This episode is even more special now. Even though we don't actually see Michael Jackson in the episode he is mentioned and we see the "gloved hand".
It is a really cool episode and very sweet. They are trying to find a lottery ticket that Blanche put in the pocket of an aviator jacket she bought. Sophia accidentally gave it to charity and Michael Jackson ends up buying it at the thrift store and wearing it at his concert. He then later gives it back to charity and is sold in a charity auction to the homeless. They go to the homeless shelter to get it back and end up leaving the jacket and the lottery ticket there for the homeless people. A very good episode.
I only posted the first two episodes because those are the only two that "have" Michael in them or he is mentioned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SkSpGlzw3w&feature=PlayList&p=E8087E73685FBC40&index=0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD9IAU8C2jI&feature=PlayList&p=E8087E73685FBC40&index=1

This was one of the more touching episodes of The Golden Girls.

It has always been one of the most touching of all the episodes, and it will be even more so watching it now, after not only the passing of Estelle & Bea, but now Michael's passing as well... :(

The episode always irritates me because I don't like how they just left Sophia's friend in the shelter. Why didn't they give her the money from the lottery ticket? They could have found her an apartment and paid for the rent in advance if they didn't want to give it to her directly. Or they could have at least taken her home and had her stay with them a few days. It's not like they don't have random people staying with them any other time (Sophia's other friend from the nursing home Lillian, the pregnant teenager who gets kicked out of her house, Stan's cousin, countless relatives, the police (though I'd sell out an old woman for George Clooney but I expect better from the Golden Girls :) ) I mean in the Lillian episode Blanche pays for Lillian to get into a better nursing home, so it irritated me that Sophia jumps out of bed to look for the lottery ticket but leaves her friend. I guess it's implied that since they gave the ticket to the Priest the shelter would have money to let her friend stay there but it just seemed out of character for them to leave the friend there.

Does anyone know who sings the song while they are looking for the ticket at the shelter?

That was Barbara Streisand's recording.

That was Barbara Streisand's recording.

That's not her... It does not sound like her at all.

That was Barbara Streisand's recording.

That's not her... It does not sound like her at all.

I researched this, and it's a lady named Cynthia; however, there is debate among people online whether it is Cynthia Fee or Cynthia McFee. Cynthia Fee recorded the show's theme song, but some fans online are saying the woman who recorded "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" is Cynthia McFee, a different lady.

I just looked it up, and apparently Judy Collins sang that recording! I just listened to the tail end during a broadcast, and it sounded so much like Streisand I took a chance because I knew she sang that song at some point. Judy Collins also had a beautiful high, soprano voice too.

Someone in the comments on this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPsuHuRdcLw)say it's Judy Collins, but others say it is not her (I also love Judy Collins' angelic voice).

Judy Collins it is......according to the official cast credits online. I'm going with Judy Collins, even though I originally thought the voice sounded like Barbara Streisand's voice. It's obviously not Streisand, since she would have received credit for her work if it had been her.

I never really liked that episode and I dont watch it. In fact, I really dont like any episode where so and so loses a lotto ticket and then they go crazy finding it because you know they will give it or donate the ticket.

Now you must be saying "how can I be so cold?" Its not that. I am just saying whether it be The Golden Girls or any episode, if I had a lotto ticket winner, I would take care of myself and my family. Maybe pay off some bills or get a new car if need be or take care of my and/or my families health. Not saying what The Golden Girls did was wrong, I am all for charity and giving back, no doubt. But I would take care of myself and my family first.

yeah, not my favorite episode, but it does have a few gems in it

Not my favorite ep either but the scene where Sophia dumps the pitcher of water when Dorothy tells her to spill it about where she put the ticket is a gem.

I also love when Rose goes, "Pepsi commercial... Michael... oh my G-d, that's Michael J. Fox!" Also, when Dorothy says she left her flame thrower in her other purse.

There were were several Michael Jackson jokes in the first few seasons.