The Golden Girls first debuted on NBC on September 14, 1985 and ran until May 9, 1992. The Golden Girls told the story of four widowed and or divorced old ladies, Blanche, the slutty one played by Rue McClanahan...
Rose, the simple one as Betty White, Sophia the old school Sicilian spark plug played by Estelle Getty, and Big Bea Arthur as the trash talking substitute teacher, Dorothy.
Tthe story of America's favorite quick witted old lady clique was originally cast a little differently. In the early casting of the show, the promiscuous character of Blanche, the only old lady single by divorce, was intended to be played by Betty White.
Betty said they found a “ real neighborhood nymphomaniac.”
According to Betty White, she was originally cast to play the character of Blanche. Producer Jay Sandwich decided to give the role to a a actress more familiar with the rock n roll lifestyle of the slutty old broad. For Betty, there was Rose. A simpleton that takes everything completely literally. Estelle Getty, who is actually the youngest of the Goldens, was originally supposed to only air in the pilot episode.
Blanche, Rose, and Dorothy had a much different fourth housemate: A flamboyant cook namedCoco Davis. Coco appeared only in the pilot episode just long enough to endure a handful of adorable old Sophia's homophobic zingers. Sophia, who was only intended to appear in the pilot, stole the show, and it was out with Coco and in with one more Golden Girl.
