Recently, I've been watching the series "Phyllis" (1975-77) on ALN. In the fourth epsiode, the introduce "Mother" Sally Dexter - the 87 year-old mother who comes to visit her son "Jonathan" in San Francisco...and ends up living with his family. (The actress was the late Judlth Lowry, who proved so popular with viewers in this one episode, she became a regular on the show by mid-season).

I can't get over the similarities between "Sally Dexter" and "Sophia Petrillo"...even though there are ten years between the two characters.

1. Both women are in their 80s when they go to live with their child, after years of being away from them.

2. Both women speak "uncensored" to the other characters - usually getting the biggest laugh.

3. Both women have a salty sense of humor, which is used for 'shock value' with the younger cast members (as well as the audience). They are sharp as a tack, and quick-witted.

4. Both women have elderly suitors, and talk about their sexlife ("Phyllis" airing in the mid-70s during the family hour doesn't talk as openly, but "Mother Dexter" alludes to it quite frankly). "Mother Dexter" even marries her suitor by mid-season (November, 1976) in Season Two, becoming one of the highest rated show of the whole season.


Again, Sally Dexter came along ten years before Sophia Petrillo. I wonder how much of an influence she had on the writers when they created "Sophia" for GG?


Speaking of which, I often wonder how much of an influence the Rhoda Morgenstern/Ida Morgenstern relationship which we saw on "Rhoda" (1974-78) had on the relationship of Dorothy/Sophia ...again, some ten years earlier?

Before Rhoda/Ida, the relationships between Mother and Daughter on TV sitcoms were usually always loving and supportive - no friction, no fighting, etc. "Rhoda/Ida" was the first (and worked beautifully) - and as we see, repeated on "Golden Girls".

Is it possible the writers were influenced by them as well?


Any thoughts?