The Golden Girls aired from 1985 to 1992, pumping out a full 180 episodes of middle-of-the-road young-at-heart lady bantery set in a Florida condo. It was a different time for television and in America: the Reagan-Bush I years, pre-Seinfeld-ian irony and nothingness, a time when a sitcom about four aging ladies with a wacky neighbor could reign supreme.
In a way, the show can be thought of as a precursor to Sex and the City, both shows that shed light on and make fun of the struggles that single women face as they grow older. Rue McClanahan played Blanche Devereaux, who, as the self-admitted and self-indulgent slut of the gang-of-four, could easily be an older stand in for Kim Cattrall's Samantha Jones.
McClanahan's acting career spans five decades. Along with The Golden Girls, she also appeared in other hit sitcoms such as Maud and Momma's Family. More recently, she has appeared in the occasional television show or film. A notable appearance was a 2004 episode of the great and short-lived Wonderfalls ("Barrel Bear"). Rue played a woman who had fooled the nation for decades as the first woman to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
It remains to be seen whether or not Dirk Summers vs. Rue McClanahan falls into a similar category of foolishness.
Article comments
1 - Sheila Wymer
I know we've came a long way but not to the four-letter word s---. I mean really. Did she actually call herself that? That's as bad as the c--- word. You sure don't pick up a newspaper and read words like that do you? I don't know because I don't read them, the Internet is my news source. This just reminds me of how bad it is for kids to be surfing the net. There's way too much out there and we need some kind of monitoring, or ratings... something. Sheila Wymer
2 - Eric Berlin
I believe she was well regarded as the character on the show who was less than chaste.
3 - Virginia Dare
I used to love the Golden Girls, but I have to ask...how old is Rue nowadays?
4 - Geena
I think rue is the most awesomest person in the entire world besides beatrice arthur, betty white, and eselle getty
i am only 11 years old and i have 6 seasons of the golden girls i have watched it for 4 years and i have and autographed picture of all 4 of them they are the kindess people in the entire world and someday i wish i could meet all of them
5 - Eric Berlin
Glad you enjoy it Geena!
6 - Dot
My husband and I are retired and in our very late 70's. We have a date every day to watch the reruns of Golden Girls and never tire of them.
Thank you ladies for the years of pleasure you have given us.
Dot Ward
7 - sasha
I love ya rue/blanche, and have seen lots of eps of the show the golden girls. You are my mentor rue, cos ur like totally kewl. I hope when im ur age i look as good as u do...go gal, ur tha best!!! and to all the ppl who saying being a s..t is wrong..tai hell with ya's, ya'll prob like jelous or sumthing coz ya's get none!! lol
8 - kate
you have no morels sasha, grow up and take a reality check!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 - kate
i disagree sash*. OMG!!!
10 - Mel
I pretty sure Blanche was referred regularly on the show as been a s***. Back to show,enjoyed it as a kid and now its one of the few shows that makes me laugh out loud. Agree with your comparison to SATC. Sorry to hear Estelle Getty passed away last week, she was priceless.