TV3 (Three) - The Golden Girls (1990)

On the evening of Saturday 1 December 1990 TV3 (now Three) screened a double episode of the classic US sitcom, The Golden Girls, at 7.30pm. The episodes, titled "Golden Moment" and "Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself", showcased the heartwarming and humorous adventures of four elderly women living together in Miami.

The groundbreaking sitcom first reached us as New Zealanders in 1986, screening on TVNZ. It initially screened on Mondays at 8.30pm (now TVNZ 1), then later moved to Tuesdays at 8.30pm on TV2 (now TVNZ 2) and finally to Wednesdays at 8pm on TV One in 1988. With its relatable characters and witty writing, The Golden Girls quickly became a favourite among Kiwi audiences.

In 1989 the sitcom found a new home on TV3. It initially screened five nights a week, Monday to Friday, at 7pm but was dropped in January 1990 and later moved to Saturdays at 8pm in August that year.

The two episodes that screened on TV3 that night showcased the diverse storylines and memorable characters of The Golden Girls:

- Golden Moment: Sophia's announcement that she is moving out to live with her son leads to the women remembering how they ended up living together.

- Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself: Rose, who always hated public speaking, is put on the spot when she is asked to deliver the eulogy for a dead aunt she disliked, and Sophia enters a Daughters of Italy cooking contest.

The Golden Girls remains one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. Its humour, heart and unforgettable characters have resonated with audiences worldwide for decades. The show has been praised for its groundbreaking portrayal of older women and it continues to inspire and entertain viewers of all ages.

Sadly, the entire cast of The Golden Girls - Bea Arthur (Dorothy), Betty White (Rose), Rue McClanahan (Blanche) and Estelle Getty (Sophia), who was one of the overseas guests in the 1988 Telethon - are no longer with us.

Special thanks to the NZ Analogue Archive (via Instagram) for the use of this clip, and I would like to apologise to you all for the quality of the picture and sound.