The Golden Girls is coming to The Hallmark Channel and WE tv in March 2009. The show will leave Lifetime Television at the end of February 2009 after a 12-year run that started on March 1, 1997.

Read more on our blog story:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/03/hallmark-channel-and-we-tv-acquire.html

leaving Lifetime? total end of an era

As much as I love GG (it's in my top 3 sitcoms of all time), I wish Hallmark would acquire something a tad less played. I have all seven seasons on DVD already

I love GG too but I don't know if it'd be such a good fit on that channel. Would it kill some of these networks to pick up a few shows that haven't had as much exposure?

That's all what these networks seem to do.....for instance, anything you see today on TBS will be on Nick/TV Land in the next few years.

Hallmark is going for a sitcom line-up, so this is a key addition for them. Here is the press release. More will follow on the blog today on how this will impact Hallmark.


Hallmark Channel Acquires Classic Hit Series 'The Golden Girls' From Disney-ABC Domestic Television

NEW YORK, March 26 -- Hallmark Channel has acquired the rights to one of the most popular baby boomer series, "The Golden Girls," from Disney-ABC Domestic Television. The deal was announced today by Michelle Vicary, Senior Vice President, Acquisitions and Scheduling.

"The Golden Girls has been on our wish list for a long time, so we're delighted to reach this agreement," said Vicary. "This is the perfect complement to our schedule of family-friendly programming. It will appeal not only to our current viewers, but to fans that will follow the program
to Hallmark Channel. It will also appeal to our sponsors and our distribution partners."

"The Golden Girls," starring Beatrice Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, is centered around a Miami-based quartet of live-in friends, proving that life can begin at 50. It follows the highs and lows, dates and disasters of the oversexed Blanche (McClanahan); the ever so-slightly-dotty Rose (White); the dry, cynical Dorothy (Arthur); and her scheming Sicilian mother Sophia (Getty).

"The Golden Girls" aired for seven seasons from September 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992 and won several awards, including the Emmy(R) Award for
Outstanding Comedy Series twice. All four stars won at least one Emmy Award throughout the series' entire run. During its original run, "The Golden Girls" garnered 65 Emmy nominations, 11 Emmy awards, four Golden Globe Awards, and countless honors.

"The Golden Girls" was produced by ABC Studios (formerly known as Touchstone Television) and is distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television.

Hallmark Channel is known for its original movies and events, including the recent highly-rated movie "The Good Witch," starring Catherine Bell,
and popular acquisitions including "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Little House on the Prairie," "M*A*S*H" and "Murder, She Wrote."

This is great news that The Gold Girl's are moving to The Hallmark Channel and WE TV but I know one thing it Hard to belive that The Gold Girl's has been on Lifetime for 12 Year's Now Time Sure does Fly when you are having Fun watching The Golden Girl's can someone please let me know what Channel WE TV is on DirecTV Line Up I know Hallmark is on 301 but I am not sure about WE TV.

I wished it stayed around Lifetime for one more year so tat hopefully Lifetime would get Empty Nest an/or Nurses and air them alongside TGG.

Well sometimes some things have to change.

I wonder if The Golden Palace will be a part of The Hallmark Channel and The WE TV Deal

Read more on our blog story:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/03/hallmark-channel-and-we-tv-acquire.html

This seems sort of amazing I mean it ran on Lifetime for I don't know how long it seems like a very long time. I hope it does well on Hallmark and WE i will probably watch it on both if it comes on at good times. I like the idea of Hallmark airing more sitcoms I hope they air more sitcoms from the 80's and 90's. I wonder what will replace them on Lifetime. I just looked at the blog it said 12 years that is a very long time.

This is terrible news. The Golden Girls doesn't belong on a family channel. Hallmark has a great lineup now with the 7th Heaven double dose, Touched by an Angel, and M*A*S*H. Plus they have I Love Lucy and Cheers coming. Now they have to wreck it by adding this lousy show. I hope it doesn't cut down on 7th Heaven airings. :mad:
another thing, that's not a good sign that Frasier wasn't mentioned by Lifetime with their other comedies. It's 1000 times better than Still Standing and Will & Grace. :mad:

Hallmark isn't really a family channel, it's an old (in the TV programing business) people channel. Nothing on Hallmark appeals to kids or really anyone under 25

This is terrible news. The Golden Girls doesn't belong on a family channel. Hallmark has a great lineup now with the 7th Heaven double dose, Touched by an Angel, and M*A*S*H. Plus they have I Love Lucy and Cheers coming. Now they have to wreck it by adding this lousy show. I hope it doesn't cut down on 7th Heaven airings. :mad:
another thing, that's not a good sign that Frasier wasn't mentioned by Lifetime with their other comedies. It's 1000 times better than Still Standing and Will & Grace. :mad:
ummm, you know you're on a Golden Girls board, right? I agree that content-wise, GG seems a little questionable for Hallmark, but to call this a lousy show while saccharine kiddie crap like 7th Heaven is a good show in the same breath? How old are you? Golden Girls won countless Emmy's and is regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms of the 1980's, 7th Heaven was never considered cool outside of soccer mom crowds. Golden Girls in it's weakest season ****s over 7th Heaven and you'll find a lot of people who agree with it. 7th is generally regarded as a kiddie show while Golden Girls is regarded as a classic that continues to attract new fans every go-round Lifetime has of it's episodes. I just told one of my friends there's a GG/7th thing going on and he started laughing because he knows there's no competition between the two shows. It's like bashing Lucy in favor of Hannah Montana or something.

^ AMEN! :clap:

Today I would honestly eat my left shoe instead of watch 7th Heaven. GG can't be that bad to many others for the ratings and critical success it was on NBC and for the fact that it ran for TWELVE years in repeats on a channel.

ummm, you know you're on a Golden Girls board, right? How old are you? 7th is generally regarded as a kiddie showI know I'm on a Golden Girls board. This is where the link was posted on the article to discuss. 7th Heaven is NOT just a "kiddie" show. It is TV's longest running family drama, and I would imagine it's popular among Christians of all ages. 7th Heaven was also the WB's highest rated show in its existence, and it was older skewing, which means kids aren't the only ones watching it. And I'm 23. I realize many consider The Golden Girls to be a classic, but I think it's a lousy show and I'll take 7th Heaven (not just for kids :rolleyes: ) over The Golden Girls any day.

I wished it stayed around Lifetime for one more year so tat hopefully Lifetime would get Empty Nest an/or Nurses and air them alongside TGG.

Well sometimes some things have to change.
That would have been so awesome if it happened. I seriously love me some Empty Nest and it has been TOO long since that's been on anywhere.

^ AMEN! :clap:

Today I would honestly eat my left shoe instead of watch 7th Heaven. GG can't be that bad to many others for the ratings and critical success it was on NBC and for the fact that it ran for TWELVE years in repeats on a channel.
thank you. I wouldn't have been half as defensive if it was in the General Sitcoms board (lord knows I put up with more than enough Roseanne bashing), but to actually come into the Golden Girls board and start bashing the show in favor for what is almost universally regarded as an inferior series is something else. There was a LOT of Roseanne bashing on General Sitcoms in the day, but those same people never went into Roseanne's board and started dogging the show.

Golden Girls is one of the greatest sitcoms of all time IMO, it's a timeless show. Yes... it is a little off-color for Hallmark's type, but since when does "this isn't kid friendly" equate "this show is junk"? The Golden Girls is a classic show, it's earned it's reputation, people still love and watch the show regularly over fifteen years after the final episode was produced. If you're going to come into the GG board and bash it in favor of another show, try something that has a little more esteem than 7th Heaven.

I know I'm on a Golden Girls board. This is where the link was posted on the article to discuss. 7th Heaven is NOT just a "kiddie" show. It is TV's longest running family drama, and I would imagine it's popular among Christians of all ages. 7th Heaven was also the WB's highest rated show in its existence, and it was older skewing, which means kids aren't the only ones watching it. And I'm 23. I realize many consider The Golden Girls to be a classic, but I think it's a lousy show and I'll take 7th Heaven (not just for kids :rolleyes: ) over The Golden Girls any day.
well, you should know better than to come into a Golden Girls board and bash it. I mean, you won't see me coming into 7th Heaven's board and talk about how crap that show was in favor of The Golden Girls just because it's not proper netiquette

I'm sorry about posting this on the Golden Girls board. I should have started a thread for it in General Sitcoms.

Nurses already aired on Lifetime weeknight's at 11:30 pm Central Time.

I can not believe The Golden Girls is actually leaving Lifetime, it's been with that station for as long as I can remember. It's going to be weird watching it on a new station, but as long as it keeps airing I'll be a happy camper!:) :)

it seems that The Golden Girl's has been on Lifetime forever.

Wow. This is the end of a legend! I for one have no reason to watch Lifetime. I still don't get what's so special about Still Standing. It was cancelled after 4 seasons, however, it's everywhere. I do have to say that Lifetime always treated Golden Girls pretty well, even giving viewers a chance to see Golden Palace in 2005.

I'm hoping Empty Nest makes it back to cable soon. I never got why Lifetime never picked it up, but WE tv should pick it up and put it along side the girls. That would be perfect. It looks like I'll be watching Hallmark more too.

And no, Hallmark is not an "old people" channel. I'm 19 and like Matlock and Murder She Wrote and some of the movies are good. Golden Girls is a weird addition, but it's still a good one. Even though I have the complete series on DVD, I'll still tune in.

Just a note, the WE tv news of this deal was an exclusive for us. Every other outlet just says Hallmark Channel, I think. We will have more on WE tv when their upfront comes.

Maybe Empty Nest will come to The Hallmark Channel and WE TV.

When is WE TV Upfrount.

I wonder if The Golden Palace will be a part of The Hallmark Channel and The WE TV Deal

I hope The Golden Palace will be part of being on The Hallmark Channel and WE TV. I would enjoy it if GP would be on Hallmark and WE channels.

I wonder if it will get an Afternoon Time Period or an Evening Time Period.

I can confirm that The Golden Palace is not part of the deal.

A year away, too early to take about time slots.

Thanks for the news pavan

I don't see much need to watch Lifetime either, except from time to time to see Reba.

can someone please tell me How to tell my Gradmonther that The Golden Girl's will not be on the channel that she does not get

I realize many consider The Golden Girls to be a classic, but I think it's a lousy show and I'll take 7th Heaven (not just for kids :rolleyes: ) over The Golden Girls any day.

What you think really doesn't matter. The fact of the matter is, The Golden Girls is a true classic, and has millions of fans around the world. If The Golden Girls is lousy, then 7th Heaven is close to the bottom of the barrell.

I am so sad to see this leaving Lifetime. For me, it's the only show that I watch on Lifetime, anymore. I was very disappointed when they quit showing Designing Women.

With The Golden Girls leaving Lifetime, it's kind of like the last child leaving home, and the house is all but empty. It really will feel like the empty nest syndrome.

However, I am so glad that I have both Hallmark and WE TV. I'm also happy, because I Love Lucy is coming to Hallmark. I think that will be great. Hopefully, Hallmark will show I Love Lucy, followed by The Golden Girls, in couple blocks each day. I'd also like to see them pick up Bewitched! Then we could have an I Love Lucy, Bewitched, The Golden Girls block!

Yes, I have all 7 seven seasons of The Golden Girls on DVD, and I have I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (the recent Heart package release). I also have the first two seasons of Bewitched. I need to get the rest of those. I could do my own blocks, but, it's always nice to see them on television, as well.

March 1, 1997 will always be a special day for me.

What you think really doesn't matter. The fact of the matter is, The Golden Girls is a true classic, and has millions of fans around the world. If The Golden Girls is lousy, then 7th Heaven is close to the bottom of the barrell.
I agree totally. The Golden Girls transcends generations and you'll find many people in their 20's and 30's who love the show and own all the DVD's. 7th Heaven is the type of show that if you're an adult, you're not going to be any more vocal about liking it than Hannah Montana because it's embarrassing and uncool, and it's got a reputation as a sappy saccharine program that represents every mushy stereotype about "family television". I do agree that Golden Girls might be a little too "dirty" for Hallmark, but how does that make it a bad show? A show doesn't have to be kid-friendly to be good.

Wow... Lifetime really won't seem the same without The Golden Girls. Let's face it, the show really made the network what it is today and was its cash cow for many years. I can't say that it's such a big surprise, as I had a feeling the show would leave the network one day, with other networks fighting to acquire the rights to broadcast the show as well, as it remains very popular and highly rated. Even though I have all the seasons on DVD, I still find myself tuning into the show on Lifetime. As another poster said, it really will be the end of an era, but I'm happy that the show will continue to thrive on other networks, reaching a new generation of fans! :)

I agree totally. The Golden Girls transcends generations and you'll find many people in their 20's and 30's who love the show and own all the DVD's. 7th Heaven is the type of show that if you're an adult, you're not going to be any more vocal about liking it than Hannah Montana because it's embarrassing and uncool, and it's got a reputation as a sappy saccharine program that represents every mushy stereotype about "family television". I do agree that Golden Girls might be a little too "dirty" for Hallmark, but how does that make it a bad show? A show doesn't have to be kid-friendly to be good.

I disagree! I am an ADULT (at least chronologically! LOL!!). I am almost 30 and I am not embarrassed to admit that 7th Heaven is one of my FAVORITE shows!

I started watching 2 years into the series in 1998, and watched it until the end (catching up on the missed episodes through reruns and later on, the season DVD sets)

Granted, I didn't like Seasons 5-11 as much as 1-4 (Mary (Jessica Biel) was my fave character and it wasn't the same after they turned her into the "bad girl", and then she left) but I still LOVE 7th Heaven and have all but one of the released DVD sets of the show.

But by the same token, I also LOVE Golden Girls, and since I don't have ANY of the Golden Girls DVD sets yet, I watch it whenever I remember/am awake when it airs on Lifetime from 1-2 AM.

As such, I can see both the point of the person who said that she doesn't think Golden Girls belong on Hallmark, as well as the person who defended Golden Girls. Since I LOVE both 7th Heaven AND Golden Girls, I am NOT going to get into a debate or argument over which is the better show. To me, they BOTH are GREAT shows, IN THEIR OWN WAY!

Golden Girls is a HILARIOUS sitcom but because of its sexual references and other adult innuendos it is meant only for older kids (teens) and adults.

7th Heaven is a GREAT family-friendly drama that yet deals with important issues (racism, drugs, bullying, school violence, sex, cancer, teen pregnancy, alcoholism) that affect today's society.

With that being said, I understand why the person against GG being on Hallmark feels that way. With its sexual themes and references, it may not be appropriate for younger kids, and therefore is not family-friendly. So if it is put in a timeslot or slots, that pair it with family shows like 7th Heaven or Touched by an Angel, then kids may be unwittingly exposed to it.

However, by the same token, there are also other "adult" shows on Hallmark like Murder she Wrote, and others.

So while Hallmark does have some kid-friendly shows, I do not think that, on the whole, it is meant to be a kid/family-friendly channel, like Nickelodeon or Disney.

I LOVE 7th Heaven AND Golden Girls (as well as MANY other shows) and I am not embarrassed to admit to any of it!

I know I'm on a Golden Girls board. This is where the link was posted on the article to discuss. 7th Heaven is NOT just a "kiddie" show. It is TV's longest running family drama, and I would imagine it's popular among Christians of all ages. 7th Heaven was also the WB's highest rated show in its existence, and it was older skewing, which means kids aren't the only ones watching it. And I'm 23. I realize many consider The Golden Girls to be a classic, but I think it's a lousy show and I'll take 7th Heaven (not just for kids :rolleyes: ) over The Golden Girls any day.

7th Heaven is crap compared to The Golden Girls and this is coming from someone who watched 7th Heaven for many seasons and enjoyed it.

I know we got a year left until The Golden Girl's come to Hallmark Channel but I hope they air The Golden Girl's in the daytime on Hallmark Channel.

My only hope is that it's on during the evening, so I can watch my favorite girls!:) :)

I want to watch it when I fall asleep... best time to take it all in. Hearing their voices is like a warm blanket on a cool night.

Maybe The Hallmark Channel will air it in the evening Time Period.

while I agree 'TGG' isn't "family-friendly" I'm happy it's showing on some other network than Lifetime. About dang time, too. They showed 'TGG' while everybody was getting ready for and already at work. Then, they showed at mid-nite while everybody's asleep.
Plus, sometimes they show that stupid 'Your Mama don't dance' during the 'TGG' hour. Why not show it during Still Standing or something?
I say congratulations, 'TGG'! Here's to your (probably) better home! :cherrs:

I agree Golden Girls is classic; 7th Heaven...a highly forgettable show.

The GG anf The nanny were the only shows I watched on Lifetime.:lol:

ummm, you know you're on a Golden Girls board, right? I agree that content-wise, GG seems a little questionable for Hallmark, but to call this a lousy show while saccharine kiddie crap like 7th Heaven is a good show in the same breath? How old are you? Golden Girls won countless Emmy's and is regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms of the 1980's, 7th Heaven was never considered cool outside of soccer mom crowds. Golden Girls in it's weakest season ****s over 7th Heaven and you'll find a lot of people who agree with it. 7th is generally regarded as a kiddie show while Golden Girls is regarded as a classic that continues to attract new fans every go-round Lifetime has of it's episodes. I just told one of my friends there's a GG/7th thing going on and he started laughing because he knows there's no competition between the two shows. It's like bashing Lucy in favor of Hannah Montana or something.



You said it superbly, Dean.

I don't agree with someone else on one of these "Golden Girls" boards who wrote that "The Golden Girls" is the best sitcom ever (that's a highly subjective statement anyway), but it is a no-brainer that "The Golden Girls" is a better show overall than "7th Heaven." The consensus of TV critics, viewer ratings and awards given "The Golden Girls" would all attest to this.

Even thouygh it may not be fair to compare apples & oranges, what with "The Golden Girls" being a sitcom and "7th Heaven" a drama, even as a drama "7th Heaven" pales in comparison to, say, "Bonanza," "Lou Grant," "Perry Mason," "The Rifleman," or even "ER."

More narrowly, if one would term "7th Heaven" a kiddie-oriented drama (actually, I'd say a "tweenie-oriented" drama, but . . .), "Lassie" in its best years (which most would generally agree were the years starring Tommy Rettig and Jon Provost) was better than "7th Heaven."

I'm not even saying "7th Heaven" was a bad drama--it wasn't, relative to a lot of the garbage that's on TV these days. And one of its stars was a big Ricky Nelson fan, which I appreciate. But still, to write that "7th Heaven" was an inferior TV program compared to the classic "The Golden Girls" was really off the mark, and I'm so glad you properly defended our Miami gals.

Loved the "Hannah Montana"/"Lucy" analogy too.

And, oh yes--"Thank you for being a friend."

By the way, while I can understand that some Hallmark Channel fans may feel "The Golden Girls" not a family program (owing to its sophisticated subject matter and sometimes language), there again, that is a very subjective argument as to what constitutes a "family."

I say any configuration of persons living under one roof, related by blood, adoption and/or marriage constitutes a family. But more broadly, some may feel any configuration of persons who care for and love one another living under the same roof is a "family." For tht matter, a "family" need not be under the same roof, as family members move away, go off to other living arrangements, whether at school, fighting a war to defend one's country, etc. and are still very much "in the family." So let's just say with two related "Petrillos" and two other, very close friends who shared the same household and cared for and about each other for seven years (& through seemingly-endless "St. Olaf" stories), "Blanche Devereaux's" home constituted a "family."

And since Miami is so nice, "I'll say it thrice"--"The Golden Girls" is a family family family sitcom!

I know I'm on a Golden Girls board. This is where the link was posted on the article to discuss. 7th Heaven is NOT just a "kiddie" show. It is TV's longest running family drama, and I would imagine it's popular among Christians of all ages. 7th Heaven was also the WB's highest rated show in its existence, and it was older skewing, which means kids aren't the only ones watching it. And I'm 23. I realize many consider The Golden Girls to be a classic, but I think it's a lousy show and I'll take 7th Heaven (not just for kids :rolleyes: ) over The Golden Girls any day.
I personally, don't really think that Golden Girls belongs on Hallmark. I'm not really sure it belongs on Lifetime, but more than Hallmark. I hope the time slot isn't changing to an earlier time because I get off school at 3:45 and I have just enough time to get home if carpool line isn't running slow which I get MAD if it does because then I miss the first episode.
I think to call anything a kiddie show besides like shows really directed to little kids (Sesame Street, Blues Clues, etc.) is not right, because if you mean like 12 year olds, that makes me really mad because I'm 12 and I understand more than most people think and "only 12" is a horrible thing to say. And even if the people who say 7th Heaven is a "kiddie" show, if they mean me, they are wrong because I would take Golden Girls over 7th Heaven ANY day because Golden Girls is really funny and 7th Heaven is way too goody-goody. Even though Golden Girls may not be directed to girls my age, I enjoy it, and I DO understand the jokes. Golden Girls ROCKS over 7th Heaven, although that is better than a lot of things on today.
Okay I'm glad I got that whole thing off my chest. Sorry I blew. Feels better though.

I wished it stayed around Lifetime for one more year so tat hopefully Lifetime would get Empty Nest an/or Nurses and air them alongside TGG.

Well sometimes some things have to change.

I wish they would show Nurses on any channel The whole show was one of my all time favorites. I also love empty nest.

I remember when Hallmark would not air some "Facts of Life" ep's becuz of subject matter, so it does surprise me they r adding "Golden Girls". Even Lifetime muted some words out of "GG".

They did? Why? It wasn't that bad..or was it?

Timeslots and more for The Golden Girls on Hallmark:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2009/02/hallmark-channel-march-2009-timeslots.html

Marathon episodes: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showpost.php?p=4122474&postcount=2

it good to see The Golden Girl's airing from 3:00 pm until 4:00 pm CT Time and again from 10:00 pm until 11:00 pm CT Time.

Does anyone know what will take the GG's place on Lifetime starting in March? I've been enjoying them from 8 am - 10 am each day, and wonder what the network will air now.

PS - why doesn't one of these networks pick up "MTM Show", "Phyllis" or "Rhoda"? :(

OOliver, we posted Lifetime March 2009 already: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2009/01/lifetime-march-2009-golden-girls.html

Sorry - didn't see that before (I'm still new here). Thanks for the link...looks like I'll be catching up with "DH" since I left that series after the second horrendous season.

Finally the WE tv details are announced:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2009/02/golden-girls-on-we-tv-details-tnts.html