She mastered the art of comedic timing and could make you laugh with a look or a pause more than most comedians can with words; she was a true comedic genius.
Her relationship with the other golden girls was, in my opinion the backbone of the show. I unabashedly cried my eyes out the last episode as Dorothy gets whisked away by Leslie Nielsen's character! The show forever holds a special place in my heart
Bea Arthur will never be forgotten. You could tell she was sick with cancer, but she kept on working whenever she could. Young and old loved The Golden Girls. My family and I watch it back-to-back to this very day. May Estelle, Bea and Rue Rest In Peace.
@@ralphkramden2089 I know. It’s sad, but I’m glad Betty has been reunited with her beloved, Allen Ludden, and the rest of her Golden Girls cast. We’ll never forget the legendary Betty White. May she Rest In Peace. 🙏🏽
It made so happy when her face lit up when he brought up the Golden Girls. I still watch it and it's still brilliant in 2020. Great writing, great acting, and great directing.
Loved Bea. She was hysterical in Mame, Maude, Golden Girls etc. Her sharp wit so reminds me of a beloved aunt. Her side eye and scathing comments made my day. I still watch reruns.
I have to admit. This was so fun and heartbreaking to watch. I'm teary eyed. I grew up watching Golden Girls and this reminds me that mortality is real. I love hearing Bea's stories but of course I'm sad that she's gone.
Growing up, my mom sheltered me a lot. I wasn't allowed to watch the Simpsons or family guy or the typical shows millennial were watching but I was able to watch shows like I Love Lucy, Mama's Family and Golden Girls. Golden Girls helped me get through my high school years. It kept me happy through dark times. Bea Arthur was a very classy and confidence presence that I loved.
Beau Arthur is a legend. Her comedic timing , her intelligence and the clsss she had notice how brilliant all the support team was to her the writers, the costume designers . She heaped praise on all the “ workers” so to speak that supported the performers. What a class act.
In a world that makes girls think their value lies in their outer appearance Bea Arthur was a reminder that a person's true beauty & value come from the content of their character. . . She was such a positive, encouraging role model.
The incomparable Bea Author... I watched every episode when I was a kid as they aired, it was a family thing. I have watched every episode of every season over the years and still must watch a few every night before bed. This was one of the best sitcoms ever on tv, these ladies make my nights so fun and hilarious. Rest in peace Rue, Bea and Estelle
What a great interview with Bea Arthur. The Golden Girls was such a fabulous show...one of my all-time favorite shows and she's one of the my favorite actresses! Thanks for posting this.
I love Bea Arthur in everything I have seen her do. Her and Lucy were wonderful in the movie Mame together. My favorite line in the movie is when one of them asked the other "How old do you think I am?" "Somewhere between 40 and death."
Thank you for this wonderful interview. I was lucky to see her in a one woman show she was testing called “And then Theres Bea”. Such an intelligent and very talented lady. I’m so happy we can watch her every night for the rest of our lives if we want.
@@TREALLDAY-nj1dz no she ain't..you just see people who don't conform to cookie cutter beauty as ''ugly'..personally, I find Kim Kardashian ''hella ugly''!
The top NBC shows during the time when "Golden Girls" came on were "Cheers" and "The Cosby Show". I find it quite interesting that Bea said "Golden Girls" was relatable to everyone. And she's right. "The Cosby Show" was about having your family there with you and about how important family is. "Cheers" was about friendship. "Golden Girls" was both.
I heard and read that towards the end, Bea Arthur was NOT HAPPY. Rue McClanahan said that Bea would squeeze her hand and say - "Thank God you're here!" Bea looked HORRIBLE in this interview!!!! it HAD TO HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO THE END!!!!
At the end of season 5 Bea's contract was up and she wanted to leave the show. She thought they had done all they could with the characters. She was persuaded to sign on for two more seasons, but she wasn't as happy as she had been earlier. She really liked being the star of the show, as on Maude.
I wish the interviewer actually listened and had a conversation rather than just move onto the next scripted/planned question. Listening makes a fantastic interviewer.
"Estelle & I were on par with Laurel & Hardy." YES. We need more women bold enough to claim their rightful place in TV/movie history. And I agree, Bea.
Hi, Jay Kaminowitz. Just for clarification: This interview was originally for a documentary in which the interviewer was never intended to be heard by the audience. The answers were edited and only portions were ever aired. We are presenting it now completely uncut and uncensored because we felt people would be interested in the footage as a historical record of this iconic and beloved actor. The interviewers sound is what it is, unfortunately, and presented without apology. Hope you can enjoy it in that context.
The opposite is true. Bea was very vocal about this in other interviews and her coworkers have also spoke about this. Bea liked Maude better because she liked being the main character and because she liked the more topical and political writing. She DID like working in the Golden Girls, and she did love the writing.
Definitely. Bea looked younger in 1992 during the final season of the Golden Girls than she did in the ‘70s as Maude. The same is true for Rue. I love how they got more glam as it went on.
wow, fab interview. that is really interesting about the american attempt at fawlty towers!! id never heard anything about it but it sounds like it didnt continue. Fawlty Towers is one of the funniest shows ever made it makes me laugh just thinking about it XD and i loved the way she pronounced Basil as "Bay-zul"!! What a hoot!! She's such a fab woman and you've done a really great interview so, thank you!
Fun Fact: Bea Arthur was Disney's FIRST choice to voice the character of Ursula, the Sea Witch in 1989 "The Little Mermaid." However, she was too busy with the Golden Girls to do it. That's why they gave the role to Pat Carroll. That's right, Pat Carroll was NOT Disney's first original choice for Ursula; Bea Arthur WAS!!!!!!!
Bea was so much better in Golden Girls and actually so was Rue. I love the Girls!! Bea was beautiful too, especially in GG/ Dorothy....am obsessed with Golden Girls!
True, Rue McClanahan was the youngest when the show aired. But being a Golden Girl isn't all about age. They were all ladies with gray(ish) hear, fumbling career(choices) and/or widows/divorcés. That combination in the '80 and '90 meant one was - especially ladies according to the dominant views at the time - a tough old broad in the winter of her life... Just as the "read" goes: these are not the best years of your life, these are the LAST years of your life. Well in their winter, these 4 were everything but old broads. They had lushes lives with activities and hobbies, full of social interactions!!
She should have said they were women of a certain age .. rather than elderly .. the title of the show made would make one think they we’re old bag of farts
Such a different time were the 80's....just think that Jennifer Aniston is 51 now lol. Could you even imagine her playing an "elderly" grandmother in a series? I wouldn't consider someone elderly these days unless they were 70+.
Golden Girls even had a spin off Empty Nest. Paul Junger Witt also did Soap & Benson & the set of Benson was also the set of Golden Girls of course they changed a few things furniture decor wise. Watch Benson closely you can notice the set of Golden Girls.
Its funny cause that ep she mentions was season 5 and from what rue said bea had wanted out or at least started to be over it from seaon 3-5...altho ive read season 5 was the one she really wanted to go especially after john hughes decided to move on....but she speaks so greatly of the show and what a joy it was coming to work everyday....idk im just wondering if that was the case why did she want to leave so early on 🤔
I doubt she wanted to leave after Season 2. I haven't heard that Rue quote, but Rue had contradicted herself before, so it's possible she contradicted herself again. I read it was after Season 5 when Bea wanted out, and I imagine Director Terry Hughes' departure had something to do with it. Afterall, she was the one who recommended he join The Golden Girls. Betty had said that everyone was happy the first 5 seasons, and like you said, Bea consistently expressed her fondness of the show. In one of her final interviews, she was recalling the series finale and her voice broke, and she went to wipe her eyes. You don't get emotional like that over a miserable experience.
I never understood why she didn’t like Betty White. My FAV Golden Girl, & I have always loved her. But, Betty herself said, that she didn’t like her, & she didn’t know why. Or if she did, she didn’t say. How can you not love Betty White?
I read that Bea's son said she had the personality trait of needing to have something -or someone - to be the target of negative feelings, that she had a cranky side she felt the need to express, and that Betty with her bubbley positive attitude just irritated her for some reason. Doesn't make sense to me, but apparently that's just how she was.
Its human nature to not like everyone.She never let it show and got on with the show.I always found it odd that Bea was the last to win an Emmy for GG.
Because Betty was highly intelligent, charming and witty in ways that Bea couldn't match. There have been plenty of stories of how Bea was extremely serious about the work while Betty was able to slip in and out of character effortlessly, often joking with the crew and the audience. That would have been infuriating for Bea.
They were actually very close in Season 1. In fact, Bea - being an introvert - wouldn't go to lunch with Rue unless her friend Betty joined. Bea and Betty were also the primary caretakers to their very sick mothers. Their mothers ended up dying around the same time, and they got through it with the support of each other. Perhaps Betty winning the Emmy first caused the initial rift because Bea's son said he felt his mom thought she was more of an actress than Betty since his mom came from the stage, and Betty was on game shows. But those were his words, not Bea's. I personally believe it's more likely their conflicting personalities and acting philosophies resulted in them drifting apart. But I don't think there was any hate or disrespect or this never ending feud. It makes for a good story, but if stuff was really going down, it should have come out before Bea's death when she could have shared her side. Bea's son summed it up when he said Bea had problems with Betty, but still liked her. The one thing that rubs me the wrong way was when Rue shared that Bea called Betty a "c*nt." She told the story twice, the second time being at Bea's memorial, and apparently it got a lot of laughs like it was a joke, but how is that a joke? As the story goes, Rue's husband had thanked Bea for inviting them to a party after Bea's one-woman show to which Bea replied "I love Rue. Betty is a c*nt." But I don't see how it's funny, and it's odd that it came up at her memorial. Rue continued with another story, a much softer one in which she called Bea over one Thanksgiving break after Rue's mother died, and Bea told her to come over. Bea made up the guest bedroom for her and sat with her while Rue lied there. And Rue said it was the first time in 6 days that she felt any peace. So that was sweet. And in a 2019 article, I found a quote Betty wrote, "I don't even want to contemplate what the set of The Golden Girls would be like if we didn't all support and respect one another...From the very beginning, we were each thrilled by the professionalism of the other three. No one had to be carried. Whatever one of us served up was returned in kind...or better." Not sure if the quote itself is also from 2019, but it sounded like in the end, they managed just fine. Maybe not the best of friends, but I think if you work so closely with people for so long, you can't help but care about them (even if you get annoyed with them sometimes and possibly say things you later regret). I don't like how all this got brought up right after Bea's death and still continues today. She's not around to defend herself, and honestly, the more you read, the more conflicting information you find. No one except Betty and Bea know what really happened, and unfortunately, we can only hear from one of them.
Do you think it weird they all died similar to there characters to the show, like bea had a smoke problem on the show. Then she died from lung cancer. Estelle had episode with her friend had Alzheimer’s and she died from a disease similar to Alzheimer’s. Rue on the show needed a pacemaker. Then she died from heart problems
@@jaedevrick Very weird indeed...reminds me of the death of my favorite actor Rutger Hauer. Hauer died on 19 July 2019..2019!..the same year his most well known character (Roy in Blade Runner) died.
Omg I love her❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ suchgreat memories of watching the golden girls with my mom and dad , that are no longer here. But I can remember my dad's laugh and my mom's laughing. Best time ever!!! They don't make TV like that any more😞
Never watched it when it was on years ago, now at my older age, I watch it everyday, I love it ❤️ they are all gone, except for Betty White, she such a Lady and sweet and she loves animals. But loving it now!!❤️❤️💜. May the three REST IN PEACE 🙏. Glad BETTY WHITE IS STILL WITH US AT AGE 99, GOD BLESS HER AND KEEP HER WELL. 💙💙❤️🙏🇺🇸
My favorite golden girl loved her sarcasm and irony. She was elegant and great actress and beautiful when young, she never stopped being beautiful it was unfair to say she was ugly and masculinized in Golden girls
That show had a lot of screaming and yelling. You used to hear it from your neighbor's house across the hall and hear pounding on their doors from other neighbors who thought it was them LOL
Well she’s older and sick at that time so maybe that’s why she failed to mention it.... maybe had he mentioned it, that might of brought it back to her mind....and when I heard Rue talk about it she said she called Bea and just explained to her it wasn’t going to be a repeat of what She and Betty had already done. So it wasn’t like it took countless conversations and endless trying....
I always wonder about this with actors. As viewers, their work is always accessible to us, so it's new and fresh every time. To them, however much they enjoyed it, it was work. And it lives only in their memory because actors are notorious for not viewing their own work. And how much do each of us remember about the day-in-day-out of a job we had 15 years ago?
The thing about spin offs, is that you can only do that with minor and/or recurring characters. That's why, for example, The Jeffersons, Good Times and Empty Nest worked. However, you can't do it with breakout characters that are part of the main cast, because you're taking them out of the environment and situations that made them breakout characters in the first place, which is why, for example Checking In and Jackée didn't work. It's like what Henry Winkler said about being in an ensemble, that it's a team effort: they wanted to call it "Fonzie's Happy Days" and he refused to let that happen.
So true, I feel like thats what happened to the ropers. I guess they weren't technically part of the main cast but they're on often enough to feel like they were
@@claraclown8036 Yes! They were supporting characters, but they worked against the roommates' antics and misunderstandings. That's why they worked on the show as part of the ensemble, even though they weren't the focus. But when they took them out of that familiar environment, it just didn't work because they needed each other. The Jefferey Tambor role against Stanley paled in comparison to Stanley and Jack.
She was suffering from lung cancer. But she did not reveal this publicly. She even said in an interview that she felt “fine” when in truth, she didn’t. Her business though.
Because rue and Betty was working on mama's family together. But I think rue did most of the convincing cause back then rue and bea was more close.only up to the end Betty and bea became close I think cause also in small dosage working with Estelle getty hope that part is true
@@mesa4592 Actually they didn't have issues. It's just that Betty would become overexcited and it would be too much for Bea. Over all Bea loved Betty and Rue and Estelle even when they annoyed her
Once more, with feeling, for the folks at home: Hi, Michelle. Just for clarification: This interview was originally for a documentary in which I was never intended to be heard by the audience. The answers were edited and only portions were ever aired. I'm presenting it now completely uncut and uncensored because I felt people would be interested to hear it - (certainly less so in what I was saying!) The footage is a historical record of this iconic and beloved actor. My sound is what it is, unfortunately, and presented without apology. Hope you can enjoy it in that context. Thanks for understanding. Best, David
It makes me sad that she didn't get along with Betty White. I hope it was more just annoyance rather than hatred. I'm obviously also still sad Bea, Rue and Estelle are gone.
@@jandreidrn no, multiple people - even bea’s son acknowledged that bea had issues with white - and most friends & co-workers said Arthur’s issues with white were professional rather than personal as they’d had different acting backgrounds & training… and she found white too upbeat and audience-friendly on set. white wasn’t lying - just answering questions honestly.
@@Shelsight I never said Betty was lying. I said it's Betty's words against Bea's. And unfortunately Bea was no longer around to defend herself. And now, sadly so is Betty.
Rue said somthing completely different in regards to Bea's roll in The Golden Girls. Apparently Bea had originally turned it down and they wanted Betty and Rue to talk Bea into taking the part. So...who'd interview is more truthful?
Maude was not an early or one of the first spin offs. An early one would be when the radio show, "The Great Gildersleeve" was spun off from "Fibber McGee and Molly" in 1941. TVs "Pete and Gladys" was a spin off of "December Bride" in 1960. A more famous example would be "The Any Griffith Show" spinning off "Gomer Pyle USMC" and "Mayberry RFD"
I watch the golden girls almost every day of my life. It’s peaceful. It’s relaxing. It makes me laugh. Best show ever!!!
Same here, I watch it every day religiously. Especially sometimes to go bed :) My absolute fave show.
💯 I couldn't agree with you more, Ashton. Grab some snacks and just binge watch all day long.
Ashton Regular watch the Golden Palace as well
BiztosAngol I have that on DVD 📀 lol. It’s so good. I just wish it didn’t get canceled and there were many more seasons
well it might make one wonder about...other reasons it was so ....."addictive"
Bea made the Golden Girls for me, her expressions and quips were absolutely hilarious. A legendary lady in a legendary show.
I bought the Golden Girls collection on iTunes, just now getting through season 1
She mastered the art of comedic timing and could make you laugh with a look or a pause more than most comedians can with words; she was a true comedic genius.
SammyT She was the quote glue of the group, there is a spin off called Golden Palace Without Bea and it’s clear she was humor of Golden Girls.
I loved the "pause".
absolutely....they were all great but Bea was the glue
Favorite golden girl...thumbs up if you agree. I miss this show.
LOVE the show, but yes she was my favorite, too. I also miss it a lot.
She was my least favorite! The show would have been better if someone else played her part!
@@sherryduggar8821 like celine dion? or nicki minaj?
I totally agree 💯 👌 I miss the show too☹️
Hello handsome, come here often?
The Golden Girls is arguably one of the best sitcoms of all time and I still watch it til this very day!!
I watch it everyday. It's relaxing. Like going to grandma's house.
Canel McDonald, Me too! They have been on the Hallmark channel for decades and decades.
Her relationship with the other golden girls was, in my opinion the backbone of the show. I unabashedly cried my eyes out the last episode as Dorothy gets whisked away by Leslie Nielsen's character! The show forever holds a special place in my heart
That's pretty cool!
And then when she walks back in , that scene has me teary eyed and smiling at the same time .
Bea Arthur will never be forgotten. You could tell she was sick with cancer, but she kept on working whenever she could. Young and old loved The Golden Girls. My family and I watch it back-to-back to this very day. May Estelle, Bea and Rue Rest In Peace.
Very happy to see it back on Channel 5 at the moment..
It’s comforting to me. I put it on when I go to bed.
It’s even my teenage kids favorite sitcom.
sykophunk the whole series is on Hulu
And now Betty joined them yesterday. 😞
@@ralphkramden2089 I know. It’s sad, but I’m glad Betty has been reunited with her beloved, Allen Ludden, and the rest of her Golden Girls cast. We’ll never forget the legendary Betty White. May she Rest In Peace. 🙏🏽
She is so unimpressed with herself , such a great talent and no ego
Len Welch “Dorothy I have no ego”
what?! what an ego.
That sounds horrible. One should be proud of oneself :(
@@Mintylight If an actor comes across as such, they will not get roles. One must be proud of oneself in private.
@ exactly, Bea was authentic!
I am glad I am not the only one that has seen the whole Golden Girls series at least 30 times.
I don’t think a number exists for how many times I’ve seen the whole series 😍😍😍
Maude and The Golden Girls are the Best sitcoms of all Time!!!
Maude is classic Norman Lear. Just like All In The Family, The Jeffersons and Good Times. One of the all time greats.
@Logia SD no what I see of Maude I'm not fussed on although Bea was funny on it..prefer GG.
I love Golden Girls. I tried to get into Maude. But her character is sooo overbearing. It was exhausting to watch. I didn’t like it
@@desertrose1226 I liked both but GG was my favorite also.
Golden girls is a classic. I still watch that til this day.
It made so happy when her face lit up when he brought up the Golden Girls. I still watch it and it's still brilliant in 2020. Great writing, great acting, and great directing.
Loved Bea. She was hysterical in Mame, Maude, Golden Girls etc. Her sharp wit so reminds me of a beloved aunt. Her side eye and scathing comments made my day. I still watch reruns.
I have to admit. This was so fun and heartbreaking to watch. I'm teary eyed. I grew up watching Golden Girls and this reminds me that mortality is real. I love hearing Bea's stories but of course I'm sad that she's gone.
Growing up, my mom sheltered me a lot. I wasn't allowed to watch the Simpsons or family guy or the typical shows millennial were watching but I was able to watch shows like I Love Lucy, Mama's Family and Golden Girls. Golden Girls helped me get through my high school years. It kept me happy through dark times. Bea Arthur was a very classy and confidence presence that I loved.
Wish I could have met Bea in real life. LOVE her.
Comedic genius, her delivery of a line and timing were incomparable!
This video literally just made my day. What a great interview with Bea!;)
Such an informative series..Thank you. Maude was a favorite in my day!
Glad you enjoyed it!
They just don't make em like Bea Arthur anymore. Beautiful, intelligent & incredibly funny !
Beau Arthur is a legend. Her comedic timing , her intelligence and the clsss she had notice how brilliant all the support team was to her the writers, the costume designers . She heaped praise on all the “ workers” so to speak that supported the performers. What a class act.
For all the jokes made about her appearance, I never thought she was unattractive. She had quite a presence.
In a world that makes girls think their value lies in their outer appearance Bea Arthur was a reminder that a person's true beauty & value come from the content of their character. . . She was such a positive, encouraging role model.
I couldn't have said it better myself
So you're calling her ugly??
Great interview! She seemed like such a sincere and caring person. So nice to hear her talking about all of this.
‘Prior to that, when we thought of elderly people, you could almost smell them’ so descriptive and so accurate
I love how gracious she was about GG and how much she enjoyed being there. I love that
The incomparable Bea Author... I watched every episode when I was a kid as they aired, it was a family thing. I have watched every episode of every season over the years and still must watch a few every night before bed. This was one of the best sitcoms ever on tv, these ladies make my nights so fun and hilarious. Rest in peace Rue, Bea and Estelle
Love you her my favorite Golden girl . Your still golden in heaven.
What a great interview with Bea Arthur. The Golden Girls was such a fabulous show...one of my all-time favorite shows and she's one of the my favorite actresses! Thanks for posting this.
I love Bea Arthur in everything I have seen her do. Her and Lucy were wonderful in the movie Mame together. My favorite line in the movie is when one of them asked the other "How old do you think I am?" "Somewhere between 40 and death."
I watch Golden Girls every night. It is funny and my most favorite show of all time.
Bae Arthur was sharp beautiful & unique in her own way.. may she RIP love her actress career a beautiful soul to remember queen bae of golden girls❤️
Thank you for this wonderful interview. I was lucky to see her in a one woman show she was testing called “And then Theres Bea”. Such an intelligent and very talented lady. I’m so happy we can watch her every night for the rest of our lives if we want.
I always loved her strong woman humor. She was always terrific.
strafrag1 -She’s hella ugly!
@@TREALLDAY-nj1dz no she ain't..you just see people who don't conform to cookie cutter beauty as ''ugly'..personally, I find Kim Kardashian ''hella ugly''!
"Golden Girls" discussion does not start until 8:53...
The top NBC shows during the time when "Golden Girls" came on were "Cheers" and "The Cosby Show". I find it quite interesting that Bea said "Golden Girls" was relatable to everyone. And she's right. "The Cosby Show" was about having your family there with you and about how important family is. "Cheers" was about friendship. "Golden Girls" was both.
Thanks!
JZWALZ51 ROBIN Thank you, I was only in the comment section looking for this very comment.
@@jacquettediggs4633 Just paying it forward. I have saved time by finding such entries myself. Great if you can do the same when you can...
I heard and read that towards the end, Bea Arthur was NOT HAPPY. Rue McClanahan said that Bea would squeeze her hand and say - "Thank God you're here!" Bea looked HORRIBLE in this interview!!!! it HAD TO HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO THE END!!!!
At the end of season 5 Bea's contract was up and she wanted to leave the show. She thought they had done all they could with the characters. She was persuaded to sign on for two more seasons, but she wasn't as happy as she had been earlier. She really liked being the star of the show, as on Maude.
I wish the interviewer actually listened and had a conversation rather than just move onto the next scripted/planned question. Listening makes a fantastic interviewer.
audio was horrible
Interviewer sucks.
I’m a 25 year old man and I watch golden girls I’m not ashamed of it
I just want to reach through the screen and hug her tight.
"Golden Girls" is my favorite sitcom of all times! 💝
Mine, too
Bea was incredible! I love her so much!!!
"Estelle & I were on par with Laurel & Hardy." YES. We need more women bold enough to claim their rightful place in TV/movie history. And I agree, Bea.
This dude must be psychic. He was prepping for social distancing years before Covid-19.
LoL 😆
🤣😂
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Hi, Jay Kaminowitz. Just for clarification: This interview was originally for a documentary in which the interviewer was never intended to be heard by the audience. The answers were edited and only portions were ever aired. We are presenting it now completely uncut and uncensored because we felt people would be interested in the footage as a historical record of this iconic and beloved actor. The interviewers sound is what it is, unfortunately, and presented without apology. Hope you can enjoy it in that context.
@@PopGoesTheCultureTV that makes sense now
It sounds like Bea Arthur enjoyed Golden Girls much more than she did Maude.
chuckles1972 Bea often said that Golden Girls had the most brilliant premise and scripts that she had ever seen for TV.
Really? I thought it was the opposite. I was under the impression she preferred having her own show rather than being part of an ensemble cast.
Its bc of the people
The opposite is true. Bea was very vocal about this in other interviews and her coworkers have also spoke about this. Bea liked Maude better because she liked being the main character and because she liked the more topical and political writing. She DID like working in the Golden Girls, and she did love the writing.
Jordan Hubbard 1.0 that is not true. Bea hates Betty White.
I always felt she looked younger in golden girls and older in maude... miss u bea
Definitely. Bea looked younger in 1992 during the final season of the Golden Girls than she did in the ‘70s as Maude. The same is true for Rue. I love how they got more glam as it went on.
Beautiful lady. Superb comedic timing and those flawless facial reactions.
Bea Arthur did a good job playing Dorothy
wow, fab interview. that is really interesting about the american attempt at fawlty towers!! id never heard anything about it but it sounds like it didnt continue. Fawlty Towers is one of the funniest shows ever made it makes me laugh just thinking about it XD and i loved the way she pronounced Basil as "Bay-zul"!! What a hoot!! She's such a fab woman and you've done a really great interview so, thank you!
Thanks for the kind words, nico. I appreciate all my viewer comments. Hope you've subscribed. What sorts of videos do you like best?
David
Even my teenage daughter would watch Golden Girls every time it came on. She still talks about that show.
SHE DID Malcom in the Middle and won an emmy.
Liane Layman She was nominated for an Emmy for her guest role on “Malcolm in the Middle” but did not win.
mysky
And the nomination was an act of sympathy bc the part didn’t justify an award.
@@Celisar1 I loved it, haha.
SDoesNotKnow
Me too, but it wasn’t an exceptional acting. :)
Fun Fact: Bea Arthur was Disney's FIRST choice to voice the character of Ursula, the Sea Witch in 1989 "The Little Mermaid." However, she was too busy with the Golden Girls to do it. That's why they gave the role to Pat Carroll. That's right, Pat Carroll was NOT Disney's first original choice for Ursula; Bea Arthur WAS!!!!!!!
She would have made a fantastic Ursula!
Wow I didn't know that! It certainly worked out but would have been so cool if Bea did it!
Wow. Wow wow wow!!
wow didn't know this Pat did and incredible job just the same
Oh, she would have been Great as Ursula.
“Me, Dorothy Zbornak…..MIRACLE WORKER”
Bea was so much better in Golden Girls and actually so was Rue. I love the Girls!! Bea was beautiful too, especially in GG/ Dorothy....am obsessed with Golden Girls!
Bea Arthur the great!
She keeps saying the GGs were “elderly”, but in fact none were 65+ when the show began. Rue was only 51!
True, Rue McClanahan was the youngest when the show aired. But being a Golden Girl isn't all about age. They were all ladies with gray(ish) hear, fumbling career(choices) and/or widows/divorcés. That combination in the '80 and '90 meant one was - especially ladies according to the dominant views at the time - a tough old broad in the winter of her life... Just as the "read" goes: these are not the best years of your life, these are the LAST years of your life.
Well in their winter, these 4 were everything but old broads. They had lushes lives with activities and hobbies, full of social interactions!!
Well betty white was 63 when the series started. I would say that's elderly.
She should have said they were women of a certain age .. rather than elderly .. the title of the show made would make one think they we’re old bag of farts
@@conniecanas1422 Personally, I always considered 60's "above middle aged." Older than middle aged but not elderly.
Such a different time were the 80's....just think that Jennifer Aniston is 51 now lol. Could you even imagine her playing an "elderly" grandmother in a series? I wouldn't consider someone elderly these days unless they were 70+.
To this day there my favor lady’s .. RIP ..
Hey, Angela Vardamaskos. I couldn't agree more. Thanks for watching!
Best, David
Golden Girls was 🔥
Heart-warming.
Such a talented lady.
Love Bea, and miss her like a Grandma I never had.
Golden Girls even had a spin off Empty Nest. Paul Junger Witt also did Soap & Benson & the set of Benson was also the set of Golden Girls of course they changed a few things furniture decor wise. Watch Benson closely you can notice the set of Golden Girls.
Bea forever ❤️ RIP! ❤️
Its funny cause that ep she mentions was season 5 and from what rue said bea had wanted out or at least started to be over it from seaon 3-5...altho ive read season 5 was the one she really wanted to go especially after john hughes decided to move on....but she speaks so greatly of the show and what a joy it was coming to work everyday....idk im just wondering if that was the case why did she want to leave so early on 🤔
I doubt she wanted to leave after Season 2. I haven't heard that Rue quote, but Rue had contradicted herself before, so it's possible she contradicted herself again.
I read it was after Season 5 when Bea wanted out, and I imagine Director Terry Hughes' departure had something to do with it. Afterall, she was the one who recommended he join The Golden Girls.
Betty had said that everyone was happy the first 5 seasons, and like you said, Bea consistently expressed her fondness of the show. In one of her final interviews, she was recalling the series finale and her voice broke, and she went to wipe her eyes. You don't get emotional like that over a miserable experience.
Lioness Of Judah, Maybe she was lying in this interview.
Omg a judge would have been a good character for her
Did you know Bea Arthur was in the Marine Corps.?
Bea had GREAT comedic instincts. Great timing. Also, she could say everything with just a facial expression. I love her!
I loved her too, I! Thanks for watching. I hope you'll subscribe. Best, David
Some of the most iconic TV sitcoms were in the 80's & early 90's. Designing Women, Golden Girl's, Cheers, etc...
I never understood why she didn’t like Betty White. My FAV Golden Girl, & I have always loved her. But, Betty herself said, that she didn’t like her, & she didn’t know why. Or if she did, she didn’t say. How can you not love Betty White?
I read that Bea's son said she had the personality trait of needing to have something -or someone - to be the target of negative feelings, that she had a cranky side she felt the need to express, and that Betty with her bubbley positive attitude just irritated her for some reason. Doesn't make sense to me, but apparently that's just how she was.
Its human nature to not like everyone.She never let it show and got on with the show.I always found it odd that Bea was the last to win an Emmy for GG.
Because Betty was highly intelligent, charming and witty in ways that Bea couldn't match. There have been plenty of stories of how Bea was extremely serious about the work while Betty was able to slip in and out of character effortlessly, often joking with the crew and the audience. That would have been infuriating for Bea.
It's Betty White's words against Bea. And unfortunately Bea is no longer around to defend herself.
They were actually very close in Season 1. In fact, Bea - being an introvert - wouldn't go to lunch with Rue unless her friend Betty joined. Bea and Betty were also the primary caretakers to their very sick mothers. Their mothers ended up dying around the same time, and they got through it with the support of each other.
Perhaps Betty winning the Emmy first caused the initial rift because Bea's son said he felt his mom thought she was more of an actress than Betty since his mom came from the stage, and Betty was on game shows. But those were his words, not Bea's. I personally believe it's more likely their conflicting personalities and acting philosophies resulted in them drifting apart.
But I don't think there was any hate or disrespect or this never ending feud. It makes for a good story, but if stuff was really going down, it should have come out before Bea's death when she could have shared her side. Bea's son summed it up when he said Bea had problems with Betty, but still liked her.
The one thing that rubs me the wrong way was when Rue shared that Bea called Betty a "c*nt." She told the story twice, the second time being at Bea's memorial, and apparently it got a lot of laughs like it was a joke, but how is that a joke?
As the story goes, Rue's husband had thanked Bea for inviting them to a party after Bea's one-woman show to which Bea replied "I love Rue. Betty is a c*nt." But I don't see how it's funny, and it's odd that it came up at her memorial.
Rue continued with another story, a much softer one in which she called Bea over one Thanksgiving break after Rue's mother died, and Bea told her to come over. Bea made up the guest bedroom for her and sat with her while Rue lied there. And Rue said it was the first time in 6 days that she felt any peace. So that was sweet.
And in a 2019 article, I found a quote Betty wrote, "I don't even want to contemplate what the set of The Golden Girls would be like if we didn't all support and respect one another...From the very beginning, we were each thrilled by the professionalism of the other three. No one had to be carried. Whatever one of us served up was returned in kind...or better."
Not sure if the quote itself is also from 2019, but it sounded like in the end, they managed just fine. Maybe not the best of friends, but I think if you work so closely with people for so long, you can't help but care about them (even if you get annoyed with them sometimes and possibly say things you later regret).
I don't like how all this got brought up right after Bea's death and still continues today. She's not around to defend herself, and honestly, the more you read, the more conflicting information you find. No one except Betty and Bea know what really happened, and unfortunately, we can only hear from one of them.
A very funny lady. I miss her.rest in peace.
It makes me tear up when I think how Rue, Bea and Estelle are actually dead. R. I. P. Bea , Rue and Estelle. I hope we don’t lose Betty.
Do you think it weird they all died similar to there characters to the show, like bea had a smoke problem on the show. Then she died from lung cancer. Estelle had episode with her friend had Alzheimer’s and she died from a disease similar to Alzheimer’s. Rue on the show needed a pacemaker. Then she died from heart problems
@@jaedevrick Very weird indeed...reminds me of the death of my favorite actor Rutger Hauer. Hauer died on 19 July 2019..2019!..the same year his most well known character (Roy in Blade Runner) died.
@@desertrose1226 yesssss something is definitely going on!!
Now we lost betty too
Omg I love her❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ suchgreat memories of watching the golden girls with my mom and dad , that are no longer here. But I can remember my dad's laugh and my mom's laughing. Best time ever!!! They don't make TV like that any more😞
Same here! My mother and father have both passed, but I remember watching with them, and it’s woven into the fabric of why I love this show SO much.
I love you B!! You are so special!
Loved this Lady
I love the GG’s! I still watch them. So does my son!
Never watched it when it was on years ago, now at my older age, I watch it everyday, I love it ❤️ they are all gone, except for Betty White, she such a Lady and sweet and she loves animals. But loving it now!!❤️❤️💜. May the three REST IN PEACE 🙏. Glad BETTY WHITE IS STILL WITH US AT AGE 99, GOD BLESS HER AND KEEP HER WELL. 💙💙❤️🙏🇺🇸
I'm shocked she never mentioned her appearance in The Star Wars Christmas Special.
My fault! I kicked myself after I left that day!!!
My favorite golden girl loved her sarcasm and irony. She was elegant and great actress and beautiful when young, she never stopped being beautiful it was unfair to say she was ugly and masculinized in Golden girls
she was never a beauty in Maude, but apart from that she looked great.
Thanks for uploading this video! Really enjoyed it. 😊
My absolute favorite 💓
That show had a lot of screaming and yelling. You used to hear it from your neighbor's house across the hall and hear pounding on their doors from other neighbors who thought it was them LOL
It’s unfair she didn’t mention how hard Rue McLanahan had to persuade her to consider the part of Dorothy. Great actress though
Well she’s older and sick at that time so maybe that’s why she failed to mention it.... maybe had he mentioned it, that might of brought it back to her mind....and when I heard Rue talk about it she said she called Bea and just explained to her it wasn’t going to be a repeat of what She and Betty had already done. So it wasn’t like it took countless conversations and endless trying....
Yes, she kept turning them down, as she didn’t want to do “Maude and Vivian, meet Sue Anne”. She agreed AFTER Rue and Betty switched roles.
I always wonder about this with actors. As viewers, their work is always accessible to us, so it's new and fresh every time. To them, however much they enjoyed it, it was work. And it lives only in their memory because actors are notorious for not viewing their own work. And how much do each of us remember about the day-in-day-out of a job we had 15 years ago?
Maybe she just plain forgot to mention it. It happens, especially when you’re in your 80s, as she was here.
some people don't wanna say some or many things unless doing so serves them in some calculated way....hehehehe
Loved watching THIS
He mentions at the start one of the topics would be why she left the Golden Girls
Where was that in this video?
The thing about spin offs, is that you can only do that with minor and/or recurring characters. That's why, for example, The Jeffersons, Good Times and Empty Nest worked. However, you can't do it with breakout characters that are part of the main cast, because you're taking them out of the environment and situations that made them breakout characters in the first place, which is why, for example Checking In and Jackée didn't work. It's like what Henry Winkler said about being in an ensemble, that it's a team effort: they wanted to call it "Fonzie's Happy Days" and he refused to let that happen.
So true, I feel like thats what happened to the ropers. I guess they weren't technically part of the main cast but they're on often enough to feel like they were
@@claraclown8036 Yes! They were supporting characters, but they worked against the roommates' antics and misunderstandings. That's why they worked on the show as part of the ensemble, even though they weren't the focus. But when they took them out of that familiar environment, it just didn't work because they needed each other. The Jefferey Tambor role against Stanley paled in comparison to Stanley and Jack.
Love Golden Girls Bea was my favorite
WonderfulBeaActressGoldenGirls
When Light like this leaves, it leaves our world a little darker sadder and lying in wait for the Next Great Talent
Bea looks so frail here ! Queen ❤️
She was suffering from lung cancer. But she did not reveal this publicly. She even said in an interview that she felt “fine” when in truth, she didn’t. Her business though.
Bea Arthur Definitely Was A Very Private Person & Didn’t Tell The Whole World That She Had Lung Cancer 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
I love the Golden Girls!
Because rue and Betty was working on mama's family together. But I think rue did most of the convincing cause back then rue and bea was more close.only up to the end Betty and bea became close I think cause also in small dosage working with Estelle getty hope that part is true
Are you kidding me.....Bea could NOT stand working with Betty. The 2 did NOT get along on the set .
@@mesa4592 Actually they didn't have issues. It's just that Betty would become overexcited and it would be too much for Bea. Over all Bea loved Betty and Rue and Estelle even when they annoyed her
@@auntshirl9493 I doubt Estelle could annoy anyone she seemed to be such a lovely lady.
I watched the Golden girls as well loved each and everyone 💛✨
I respect Beatrice Arthur directness
She aged well, holy hell, just awe inspiring, has all of her great intelligence fully intact, just awesome!
*Bea was more beautiful as she got older....and was beautiful until the very end.*
Is he interviewing from another state
Once more, with feeling, for the folks at home:
Hi, Michelle. Just for clarification: This interview was originally for a documentary in which I was never intended to be heard by the audience. The answers were edited and only portions were ever aired. I'm presenting it now completely uncut and uncensored because I felt people would be interested to hear it - (certainly less so in what I was saying!) The footage is a historical record of this iconic and beloved actor. My sound is what it is, unfortunately, and presented without apology. Hope you can enjoy it in that context. Thanks for understanding. Best, David
@@farrellmcnulty909 me too!
It’s the ultimate compliment I think when you’re a “type “ in Hollywood. She was cut from a different mold.
It makes me sad that she didn't get along with Betty White. I hope it was more just annoyance rather than hatred. I'm obviously also still sad Bea, Rue and Estelle are gone.
It's Betty White's words against Bea. And unfortunately Bea is no longer around to defend herself.
@@jandreidrn no, multiple people - even bea’s son acknowledged that bea had issues with white - and most friends & co-workers said Arthur’s issues with white were professional rather than personal as they’d had different acting backgrounds & training… and she found white too upbeat and audience-friendly on set. white wasn’t lying - just answering questions honestly.
@@Shelsight I never said Betty was lying. I said it's Betty's words against Bea's. And unfortunately Bea was no longer around to defend herself. And now, sadly so is Betty.
a fan from her "Fiddler" days. A very real talent...........Thank you
Rue said somthing completely different in regards to Bea's roll in The Golden Girls. Apparently Bea had originally turned it down and they wanted Betty and Rue to talk Bea into taking the part. So...who'd interview is more truthful?
She is so demure and classy. I always loved her!
Yes, very elegant..she has a regal look to her which is both scary and beautiful all at the same time.
I wish the Golden girls was back on TV.
Episodes run on cable tv. I watched a bunch of episodes last night.
Stella Griffin, It has been on the HALLMARK channel for decades and still is.
Maude was not an early or one of the first spin offs. An early one would be when the radio show, "The Great Gildersleeve" was spun off from "Fibber McGee and Molly" in 1941. TVs "Pete and Gladys" was a spin off of "December Bride" in 1960. A more famous example would be "The Any Griffith Show" spinning off "Gomer Pyle USMC" and "Mayberry RFD"
Is this perhaps her last, or one of the last interviews?
Not certain if it is her last. One of them though. Thanks for watching!