Some of you may or may not know that I attend one of the greatest institutions of higher learning, the University of Pittsburgh. That being said, some might think this article is a tribute to the Golden Girls of the Pitt Band and how they could twirl circles around anyone or anything. While the Pitt Golden Girls are amazing and fabulous, the Golden Girls I have in mind are of a different type.
Imagine it, Miami 1985. Four older women sitting together on a warm summer evening. One curled up with a book, one planning who would be tonights man, one slaving over a hot stove making the perfect pasta sauce, and one, well, doing her own thing. Some may know them as Dorothy, Blanche, Sophia, and Rose. I knew them as the ladies I would watch with my mother after my bedtime when I was little. Now I know them as four amazing women who forged the frontier for so many others.
The Golden Girls premiered in 1985 and it lasted for nearly seven years. In its duration they did basically whatever they wanted. They addressed things that other shows at the time would go nowhere near such as homosexuality, women's bodies, the "change" and a million and one other absolutely scandalous ideas. They talked about these kinds of things and made light of situations and they were the perfect people to do it. The writing and acting on this show was, if I may say so, perfection. The brilliance of the writers and the sass and wit of those speaking made they show come alive. I am always ready to get a slice of cheesecake and sit around the table with these women. Today's shows get caught up in too much drama, this show came on during a time where Dorothy smacking Rose with a newspaper could fill a room with laughter. If you have never seen the show you might have some questions, so I will try and explain. The Golden Girls depicted the daily lives of four older women and the trouble that they all get into. It didn't matter if it was Blanche bending over backwards trying to impress a man (literally), Dorothy getting into some kind of misunderstanding, Sophia scheming, or Rose talking about St. Olaf, something went awry and the others helped out to fix the problem.
This show has given me a lot of laughs, and a lot of memories. Talking about it with my family and friends, laughing way too loudly in the middle of the night watching it, and getting to know the characters are all a part of what made it special to me. I felt like I knew these people and I cared for them and that is what makes a great television show to me. Because of all of this I just want to say thank you to the true golden girls and all who helped to make it what it was, and still is. It is one of my favorite shows and I carry it in my heart. It's made me laugh and cry and I couldnt be more grateful. Here's to all of you, thank you for being a friend.
With love and admiration,
Anthony Kamler
