|
The Movie: A popular NBC series from 1985-1992, "The Golden Girls" chronicled the ups-and-downs of life for four retired women living together - Dorothy (Bea Arthur), goofy Rose (Betty White), Sophia (Estelle Getty), and flirty Blanche (Rue McClanahan). After not watching the series for a good ten years, I was surprised to find that it still plays about as well as it did back then, which I've found is not always the case with shows from the era. The chemistry between the four leads was excellent and the writing and direction were certainly solid in this sixth season. The season continues to offer highlights as the show's writing staff keeps things fresh and funny, with episodes like: "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sofia?" (After the death of a friend, Sofia decides to become a nun and moves out), "The Bloom is Off the Rose" (Rose decides to shake up her relationship by trying skydiving), "Snap Out of It" (Dorothy decides to volunteer for the "Meals on Wheels" program, only to find that one of the people she's taking care of has not left their apartment since the '60's), "Even Grandmas Get the Blues" (Blanche babysits for her granddaughter and is pleased when she gets mistaken for the mother) and "What a Difference a Date Makes" (Dorothy gets asked on a date by the man who stood her up for the senior prom, and she finds out why. "Difference" was written by "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry, who served as a writer and producer on "Golden Girls".) "Golden Girls" was one of those rare shows that really remained at a consistent level of quality throughout its run. The sixth season continues to see the show maintain the high level of quality set by the prior seasons, as as the series offers a strong set of touching dramatic episodes here, but it's also incredibly funny at times, too. While most of the show's one-liners are hilarious, some are pretty ordinary. Still, these actresses knock even the ones that aren't that funny in theory out of the park each time. It's a combination of great writing, terrific performances and superb direction. Looking back at the series years later, I actually appreciate it more than I did when it was first on. It's a great show about friendship that still works remarkably well. Season 6 129. 6- 1 22 Sep 90 Blanche Delivers 130. 6- 2 29 Sep 90 Once, in St. Olaf 131. 6- 3 6 Oct 90 If At Last You Do Succeed. . . 132. 6- 4 13 Oct 90 Snap Out Of It 133. 6- 5 20 Oct 90 Wham, Bam, Thank You, Mammy 134. 6- 6 27 Oct 90 Feelings 135. 6- 7 3 Nov 90 Zborn Again 136. 6- 8 10 Nov 90 How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sophia? 137. 6- 9 17 Nov 90 Mrs. George Devereaux 138. 6-10 24 Nov 90 Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...Before They Die 139. 6-11 1 Dec 90 Stand By Your Man 140. 6-12 15 Dec 90 Ebbtide's Revenge 141. 6-13 5 Jan 91 The Bloom is Off the Rose 142. 6-14 12 Jan 91 Sisters of the Bride 143. 6-15 19 Jan 91 Miles to Go 144. 6-16 2 Feb 91 There Goes the Bride (1) 145. 6-17 9 Feb 91 There Goes the Bride (2) 146. 6-18 16 Feb 91 Older and Wiser 147. 6-19 16 Feb 91 Melodrama 148. 6-20 2 Mar 91 Even Grandmas Get the Blues 149. 6-21 9 Mar 91 Witness 150. 6-22 23 Mar 91 What a Difference a Date Makes 151. 6-23 6 Apr 91 Love for Sale 152. 6-24 27 Apr 91 Never Yell Fire in a Crowded Retirement Home (1) 153. 6-25 27 Apr 91 Never Yell Fire in a Crowded Retirement Home (2) 154. 6-26 4 May 91 Henny Penny -- Straight, No Chaser The DVD VIDEO: "Golden Girls" is presented by Buena Vista in 1.33:1 full-frame here, the show's original aspect ratio. While the opening credits look a little faded and worn, the episodes themselves actually look rather good. Sharpness and detail were not entirely consistent throughout, but the presentation did often look quite crisp and well-defined. Some minor shimmering was occasionally spotted, as were a couple of slight instances of artifacts, but otherwise, the picture looked crisp and clean. No moments of wear and tear were spotted, either. Colors remained bright and vivid, with no smearing or other issues. SOUND: "Golden Girls" is presented in stereo and sounds fine, with clear dialogue and music. EXTRAS: "Conversation at the Museum of Television and Radio" offers up a Q & A session with stars Betty White & Rue McClanahan, as well as members of the show's staff. While it's too bad that we don't get more commentary tracks from the stars like the fifth season set offered, this documentary is a lot of fun, with the two actresses riffing and telling some fun tales about how they became involved with the show and their experiences working on it. How important a part of the equation the actresses are shows here, as the two are effortlessly hilarious. Final Thoughts: "Golden Girls" offers up another set of solid episodes in season 6, continuing to put the characters into some entertaining situations that mix comedy and drama quite well. The DVD set offers fine audio/video quality and one nice extra. Recommended. |