Did anyone ever notice that the cast of Golden Girls (minus Sophia) was awfully similar to the girls on this show?

Tough, out-spoken, logical, sarcastic woman from Northeast (Alice/Dorothy)

Fun, sexy, promiscuous, free-spirited woman from the South (Flo/Blanche)

Dim-witted, naive, good-natured woman from Middle America (Vera/Rose)

Nice observations, I'd never considered that before.

Did anyone ever notice that the cast of Golden Girls (minus Sophia) was awfully similar to the girls on this show?

Tough, out-spoken, logical, sarcastic woman from Northeast (Alice/Dorothy)

Fun, sexy, promiscuous, free-spirited woman from the South (Flo/Blanche)

Dim-witted, naive, good-natured woman from Middle America (Vera/Rose)

If you notice a LOT of TV shows have this formula.

3's Company as well. Janet was like Alice, Chrissy was like Vera and I guess Jack would have been like Flo, lol

I never thought of this show that way. But I did see comparisons in other
shows (e.g., Designing Women and Living Single).

I never thought of this show that way. But I did see comparisons in other
shows (e.g., Designing Women and Living Single).
Designing Women

Julia = Dorothy
Suzanne = Blanche
Charlene = Rose
Mary Jo = maybe a combination of the 3
Bernice = Sophia

Did anyone ever notice that the cast of Golden Girls (minus Sophia) was awfully similar to the girls on this show?

Tough, out-spoken, logical, sarcastic woman from Northeast (Alice/Dorothy)

Fun, sexy, promiscuous, free-spirited woman from the South (Flo/Blanche)

Dim-witted, naive, good-natured woman from Middle America (Vera/Rose)

I totally agree with you OP! I been watching the Complete First Season on DVD and I thought the same thing. They are basically the same characters from The Golden Girls and I see similarities between Sophia and Mel!

As for Three's Company, same thing and especially how they went through three roommates like they went through three waitresses on Alice! :crazy:

Tough, out-spoken, logical, sarcastic woman from Northeast (Alice/Dorothy)

But the BIG difference was that Dorothy Zbornack was HILARIOUS! Alice was a bore.

and I can see the comparisons for the characters, but, yeah, GG was a stronger show, in terms of writing and the actors.

The naive character goes back to Edith Bunker, who probably set a template.

Yeah I've noticed that.

Though I think Belle reminds me more of Blanch.

I guess Mel would be Sophia lol

and I can see the comparisons for the characters, but, yeah, GG was a stronger show, in terms of writing and the actors.

The naive character goes back to Edith Bunker, who probably set a template.

Gotta go way back before Edith to Gracie Allen, and then the male version: Ed Norton.

Mel reminds me of Stan.

I also see similarities with The Facts of Life. Alice would be Jo (no-nonsense, sarcastic, from similar geographic areas and similar accents), Flo would be Blair (the man-hungry blonde with a Southern accent), and Vera would be Tootie (the naive baby of the group).

Stan is the Mel; his mom, Carrie is the Sophia!

I also see similarities with The Facts of Life. Alice would be Jo (no-nonsense, sarcastic, from similar geographic areas and similar accents), Flo would be Blair (the man-hungry blonde with a Southern accent), and Vera would be Tootie (the naive baby of the group).

Blair didn't have a southern accent. Although in the series pilot Lisa Whelchel did let it slip a bit, lol.

Flo could be part Blair, and part Natalie. Natalie was outspoken, and actually more man-hungry than Blair! lol (Blair was more refined and selective)

Flo could be part Blair, and part Natalie. Natalie was outspoken, and actually more man-hungry than Blair! lol (Blair was more refined and selective)
Plus, Blair was a virgin for the entire run of the show.
Flo was definitely no virgin.