Kevin Abbott		(5 episodes, 1989-1992)
Phillip Jayson Lasker		(5 episodes, 1989-1991)
James Berg		(3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Stan Zimmerman		(3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Russell Marcus		(3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jeffrey Ferro		(3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Fredric Weiss		(3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Robert Spina		(3 episodes, 1990-1992)
Liz Sage		(2 episodes, 1985)
Eric Cohen		(2 episodes, 1989)
Harold Apter		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Produced by
Paul Junger Witt	....	executive producer / producer (101 episodes, 1985-1992)
Tony Thomas	....	executive producer / producer (101 episodes, 1985-1992)
Kathy Speer	....	producer / co-executive producer (74 episodes, 1985-1988)
Terry Grossman	....	producer / co-executive producer (73 episodes, 1985-1988)
Marsha Posner Williams	....	co-producer (73 episodes, 1985-1988)
Harry Waterson	....	producer (59 episodes, 1985-1988)
Barry Fanaro	....	supervising producer / co-producer / ... (50 episodes, 1986-1988)
Winifred Hervey	....	co-producer / producer (50 episodes, 1986-1988)
Mort Nathan	....	supervising producer / co-producer (50 episodes, 1986-1988)
Nina Feinberg	....	producer / co-producer (29 episodes, 1991-1992)
Gail Parent	....	co-executive producer / supervising producer (29 episodes, 1991-1992)
Jerry Perzigian	....	supervising producer (29 episodes, 1991-1992)
Don Seigel	....	supervising producer (29 episodes, 1991-1992)
Marc Sotkin	....	co-executive producer / executive producer (29 episodes, 1991-1992)
Richard Vaczy	....	co-executive producer / supervising producer (29 episodes, 1991-1992)
Tom Whedon	....	co-executive producer (29 episodes, 1991-1992)
Tracy Gamble	....	co-executive producer / supervising producer (28 episodes, 1991-1992)
Marc Cherry	....	producer (26 episodes, 1990-1992)
Kevin Abbott	....	co-producer (26 episodes, 1991-1992)
James Vallely	....	co-producer (26 episodes, 1991-1992)
Mitchell Hurwitz	....	producer (25 episodes, 1991-1992)
Jamie Wooten	....	producer (25 episodes, 1991-1992)
Greg Giangregorio	....	associate producer (16 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jeffrey Ferro	....	co-producer (15 episodes, 1987-1988)
Fredric Weiss	....	co-producer (15 episodes, 1987-1988)
Susan Harris	....	executive producer (13 episodes, 1987-1992)
John Ziffren	....	co-producer (13 episodes, 1991)
Paul Bogart	....	supervising producer (4 episodes, 1985-1986)
Phillip Jayson Lasker	....	co-executive producer (3 episodes, 1991)
David A. Goodman	....	co-producer (unknown episodes, 1989-1990)
Terry Hughes	....	co-executive producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
George Aliceson Tipton		(101 episodes, 1985-1992)

Series Cinematography by
Alan Walker		(2 episodes, 1986-1987)

Series Film Editing by
Pamela Phelps		(27 episodes, 1991-1992)
Harold McKenzie		(26 episodes, 1986-1992)
Jim McElroy		(17 episodes, 1987-1988)

Series Casting by
Judith Weiner		(62 episodes, 1985-1988)
Sharon Seigal		(24 episodes, 1986-1987)
Jennifer Jackson Part		(24 episodes, 1987-1988)
Susan Vash		(21 episodes, 1986-1987)
Ellen Meyer		(19 episodes, 1989-1992)
Allison Jones		(18 episodes, 1985-1986)
Donna Larson		(16 episodes, 1990-1992)
Joanne Koehler		(1 episode, 1988-1989)

Series Production Design by
Edward Stephenson		(101 episodes, 1985-1992)

Series Art Direction by
Michael Hynes		(3 episodes, 1991)

Series Costume Design by
Judy Evans		(100 episodes, 1985-1992)

Series Makeup Department
Joyce Conroy	....	hair stylist (77 episodes, 1985-1991)
Maurice Stein	....	makeup artist (75 episodes, 1985-1988)
Art Harding	....	makeup artist (30 episodes, 1985-1992)
Paulette Pennington	....	hair stylist (26 episodes, 1991-1992)
Barbara Fonte-Kunkel	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Susan Palladino	....	executive in charge of production / production executive (90 episodes, 1985-1992)
Adria Horton	....	post-production manager (69 episodes, 1985-1988)
David Amico	....	unit manager (46 episodes, 1985-1988)
Audrey Joy Johnson	....	unit manager (15 episodes, 1991-1992)
Harold McKenzie	....	post-production supervisor (13 episodes, 1985-1986)
Lex Passaris	....	post-production supervisor (10 episodes, 1985-1986)
Fred Roth	....	post production manager / post-production manager (3 episodes, 1991)
George Englund	....	post-production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Lex Passaris	....	associate director / assistant director (4 episodes, 1986-1991)

Series Art Department
Paul Wadian	....	head carpenter (99 episodes, 1985-1992)
Michael Hynes	....	associate production designer / associate designer (71 episodes, 1986-1992)
Ken Dawson	....	property master (56 episodes, 1985-1988)
Robert Devicariis	....	property master (25 episodes, 1988-1992)
Judeth Lowey	....	assistant designer / assistant art director (15 episodes, 1991-1992)
Scott Latendresse	....	assistant designer (12 episodes, 1992)
John Blanco	....	property master (5 episodes, 1991)
Jasper Ehrig	....	property master (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
James Draper	....	property master (3 episodes, 1988)
Ed Stevenson	....	set designer (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Allen Patapoff	....	sound re-recordist / sound recordist (56 episodes, 1985-1988)
Edward L. Moskowitz	....	sound (41 episodes, 1986-1991)
John Hart	....	sound (38 episodes, 1990-1992)
Craig Porter	....	re-recording / sound re-recordist (30 episodes, 1988-1992)
Nick Carbone	....	sound utility (26 episodes, 1991-1992)
Doc Siegel	....	sound (18 episodes, 1985-1987)
Ed Epstein	....	sound (18 episodes, 1991-1992)
Larry Lasota	....	sound (8 episodes, 1991)
Dick Burns	....	sound (4 episodes, 1986-1987)
Wolf Seeberg	....	sound (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Douglas Shamburger	....	sound utility (unknown episodes, 1985-1986)
Greg Ampagoomian	....	utility sound (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Stephen A. Jones	....	camera operator (130 episodes, 1985-1992)
Ritch Kenney	....	camera operator (100 episodes, 1985-1992)
Alan Walker	....	lighting designer / lighting (64 episodes, 1985-1991)
John O'Brien	....	video controller (57 episodes, 1987-1992)
Jack Chisolm	....	camera operator (53 episodes, 1986-1992)
Ken Tamburri	....	camera operator (47 episodes, 1986-1988)
Carol Wetovich	....	camera operator (46 episodes, 1985-1987)
Ron Ruby	....	gaffer (30 episodes, 1985-1987)
Chester Jackson	....	camera operator (30 episodes, 1988-1992)
Dave Heckman	....	camera operator (29 episodes, 1991-1992)
Andrew Dickerman	....	videographer (26 episodes, 1985-1987)
Randy Johnson	....	video operator (26 episodes, 1991-1992)
Darryl Palagi	....	lighting (26 episodes, 1991-1992)
Andy Kassan	....	gaffer / lighting technician (25 episodes, 1985-1987)
Jim Orthel	....	gaffer (25 episodes, 1991-1992)
Ron Olson	....	camera operator (22 episodes, 1985-1986)
William Updegraff	....	gaffer / lighting technician (20 episodes, 1987-1991)
Tom Faigh	....	camera operator (15 episodes, 1985-1986)
Randy Baer	....	camera operator (3 episodes, 1985-1987)
Dave Hilmer	....	camera operator (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
J. Kent Inasy	....	lighting technician (3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Donna Quante	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1985-1987)
Tony Balderama	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Wayne Orr	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1985-1986)
Roger Dalton	....	lighting (2 episodes, 1991)

Series Casting Department
Judith Weiner	....	original casting (30 episodes, 1988-1992)
Bonnie Shane	....	casting assistant (3 episodes, 1991)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Julie Rhine	....	costume supervisor / costumer (113 episodes, 1985-1989)
Barbara Yokonji	....	costumer / costume assistant / ... (53 episodes, 1987-1992)
Patricia McLaughlin	....	costumer / assistant costumer (52 episodes, 1990-1992)
Rhoda Yarbrough	....	costumer (49 episodes, 1985-1987)
Monique Long	....	costumer (26 episodes, 1990-1991)
Helaine Bruck	....	costumer (22 episodes, 1985-1991)
Marlene Hajdu	....	on-set costumer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
George Englund	....	post-production executive (26 episodes, 1991-1992)
Lex Passaris	....	editorial assistant / assistant editor (12 episodes, 1985-1986)
Frank Mazzaro	....	editor: video tape (2 episodes, 1986)
Gil Junger	....	post-production executive (1 episode, 1985)
Brent Carpenter	....	on-line editor (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Scott Gale	....	music coordinator / music supervisor (100 episodes, 1985-1992)

Series Other crew
Robert Spina	....	production associate (180 episodes, 1985-1992)
Tom Carpenter	....	stage manager / associate director (102 episodes, 1985-1992)
O. Tamburri	....	technical director (71 episodes, 1985-1988)
Jeannie Taylor	....	production staff (71 episodes, 1985-1988)
Bill Conroy	....	technical manager / technical coordinator (67 episodes, 1985-1992)
Kent Zbornak	....	stage manager (52 episodes, 1987-1992)
Ellen Deutsch	....	production assistant (47 episodes, 1985-1987)
Richard King	....	production staff / production coordinator (42 episodes, 1985-1992)
Christopher Lloyd	....	story editor / executive script consultant (38 episodes, 1986-1988)
Jeffrey Goodman	....	production staff (37 episodes, 1985-1987)
Lex Passaris	....	associate director (37 episodes, 1986-1988)
Jackie Schaffner	....	production staff / production assistant (34 episodes, 1986-1988)
David Amico	....	production executive (30 episodes, 1986-1992)
Salli Shrewsbury	....	production assistant (29 episodes, 1991-1992)
Ken Tamburri	....	technical director (28 episodes, 1987-1992)
Mitchell Hurwitz	....	story editor (26 episodes, 1990-1991)
Catherine Dunn	....	production staff (26 episodes, 1991-1992)
Danny Filous	....	second stage manager (26 episodes, 1991-1992)
Brian Kahn	....	production staff (26 episodes, 1991-1992)
Gary Shimokawa	....	associate director (25 episodes, 1985-1987)
Julie Thacker	....	production staff (24 episodes, 1985-1992)
Doug Tobin	....	stage manager (24 episodes, 1985-1987)
Anne Thomopoulos	....	production staff (24 episodes, 1985-1986)
Bob Kaufman	....	video (24 episodes, 1986-1987)
Martin Weiss	....	executive story consultant (24 episodes, 1987-1988)
Kit Wilkinson	....	production staff (23 episodes, 1985-1986)
Jane Greene	....	stage manager (23 episodes, 1986-1987)
Peter D. Beyt	....	associate director (23 episodes, 1991-1992)
Barry Fanaro	....	executive script consultant (22 episodes, 1985-1986)
Robert Bruce	....	executive story consultant (22 episodes, 1987-1988)
Winifred Hervey	....	executive story consultant (21 episodes, 1985-1986)
Mort Nathan	....	executive script consultant (21 episodes, 1985-1986)
Esther Himbaugh	....	production staff (19 episodes, 1987-1988)
Alan Helfand	....	production staff (15 episodes, 1991-1992)
Denise Porter	....	production staff (12 episodes, 1991)
Gary Shinokawa	....	associate director (11 episodes, 1985-1986)
Michael Riolo	....	associate director (10 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jeff Abugov	....	executive story editor (9 episodes, 1988)
Liz Sage	....	creative consultant (6 episodes, 1985-1986)
Ted Ashton	....	technical manager (6 episodes, 1985)
Bob Rosenfarb	....	story editor (5 episodes, 1986)
Todd Morris	....	production staff (5 episodes, 1991)
Doug Smart	....	associate director (3 episodes, 1985-1987)
Stacy Saltman	....	assistant to executive producer / assistant to producers (3 episodes, 1985-1986)
Jon Sharp	....	associate director (3 episodes, 1985)
Gerry Cohen	....	associate director (3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Harold McKenzie	....	associate director (3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Randy Johnson	....	video (3 episodes, 1991-1992)
Marc Cherry	....	executive story editor (3 episodes, 1991)
Denise Fleissner Barta	....	production coordinator (3 episodes, 1991)
Laurie Parres	....	production staff (3 episodes, 1991)
Denise Potter	....	production staff (3 episodes, 1991)
B. Thomas Seidman	....	stage manager (3 episodes, 1991)
James Vallely	....	story editor (3 episodes, 1991)
Jamie Wooten	....	executive story editor (3 episodes, 1991)
Ethel Himbaugh	....	production staff (2 episodes, 1987-1988)
Jerry Smith	....	video (2 episodes, 1987)
Brenda Bos	....	production staff (2 episodes, 1991)
Pamela Phelps	....	production staff (2 episodes, 1991)
Rick Copp	....	story editor (unknown episodes)
Jerry Kosowsky	....	video technical supervisor (unknown episodes)
Michael Saperton	....	engineer in charge (unknown episodes)

Series Thanks
Dick Gilbert	....	in memory of (1 episode, 1987)

Production Companies

• Touchstone Television
• Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1985-1992) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (ARD) (19??) (Germany) (TV)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 1 and 2)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (season 3)
• Buena Vista International Finland (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Television (1990-)
• RTL (????) (Germany) (TV)
• Vox (????) (Germany) (TV)

Other Companies

• Caliber Productions  facilities
• Carefree Video Company  facilities
• ShowBiz Enterprises  draperies

Runtime:

30 min (180 episodes) | Germany:25 min (180 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian | Norwegian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:12 (one episode) | UK:PG (some episodes) | Sweden:Btl (Season 1 DVD) | Australia:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Touchstone Television

Trivia:

In the episode "Wham, bam, thank you Mammy", Blanche is called "Blanche Marie Hollingsworth, but in a later episode she says her full name is "Blanche Elizabeth Deveraux" (B.E.D.)

Goofs:

Continuity: In the episode dealing with Rose's drug addiction, she jokingly states that this was the anniversary of her cat "Fluffy"'s death, and Dorothy reminds her that she never owned a cat because she was allergic to them. However, in at least one other episode, Rose spoke of having a cat. In addition, she also stated his name was "Lingstrom" rather than Fluffy.

Quotes:

Dorothy: You see what this holiday has become? You see? Everybody thinks the best way to show someone you care is by going into debt. I mean, where is the love? Where's the sharing? Where is the - the true spirit of Christmas?
Sophia: Neiman-Marcus, Ladies Apparel, third floor.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in 1996 MTV Movie Awards (1996) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Thank You For Being A Friend

Great show!

This show was a friggin' classic!

This came out when I was very young, before they showed it in reruns on Lifetime, I had no clue what was so funny... now I know!

I'm a guy, but I enjoy shows like this because of almost everything... especially when the other three girls insult Rose.

The way I see it, no matter how many times you've seen this show, it's always funny.

This is definately a 10 in my book.