2 - Television

 The Golden Girls

Video link in photo (theme song).

Since its inception, television has served as a source of comfort to viewers of all demographics. While some shows focus on drama or reality, The Golden Girls stands out as a situational comedy that brings joy to its audience. With its display of beautiful friendships, hilarious banter, and heartfelt moments, the show has become a cult classic and served as a staple of sitcom television for decades. 

The Golden Girls first premiered on NBC in 1985 and ran until 1992. The show follows four older women—Dorothy, Sophia, Blanche, and Rose—who live together in Miami, Florida. Each woman portrays a distinct personality: Dorothy is the sarcastic and sensible one, Sophia is the quick-witted mother of Dorothy, Blanche is the flirtatious Southern belle, and Rose is the naive but sweet one from St. Olaf, Minnesota. As the girls navigate through the ups and downs of life, viewers are entertained by the humor and feel-good aspects of the show. 

One of The Golden Girls' most notable contributions to television history was its representation of older women. The show depicted four elderly women who were independent and full of live and made them the focus of the show. This differs from other television shows from that time period that often focused on younger demographics. The Golden Girls highlighted the importance of female relationships and the challenges and adventures that come with growing older. 

A clip from Season 1, Episode 22. 

The show also tackles a variety of social issues such as ageism, sexism, LGBTQ+ rights, and even covered the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which was a heavily stigmatized issue at the time. In fact, in the episode "72 Hours", Rose gets HIV testing done, challenging common misconceptions about the disease. In addition, the show features multiple LGBTQ+ characters and storylines, such as Dorothy's friend, Jean, who is a lesbian, or Dorothy's younger brother Phil, who is a cross-dresser. The Golden Girls handles these subjects with tact and humor, bringing light to topics that were rarely discussed on mainstream television. 

Rose and Blanche discuss HIV/AIDS in Season 5, Episode 19. 

The girls discuss Jean's infatuation with Rose in Season 2, Episode 5. 

The Golden Girls had an incredible impact on television and pop culture. With an IMDb rating of 8.2/10, 11 Primetime Emmy awards, and countless other awards and nominations, the show was obviously well-loved by the audience and the industry alike. It set the stage for future shows about female friendships, such as Grace and Frankie and Sex and the City. Above all, The Golden Girls continues to serve as a source of comfort for viewers of all ages. Whether exposing new audiences to its humor or sparking nostalgia in long-time fans, The Golden Girls hasn't gone out of style despite ending over 30 years ago. 

The Golden Girls was more than just a sitcom; it was a profound show that broke countless stereotypes. With its witty humor, uplifting friendships, and great storytelling, the series remains as impactful today as it was when it first aired. The Golden Girls' groundbreaking narrative continues to inspire television and "be a friend" to audiences to this day. The show is available on multiple streaming platforms with subscription or purchase, including Hulu, Philo, YouTube, Fandango, fuboTV, Disney+, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video. 

One of my favorite scenes from the show, Season 3, Episode 20.