The Golden Palace Chat Thread - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jonathan · 08-02-2005, 02:00 PM

Chat here about The Golden Palace.

MakinAWaveWhenICan · 08-02-2005, 06:27 PM

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.

GeorgiaboyJeff! · 08-02-2005, 07:28 PM

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!!

HuntingtonM15 · 08-02-2005, 07:58 PM

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

Jonathan · 08-02-2005, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

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

Is this your first time seeing the series?

Sparkygirl · 08-02-2005, 08:04 PM

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

Sparkygirl · 08-02-2005, 08:15 PM

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!!

GeorgiaboyJeff! · 08-02-2005, 09:44 PM

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!

missjohnR · 08-02-2005, 09:48 PM

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.

ThomasE · 08-02-2005, 10:14 PM

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

Miss Golden · 08-02-2005, 11:30 PM

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

PZelda · 08-02-2005, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

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.

Dean Winchester · 08-03-2005, 01:41 AM

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.

HuntingtonM15 · 08-03-2005, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenFanatic

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.

DVDFreaker · 08-03-2005, 10:16 AM

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....

08-02-2005, 02:00 PM	#1
Jonathan ***** Senior Member** Join Date: Aug 28, 2004 Posts: 2,304	The Golden Palace Chat Thread Chat here about The Golden Palace.
	Last edited by Jonathan; 10-23-2005 at 04:48 PM.

08-02-2005, 06:27 PM	#2
MakinAWaveWhenICan Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Jul 23, 2005 Posts: 3	Why does GP suffer compared to GG? 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.

08-02-2005, 07:28 PM	#3
GeorgiaboyJeff! Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 25, 2002 Posts: 664	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!!

08-02-2005, 07:58 PM	#4
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	Well, it's obviously no GG, but so far, I'm loving it.

08-02-2005, 08:04 PM	#6
Sparkygirl Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 23, 2004 Location: CT Posts: 59	I love it too, I wonder that if it was on now it would succeed? I bet it would. JMPO!!

08-02-2005, 08:15 PM	#7
Sparkygirl Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 23, 2004 Location: CT Posts: 59	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!!

08-02-2005, 09:44 PM	#8
GeorgiaboyJeff! Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 25, 2002 Posts: 664	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!

08-02-2005, 09:48 PM	#9
missjohnR KELLIE PICKLER IS #1 Frequent Poster Join Date: May 06, 2005 Location: Somewhere in the East where alot of people NEVER heard of. Posts: 434	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.

08-02-2005, 10:14 PM	#10
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	I loved it. I laughed all the way through. This show is good with or without Bea.

08-02-2005, 11:30 PM	#11
Miss Golden Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 1,231	Does anyone know when they are going to show the episode with Dorothy in it???

08-03-2005, 01:41 AM	#13
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	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.

08-03-2005, 10:16 AM	#15
DVDFreaker Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 23, 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 699	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....