Living with Blanche were the naive and dare I say it, thick-as-shit, Rose Nylund, school teacher and divorcee Dorothy Zbornak and her Sicilian mother Sophia Petrillo.

Rose came from a small town called St Olaf and had 'Viking' roots. The butt of most people's jokes, poor old Rose was a sweet, kind and gentile little creature who just wanted to help.  Bless her!

Dorothy was the quick-witted and wiser of the four. Recently divorced from husband Stan, Dorothy now found she can finally enjoy life. Her only problem was her sharp-tongued mother Sophia, who latched onto to her.

Sophia's put downs alone are enough to make you want to watch the show.  I remember one episode in which Blanche's brother gets upset that Blanche can't accept the fact that he's gay.  He starts a passionate speech in which he utters the immortal line: "I'll do anything for Doug, and he'll bend over backwards for me!"

The camera focuses on Dorothy and Sophia looking deadpan. Sophia is just about to say something when Dorothy gracefully places her hand on her mother's mouth.  Classic Golden Girls!

The morel of the show is that friendship is the be all and end all of life.  But at the same time it dealt with very serious issues such as unemployment, various health matters and of course that old devil called Love.

The series sadly ended in 1992 when Bea Arthur decided to quit whilst the show was ahead in the ratings.  A new show was devised for the other ladies called The Golden Palace but this didn't have the same impact as The Golden Girls, despite Dorothy doing a number of cameo appearances. The series ended after just two seasons.  The girls also turned up in Empty Nest and Nurses.

All four actress were already successful before The Golden Girls and indeed enjoyed much success after.  So is there life in the old girls left?  How about a Golden Girls Reunion? I'll bring the cheesecake, if you bring the cookies!

The theme tune to the series was a track called 'Thank You For Being A Friend', but I have to say to all those involved on The Golden Girls:

"Thank you for making us laugh, again and again and again."