My Favorite TV Show: The Golden Girls

by Jenna Khakoo


As we return to our hometowns for the holidays, we are reminded of the simple luxuries the come with living at home. In my case, a fully stocked fridge, real food, my cat, walls that are semi-soundproof, my car, the list goes on. One thing that is a particular at-home treat: real television.

Throughout my college experience — I’m on my third year, I’ve lived comfortably without TV because I have the Gift of Netflix — Shoutout 1X to my dad. While Netflix supplies me with endless bad movies and old television shows that I didn’t even know I wanted to watch (example: Gossip Girl), it lacks probably the most important show of all time. That’s right, I mean The Golden Girls. 

  

The Golden Girls came into my life the same way most of my illiterate-sounding, millennial slang. I heard about it. Thought it was funny. Tried watching it almost ironically. It became a normalcy in my life. Can’t stop, won’t stop. 

Like all shows, it takes getting to know these characters to truly appreciate the fabulousness that is Blanche, Sophia, Dorothy and Rose (from left to right). So let me give you a quick lowdown on who these women are. 

Blanche Devereaux:

You could say Blanche is the “Flirty One.” She frequently goes on dates with men, is vain in her appearance and quite sexually liberated. She’s also famous for lying about her age. What’s really dope about this (there’s that illiterate slang) is that a show made in the 1980s about four old ladies freely discusses sex from a female perspective in a positive way. Sure, Sophia calls Blanche a prostitute a few times, but it’s all in good nature. Blanche was the OG reclaimer of the word “slut.” 

Sophia Petrillo: 

“Picture it (date) (location) (ridiculous story about Sophia’s life).’ This is Sophia’s catchphrase. Although the oldest Golden Girl, she’s Dorothy’s mom, she’s probably the spunkiest. Sophia has a knack for insults, and she lacks a censor. Sophia's superlative would probably be the “Funny One.” However, she’s definitely the maternal figure of the show. 

Dorothy Zbornak: 

Full of endless wit and sarcasm, Dorothy is the “Smart One” or the “Sensible One.” She’s definitely more down-to-earth, but if you think this means she doesn’t get into some crazy shenanigans, then you’re wrong! Dorothy is funny, loving and so supportive of her roommates. Also, her glares are legendary.

Rose Nylund: 

Ah, Rose, my favorite wildcard. Rose commonly tells bizarre stories about her childhood in a town called St. Olaf, Minnesota. She’s simple, and humorous and kind-hearted. Rose doesn’t always get it, which makes her the recipient of many sarcastic comments and annoyed glares. But, nothing really brings her down. I think we can all relate to this. College continually gets me down, but here I am, still kicking (everything’s fine). Rose is full of surprising stories, talents and experiences. 

Some other notable things about my favorite TV show. 

The list goes on...

1. It was written by a woman about women for women
2. It’s won a few Emmy’s, as has each of the show’s stars
3. Estelle Getty is younger than Bea Arthur, who plays her on-screen daughter 
4. The show actually deals with some pretty heavy/relevant issues, like AIDS, homelessness, race, death and sexuality. All of these being pretty taboo for the mid-1980s (and even today…).
5. The show embraced aging, and showed real, older women. It’s pretty rare to see old women characters whose purpose isn’t “loving grandmother” or “senile old lady.” These women are complete, complex and well-written. 

I could ramble on about The Golden Girls for hours, but in closing, this is a show about friendship. It’s about four women who have created a family filled with love and support (Yo, Texas Spirits does this sound familiar!!!). The Golden Girls is a show about women supporting women, and I’m so here for it. 

You can catch my favorite ladies on the Hallmark Channel sometime after 10:00 p.m. 

Espresso Yourself

by Mallory Miller

Productivity and comfort fuse together. What does that infusion sound like? It sounds like the loud roar of coffee grinding, the hiss of milk foaming, and the perpetual announcement of names over soft music.  Your favorite coffee shop: where you go to get it done. 

In the seconds that pass from your arrival at the cash register to the statement of your final answer, a series of events unfold in quick succession. While you scan the menu, your mind bouncing through the options and finally landing on a suitable compromise, the barista assesses your appearance and develops an internal guess based on that impression.

Pause at the moment you make eye contact over the cash register. You’re inhaling as you prepare to express your decision and the barista—slightly inclining toward you in anticipation—watches you with focused attention. So, what do you say?  And, more importantly, what does it say about you? 

Dr. Ramani Durvasula conducted a survey of 1,000 people. The study looked into personality styles, psychological traits, and the coffee preferences. What did the survey reveal? Browse some of Durvasula’s observations below to see what your order might say about you. 

Black Coffee

If you prefer a basic hot cup of Joe and don’t bother with the silliness of condiments, you may be a minimalist. It is likely that you are efficient, patient, and simple. However, you may also be moody, abrupt, dismissive, and resistant to change. There are pros and cons to the simple life.

Latte

This order could reveal your desire for other people to like you a latte. The survey concluded that latte drinkers seek comfort and are generous with their time. They can get over-extended in their efforts to help others.

Frozen/Blended Coffee Drinks

If you take your coffee with ice, sugar, cream—actually, if you prefer coffee to be in a form that resembles ice cream as closely as possible, you may be a socially bold, imaginative and spontaneous trendsetter. However, you may choose shortcuts frequently or make reckless decisions.

Decaf/Soy Milk/Very Specifically Ordered Coffee

Does a grande, quad, nonfat, no-whip mocha sound more like your order? Or perhaps an iced, half caff, ristretto, venti, 4-Pump, sugar free, cinnamon, dolce soy skinny latte strikes your fancy. You may be a little obsessive and have difficulty releasing control to others. However, you may also be very health-conscious and think through your choices thoroughly. 

So, where do you fall in the spectrum of coffee personalities? 

Waters, Emily. "What Does Your Coffee Reveal about You? | World of Psychology." World of Psychology. Psychcentral.com, 06 Aug. 2015. Web. 29 Nov. 2016