The Golden Girls is a Sitcom about four women who live together and the adventures they go on. The show is a beloved classic and for a good reason! Here are 10 facts you didn’t know about The Golden Girls.
Betty White Originally Auditioned for Blanche
Betty White went into auditions for Blanche. Blanche had similarities to her character on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Sue Ann Nivens, so it probably only felt right that White auditioned for Blanche. However, when Rue McClanahan auditioned for Rose, it was decided that the two switch roles. They fit their roles so well, who could imagine them switched?
There Was Supposed To Be a Cook
In the first episode of the show, you might notice that there is a cook named Coco. Coco shows up in that one episode and then disappears forever. We never hear or see him again. Coco was in the original plans for the show, but things changed as you will see in the next fact.
Sophia Wasn’t Supposed To Be a Regular on the Show
The character of Sophia was supposed to be an occasional supporting role. However, when the show was shown to test audiences, they loved Sophia. Sophia then was given the go-ahead to be a series regular. Aren’t we glad she became a regular? Sophia is an iconic character!
Some of the Ladies Were on Other Shows Together
Some of the girls from the show had been on other shows together before. Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan were both in the 70s Sitcom Maude and Betty White and Rue McClanahan were in the show Mama’s Family together. This could be why their chemistry was so great, because some of them had worked together before!
Bea Arthur Hated Cheesecake
When there was a problem that needed to be solved, what would the girls do? They would get some cheesecake and sit around the kitchen table to discuss the issue at hand. However, Bea Arthur couldn’t stand cheesecake! She ate it because that’s what her character was supposed to do but no one said she had to enjoy it.
Estelle Getty Wasn’t Really the Oldest in the Cast
Estelle Getty may have played the oldest character on the show, but she actually wasn’t the oldest cast member. Betty White was the oldest, and then next was Bea Arthur. Arthur was a year older than Getty, which is ironic because Getty played her mother. Rue McClanahan was the youngest member in the cast.
Bea Arthur Almost Didn’t Do the Show
There are different stories about Bea Arthur’s initial involvement in the show. Arthur indicated that she loved the script right away. Rue McClanahan shared that Arthur was not a fan at first because she felt like it was just their Maude characters meeting Sue Ann Nivens. Either way, Arthur eventually got on board to do the show and we are so glad she played Dorothy!
Betty White and Rue McClanahan Would Play Word Games Together
Betty White and Rue McClanahan became friends during the filming of the show. White used to be on game shows, so she had a competitive spirit. She met her match with McClanahan who loved to play word games. The two would play word games during filming to pass the time.
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Estelle Getty Had Extreme Stage Fright
Playing the powerhouse that is Sophia must mean you have confidence, right? Unfortunately, that was wrong concerning Estelle Getty. Getty had extreme stage fright and had a bit of imposter syndrome because she knew how great of actresses Betty White and Bea Arthur were. If only we could tell Getty how great her portrayal of Sophia really is and how much we all loved her performance.
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Queen Elizabeth Was a Fan of the Show
Queen Elizabeth loved The Golden Girls. She loved the show so much that she invited them to perform at the 1988 Royal Variety Performance in London. Two of the kitchen table scenes were performed but they were censored a bit to not offend the royalty there.
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