Elaine Stritch was almost a Golden Girl?

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 11:26am

I got this from Wikedpedia.

Stritch was reportedly considered for the role of Dorothy on The Golden Girls, but, by her own admission, offended the producers by improvising profanity into the script. The role was subsequently cast with Bea Arthur.

Does this have any truth to it? I've never heard it before. I think Stritch could've been an awesome Dorothy.
Updated On: 12/23/06 at 11:26 AM

[D2]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 11:29am

Stritch talks about it herself in her show "At Liberty." It is one of the most poignant moments in the show because she reveals how she knows she's shot herself in the foot by antagonizing the producers.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 11:30am

Everything works out for the best - Bea Arthur was completely brilliant, I can't imagine anyone else in that role.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 11:31am

Wow. I guess that's what I miss when I only watch the numbers that I like on the AT LIBERTY dvd.

How do you all think she would've been as Dorothy? I'm sure many think Bea will forever own the role, I do too. But I think Elaine could've added a great touch to the role.
Updated On: 12/23/06 at 11:31 AM

[D2]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 11:35am

I'm sure she would have been great, but Bea Arthur was a brilliant choice for that role and it is difficult to imagine anyone else as Dorothy, even someone as caustic and fabulous as Stritchie.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 11:35am

ljay you have to watch this story and her "The Women" story (which will make you fall down laughing).

[OOTI2004]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 2:07pm

As much as i love Elaine Stritch I would not have wanted to see her as Dorothy, it would have been a completely different show.

[wiggum2]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 6:45pm

Didn't Bea say Stritch made up a lot of that story somewhere?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 6:48pm

The role was written with a character description of "a Bea Arthur type."

Unless Bea refused to audition...there was no one else getting that role.

Updated On: 12/23/06 at 06:48 PM

[shiksa_goddess]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 6:51pm

I couldn't imagine anyone but Bea Arthur as Dorothy. She played the role flawlessly.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 7:13pm

I thought the creators of The Golden Girls said that Stritch was never seriously up for the role and perhaps never even auditioned for it. She said a few things in her show that perhaps should be taken with a grain of salt.

[mateo]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 7:24pm

If there was ever a GG musical..Stritch would headline.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 7:28pm

Wouldn't happen, mateo. There are exactly two years difference between Arthur and Stritch. She's too old now.

[morosco]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 8:36pm

I was watching a feature on the creation of SEINFELD and I was surprised to hear that both Rosie O'Donnell and Megan Mullally were both considered for the role of Elaine. I never knew that.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 8:41pm

I loved the Golden Girls episode where Stritch played Dorothy's Brother.

[D2]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 9:17pm

?

[wiggum2]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 11:13pm

relax, it was a joke

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/23/06 at 11:15pm

A feeble one, at that.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 12/24/06 at 3:25am

When I first saw At Liberty I actually thought Elaine Stritch would've made a good Sophia. However, the casting of the four leads of the show was perfect and it is hard to imagine anyone else playing those four roles.

[Hiram]

Posted: 12/24/06 at 10:30am

I adore Miss Stritch and feel she can do no wrong but Bea Arthur was brilliant as Dorothy and created one of the most memorable characters in Television history. No one could've touched her in that role. She was perfection.