High up on the list of TV sitcoms that I’ve been wanting to be released on DVD is “The Golden Girls.” Yes, I know… most of you will think I’m nuts. After all, the series starred four (shall we say) older ladies, and most people figured that was the only audience it would appeal to. In part this may be true, after all, my mother was (and still is) a huge fan of the show and watches it whenever she gets the chance. However, all four members of the cast, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White and Estelle Getty were not only highly accomplished actresses at the time of the series debut, but were without a doubt at the top of their game when it came to comedy for the entire seven season run. It’s hard to believe that the series originally debuted in 1985. It seems like I had only watched it a couple of years ago. But, considering the 21 year gap from that first episode, “The Golden Girls” should be considered a classic amongst television sitcoms.

Over the years, I’ve probably seen almost all of the episodes at one time or another and I don’t think there was ever a time I didn’t get a good laugh out of it. The relationship between mother (Getty) and daughter (Arthur) was a tenuous one at best, and the bickering lent itself to more than one hilarious moment. The banter between all the members of the cast, especially between Arthur and McClanahan often shocked as much as it tickled.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment added “The Golden Girls” to its ever growing list of DVD releases two years ago. This week, they’re releasing the 5th season set which features all 25 episodes. Every time I get a new season in I have to invite my mom over to catch a few with me. She really loved the show, but it still surprises me how many of the shows she remembered, even to the point of remembering some of the dialogue before it came up. And of course we both enjoyed many of this season's guest stars, especially the great Dick Van Dyke.

After having so many of the seasons released with no special features, with the exception of the 1st season which had a cringe-inducing short featurette of Joan and Melissa Rivers commenting on some of the wardrobe worn by the cast over the years. Joan Rivers USED to be funny years ago when she was a stand up comic, but of late she seems to have lost all of her ability to make people laugh. Add in her ’15 minutes of fame should have been up years ago’ daughter Melissa, and you had a recipe for disaster. To be honest, I would have RATHER had no extra features at all in that set, than to have had this one included. Finally though, the 6th season set includes commentary on 6 of the episodes by Arthur, McClanahan and White.

I highly recommend picking up the 6th season DVD set of “The Golden Girls.” This series proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that young and plastic does not always equal talent.

Episodes:
Sick and Tired, Part 1
Sick and Tired, Part 2
The Accurate Conception
Rose Fights Back
Love Under the Big Top
Dancing in the Dark
Not Another Monday
That Old Feeling
Comedy of Errors
All That Jazz
Ebb Tide
Have Yourself a Very Little Christmas
Mary had a Little Lamb
Great Expectations
Triple Play
Clinton Avenue Memoirs
Like the Beep Beep Beep of the Tom-Tom
An Illegitimate Concern
72 Hours
Twice in a Lifetime
Sisters and Other Strangers
Cheaters
The Mangiacavella Curse Makes a Lousy Wedding Present
All Bets are Off
The President's Coming! The President's Coming ! (Parts 1 & 2)

Starring: Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Betty White, Estelle Getty
Extras: Exclusive Insights and Commentaries by Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan and Betty White
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital Surround Sound
Studio: Buena Vista
Release Date: 5/9/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give The Golden Girls: Season 5 a B.