Loved sitcom, “The Golden Girls”, made a hilarious comeback (of sorts) on Tuesday. Tracee Ellis Ross, Regina King, Alfre Woodard and Sanaa Lathan took part in an all-Black table reading of the comedy which aired online — and most viewers couldn’t get enough!
The special featured Ross as Rose (originally played by Betty White,) Woodard as Sophia (formerly played by Estelle Getty) and Lathan as Blanche (Rue McClanahan’s former alter-ego.) King meanwhile stepped into Bea Arthur’s shoes to play Dorothy as the stars reenacted the show’s 1986 “Flu” episode.
The virtual event was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and hosted by Lena Waithe, who encouraged viewers to take the census and stressed it’s importance in underrepresented communities.
The reading was part of a new web series called “Zoom Where it Happens”, which was launched by Black women in Hollywood, with the aim of encouraging people to participate in the upcoming presidential election. The event also supported Color of Change, a nonprofit racial justice organization.
Dead #ZoomWhereItHappens pic.twitter.com/VL17uS73E1
— Wʏɴᴛᴇʀ Mɪᴛᴄʜᴇʟʟ (Rᴏʜʀʙᴀᴜɢʜ) (@wyntermitchell) September 9, 2020
Many watching loved every minute, with one declaring the reading the “best 30 minutes of the year,” while another called it, “the best use of Zoom ever.”
“This reading of the ‘Golden Girls’ is a mash-up of my absolute favourite things: Black People & the ‘Golden Girls’,” tweeted another viewer. “Incredible casting tonight.”
“Women who slay every day!!!!!!” wrote another fan. “God Bless them. They light up my TV each week! Not only are they GREAT but they remind us to fill out that census form so everyone counts! #Census2020 #Goldengirls #ReginaKing.”
Women who slay every day!!!!!! God Bless them. They light up my TV each week! Not only are they GREAT but they remind us to fill out that census form so everyone counts! #Census2020 #Goldengirls #ReginaKing pic.twitter.com/VGAh2uolYC
— Jo Napolitano (@Jo_Napolitano) September 9, 2020
#ZoomWhereItHappens This reading of the Golden Girls is a mash up of my absolute favorite things: Black People & the Golden Girls. 😍❤️😍 Incredible casting tonight.
— Dr. Ashley L. Battle (@DocAshBattle) September 9, 2020
Some fans were so impressed with Woodard’s performance that they called for a permanent reboot of the show.
“I fully believe there should never be a ‘Golden Girls’ reboot. But Alfre Woodard as Sophia in #ZoomWhereItHappens is an extremely compelling counterargument,” one viewer tweeted.
I fully believe there should never be a Golden Girls reboot. But Alfre Woodard as Sophia in #ZoomWhereItHappens is an extremely compelling counterargument.
— Padraic Connelly (@PadConnelly) September 9, 2020
Meanwhile, “Grey’s Anatomy” fans were in for a treat when hunky Jesse Williams showed up to play “all male roles!”
Oh man, this did my heart so good! Sanaa Lathan, Regina King, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Alfre Woodard – I was mouthing the dialogue right along with you. Thank you for being our friends tonight 💗🙏🏼💗. #GoldenGirls #ZoomWhereItHappens pic.twitter.com/U1sZJC0qD7
— 💥Trina G: Music Evangelist💥 (@dharma69) September 9, 2020
Naturally, not everyone was impressed, with some calling for the classic to be left alone.
“I don’t need a ‘Golden Girls’ remake. Leave the classic ALONE!” posted one watcher.
“But original ‘Golden Girls’ is best,” wrote another.
I don’t need a Golden Girls remake. Leave the classic ALONE!
— JAMAL's KEEPER (@TheRastaEmpress) September 9, 2020
But original Golden Girls is best. ❤️
— Kee Kee (@krazygentle_) September 9, 2020
“Golden Girls” ran from 1985 to 1992. Ross announced her participation in the reading over the weekend, posting a video of an original cast photo, with the faces slowly morphing into her, Woodard, Lathan and King.
Further “Zoom Where It Happens” events will take place every Tuesday night until the Nov. 3 election.
See more reactions below.
This was EVERYTHING!!! @justsana @TraceeEllisRoss @ReginaKing and @AlfreWoodard were incredibly funny as the #GoldenGirls 🤣🤣🤣 @LenaWaithe as the host and & @iJesseWilliams as all male roles added so much to this comedic success. I want to watch it again & again! Bravo 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/4xyE2sqVsP
— Sharline Nabulime (@SharlineN) September 9, 2020
Why not just make a show with 4 elderly black ladies that stands on it's own and not even mention golden girls. pic.twitter.com/dpHAr5IUTm
— ChaosJay (@Walsh_Chaos7) September 9, 2020
#ZoomWhereItHappens with @ReginaKing @TraceeEllisRoss @justsanaa @AlfreWoodard as the golden girls & ( guest starring 😂😂😂) @iJesseWilliams was so so so great! Can’t wait to see what they do next. #AaronScott killed that theme song! Thank you all for bringing the laughter🙌🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/AMtXEPNKeh
— TheBeautifulOnes (@JustTonci) September 9, 2020
Why did I just see that they’re trying to do a Black version of The Golden Girls…leave that show alone 😒
— .taidA (@ATribeCalledADI) September 9, 2020
Hands down the BEST use of Zoom ever. Amazing table read of a reimagined Golden Girls (can this please happen IRL?). All to encourage people to fill out the 2020 census https://t.co/SPmDGEdVOr. It’s critical to be counted!! #ZoomWhereItHappens pic.twitter.com/9yISTx0sdp
— Whowantstoknow?! (@Midbymidwest10) September 9, 2020
Someone caught the theme song 🙌🏽. Check the way Sanaa snatched the wig and spun it around lmao.#GoldenGirls #BlackGoldenGirls https://t.co/LY9SKNmW5B
— Eb. (@EbyyEb) September 9, 2020
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Tracee Ellis Ross & Regina King to Do an All-Black ‘Golden Girls’
Inside the ‘Golden Girls’ House That’s Now Up for Sale (Exclusive)
‘Golden Girls’ House Owner Shares Memories of Beloved Sitcom
