The Golden Girls weren't really that old...

[Meade]

This show came on when I was a small child, and I was under the impression that the characters were women over 65 who had a slightly more youthful appearance . But when I caught re-runs, I realized that they ranged in age from as young as early 50s to Sophia who was over 80.

With the exception of Sophia, the girls were in their 50s. I guess back in the 1980s, it was considered a novelty for a woman over 50 to be dating and sexy, etc, but nowadays, wouldnt be kind of passe? I was kind of thinking, if Blanche was right about her age she wouldnt have even been technically a Senior Citizen (age 55 and older) when the series starts.

So Im not sure, but the Golden Girls really weren't all that Golden, but rather middle aged women living with an elderly woman.

[Schmoopie]

That's very true and don't you find it weird that people tend to look so much younger today? I mean I look at pictures of actresses that were taken like 20 years ago when they were in their 40's and they look a lot older than that. I think the Golden Girls looked a lot older than 50! Wow...

[Meade]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

That's very true and don't you find it weird that people tend to look so much younger today? I mean I look at pictures of actresses that were taken like 20 years ago when they were in their 40's and they look a lot older than that. I think the Golden Girls looked a lot older than 50! Wow...

True, although if I remember correctly, the actresses on GG were up to 10 years older than the part they were playing (except for Sophia who was actually younger than Bea Arthur). Rue McClanahan was in her 50s, but to me she did look older and acted older. But yeah, 50s today is more like 40s. and so on. I think if the show were made today, they would cast 80 somethings.

[AKA]

Think about it this way: Madonna, who just performed at the Super Bowl halftime show, is now a few years older than Rue McClanahan was when The Golden Girls started.

[retrofan05]

Honestly, I think the clothes, hairstyles, and makeup had a lot to do with them looking older. The fashion of the 80's in general made everyone look older than they really were. I've seen pictures of my cousins when they were in their 20's and in some cases they looked older than they do today even though they are now in their 40's!

[JR1]

Ages of the "girls" when the show started airing:

Betty White: 63
Bea Arthur: 63
Estelle Getty: 62
Rue McLanahan: 51

[Meade]

Originally Posted by JR1

Ages of the "girls" when the show started airing:

Betty White: 63
Bea Arthur: 63
Estelle Getty: 62
Rue McLanahan: 51

Were't the characters supposed to all be 50 somethings when the show began (except Sophia, of course). So with the exception, of Rue, all the actresses were at least 10 years older than their characters were supposed to be.

Its just hard to think of a 50 something today as "golden".

[JR1]

I think Dorothy was supposed to be 55 when the show started; she also said to Rose, "you're 55..." when Rose's grief-counseling center closed.

The Blanche character was at least 50 when the show started- when she thinks she's pregnant in the first show of season two, she says she'll be 65 when the kid graduates high school- to which Sophia quips, "Try 70."

But, we know keeping facts straight was never the show's strongest suit.

[Big3sCompanyFan]

Originally Posted by Brad

Think about it this way: Madonna, who just performed at the Super Bowl halftime show, is now a few years older than Rue McClanahan was when The Golden Girls started.

Wow!

Plus keep in mind Betty White is the OLDEST of the main cast yet all main cast members younger than her have died!

Even Betty White has commented on this!

[Meade]

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

Wow!

Plus keep in mind Betty White is the OLDEST of the main cast yet all main cast members younger than her have died!

Even Betty White has commented on this!

The GG would not work today if they were supposed to be mere 50 somethings. They would have to be in their 70s. Sophia would need to be over 90.

[Big3sCompanyFan]

Originally Posted by Meade

The GG would not work today if they were supposed to be mere 50 somethings. They would have to be in their 70s. Sophia would need to be over 90.

Why do you say that??

[Meade]

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

Why do you say that??

Because 50 ain't old anymore.

[Big3sCompanyFan]

Originally Posted by Meade

Because 50 ain't old anymore.

That's true but some people in their 50s look much older because of bad genes and/or lifestyle.

[lisaemma83]

Originally Posted by Meade

This show came on when I was a small child, and I was under the impression that the characters were women over 65 who had a slightly more youthful appearance . But when I caught re-runs, I realized that they ranged in age from as young as early 50s to Sophia who was over 80.

With the exception of Sophia, the girls were in their 50s. I guess back in the 1980s, it was considered a novelty for a woman over 50 to be dating and sexy, etc, but nowadays, wouldnt be kind of passe? I was kind of thinking, if Blanche was right about her age she wouldnt have even been technically a Senior Citizen (age 55 and older) when the series starts.

So Im not sure, but the Golden Girls really weren't all that Golden, but rather middle aged women living with an elderly woman.

So true!! I think about that all the time...

[liane49]

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

That's very true and don't you find it weird that people tend to look so much younger today? I mean I look at pictures of actresses that were taken like 20 years ago when they were in their 40's and they look a lot older than that. I think the Golden Girls looked a lot older than 50! Wow...

I saw an old episode and Dorthy said Rose was 55. She looked older, not because she had wrinkels but because of the way she had her hair and dressed. I guess that's how it was in the 80's. I don't remember.