Chat here about The Golden Palace.

After years and years of enjoying Golden Girls reruns, watching Golden Palace is an ENORMOUS disappointment. Oh, I'll keep TiVo'ng and watching them all... but wow I can see how it failed so quickly.

Does Dorothy's absence make THAT much difference? I think it does, as Blance is seen as the "leader" of the group. Before GP, Dorothy was always referred to as the "sensible" one.

Does the change of setting make THAT much difference? I don't think so. Some of my favorite GG episodes and scenes (Maltese Falcon Murder Mystery, e.g.) take place away from 6151 Richmond Street. I don't think this makes a difference.

Do the NEW characters make THAT much difference? I think this goes both ways. Don Cheadle, in retrospect, is clearly a great actor... but does GG or GP call for a great actor? Or someone with great delivery and an uncanny comedic sense of timing? Cheech Marin is a novelty act. And adding a child is just a terrible idea in any sitcom (ref: www.jumptheshark.com). GG had some great non-main-four characters (Herb Edelman as Stan) that we appreciate, so why would adding in a couple in the new setting make that much difference?

Is the writing THAT much different? I think it is, but I also think it flows with the writing at the end of the GG series. GG ventured into the land of the absurd with its STORYLINES (Samuel Plankmaker, anyone?) at the end of its run, as opposed to placing its characters in absurd yet plausible situations as in the early years (Girls trying to install the Dolan Standard Lowboy toilet on their own). I think the scripts in GP are an extension of the slow diminishing we had seen in GG, but overlooked because we loved the characters, loved the lines, and loved the way the 4 primary actresses played off each other.

The summary for this screed?: Golden Palace struggles because it misses Dorothy Zbornak. It happened before (Alice struggled with Flo, The Dukes of Hazzard was a DISASTER without Bo and Luke...), it has happened since, and it will happen again.

Imagine Seinfeld if Kramer left. Or George. That's what GP is... still decent, but just can't stand up to the pure joy that is Golden Girls.

I agree... With one of the 4 Golden Girls missing is just like a table missing the 4th leg, without it.. it won't stand up str8!!

Well, it's obviously no GG, but so far, I'm loving it.

Well, it's obviously no GG, but so far, I'm loving it.

Is this your first time seeing the series?

I love it too, I wonder that if it was on now it would succeed? I bet it would. JMPO!! :D

Golden Palace, wasn't it originally only one season? I think If it was on today it would go longer than just one season, just my opinion!!

So far I think it's pretty good.. not as good as Golden Girls but I still think this show could have lasted for maybe 2 or 3 more seasons at least than that just 1!

I like it so far to. But it's not the same without Dorothy. They do talk about her, but it still makes me wish that Bea had been in it. At least one episode. I asked my mom who watched the GG and GP but doesn't remember Bea appearing an episode. At least 10 sec of it.

I loved it. I laughed all the way through. This show is good with or without Bea.

Does anyone know when they are going to show the episode with Dorothy in it???

Well, it's obviously no GG, but so far, I'm loving it.
Ditto.


To the others asking about the eps Dorothy guests in- Bea was in the 7th and 8th episodes of GP, the Seems Like Old Times two-parter. We'll be seeing them next Tuesday and Wednesday (the 9th and 10th), if I'm not mistaken.

I think the problem with Palace is just that.... no Dorothy.

Dorothy was very much the straight person on The Golden Girls, the glue that held everything together and kept everyone in check. Without her, you just have three caricatures. Granted, they are all great actresses, but the appeal just isn't as strong without a character like Dorothy around to play off of.

I think Bea did the smart thing by ending TGG when she did. Because when it ended, it was still a great series and I don't know anyone who could keep a dry eye during the series finale when she gives the goodbye hug to the girls and goes "You'll always be my sisters". It had declined a bit from the earlier seasons but it was still critically acclaimed and it was still funny. Golden Palace on the other hand has the feel of a show that is past its expiration date and the laughs are forced instead of natural.

The Golden Girls is one of the greatest sitcoms ever and will remain popular for many years to come. Golden Palace is just an afterthought that proved a point in how much a dynamic of a group could change with just one member leaving, sorta like if Seinfeld or Friends had decided to go on another season despite one of the core cast leaving.

Is this your first time seeing the series?

Well, I do remember when it was originally on, but I was too young at the time to be into it.

I remember watching this show when I was a kid, I enjoyed it and haven't seen it again until today and I watched a episode last night and I enjoyed it again, but of course, like everybody said, it's not the same without Bea but it's still enjoyable to watch....

Tonite's ep with Miles. Rose is telling Blanche that if she does not get her deck shuffled soon she'll.... then it cuts to Roland bringing the hotel record books out of the room. Roland hear Rose and Blanche talking about "cards" Roland asks the following which was edited from this episode:

Roland: Are you guys talking about sex again?
Blanche: No. We're talking about cards.
Roland: Oh. I normally play solitare.

Rose and Blanche snicker after hearing Roland's remark and then Rose walks off then Roland tells Blanche about the book. The only inconsistency with the edit is that we did not see Rose walk off. You would have thought Rose might have been standing there. :(

The episode was very sad, I never would have thought Miles would cheat on Rose but I was wrong, shame on you Miles! :mad:

I didn't think I would feel this was but I actually think it's nice without the harshness of Dorothy. Don't get me wrong, I love her character and the GG series, GP is just a different and equally enjoyable show for me.

I thought Rose was funnier in this episode. You know, the eay she threw the potato in the kitchen after the customer said, I didn't order a baked potato, I asked for rice. Rose throws the potato in the kitchen telling: "WE NEED RICE!" Plus I enjoyed the line about going to kick some country cousin humping etc, etc, butt!

So far I love Golden Palace! I couldn't wait for this, and it hasn't dissapointed me. The episodes get better every day. But, I have to say today's episode was the funniest so far, "One Old Lady To Go". I loved the parts with Sophia, and the Chinese Restaurant.

Sophia: What's my name? Who Me? Yah, Who Me (Referring as a Chinese name)

Chuy: This is my friend, Dr. Fong... she also makes a mean Butterfly Shrimp
Fong: "Buttorfry Swimp!" (In Chinese accent)

Sophia: Hey, it's a dog-eat-dog world out there.
Fong: Dog, no cook dog!

The part when Sophia is taken away by the police is priceless!! Boy, she can move!!

I was surprised when I first saw this show originally that that is MARGARET CHO. I love her.

I forgot it was on Lifetime since Aug. 1st until I saw an episode listing on the episode guide thingy on my iO service. And forgot about it again until 11:25 last night when I was channel surfing and discovered it was on! Damn! Tuned in 25 minutes too late, huh? Well, I got 5 minutes outa it anyway, lol.


pat

I was surprised when I first saw this show originally that that is MARGARET CHO. I love her.

oh I know!!! I was so happy to see her on that episode.

I'm still wondering how it's doing in the ratings.

Oh Pavanbadal, any word yet??

I know the premiere did a 1.4 HH rating. Which is like 1.6-1.8 million viewers. Nothing spectacular, just average for Lifetime.

Well, the ratings aren't bad, I guess. How does Golden Girls compare to that?

Anyway, I've really been enjoying the series. Each episode is very funny. I do find that watching the episodes a couple of times over, it loses a bit of funny and it's obivous that the writers really relied on the cliched jokes that worked so well on TGG. While on the GG, no matter how many times (for me at least) I watch an episode, it's just as funny.

But overall, I was very pleasently surprised. But doesn't Lifetime cut out a scene from the pilot (one of the funniest, IMO) between Rose and the robber? I remember having an uncut episode of that through an old trade I watched once (the quality was horrible, so I ended up tossing it).

I was a little miffed at the Miles episode. I had read the ending about how Miles did cheat on Rose, but I was relieved at first to see they worked it out and then, bam, Miles admits he had an affair. That was a really good episode. I can't wait for the Dorothy episodes next week.

Overall, I really have been enjoying The Golden Palace. The stories are a bit cliched and over the top, but are fun and it's virtually the same as TGG, just minus Dorothy, toss in two men and a boy and a new set, and voila. I'm very surprise the show didn't go on for another season or two. And has it ever been explained why the show switched networks? Would it have worked better if it stayed on NBC? I guess we'll never know.