This series was first shown in 1985
Blanche shocks her roomates when she announces that she plans to marry her new boyfriend Harry. Rose and Dorothy realise that this means they will need to search for a new place to live, but Rose has a bad feeling about Harry, which proves to be valid on the day of the wedding. A policeman calls to announce that Harry has been arrested as a bigamist. Sophia also arrives at the house in this episode, following a fire at the Shady Pines Retirement Home.
Guest Stars: Frank Aletter as Harry; F. William Parker as the Minister; Meshach Taylor as the Cop;
Written by: Susan Harris; Directed by: Jay Sandrich
Tape 1-1; First transmitted 14th September 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Monday 23rd August 1999
Blanche is on a diet. Rose looses her job at the grief counselling centre when it closes due to lack of funds. She needs to find a new job but soon realises that it's not going to be easy. Dorothy becomes increasingly annoyed by calls from Rose's former clients who call at all hours of the day and night. Dorothy's old friend, Barry Glick is in town, and "if he's within 50 pounds of where he used to be", she'll marry him.
Guest Stars: Richard Venture as Milton
Written by: Kathy Spear and Terry Grossman; Directed by: Paul Bogart
Tape 1-2; First transmitted 8th March 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Tuesday 24th August 1999
The girls feel insecure after a robbery at the house. Everyone is worried that the thieves might return. The girls have a burglar alarm installed, they acquire a guard dog, Blanche uses mace, and Rose is so worried that she buys a gun because she feels that she will never be safe again. Dorothy insists that they all visit a psychiatrist. However, it is a meeting in a car park that makes Rose feel she can protect herself.
Guest Stars: Christian Clemenson as Ray; Robert Rothwell as Lester
Written by: Susan Harris; Directed by: Paul Bogart
Tape 1-3; First transmitted 9th November 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Wednesday 25th August 1999
Dorothy's daughter, Kate, announces that she is to marry Dennis, a doctor. Dorothy realises that this means she will see her ex-husband Stan at the wedding. Although she doesn't want to see him again, she doesn't want her anger to ruin the wedding.
Guest Stars: Herbert Edelman as Stan; Dennis Drake as Dennis; Lisa Jane Persky as Kate; Kurt Smildsin as the Priest
Written by: Winifred Hervey; Directed by: Paul Bogart
Tape 1-4; First transmitted 21st September 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Thursday 26th August 1999
Dorothy brings baby Danny back to the house when his mother, Lucy, has to take her husband, Ted, to the doctor following a water sking accident. Blanches younger sister, Virginia comes to visit The two never got on. Blanche always felt that Virginia was her parents favourite. This time, she has an unusual request - a kidney, and Blanche cannot decide what to do.
Guest Stars: Sheree North as Virginia
Written by: Susan Harris; Directed by: Paul Bogart
Tape 1-5; First transmitted 5th October 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Friday 27th August 1999
Romance looms large for Rose when Arnie walks into her life. The attraction is mutual, but when he offers to whisk her off on a romantic cruise, she gets cold feet. She is worried about falling in love again. He finally convinces her to go, and she sees that love is something not to be afraid of.
Guest Stars: Harold Gould as Arnie
Written by: Barry Fanaro and Mort Nathan; Directed by: Jim Drake
Tape 1-6; First transmitted 28th September 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Saturday 28th August 1999
Chaos lands on the doorstep, when Blanche's troublesome 14 year old grandson, David, comes to stay whilst his parents attempt to save their dodgy marriage with a second honeymoon. However, David changes, discovering his self worth through a series of household chores, and soon announces that he would like to stay in Florida. Alarmed at the prospect of having to look after him for good, Blanche gives her daughter an ultimatum.
Guest Stars: Billy Jacoby as David; John Hostetter as the Policeman; Karl Wiedergott as Boy #1
Written by: Liz Sage; Directed by: Jim Drake
Tape 2-1; First transmitted 26th October 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Sunday 29th August 1999
After a passion filled day, Glen, the new love of Dorothy's life, reveals that he is married. Dorothy is horrified, but soon decides to see him again, much to the disapproval of Rose and Sophia. Meanwhile, Blanche wants a new car, and tries to sell her old one to Rose, lending it to her for two weeks to try out.
Guest Stars: Alex Rocco as Glen
Written by: Liz Sage; Directed by: Jim Drake
Tape 2-2; First transmitted 21st December 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Monday 30th August 1999
When Sophia is in need of a doctor due to high blood pressure, Dr Elliot Clayton comes to call. Romantic rivalry hits new heights when he attracts the eye of both Dorothy and Blanche. However, whilst waiting to go out on a date with Dorothy, he tells Blanche how much he cares for her. Although Blanche rebuffs his advances, Dorothy does not believe her when she warns her. When they start to argue, Rose forces him to confess to his actions to save the friendship.
Guest Stars: Peter Hansen as Dr. Elliot Clayton
Written by: Winifred Hervey; Directed by: Jim Drake
Tape 2-3; First transmitted 19th October 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Tuesday 31st August 1999
Dorothy objects when Sophia announces that she wants to return to Sicily with an ex-fiance. Rose reveals her competitive streak and divides the household in a vicious bowling tournament. Blanche & Dorothy against Rose & Sophia, but the stakes are high. If Dorothy looses, Sophia can go to Sicily. Dorothy deliberately looses to give her mother her happiness.
Guest Stars: Ralph Manza as Augustine Bagatelli
Written by: Mort Nathan and Barry Fanaro; Directed by: Jim Drake
Tape 2-4; First transmitted 2nd November 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Wednesday 1st September 1999
Blanche starts dating Dirk, an aerobics instructor and goes overboard in her exercise regime, hoping that it will make her more attractive to him, until she finds out that his only interest is that Blanche reminds him of his mother. Meanwhile, Rose's mother, Alma, comes to stay. Rose "over-mothers" her, and this leads to Alma telling Rose that stopping her from living isn't going to stop her from dying.
Guest Stars: Jeanette Nolan as Alma; Charles Hill as Dirk
Written by: Stan Zimmerman and James Berg; Directed by: Jim Drake
Tape 2-5; First transmitted 16th November 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Thursday 2nd September 1999
Stan, Dorothy's ex-husband returns because he needs Dorothy to sign some papers in order to sell some land that they bought on their honeymoon. Over lunch, he confesses that Chrissy, his new wife, has left him. He takes Dorothy for a final look at the land, and they end up in bed together. Although Dorothy views this as a one off, Stan views it as a new beginning, and she has a hard time telling him that she prefers life without him.
Guest Stars: Herb Edelman as Stan; Simone Griffeth as Chrissy
Written by: Susan Harris; Directed by: Jim Drake
Tape 3-1; First transmitted 30th November 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Friday 3rd September 1999
Sophia collapses after a party, complaining of chest pains. Dorothy thinks that she is having a heart attack, and so Blanche calls the dosctor, who is delayed by a storm. Whilst the girls wait for the paramedics to arrive, Sophia tells them about her vision of heaven, and Dorothy reveals how she will be lost without her mother. It isn't a heart attack though, Sophia has just over-indulged in party food and has indigestion.
Guest Stars: Ronald Hunter as Dr. Hunter
Written by: Susan Harris; Directed by: Jim Drake
Tape 3-2; First transmitted 23rd November 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Saturday 4th September 1999
Blanche and Rose compete for the part of Lady Macbeth, in a community theatre production. Dorothy is a bit hesitant when her sister Gloria comes to stay. Sophia is always quick to point out how wonderful Gloria is, and Dorothy faces the possible loss of her mother, who may move to California to live with Gloria.
Guest Stars: Doris Belack as Gloria
Written by: Winifred Hervey; Directed by: Terry Hughes
Tape 3-3; First transmitted 7th December 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Sunday 5th September 1999
Rose is keen to keep her new friend, Jonathan under wraps. It's not that she is ashamed of him, just that he is a midget and she is unsure of how the other girls will treat him. When Blanche extends a dinner invitation to him, and he accepts, Rose realises that they will meet face to face. The evening goes well, and Rose is convinced that Jonathan wants to marry her.
Guest Stars: Brent Collins as Dr Jonathan Miller; Billy Barty as Edgar; Jeane Dixon as herself; Tony Carreiro as the waiter.
Written by: Mort Nathan and Barry Fanaro; Directed by: Terry Hughes
Tape 2-6; First transmitted 14th December 1985
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Monday 6th September 1999
Rose has been dating Al for about a month, and he wants to get to know her better. She has never bought anyone home before and is quite nervous. The next morning, Sophia finds Al dead in Rose's bed. He has suffered a heart attack in his sleep. Rose is convinced that she has the kiss of death, and must never become sexually involved with a man again. The girls convince Rose to tell Al's only relative, his sister, but Rose soon finds out that Mrs Beatty isn't Al's sister, but his wife.
Guest Stars: Richard Roat as Al; Priscilla Morrill as Mrs Lucille Beatty
Written by: Susan Harris; Directed by: Terry Hughes
Tape 3-4; First transmitted 11th January 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Tuesday 7th September 1999
Rose's daughter Kirsten and her granddaughter Charley come for a visit, and Rose is making a special log! She is forced to face some home truths when she goes over her will with her daughter who believes that Rose has squandered the family fortune. Eventually Rose confesses that her ex-husband Charlie wasn't as successful as she had led everyone to believe, and that she was only protecting his memory.
Guest Stars: Christina Belford as Kirsten; Bridgette Anderson as Charley; Tony Pope as the announcer
Written by: Susan Beavers; Directed by: Terry Hughes
Tape 3-5; First transmitted 18th January 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Wednesday 8th September 1999
When Blanche's favourite niece, Lucy, comes to stay, she has only just arrived when she leaves to go on a date with a doctor she met on the plane. The following day she flies off to the Bahamas with her college interviewer, but when she returns, it is with Ed, date number three. Lucy's promiscuous lifestyle doesn't please Blanche, and following an argument, Lucy storms out. To resolve the situation, the girls follow her to Ed's apartment, which looks like something out of Miami Vice.
Guest Stars: Hallie Todd as Lucy; Ken Stovitz as Ed;
Written by: Stuart Silverman; Directed by: Terry Hughes
Tape 3-6; First transmitted 1st February 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Thursday 9th September 1999
The girls are taking tap dancing lessons for a recital, when Dorothy injures herself whilst trying to do a six-count Cincinnati riff with a double pull back. The other girls eventually persuade her see a doctor, and surgery is required. Dorothy is terrified, and the night before the operation, she sneaks out of the hospital and returns home. The girls persuade her to return, and later, Rose and Blanche provide some recuperative entertainment.
Guest Stars: Anne Haney as Bonnie; Robert Picardo as the Doctor; Bill Quinn as the Priest; Belita Moreno as the nurse
Written by: Winifred Hervey; Directed by: Terry Hughes
Tape 4-1; First transmitted 8th February 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Friday 10th September 1999
Blanche falls for Richard, a handsome and successful businessman who even has his own plane! However, she is unsure whether she wants to be a mother again to his young children. Meanwhile, Dorothy helps Rose to install a new toilet in the bathroom. Blanche decides to decline Richard's proposal as his work is his number one priority, and she can't bear the amount of time that he spends away from his children and her.
Guest Stars: Kevin McCarthy as Richard; Terry Wills as the Plumber; Alan Blumenfeld as Lou;
Written by: Christopher Lloyd; Directed by: Gary Shimokawa
Tape 4-2; First transmitted 15th February 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Saturday 11th September 1999
Blanche goes to night school to finish her long delayed degree and obtain a promotion at the art gallery where she works. Although she is doing well in some classes, it is her psychology class that is letting her down. When she goes to her Professor to ask for help, he suggests that she could earn extra credits in his bed!
Guest Stars: Jerry Hardin as Professor Cooper; James Stanley as Dean Tucker;
Written by: Sean Zimmerman and James Berg; Directed by: Jack Shea
Tape 4-3; First transmitted 22nd February 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Sunday 12th September 1999
Blanche's father comes to stay and Dorothy can't believe that she still refers to him as Big Daddy. He has come to tell them about his new career as a country music singer. Meanwhile, a storm has caused a neighbours tree to fall onto the girls lanai, and Sophia has to put a curse on the neighbour before he agrees to remove it.
Guest Stars: Murray Hamilton as Big Daddy; Gordon Jump as Leonard; Peggy Pope as Gladys; Gary Grubbs as the Waiter;
Written by: Mort Nathan and Barry Fanaro; Directed by: Terry Hughes
Tape 4-4; First transmitted 3rd May 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Monday 13th September 1999
Blanche, Dorothy and Rose are suffering from the flu, just in time for the charity banquet for the Best Friends of the Friends of Good Health. The girls are each convinced that their charity work will win an award. On the night however, the winner is ... Sophia Petrillo.
Guest Stars: Sharon Spelman as Dr. Richmond; Dom Irrera as the Waiter; Tony Carreiro as Tommy; Ray Reinhardt as Harold; Marc Tubert as Raoul;
Written by: James Berg and Stan Zimmerman; Directed by: Terry Hughes
Tape 4-5; First transmitted 1st March 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Tuesday 14th September 1999
Rose's sister Lily comes for a visit. She has been blind for about six months, and as she has been an active and independent person all of her life, she is finding it hard to adjust. The girls decide to sell off some of their unwanted items with a garage sale on the lanai to raise money for a new television. However, they soon discover that some of these items are still wanted. Later, whilst Lily is cooking, a small fire breaks out in the kitchen. Lily tells Rose her deepest fears about being blind and begs her to ccome and live with her in Chicago.
Guest Stars: Polly Holliday as Lily; Donna Labrie as the Stewardess; Annie Abbot as the woman;
Written by: R J Colleary; Directed by: Terry Hughes
Tape 4-6; First transmitted 29th March 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Wednesday 15th September 1999
The girls reminisce about how they first met - when Blanche placed an advert at a local supermarket, and Dorothy arrived on the doorstep to view the house. Despite their disasterous first shopping trip together, and an argument over who was to have which room, once they discovered their mutual love of cheesecake, a beautiful relationship was born.
Guest Stars: Shirley Prestia as Madame Zelda; Dom Irrera as the Produce Clerk; Edan Gross as the little boy;
Written by: Kathy Spear; Terry Grossman; Winifred Hervey; Mort Nathan and Barry Fanaro; Directed by: Terry Hughes
Tape 4-7; First transmitted 10th May 1986
Showing in the UK on Carlton Select at 17:30 on Thursday 16th September 1999