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September 17, 2025 68 mins

Picture it: Hollywood 1985

A TV show premieres about about 4 women, well over "thirty-something", sharing their hopes, their dreams, their stories, and lots of cheesecake, in the youth-obsessed TV culture of the 1980s. Does the show survive? 

Get a clue, slut-puppy! It not only survived, it shot to the top of the ratings and dominated them for over 6 years. Yes, it's "The Golden Girls", and it's their 40th birthday-- so we're gonna celebrate!  From the show's groundbreaking pilot to its most memorable episodes, we are going to unpack the secret ingredients that made "The Golden Girls" a ratings powerhouse and an enduring cultural touchstone.

In Part One of our special two-part episode, we'll  discuss fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, including how Betty White and Rue McClanahan swapped roles, how Estelle Getty overcame severe stage fright to create the iconic Sophia,  why Bea Arthur initially hesitated to join the cast, and what ever happened to poor Coco. (If you know, you know).  Tony shares his personal experience appearing on the show (as a mere tot!)  and even the time he snuck onto the set and wound up as a V.I.P.

So, grab a slice of cheesecake (or a sparehuven krispie) and join us as we celebrate one of the most enduring sitcoms in television history, "The Golden Girls".


Text us & We'll Respond on an Episode

Links to Tony's website, and Brad's website at www.goinghollywoodpodcast.com

Follow us on Instagram @goinghollywoodpod

To watch "The True Story of the Barrymores," go to https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CZTHYN6D/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

To watch Tony's WIRED video "Tech Support: Old Hollywood" go to https://youtu.be/6hxXfxhQSz0?si=TO4Xv6q87XhBnqDT

Reach us at goinghollywoodpodcast@gmail.com

Listen to our Going Hollywood Playlist

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