Four Black actresses will be slipping into the roles of The Golden Girls today for a special Zoom performance.
The unique event will feature Tracee Ellis Ross (of Black-ish fame), alongside Sanaa Lathan, Alfre Woodard, and Regina King. All four women shared the news on their respective social media channels, with a link to how fans can watch the event.
Related: For the first time ever, the iconic “Golden Girls” house is up for sale
They also shared a photo of the original Golden Girls, and then a second photo with their own faces imposed upon it. It appears Lathan is Blanche, King is Dorothy, Ross is Rose and Woodard is Sophia.
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The original Golden Girls sitcom ran from 1985 to 1992 and starred Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Betty White, and Estelle Getty (Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia respectively).
The virtual watch party will take place online at 6pm PT/9pm ET. It will be free to watch but you have to register in advance.
The episode will be directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and hosted by Lena Waithe. The event is taking place in partnership with Zoom, and “supporting Color of Change – the nation’s largest online racial justice organization.”
It is not known if the actresses will be recreating a classic episode or presenting new material.
Despite ending almost 30 years ago, the popularity of The Golden Girls has remained undiminished among its hardcore fans – which include many in the LGBTQ community. There have been all-drag versions of the show on stages of gay venues across the US, and even a puppet version in 2016! Variety magazine recently published its list of what it considers to be the 25 best episodes.
Related: Jane Lynch and Cyndi Lauper unite for a ‘Golden Girls’ update for Netflix
Cam
I can definitely see King as Dorothy. I’ll give it a look.
moretruth
Some people would call this appropriation and whine about it for days.
Liquid Silver
I’ll just call it “a really bad idea of a remake in a decade of really bad ideas of remakes.”
Queerty seems to be very picky about commentary.
Liquid Silver
I’ll pass. You can’t top perfection and shouldn’t try to repeat something that worked 30 years ago. This is a waste of four great talents.
j41005
You are correct
justmeh
I’m sorry, but if this were an original Black series and a remake was done with an all white cast, you wouldn’t hear the end of it! I am so very tired of the double standards and sorry, but nobody can ever recreate the chemistry of Bea, Betty, Rue and Estelle! This will be a farce just like the American/Black version of the British comedy Death at a Funeral (was a horrendous remake of one of the funniest British comedy ever in my view).
So while I agree it’s not an even playing field out there (for Blacks, Hispanics, women, LGBTQ, etc.), you can’t keep screaming appropriation when whites play black characters and then turn around and do that yourself and think it’s okay.
Liquid Silver
Huh. As I think about that…you actually do have a point.
rsatl222
NAIL HITTING ON THE HEAD!!!!!
j41005
The ONLY selling point to this ridiculous idea is that it’s an all black cast, and that’s only because someone feels the need to be “politically correct”.
Jake123
King looks the spit of Michelle Obama in that pic.
Kangol2
I love all of these actresses but I have expressed more than once on this site that I’m so tired of remakes. Hollywood and most of the streaming services are creatively bankrupt, and this is another sign of it. Given the quality of these actresses and the specific life experiences they bring, why not a NEW, original series with NEW, original characters that allowed them to do their thing while not recapping the excellence of the original Golden Girls cast and series? That said, I will watch almost anything starring Regina King, Alfre Woodard, and Tracee Ellis Ross!
Jake123
Completely agree. Sick to death of remakes, whether they’re animated to live action or Gender/Race swapped. It’s like Hollywood has completely run out of ideas. I just watched Mulan. Biggest waste of €30
IanHunter
This is one of those shows that you can never remake.
MISTERJETT
i’m waiting for an all white version of GOOD TIMES.
nunya
That was Roseanne.
Yooper
nunya, that made my day.
nunya
Remakes are the forte of the unimaginative.
CityguyUSA
Does Will & Grace come to mind or how about Roseanne and I’m sure there are others like every comic book ever made.
Jay002
Stop whining it’s only one episode. Cultural appropriation only applies if the black community never excepted the Golden Girls television show and then because of the popularity of the show decided to make it with an all black cast. Like rap music was never really excepted until Run DMC collaberated with Areosmith and Eminem was accepted on all radio stations when other black rappers were only played on urban radio.
LumpyPillows
It is cultural appropriation – good thing I do not think cultural appropriation means jack.
rsatl222
White BET awards should be next!
BaltoSteve
I would reserve judgement until after it has been seen. After all, while the premise of 4 older women living together may be the same.. the history and personal experiences of the characters, where they come from can be vastly different and change the narrative.
LumpyPillows
I thought this was gong to be a rehashed series, and it made me cringe. Then I read the story and discovered it was a one off, and it made a ton of sense. Fun thing to do now, with everything else going on.