Estelle Getty (Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls) Dead at 84

[Marc82]

Actress Estelle Getty who played Sophia Petrillo on The Golden Girls died this morning at age 84.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080722/ap_on_en_tv/obit_getty

Who here besides me and Nick (XISMZERO) are Golden Girls fans?

[XISMZERO]

I've watched Golden Girls since before I was in kindergarten and have probably seen each episode about 500 times each since. Excellent comedy writing, performances -- very sad about Getty. The ultimate comfort show -- probably one of the most timeless comedy shows ever.

Now that Lifetime has sold off the show, you'll have to seek it out in digital cable.

[AmesNewington]

I am a HUGE Golden Girls fan (have been since I can remember)  and I'm very sad to hear of Estelle's passing. She was one of a kind. I'll never forget her, as I will never stop watching the show. I own all 7 seasons on DVD and they have a reserved spot in my collection of DVDs. I watch the show every day I come home from work while I eat dinner. It calms me down from the day and makes me smile.

It's also nice to know some posters on this board like the show as well.

[beachgal26]

I have been a fan of the show - and every one of them - since the show started back in the 80's.  My mother-in-law loved that a sitcom actually had older women talking about sex, etc.

I had known for a long time that Estelle was very ill and unable to be a part in reunion shows, etc. and that the rest of "the girls" still looked in on her.  I think that the expression on her face in the episode where her friend was going to commit suicide and she's talking to the baby at the end is classic Sophia!

:hurt:    :hurt:

[beachgal26]

BTW - what did you mean about Lifetime "selling" the show???  I have to have my daily "fix" and will check out their website to see if there is any news on where they will be going.

:huh:

[StuckeysFanatic]

Originally posted by beachgal26
BTW - what did you mean about Lifetime "selling" the show???  I have to have my daily "fix" and will check out their website to see if there is any news on where they will be going.

I was sure I heard Hallmark Channel and possibly another channel or two.

[AmesNewington]

Lifetime is giving up the rights after all these years to both the We (Women's Entertainment) channel and the Hallmark channel. The switchover is likely to occur in March, 2009. I think Lifetime airs the show until then. Don't worry, I don't think the girls will ever leave the air!

[beachgal26]

Luckily, we get the We channel so I can always get my fill of the "Girls", but what are they going to add in it's place.  One thing that I can't stand is when the different channels show the same series for 2-3 hours in a row.  

One of the channel shows "Fresh Prince" for like 3 hours in a row and now TV Land is doing the same thing with "Beverly Hillbillies."    While I feel that these shows are OK, why not have some variety....

BTW - has anyone seen any channel that still shows "Designing Women" anymore.  Lifetime used to and then TV Land did for a few months, but I can't find them anywhere.

:huh:

[jmcnamara96]

so sad and a good show