How did it place in the ratings? If it was a failure, why did it a receive a full season plus 2 episode order (24 episodes total)? Why wasn't it renewed? Why did Bea Arthur leave the show? Is it included with the normal Golden Girls syndication package? Why or why not?

It wasn't a huge ratings hit, but it was sucessful enough that CBS was very close for renewing for a second season. In fact, Betty White wrote in her book that they were expected to start a 2nd season, and then they didn't renew it.

It's a completely different network, so it doesn't qualify for the syndication deals of The Golden Girls. It would be like saying why don't they rerun Joanie Loves Chachi with Happy Days. They are two completely different shows.

24 episodes a season was very common back then. The Golden Girls had at least 24-25 episodes per season. Bea Arthur decided she was tired of the show, and wanted out.

A couple more questions: Why did the Golden Girls change networks from NBC to CBS? Was the Golden Palace like what Seinfeld would have been like if they continued it without Jerry and made Newman a regular? Is it shown in syndicarion anywhere?

Golden Palace is going to be shown in the uk in august.