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Home » Blogs » the linster's blog » TV Alert: Estelle Getty gets a tribute today

TV Alert: Estelle Getty gets a tribute today

by
the linster

Set your DVR — all day today, Lifetime pays tribute to Estelle Getty with a Golden Girls marathon from noon to 5 p.m. ET, starting with the series pilot. The final episode, airing at 4:30 ET, is the one voted by viewers as their favorite Sophia Petrillo episode. Getty died Tuesday, just three days before her 85th birthday.

Getty and the Girls have been in my bedchamber more than any other woman — and that’s a good thing. For years, The Golden Girls was on opposite the 10 o’clock news and I usually chose laughter as the best way to end my day. At 4’11, Sophia, with her ever-present purse, didn’t cut an imposing figure like her on-screen daughter, Dorothy (Bea Arthur), but she usually won the war of words, no matter which Girl she faced.

Many lovely tributes have been published, including one by our own Dorothy Snarker. Rather than review what others have said, let’s just have a laugh or sing a song. Wait, wrong show. Here are some of my favorite Sophia zingers, courtesy of IMDb.com.

Dorothy: You couldn’t sleep either, huh?
Sophia: No, I’m sleeping so good I thought I’d come try it in the sink.

Rose: Sophia, why are you in such a bad mood?
Sophia: Excuse me, Rose, but I haven’t had sex in 15 years and it’s starting to get on my nerves.

Blanche: How does this dress look on me?
Sophia: What’s the difference? In a half hour, it’ll be crumpled on the floor next to an empty bottle of Jack Daniels.

Blanche: I treat my body like a temple.
Sophia: Yeah, open to everyone, day or night.

Rose: I just found out I’m the most boring person on Earth.
Sophia: Did something happen to Regis Philbin?

I suppose my all-time favorite, though, is from the show in which Blanche finds out a secret about her brother.

Blanche: I don’t really mind Clayton being homosexual. I just don’t like him dating men.
Dorothy: You really haven’t grasped the concept of this “gay thing” yet, have you, Blanche?
Blanche: Well there must be homosexuals who date women.
Sophia: Yeah. They’re called lesbians.

You’ll find a video of Sophia highlights at Jezebel.com and other clips at mylifetime.com. Rest in peace, Estelle. And goodnight, Ma.

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    • Submitted by
    the linster
    on July 25, 2008 - 1:00pm.
    TAGS :: 
    mustang_sally's picture

    She was my favorite golden

    Submitted by
    mustang_sally (117 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 12:54pm.
    She was my favorite golden girl.
    Jenn's picture

    RIP

    Submitted by
    Jenn (62 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 1:07pm.

    My all-time favorite show and my favorite GG character. I have all seven season on DVD and watch them all the time.

     

    RIP Estelle. <3

    Glindared's picture

    RIP Estelle

    Submitted by
    Glindared (162 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 1:09pm.

    Bright Blessings to you on your new journey...You will be missed here...

     

    Patti

    Harpy's picture

    Estelle Getty

    Submitted by
    Harpy (9559 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 1:29pm.

    So sad, I still cannot read any of these memorials without getting teary.

    Rest in Peace and God Bless. 

    _________

    Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.

    Chantal's picture

    Estelle

    Submitted by
    Chantal (334 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 1:30pm.

    I love Estelle, she was my favorite of the girls.

    She will truly be missed (but I can rerun all seasons of Golden GIrls when I need a good laugh) 

     

    The Way The Cookie Crumbles

    No Borders Allowed
    brightClik5's picture

    my favorite

    Submitted by
    brightClik5 (110 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 1:47pm.
    she was also my favorite Golden Girl by far.  she had the best zingers and perfect delivery.  i also own all of the seasons on dvd, and am thankful that i can go back and laugh at all of the fun.
    Reese DoWitt's picture

    Love her

    Submitted by
    Reese DoWitt (57 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 2:25pm.
    So sad that she's is gone. Growing up I would watch GG ever Friday night just for the Sophia's quips...and I would even watch Empty Nest if she was having a cameo. She simply rocked.
    AngelPoo's picture

    Bless her heart!

    Submitted by
    AngelPoo (9 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 2:43pm.

    I'm watching the tribute as we speak..... 

    My mom and I have been fans of the show since it's start and she was one lady that made me laugh every time.

    She will be sorely missed.....R.I.P. Estelle - we love you! 

    "Just Believe...."

    JuliaG's picture

    i don't know

    Submitted by
    JuliaG (30 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 3:57pm.

    maybe I'm too emotional but i'm feeling really sad an d nostalgic right now

     

    i loved the Golden Girls and Sophia's cold sense of humor always cracked me up, even when i was really young

     

    RIP Estelle Getty and thank you for all the good laughs and sweet moments

    All The Rage's picture

    R.I.P

    Submitted by
    All The Rage (369 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 5:31pm.

    I use to get up every saturday moring to watch the golden girls on living tv.

    Sophia always had all the best lines.

    Vatasha's picture

    Celebrating the Life of a Wonderful Woman

    Submitted by
    Vatasha (6 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 8:31pm.
    RIP Ms. Getty....who knew an old lady could have so much in common w/ the young generations?
    LilyJadeRose's picture

    thank you for being a

    Submitted by
    LilyJadeRose (675 posts)
    on July 25, 2008 - 11:23pm.

    thank you for being a friend/travel down the road and back again/your heart is true, you're a pal and a confidant/thank you for being a friend/and if you threw a party/invited everyone you knew/you would see biggest gift'd be from me/and the card attached would say/thank you for being a friend! 

    i work as a camp counselor at a summer camp for disabled and chronically ill children...well after every meal we sing songs and chants in the dining hall.  well the day estelle getty died, we sang the golden girls theme song after lunch as a tribute to her.i still remember watching this show with my grandma when i was little. ;)

    ~i am bisexual.  you are confused.~ 

    The Lo Down fan forum: http://www.afterellen.com/node/34821

    the linster's picture

    Cool

    Submitted by
    the linster (1016 posts)
    on July 26, 2008 - 12:40pm.
    Thanks so much for sharing that – from what I've read, that's exactly the kind of memories Getty would want!
    water-fly's picture

    She was definitely my

    Submitted by
    water-fly (156 posts)
    on July 26, 2008 - 10:34am.
    She was definitely my favourte Golden Girl. She was such a good actress. Rest in Peace, im sure now you'll make everybody laugh up there in heaven.
    Lauren 's picture

    golden girls

    Submitted by
    Lauren (668 posts)
    on July 27, 2008 - 1:15am.
    Sofia: Picture it...Sicily...it was 1942...there was a young girl in a small village, innocent and naïve, just waiting for her chance to break free. One day as she was crushing tomatoes for her mothers linguini she met a saxophone player with a chip on his shoulder. Instantly they fell in love and he promised to one day take her to America, that they would live in a huge white mansion and he would soon make her the most talked about woman in history. She would be able to fend off lesbian rumors, the fashion police, and charismatic black men, all with the flick of a finger...Girls, that young girl was Hilary Magnioni, and the sax player was Bill Clintonini, better known as ex-President of the United States. Dorothy: Ma, you made that up. Sofia: So what? I'm old, you got anything better? Oh how I miss the golden girls...and for those that don't know, I made that convo up. RIP Estelle, we miss you, even from Stop Or My Mama Will Shoot. Horrible movie but I love you anyway.

    smithsayswhat.blogspot.com

    Brutal_Romance's picture

    RIP Estelle

    Submitted by
    Brutal_Romance (384 posts)
    on July 27, 2008 - 7:36am.

    aw..my favorite GG character, may she rest in peace.

     and it always amused me how Blanche can be so homophobic and amusingly ignorant about homosexuals. :D

    Explorergal's picture

    Picture it....Heaven 2008

    Submitted by
    Explorergal (531 posts)
    on July 27, 2008 - 8:54am.

     

    Brilliant cast and writing made Golden Girls a show that is timeless.  I have fond memories of watching it with my mom whose parents were from Sicily.  Sophia, particularly  made us howl with laughter at her many reminiscensces of her natal place.  Estelle will live on in our hearts and minds and will continue to bring many people laughter.

    Regarding Blanche and homophobia...if you remember there was a classic episode starring Lois Nettleton who was a friend of Dorothy's and a lesbian.  She had lost her partner and fell for Rose.  Blanche became indignant when she found out, because someone had found Rose more attractive than her....regardless of gender!  Of course Blanche thought at first,  she was Lebanese......

    Heaven is laughing now that Estelle is up there!

     

    Lunakiss's picture

    Estelle Getty

    Submitted by
    Lunakiss (2051 posts)
    on July 27, 2008 - 10:59am.
    R.I.P. She was most defintely my favorite Golden Gilr b/c of  her smacked down wit and bold sarcasm. I will miss her dearly. I also remember  Estelle in the movie Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot and her appearances on Empy Nest. She will be missed.
    Susan_F's picture

    We will miss her

    Submitted by
    Susan_F (1 post)
    on July 29, 2008 - 4:20am.

    I saw Ms. Getty in Torch Song when it played in Los Angeles. I also had the chance to meet her once and she was a very nice lady.

    Rest in peace, Estelle. You brought a lot of joy to the world.


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