The Golden Girls: 10 Not So Great Things About a Great Show

The Golden Girls: 10 Not So Great Things About a Great Show

Author: 134 West | Susan Lambert Hatem & Sharon Johnson December 24, 2025 Duration: 25:09
 ”Dorothy's tale of how she and her husband ended up together implies that he slipped her something and had sex with her. Without protection… Yeah…” - Susan Lambert Hatem

Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson dive deep in this episode into the beloved TV show 'The Golden Girls,' discussing its groundbreaking impact and the not-so-great aspects. While celebrating its progressive approach to hot-button topics and its iconic cast, they discuss ten aspects they found problematic, from mean-spirited humor to racial and cultural insensitivity. The episode, inspired by a Vulture article by Steven W. Thrasher, seeks to balance admiration with candid critique, acknowledging both the show's achievements and its shortcomings. Tune in for a balanced look at one of the most iconic TV shows from the '80s, filled with both love and critique.

Wishing you all a Happy Belated Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Wonderful Holidays! May you all have a hopeful and very Happy New Year!

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AUDIOOGRAPHY
Listen to Grace Anna at ArtMuse Podcast at artmusepodcast.com
The Golden Girls Streaming: Watch on Hulu
Get DVDs on eBay

Vulture Article: "The Real Mud on Golden Girls" by Steven W. Thrasher
Read the article on Vulture

OUR 100th EPISODE is coming! What should we do to celebrate?Send us your ideas via: 80sTVLadies @ gmail dot com 

Other TV Shows Referenced:Mama's Family -Mama's Family (Wikipedia)
Married with Children - Married with Children (Wikipedia)
All in the Family - All in the Family (Wikipedia)
How to Marry a Millionaire (film) - How to Marry a Millionaire (Wikipedia)

People
Brandon Tartikoff (NBC executive, inspiration for the show)
Brandon Tartikoff (Wikipedia)

Susan Harris (Creator of The Golden Girls)
Susan Harris (Wikipedia)

Charles Levin (Actor who played Coco)
Charles Levin (Wikipedia)

Steven W Thrasher (Author of the Vulture article)
Steven W Thrasher (Official Site)

CONNECT
Go to

Remember those iconic women from television who defined an era? 80s TV Ladies revisits the groundbreaking, often delightfully campy, female-driven series that filled our living rooms with big hair and even bigger personalities. Hosts Susan Lambert Hatem and Sharon Johnson, under the 134 West banner, aren't just offering nostalgic recaps. They dig into the fascinating stories behind how shows like "Murder, She Wrote," "Kate & Allie," or "Designing Women" were actually made, examining the creative forces and network battles that brought them to air. Each episode explores how the politics and social climate of the 1980s shaped these narratives, and conversely, how the characters and stories themselves pushed cultural conversations forward, often in a complex dance of progress and tradition. This podcast celebrates the legacy of these programs while honestly assessing their place in history through that "two-steps forward, one-step-back" lens. It's a deep, engaging listen for anyone who loves television history, cultural analysis, and the powerful, complicated women who made the decade's TV so memorable. The show's quality is underscored by its recognition as a 4-time Podcast Awards winner and a Webby nominee for Best Indie Podcast. Tune in for thoughtful, well-researched discussions that go far beyond the opening credits.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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