Our Thoughts on the Black Re-Imagined Live Reading of THE GOLDEN GIRLS

Dara Gholston

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Screen grab of the b lack, re-imagined Zoom reading of The Golden Girls, featuring Tracee Ellis Ross, Regina King, Alfre Woodard and Sanaa Lathan

Tracee Ellis Ross. Regina King. Alfre Woodard. Sanaa Lathan. These are the amazing actors who got together to bring back The Golden Girls for just one evening. 

Tuesday night, fans of the well-known actors were given a treat when they performed in a one time, all black, re-imagined live reading of the beloved series, The Golden Girls. The reading was presented by “Zoom Where It Happens” and the racial and social injustice organization, Color Of Change. Each of the leading ladies portrayed the “OGs” in this memorable episode to spread awareness about the upcoming Census Bureau deadline and its importance.

Host Lena Waithe started the broadcast on Zoom by talking about the importance of the quick and easy 2020 Census, which ends September 30th. 

Blanche (originally Rue McClanahan) was played by Ross, Rose (originally Betty White) was played by Lathan, Sophia (originally Estelle Getty) was played by Woodard and Dorothy (originally Bea Arthur) was played by King.

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The classic episode selected for the reading, which originally aired in March of 1986, focused on a charity dinner that the ladies recklessly attended on the heels of unfortunately being diagnosed with the flu. During the reading, the actors committed to three costume changes. Lena Waithe served as not only narrator, but also a doctor. Hot toddies were consumed, Fauci was mentioned, Stacey Abrams’ book Our Time Is Now was subtly plugged, virtual group hugs were felt and right now in 2020, the script still possessed all the shade the TV characters were notoriously known for throwing.

A round of applause goes to Grey’s Anatomy actor Jesse Williams for playing all the male roles. The dedication to doing wardrobe changes for each character was noted and appreciated.

One of the best parts of this Zoom event was the theme song we all know and love being sung by Aaron Scott, who famously went viral a few years ago with his own ad libs to the song.

All in all, the live reading was definitely a refreshing, light-hearted break from the norm of work meetings, conference calls and multiplying emails.

Oh and (spoiler alert) congratulations to the winner of the “Best Friends of the Friends of Good Health” award: Sophia Petrillo!

 

 

Dara Gholston
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