'The Golden Girls' debuted 37 years ago today. This beloved series ran from 9/14/85 to 5/9/92, leaving us with 180 episodes that span 7 seasons. Our Lucille has a bit of a connection to this very popular show. During the first season of 'The Golden Girls', the producers wanted Lucille to guest star as Rose's sister Lily in the 'Blind Ambitions' episode. As we all know, that role went to Polly Holliday. Although Lucille and Gary were both fans of the show, Lucille declined, citing an impending dental procedure. In the book, 'Golden Girls Forever: An Unauthorized Look Behind the Lanai', Lucille's longtime friend, Thomas Watson, said there was another reason why Lucille decided to pass on the guest spot. Having just starred as a homeless woman in 'Stone Pillow', Lucy wanted her next project to be funny to satisfy her fans. "Lucy was afraid that having her name on the 'marquee' alongside those of Bea Arthur and Betty White, audiences would expect a delightful laughfest," Tom explains. And unfortunately, the role of Rose's blind sister "was anything but sidesplittingly funny." Lucy was also a guest in the studio audience for the taping of the GG episode 'Joust Between Friends'. I always try to listen carefully to see if I can hear her laughing. #lucilleball #thegoldengirls #blindambitions #pollyholliday #greatcasting #hollywood #beaarthur #bettywhite #ruemcclanahan #estellegetty #finalepisode #endofanera #classicsitcoms @ilovelucy.thegoldengirls @thegoldengirls2005 @goldengirls @goldengirls4ever https://www.instagram.com/p/Cif5IPlPb5T/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
