would a Golden Girls fan who isn't a Lear-fan like this?

[Dean Winchester]

I absolutely love both Bea and Rue on The Golden Girls and have a lot of desire to see this on DVD (never saw it before) if only for that reason, but at the same time, I never could get into All In The Family, and while I find Sanford And Son and Good Times funny, neither I would rank amongst faves. I seem to usually like female-driven shows better, so I wonder, would somebody who loves both of the females on it like the show even if they don't care for AITF?

[JeffRuss1972]

You may like it, but it is a lot more serious in tone than Golden Girls and has quite a bit in common with All In The Family in that respect. Rue's character on Maude is like the Betty White (Rose Nylund) character on GG. Kind of spacy and out there. Check out my earlier post- Summary from The Great TV Sitcom Book on the show. It sums up the program very well. Here's a quick link to it:

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=151101

[comedyfreak]

The show dealt with serious issues and was funny at the same time. Her catch phrase was........."God will getcha For That".

[big bertha]

If you like Bea Arthur you might find Maude funny. You must keep in mind it was filmed in a different era and it was developed by Norman Lear. But Bea makes the show her own. Maude was the reverse of Archie Bunker. She could be just as loud and vocal in her opinions as Archie. I liked the fact that it dealt with serious issues but in a funny way. And she did fight with her husband-something real people do from time to time. It had a darker sense of humor I think than the Golden Girls. If you are a fan of Bea and Rue you may want to check it out. It is so funny to see Rue playing a "Rose" character. And she was good. Conrad Bain played her husband Arthur and he was good too, but he was not nice like the Dad on Different Strokes. He could be a real jerk. There was a lot of arguing going on between Maude and her husband Walter-but they really loved each other. I thought it was cool.
But it might not be everyone's bag of tea.

[retrochick9]

Anyone that loves Bea Arthur's sarcasm will probably like the show, I love anything she's in!

[catlover79]

Did you ever watch Maude, John? What did you think?

[OH Nuts!]

I absolutely love both Bea and Rue on The Golden Girls and have a lot of desire to see this on DVD (never saw it before) if only for that reason, but at the same time, I never could get into All In The Family, and while I find Sanford And Son and Good Times funny, neither I would rank amongst faves. I seem to usually like female-driven shows better, so I wonder, would somebody who loves both of the females on it like the show even if they don't care for AITF?

IMO it is nowhere's near as well done as The Golden Girls. Maude is too one-dimensional on her own show. Archie and Edith, by comparison, come across as vibrant rich characters on AITF--you get to see Archie's tender side every now & then (ex-when he thinks Edith has cancer, when Mike has to have an operation) or Edith standing firm (exs-the 25th Anniv. celebration or the way she handles Archie when he starts to gamble again).

In contrast, Maude on her show was quite leaden. Rue too. I'd borrow it first from a lib. before buying to see what you think. If you can honestly say you love Bea no matter what--then the show would be OK.

My criticisms of the show also have nothing to do with Bea--she was magnificent on AITF and The Golden Girls. Its the writers, producers and directors who fell short. And even a steller actress can't make up for that.

As for your feelings on AITF, it could be a generational thing. For me, having seen the show first hand, it was mind-blowing to see a show so forthright and that took on controversial issues head-on and so intelligently. Good examples are the way the show dealt with dispelling stereotypes regarding race, sex, sexual orientation, gender roles and major illness--in direct contrast to most 60s70s shows that either ignored such topics or dealt with them poorly. For this reason I love AITF to pieces and always will. If ever there was a show that was 25-30 years ahead of its time, AITF was it. Shows like AITF, I Love Lucy and The Twilight Zone are gold standards that demonstrate just how trenchant and illuminating a show can be when it is well thought out, highly original, invents new paradigms or approaches, is well directed, acted and written--solid on all fronts. Come to think of it, the Golden Girls fits here too--esp. the way it tackles agism so brilliantly.

[bingbangbaby]

would a Golden Girls fan who isn't a Lear-fan like this?
I think the direct answer to that question is probably "no." Golden Girls isn't anything like Maude, and if you aren't a Lear fan then you probably wouldn't like Maude. I like Golden Girls but not Maude.
Now, if it's the stars you like, Rue and Bea, then you may check it out just to see what other work they've done. I agree with rich p though, I sure wouldn't spend money on it until you've had a chance to see it first. :)

[OH Nuts!]

I think the direct answer to that question is probably "no." Golden Girls isn't anything like Maude, and if you aren't a Lear fan then you probably wouldn't like Maude. I like Golden Girls but not Maude.
Now, if it's the stars you like, Rue and Bea, then you may check it out just to see what other work they've done. I agree with rich p though, I sure wouldn't spend money on it until you've had a chance to see it first. :)


Sigh, I do get carried away anytime I discuss AITF--the show strikes such a chord with me. BTW, glad to hear things are going GR8 in your new job and the b**ch you used to work is getting her just desserts.

[bingbangbaby]

You go right ahead and get carried away anytime you like...I enjoy reading your posts. :D
And thanks for the well-wishes...there's a funny story that goes with that whole thing that I won't go way off topic to tell here, but I'll tell you what...'just desserts' is just the beginning of it. :)

[OH Nuts!]

You go right ahead and get carried away anytime you like...I enjoy reading your posts. :D
And thanks for the well-wishes...there's a funny story that goes with that whole thing that I won't go way off topic to tell here, but I'll tell you what...'just desserts' is just the beginning of it. :)

I enjoy reading your posts too...p.m. me with the details...I'm dying to hear them!!

[Dean Winchester]

oh, by the way, that thread was started 2 1/2 years ago, lol.

I like Maude, not as much as GG but I do enjoy it and have the entire series now

[OH Nuts!]

oh, by the way, that thread was started 2 1/2 years ago, lol.

I like Maude, not as much as GG but I do enjoy it and have the entire series now

OOPS gotta pay attention to those dates (not that its a crime to answer an old thread but I would not have had I noticed the dates)

In any event I thought your Q was a good one--that's why it caught my eye

BTW, I enjoy your posts on the other bds!