Estelle Getty of 'Golden Girls' dies at 84

[Escapay]

I don't think he meant that Estelle shouldn't have played the part, just that it shouldn't be that hard to get an Italian person to play an Italian character. Ethnicity is a bit different than marriage record and number of children you've bore, as you can't exactly see that part of a person.

Even so, it was subtly implying that only people of certain ethnicities can/should play parts of certain ethnicities, which is already restricting a rather restrictive career. For example, if all actors took on roles that only fit with what ethnicity they are, then you'll never see an Asian cowboy, and there likely will never be a black man playing Henry VIII, or a white guy playing Dr. Martin Luther King.

But that's the wonderful thing about movies/television. It allows the *interpretation* of a character come forward regardless of the *appearance* of the actor. Look at I'm Not There, where six people play Bob Dylan.

Albert

[Cordy_Biddle]

And the choices Lifetime gave for "best Sophia episode" weren't the ones I would've liked at all. Maybe they were looking for the "best emotional Sophia episode," not the "most hilarious Sophia episode." But even if they were going for the emotional aspect, I still would've chosen the episode where her friend considers suicide over any of those. The later seasons are a bit better than the earlier ones for me.

Yes, the episode you mention where Sophia is asked to participate in the suicide of one of her friends is very good, and Estelle gives a riveting performance in it. Another episode you most certainly would have appreciated would be the one where Sophia's son Phil passes away, and Sophia can't bring herself to be in the same room as his wife, whom she calls "Big Sally".

[xxhplinkxx]

So the episodes being shown are:

"The Engagement" (Pilot)

"Long Day's Journey Into Marinara"

"The Days and Nights of Sophia Petrillo"

"Sophia's Wedding" Part 1

"Sophia's Wedding" Part 2

"Clinton Avenue Memoirs"

"The Mangiacavallo Curse Makes a Lousy Wedding Present"

"How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sophia?"

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun... Before They Die"

And then whichever one was picked from the nominees. From what I remember though, at least around the time I voted, the episode that was winning was "Old Friends" but we'll see which one wins.


Also, today is Estelle's birthday.

[PeterPanfan]

Aw. I'm so sad she didn't make it to her birthday. 85, right?

[xxhplinkxx]

Aw. I'm so sad she didn't make it to her birthday. 85, right?

Yup.

[xxhplinkxx]

Gah! Does anyone know which episode won the poll?! I couldn't watch it cause I was in a meeting at school.

[MadonnasManOne]

Gah! Does anyone know which episode won the poll?! I couldn't watch it cause I was in a meeting at school.

It was the very appropriate episode, "Old Friends".

Here is the episode summary:

"Sophia befriends an old man on the boardwalk whom she becomes quick friends with. However, his strange behavior signals that he has a medical condition, Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile, Blanche accidentally gives away Rose's teddy bear at a garage sale."

This episode is one of my favorite episodes of the entire series. That very last scene, where Sophia and Dorothy are walking away from the boardwalk and Sophia looks back to see that some guy is getting ready to sit on the bench, where Alvin has always sit, and she yells, "Hey, somebody's sitting there!", is probably one of the most touching scenes ever filmed. I nearly tear up, every single time I see that episode. Again, the best choice to end the marathon.

I am still so saddened by the passing of Estelle. I'm glad she is no longer suffering, but, I still feel her loss.

[Escapay]

Gah! Does anyone know which episode won the poll?! I couldn't watch it cause I was in a meeting at school.

It was the very appropriate episode, "Old Friends".

I voted for that one! Glad to hear it was the final episode (I was at the mall, of all places, and would have rather watched the marathon), though as a whole, I'm still upset that Season 6's "Ebbtide's Revenge" (when Phil dies and Sophia has to confront her daughter-in-law) wasn't one of the featured episodes. But at the same time, I'm glad "The Days and Nights of Sophia Petrillo" was in the marathon, it's truly one of my favorites from the entire series.

I think the only truly out-of-place episode was the pilot, as that featured very little of Sophia (given that she initially was supposed to be a recurring character, not a regular).

Albert

[xxhplinkxx]

I think the only truly out-of-place episode was the pilot, as that featured very little of Sophia (given that she initially was supposed to be a recurring character, not a regular).

Agreed. I would have preferred to see "Sisters" with Aunt Angela. I love her and Sophia, so it would have been great to see.

[Cordy_Biddle]

I would have preferred to see "Sisters" with Aunt Angela. I love her and Sophia, so it would have been great to see.

Yes, the episodes guest-starring Nancy Walker as Sophia's sister Angela are always fun. Those two ladies really created some classic comedy scenes.

[Disney's Divinity]

Yes, the episode you mention where Sophia is asked to participate in the suicide of one of her friends is very good, and Estelle gives a riveting performance in it. Another episode you most certainly would have appreciated would be the one where Sophia's son Phil passes away, and Sophia can't bring herself to be in the same room as his wife, whom she calls "Big Sally".

I can't believe I forgot that one! Yeah, that would've easily been my choice. That episode and the one where Blanche's father dies are the only two in the entire series that make me cry everytime I watch them. "My baby is gone..."

[Cordy_Biddle]

I can't believe I forgot that one! Yeah, that would've easily been my choice. That episode and the one where Blanche's father dies are the only two in the entire series that make me cry everytime I watch them. "My baby is gone..."

Yeah, me too. I always choke up in the last scene of the final episode too, where Dorothy keeps walking back into the living room to say goodbye; and the three remaining girls tearfully hug each other. "You will always be my sisters...always". Gawd, I could bawl my eyes out right now just thinking about it!

[Robin Hood]

Betty White will be on The View tomorrow (Monday) and she will probably pay tribute to Estelle.

[xxhplinkxx]

Betty White will be on The View tomorrow (Monday) and she will probably pay tribute to Estelle.

Oh nooo!!!! I won't be able to watch it, I'll be stuck in school

I hope it shows up on YouTube or something.

[Robin Hood]

It turns out her flight was cancelled so she was an unable to make the appearance. Hopefully she will be able to make an appearance on the show before The View's hiatus.

[xxhplinkxx]

It turns out her flight was cancelled so she was an unable to make the appearance. Hopefully she will be able to make an appearance on the show before The View's hiatus.

Oh no! I was just gonna come to ask how it went. Oh darn. Well, I agree, hopefully they re-schedule her soon!

[PeterPanfan]

They should get the whole cast on The View.

Better yet...on Ellen.

[Robin Hood]

They should get the whole cast on The View.

Better yet...on Ellen.

Better yet, they should have a cast reunion like on Oprah, like they did with Mary Tyler Moore back in June. Then they could devote the whole show to just the reunion instead of a 10 minute segment.

[Simba3]

They should get the whole cast on The View.

Better yet...on Ellen.

Except for the fact that I don't believe Betty and Bea like one another. This has been rumored for years, and I'm not sure about all the logistics, but I'm pretty sure the two ladies aren't too chummy.

[xxhplinkxx]

Except for the fact that I don't believe Betty and Bea like one another. This has been rumored for years, and I'm not sure about all the logistics, but I'm pretty sure the two ladies aren't too chummy.

Really? Wow, this is the first I've heard of this. I don't believe it though.