Was this show recorded on tape or film? It seems like I recall hearing that it was taped, but starting in 1990, the picture & sound quality seemed to change (a little better), and so I'm just wondering what exactly it was done with, and if the media changed...if anyone has extra info like camera brand too, that would be great!

Yeah, it changed, but it certainly did not look better. It looks like somebody cut up and bloodied a clown, stuck it to a camera, and shined a flaslight through it.

Hmm...well, it looked a little crisper to me anyway. Either way, you know they were shooting through a heavily filtered lens in the later seasons. I've heard people even comment that the ladies looked older in 1985 than they did in 1991...anyone with info please post!

I have to say that all of the episodes were TAPED, and Betty White mentions this somewhat in her book, HERE WE GO AGAIN. She talks about how she prefers taped shows rather than the filmed ones. They were all taped, but they certain changed lighting and lens settings as the years went on.

Thanks for the info! That's interesting that she prefers tape to film. You'd think an actor or actress would prefer the prestige of film better, but to each their own...

Sounds like a great book...I'll have to check it out...

Yeah, all episodes of "The Golden Girls" were taped. I think the look of the show got better as time went on. The 1985-1988 episodes look super bright to me. Starting in 1989, everything looks much sharper and nice. I also like taped shows better than filmed shows --- it seems all sitcoms nowadays are filmed. :(

Yeah, I know what you mean. I definitely think the 85-88 years were superior. It just had a warmer, funnier feel to it. I also know what you mean about taped vs. filmed shows, although I can't say I prefer taped. With tape it's a little warmer, and more like you are there, and with film, you get better quality, but there almost seems to be a wall between you and the show, so to speak. Also, I believe that there are quite a few sitcoms that are still taped...I know for a fact 8 Simple Rules is, and I think the majority of ABC's shows are.

BTW...did anyone here ever attend a live taping of GG?

Also...were the same cameras and tape stock used for Golden Palace?

Originally posted by bb25
Yeah, I know what you mean. I definitely think the 85-88 years were superior. It just had a warmer, funnier feel to it. I also know what you mean about taped vs. filmed shows, although I can't say I prefer taped. With tape it's a little warmer, and more like you are there, and with film, you get better quality, but there almost seems to be a wall between you and the show, so to speak. Also, I believe that there are quite a few sitcoms that are still taped...I know for a fact 8 Simple Rules is, and I think the majority of ABC's shows are.

Actually, I like the later episodes better. LOL :p
I think one of the funniest seasons was 1991-1992. I love the episode "Goodbye, Mr. Gordon" --- where Dorothy and Blanche are portrayed as lesbians on that talk show! HAHAHA! :lol: The earlier seasons (esp. 1 and 2) seem too light. It's almost hard on the eyes too watch them because of the bright lighting.

Are you sure "8 Simple Rules..." is taped? It doesn't look taped to me --- more like film.

I remember reading in TV Guide about how the producers had to iron out several kinks in the camera-work and lighting before they got it "right." They noted how in the early shows, the lighting is harsher and Betty White's eyebrows were too dark compared to her hair color. :-)

ALso,in the pilot it looks like Sophia "powdered" her hair instead of wearing a wig... i could be wrong,though...

I don't mean to sound ignorant, but what is the difference between a show that is taped and a show that is filmed?
Besides the quality of how they look?

I wonder what the difference between the two is?

Ok, thanks!
That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure. :o

Originally posted by BettyWhiteFan
Maybe it's like:
Film- A film reel, i.e. like in theaters.
Tape- One similar to put into a VCR. thats right. sitcoms were never on film with the exception of Mary Tyler Moore and Newhart that were on 33mm and The Bob Newhart Show which was on 16mm. 33mm is what most dramas were filmed on in the 70s and 80s. The Golden Girls was on tape, but now most sitcoms are filmed and then put on tape which looks slightly blurred.

Thanks Dr. Phillips and BettyWhiteFan!

I was wondering why I would see a difference in the way newer and older sitcoms look. I've noticed that The Golden Girls has a much brighter look than some of the shows today.

The last season looks like it was taped thru a wad of yellow gauze and the lighting is much too orange. I prefer the earlier seasons better. Seems like the lighting director was trying to minimize the actresses' advanced ages by using lens filters and special lighting, but I think it just made them look like circus clowns. (IMO)

Originally posted by maryfan5
The last season looks like it was taped thru a wad of yellow gauze and the lighting is much too orange. I prefer the earlier seasons better. Seems like the lighting director was trying to minimize the actresses' advanced ages by using lens filters and special lighting, but I think it just made them look like circus clowns. (IMO)

I've noticed that too.