The sixth season of The Golden Girls premiered on NBC on September 22, 1990, and concluded on May 4, 1991. The season consisted of 26 episodes.

The Golden Girls
Season 6
Season 6 DVD cover
No. of episodes26
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 22, 1990 (1990-09-22) –
May 4, 1991 (1991-05-04)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 5
Next →
Season 7
List of episodes

Broadcast history

edit

The season originally aired Saturdays at 9:00-9:30 pm (EST) on NBC from September 22, 1990 to May 4, 1991.[1][2]

Episodes

edit
No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
U.S. viewers
(millions)
1291"Blanche Delivers"Matthew DiamondGail Parent and Jim VallelySeptember 22, 1990 (1990-09-22)12927.9[3]
Blanche's very pregnant daughter Rebecca (Debra Engle) visits and wants to stay in Miami for the birth at a birthing center. Blanche angers her when she disagrees about the birthing center, but also does not want her giving birth in a hospital because she is embarrassed that her daughter was artificially inseminated. Meanwhile, Rose decides to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming a figure skater.
Guest stars: Debra Engle as Rebecca; Ken Lerner as Doctor; Leila Kenzle as Tamara; John O'Leary as Mr. Ninervini
1302"Once, in St. Olaf"Matthew DiamondHarold ApterSeptember 29, 1990 (1990-09-29)13126.6[4]
Rose meets her biological father (Don Ameche) while volunteering at the hospital while Sophia undergoes hernia surgery and is lost in the hospital during her recovery.
Guest stars: Don Ameche as Brother Martin; Scott Bryce as Dr. Warren; Michael Goldfinger as Attendant; Tom Henschel as Dr. Bob; Alicia Brandt as Dr. Tess; William Bumiller as Man
Note: Betty White was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for this episode.
1313"If At Last You Do Succeed"Matthew DiamondRobert SpinaOctober 6, 1990 (1990-10-06)13225.4[5]
Stan (Herb Edelman) finally strikes it rich with a baked potato opener, and asks Dorothy's help in wooing some Japanese investors, but Dorothy doesn’t trust him.
Special Guest Star: Herb Edelman as Stan
1324"Snap Out of It"Matthew DiamondRichard Vaczy and Tracy GambleOctober 13, 1990 (1990-10-13)13024.5[6]
Dorothy agrees to help Sophia volunteer for Meals on Wheels and meets Jimmy (Martin Mull), an aging agoraphobic hippie, who hasn't left his apartment in 20 years. Blanche's birthday approaches and Rose goes on a quest to discover her real birth date.
Guest stars: Martin Mull as Jimmy; Danny Breen as Emcee
1335"Wham, Bam, Thank You, Mammy!"Matthew DiamondMarc Cherry and Jamie WootenOctober 20, 1990 (1990-10-20)13321.7[7]
Blanche gets an unexpected visit from her childhood mammy (Ruby Dee), who reveals she and Blanche's father were lovers. Sophia angers Dorothy by using a matchmaker to find Dorothy a date.
Guest stars: Ruby Dee as Mammy Watkins; Peggy Rea as Mrs. Contini; Richard McKenzie as Jack
1346"Feelings"Matthew DiamondDon Seigel and Jerry PerzigianOctober 27, 1990 (1990-10-27)13424.6[8]
Dorothy receives backlash for failing the star football player (Christopher Daniel Barnes). Rose suspects her dentist (George Wyner) fondled her while under anesthesia.
Guest stars: George Wyner as Dr. Norgan; Robert Costanzo as Coach Odlivak; Frank Hamilton as Father O'Mara; Christopher Daniel Barnes as Kevin
1357"Zborn Again"Matthew DiamondMitchell HurwitzNovember 3, 1990 (1990-11-03)13523.2[9]
Dorothy finds her old feelings for Stan resurfacing; Rose asks for Sophia's assistance in dealing with an annoying co-worker (Siobhan Fallon Hogan).
Special Guest Star: Herb Edelman as Stan
Guest stars: Siobhan Fallon Hogan as Abby; Dion Anderson as Mr. Percy
1368"How Do You Solve a Problem Like Sophia?"Matthew DiamondMarc Cherry and Jamie WootenNovember 10, 1990 (1990-11-10)13627.5[10]
After the death of her friend Sister Agnes, Sophia joins a convent; Rose is sued when Blanche borrows her car and has an accident.
Guest stars: Kathleen Freeman as Mother Superior; Paul Willson as Arthur Nivingston; Lela Ivey as Sister Claire
1379"Mrs. George Devereaux"Matthew DiamondRichard Vaczy and Tracy GambleNovember 17, 1990 (1990-11-17)13826.7[11]
Blanche decides to meet a secret admirer, and is shocked to discover it is her dead husband, George (George Grizzard); Dorothy is wooed by Sonny Bono and Lyle Waggoner.
Guest stars: George Grizzard as George Devereaux; Sonny Bono as himself; Lyle Waggoner as himself
13810"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...Before They Die"Matthew DiamondGail Parent and Jim VallelyNovember 24, 1990 (1990-11-24)13927.7[12]
Sophia and Rose take dating advice from Blanche that lands each of them in hot water. After a vow of celibacy due to a drought in St. Olaf, Blanche advises Rose not to tell Miles; while Sophia follows Blanche's tips to lure her boyfriend Tony DelVecchio (Cesar Romero) into bed.
Special Guest Star: Harold Gould as Miles
Guest stars: Cesar Romero as Tony
13911"Stand By Your Man"Matthew DiamondTom WhedonDecember 1, 1990 (1990-12-01)13723.1[13]
Blanche makes a date with a man at the library (Hugh Farrington), then realizes he is wheelchair-bound; Rose gets a puppy, in spite of Blanche's and Dorothy's objection.
Note: This episode is a crossover with Empty Nest, with the Weston's dog, Dreyfuss, appearing.
14012"Ebbtide's Revenge"Matthew DiamondMarc SotkinDecember 15, 1990 (1990-12-15)14025.6[14]
Dorothy must give the eulogy for her brother, Phil. And the long-running feud between Sophia and Phil's widow (Brenda Vaccaro) culminates in Sophia's revelation of her true feelings about her son‘s cross-dressing lifestyle.
Guest stars: Brenda Vaccaro as Angela; Earl Boen as Father Salerno
Note: Estelle Getty was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and Brenda Vaccaro was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for this episode. Marc Sotkin was nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series at the WGA Awards for this episode.
14113"The Bloom Is Off the Rose"Matthew DiamondPhillip Jayson LaskerJanuary 5, 1991 (1991-01-05)14227.2[15]
Rose signs up sky-diving lessons to spice up her relationship with Miles (Harold Gould); Blanche uncharacteristically makes excuses for her abusive boyfriend (Mitchell Ryan).
Special Guest Star: Harold Gould as Miles
Guest stars: Mitchell Ryan as Rex; Don Mirault as Flight Instructor
14214"Sister of the Bride"Matthew DiamondMarc Cherry and Jamie WootenJanuary 12, 1991 (1991-01-12)14129.8[16]
Blanche's gay brother, Clayton (Monte Markham), visits Miami to announce he’s getting married; Rose expects to win a Volunteer of the Year award.
Guest stars: Monte Markham as Clayton; Michael Ayr as Doug; Lou Cutell as Irving; Mimi Cozzens as Susan Dodd
14315"Miles to Go"Matthew DiamondDon Seigel and Jerry PerzigianJanuary 19, 1991 (1991-01-19)14523.3[17]
After learning of the death of a mob boss, Miles reveals he was an accountant from Chicago, until entering the Witness Relocation Program. When he learns the mobster faked his death, Miles must leave Miami. Meanwhile, Blanche must find a way to pay for the expensive dress that she bought, having hit a snag in her plan to simply return the dress after wearing it.
Special Guest Star: Harold Gould as Miles
Guest stars: Mary Gillis as Gladys
14416"There Goes the Bride: Part 1"Matthew DiamondStory by : Gail Parent, Jim Vallely, and Mitchell Hurwitz
Teleplay by : Mitchell Hurwitz
February 2, 1991 (1991-02-02)14326.3[18]
Dorothy keeps her rekindled relationship with Stan a secret from Sophia; Rose goes out to dinner with a friend of Miles, whose ex-wife begins stalking Rose.
Special Guest Star: Herb Edelman as Stan
Guest stars: Jack Yates as Cop; Toni Sawyer as Lois
14517"There Goes the Bride: Part 2"Matthew DiamondGail Parent and Jim VallelyFebruary 9, 1991 (1991-02-09)14426.4[19]
Totally opposed Dorothy and Stan's impending nuptials, Sophia vows to stop the ceremony; Blanche interviews Truby (Debbie Reynolds), a potential roommate.
Special Guest Star: Herb Edelman as Stan; Debbie Reynolds as Truby
Guest stars: Raye Birk as The Caterer; Meg Wyllie as Myra; Jack Blessing as Father Monroe; Marvin Mitchelson as himself; Milt Oberman as Erroll; Cleto Augusto as Photographer
14618"Older and Wiser"Matthew DiamondRichard Vaczy and Tracy GambleFebruary 16, 1991 (1991-02-16)14617.4[20]
Dorothy gets Sophia a job at a local retirement home under false pretenses. Meanwhile, Blanche and Rose are excited about modeling for a pennysaver.
Guest stars: Don Lake as Mr. Porter; Julius Harris as Mr. Lewis; Carol Bruce as Lucille; Bill Wiley as Smokey; Ellen Albertini Dow as Sarah
14719"Melodrama"Matthew DiamondRobert SpinaFebruary 16, 1991 (1991-02-16)14722.2[20]
Blanche wants to intensify her relationship with her infamous one-night stand man, Mel Bushman (Alan King); Rose tries her hand at TV reporting.
Guest stars: Alan King as Mel Bushman; Tommy Hinkley as Andy; Jonathan Schmock as The Robber
14820"Even Grandmas Get the Blues"Robert BerlingerGail Parent and Jim VallelyMarch 2, 1991 (1991-03-02)14923.8[21]
While babysitting her infant granddaughter, a man (Alan Rachins) mistakes Blanche for the baby’s mother. Meanwhile, Sophia prepares for the Festival of the Dancing Virgins.
Guest stars: Debra Engle as Rebecca
14921"Witness"Zane BuzbyMitchell HurwitzMarch 9, 1991 (1991-03-09)14824.0[22]
Rose has a new man (Barney Martin) in her life when Miles returns unexpectedly from the Witness Protection Program; Sophia loses her glasses; while petitioning to join the Daughters of the Old South, Blanche discovers one of her great-grandmothers is a Jewish Yankee, from Buffalo.
Special Guest Star: Harold Gould as Miles
Special Appearance By: Kristy McNichol as Barbara Weston
Guest stars: Barney Martin as Karl; Beth Grant as Louise; Marla Adams as Woman #1; Gloria Dorson as Mrs. Ward; Elise Ogden as Woman #2
Note: This is a crossover with Empty Nest.
15022"What a Difference a Date Makes"Lex PassarisMarc Cherry and Jamie WootenMarch 23, 1991 (1991-03-23)15024.6[23]
Dorothy's former high school crush, John Neretti (guest star (Hal Linden), who stood her up for her prom, asks Dorothy out to dinner; Blanche diets to keep to her tradition of fitting into her wedding dress on her anniversary.
Guest stars: Hal Linden as John; Sid Melton as Don The Fool
15123"Love for Sale"Peter D. BeytDon Seigel and Jerry PerzigianApril 6, 1991 (1991-04-06)15122.0[24]
The girls prepare for the Children's Hospital bachelorette auction; Stan's uncle dies, leaving him and Dorothy his apartment building. Meanwhile, Sophia's brother, Angelo (Bill Dana), comes to Miami, broke with no place to live.
Special Guest Star: Herb Edelman as Stan
Guest stars: Bill Dana as Uncle Angelo; Lou Felder as Terry
15224"Never Yell Fire in a Crowded Retirement Home"Matthew DiamondStory by : Gail Parent
Teleplay by : Tracy Gamble, Richard Vaczy, Tom Whedon, and Mitchell Hurwitz
April 27, 1991 (1991-04-27)15321.0[25]
15325Story by : Jim Vallely
Teleplay by : Richard Vaczy, Tracy Gamble, Don Seigel, and Jerry Perzigian
154
A former Shady Pines resident makes a deathbed confession that she and Sophia started the Shady Pines fire in 1985.
Guest stars: Stanley Kamel as Herb; Richard Riehle as Detective Parres
15426"Henny Penny — Straight, No Chaser"Judy PioliTom WhedonMay 4, 1991 (1991-05-04)15222.0[26]
When the measles quarantines Dorothy's students, the ladies take over the roles at the school play, Henny Penny. Meanwhile, Blanche‘s ex-boyfriend plants a fake obituary in the paper claiming she died at age 68; Sophia continues a decades-old chess-by-mail rivalry with her old nemesis from Sicily.
Guest stars: George Hearn as Frank Nann

Awards and nominations

edit

43rd Primetime Emmy Awards

  • Nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series
  • Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Betty White) (Episode: "Once, in St. Olaf")
  • Nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Estelle Getty) (Episode: "Ebbtide's Revenge")
  • Nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Brenda Vaccaro) (Episode: "Ebbtide's Revenge")

48th Golden Globe Awards

  • Nomination for Best Comedy Series

Writers Guild of America Awards

  • Nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Marc Sotkin) (Episode: "Ebbtide's Revenge")

References

edit
  1. ^ TV Listings for September 22, 1990
  2. ^ TV Listings for May 4, 1991
  3. ^ Donlon, Brian (September 26, 1990). "CBS has its eye on first". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  4. ^ Donlon, Brian (October 3, 1990). "NBC wins; CBS still surprises". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  5. ^ Sloan, Eugene (October 10, 1990). "NBC tops in ratings, barely". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  6. ^ Sloan, Eugene (October 17, 1990). "For CBS, baseball's a grounder". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  7. ^ Donlon, Brian (October 24, 1990). "CBS slides easily into first place". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  8. ^ Donlon, Brian (October 31, 1990). "CBS, no longer the long shot". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  9. ^ Donlon, Brian (November 7, 1990). "NBC wins with fewer viewers". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  10. ^ Donlon, Brian (November 14, 1990). "'Cheers' sweeps up for NBC". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  11. ^ Donlon, Brian (November 21, 1990). "ABC pulls past CBS in sweeps". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  12. ^ Donlon, Brian (November 28, 1990). "ABC's 'It' confirms competitors' fears". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  13. ^ Donlon, Brian (December 5, 1990). "Ratings chill is setting in". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  14. ^ Donlon, Brian (December 19, 1990). "St. Nick can't lick TV lull". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  15. ^ Donlon, Brian (January 9, 1991). "ABC News' winning streak ends". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  16. ^ Donlon, Brian (January 16, 1991). "NBC wins with season best". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  17. ^ Donlon, Brian (January 23, 1991). "Football hikes CBS to No. 1". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  18. ^ Donlon, Brian (February 6, 1991). "Where are the dominant series?". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  19. ^ Donlon, Brian (February 13, 1991). "A good Friday fuels ABC win". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  20. ^ a b Donlon, Brian (February 20, 1991). "CBS mines past and hits gold". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  21. ^ Donlon, Brian (March 6, 1991). "CBS gains ratings speed". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  22. ^ Donlon, Brian (March 13, 1991). "'Baby Talk' helps ABC toddle past CBS to 2nd". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  23. ^ Sloan, Eugene (March 27, 1991). "'60 Minutes' is top hour again". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  24. ^ Sloan, Eugene (April 10, 1991). "'Cheers', NBC rack up wins". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  25. ^ Donlon, Brian (May 1, 1991). "'Switched' sweeps the week". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  26. ^ Donlon, Brian (May 8, 1991). "Sweeps lure straying viewers". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
edit