A Blogger Rips Apart Bea Arthur Because Maude Was Mean to People - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-02-2009, 11:45 AM

The comedienne Bea Arthur passed away last weekend. The event attracted a surprising amount of national attention on mainline TV shows such as Today, etc.

I’m sorry that she passed away, and her friends report that she was a kind and generous person in her private life. But her comedic shtick, of course, was the put-down - what was referred to repeatedly on Monday as “razor-sharp” wit.

Frankly, I lost my taste for Bea Arthur years ago. In her comic persona as Maude, or Dorothy in The Golden Girls, her specialty was simply being cruel to people. Whether it was the clueless but innocent Rose, the oversexed Blanche, or just an innocent bystander, Bea Arthur (well, Dorothy) could really cut them down to size. I don’t recall that it was ever in self-defense - her victims were just targets of opportunity for laughs, and not as quick as she was. Congratulations.

Was it funny TV? Yes - millions thought so. Did I watch and laugh? Yes, for a while. But it really got tiresome over time, and I sometimes wondered if Bea Arthur ever thought about how she made a living. I quit watching years ago, as I said. It just quit being funny. By the way, have I ever delivered a “razor-sharp”, beautifully timed put-down? I’m sure I have on more than one occasion - but I’m not proud of that. It’s judgmental, as I am prone to be - and a poor way to get attention. I’d rather be known for something else.

In the way that TV does, Bea Arthur made it acceptable - and even cool - to be mean to people. Despite all the media outpouring, we don’t owe her any thanks for that. R.I. P.

http://itsyourtimes.com/?q=node/4386

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 11:51 AM

This story (and the blogger) are so stupid it doesn't even deserve comment.

80sTrivia · 05-02-2009, 12:19 PM

I think the blogger is confusing Bea with the characters of Maude & Dorothy. I've never heard anyone say that Bea was ever mean-spirited with anyone.

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80sTrivia

I think the blogger is confusing Bea with the characters of Maude & Dorothy. I've never heard anyone say that Bea was ever mean-spirited with anyone.

Ditto. I've always heard that the real Bea was quiet, sweet and somewhat shy.

Miss Lisa · 05-02-2009, 12:25 PM

Man, some one took TV a little too seriously there. I don't know her that well as Maude, but I do know her as Dorthy. She could be cruel, but I thought it was funny. The one thing that the blogger failed to mention was that she was a good friend when they needed her. Remember the episode of GG when Rose needed to do the eulogy at a funeral, and even though Dorthy was afraid to fly, she went anyways?

Marvo301 · 05-02-2009, 04:38 PM

Unfortunately there are some people out there who have a very difficult time separating character from actor. How annoying!

Dusty's Fan · 05-02-2009, 05:26 PM

The same type of thing has happened to people like Larry Linville ("Frank Burns") and Ed O'Neill ("Al Bundy"). Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much we can do about it. Reasonable people know that these actors were just roleplaying -- that's all that matters. And Bea was an excellent actress.

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty's Fan

The same type of thing has happened to people like Larry Linville ("Frank Burns") and Ed O'Neill ("Al Bundy"). Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much we can do about it. Reasonable people know that these actors were just roleplaying -- that's all that matters. And Bea was an excellent actress.

AMEN!!!! The fact that they were able to hide so completely into not-so-likable characters speaks even more to their abilities as actors.

Marvo301 · 05-02-2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

AMEN!!!! The fact that they were able to hide so completely into not-so-likable characters speaks even more to their abilities as actors.

Well said Monika! I agree!

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Well said Monika! I agree!

The fact that Bea won Emmys for both roles speaks volumes.

Marvo301 · 05-02-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

The fact that Bea won Emmys for both roles speaks volumes.

That's very true. They don't give those awards to just anybody!!!

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 07:53 PM

"God will get you for that, Blogger!!"

Marvo301 · 05-02-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

"God will get you for that, Blogger!!"

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I can just hear her saying that, too!!

Marvo301 · 05-02-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I can just hear her saying that, too!!

Me too!!

05-02-2009, 11:45 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	A Blogger Rips Apart Bea Arthur Because Maude Was Mean to People The comedienne Bea Arthur passed away last weekend. The event attracted a surprising amount of national attention on mainline TV shows such as Today, etc. I’m sorry that she passed away, and her friends report that she was a kind and generous person in her private life. But her comedic shtick, of course, was the put-down - what was referred to repeatedly on Monday as “razor-sharp” wit. Frankly, I lost my taste for Bea Arthur years ago. In her comic persona as Maude, or Dorothy in The Golden Girls, her specialty was simply being cruel to people. Whether it was the clueless but innocent Rose, the oversexed Blanche, or just an innocent bystander, Bea Arthur (well, Dorothy) could really cut them down to size. I don’t recall that it was ever in self-defense - her victims were just targets of opportunity for laughs, and not as quick as she was. Congratulations. Was it funny TV? Yes - millions thought so. Did I watch and laugh? Yes, for a while. But it really got tiresome over time, and I sometimes wondered if Bea Arthur ever thought about how she made a living. I quit watching years ago, as I said. It just quit being funny. By the way, have I ever delivered a “razor-sharp”, beautifully timed put-down? I’m sure I have on more than one occasion - but I’m not proud of that. It’s judgmental, as I am prone to be - and a poor way to get attention. I’d rather be known for something else. In the way that TV does, Bea Arthur made it acceptable - and even cool - to be mean to people. Despite all the media outpouring, we don’t owe her any thanks for that. R.I. P. http://itsyourtimes.com/?q=node/4386
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-02-2009, 11:51 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	This story (and the blogger) are so stupid it doesn't even deserve comment.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-02-2009, 12:19 PM	#3
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	I think the blogger is confusing Bea with the characters of Maude & Dorothy. I've never heard anyone say that Bea was ever mean-spirited with anyone.
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

05-02-2009, 12:25 PM	#5
Miss Lisa Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: My very own Green Acres Posts: 1,113	Man, some one took TV a little too seriously there. I don't know her that well as Maude, but I do know her as Dorthy. She could be cruel, but I thought it was funny. The one thing that the blogger failed to mention was that she was a good friend when they needed her. Remember the episode of GG when Rose needed to do the eulogy at a funeral, and even though Dorthy was afraid to fly, she went anyways?
	__________________ TEAM COCO ~♥~"No matter how big or soft or warm your bed is, you still have to get out of it."~♥~ - Grace Slick http://deviantrose112.posterous.com/

05-02-2009, 04:38 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Unfortunately there are some people out there who have a very difficult time separating character from actor. How annoying!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-02-2009, 05:26 PM	#7
Dusty's Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,092	The same type of thing has happened to people like Larry Linville ("Frank Burns") and Ed O'Neill ("Al Bundy"). Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much we can do about it. Reasonable people know that these actors were just roleplaying -- that's all that matters. And Bea was an excellent actress.
	__________________ ~~The stunning beauty of Ruta Lee

05-02-2009, 07:53 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	"God will get you for that, Blogger!!"