About
"I really feel that I'm an exposed nerve. I don't know how else to say it. But I'm moved by everything."
Beatrice Arthur (1922-2009) declares her higher ideals for television: "I was bringing my theater training to television. I remember somebody said— and it's true— that I was trying to turn sitcom into an art form."
In her over two-hour interview, Arthur relates the origins of her stage name and looks back on her theater training at the New School for Social Research in New York City. She recounts being cast by Norman Lear on television's The George Gobel Show and notes other television appearances she made at this time, such as on the now-classic Your Show of Shows. On her stage work, Arthur fondly points to Mame as a highlight (for which she won the Tony Award, followed up with a repeat performance in the film version— that was for her, a disappointment). She relates how she appeared as "Edith Bunker's" liberal cousin "Maude" on All in the Family, a guest-starring role for which she made such an impression, that the network ordered the spin-off, Maude. She further discusses Maude, for which she won an Emmy award, and how in addition to offering over-the-top comedy set-ups, the show took on a number of controversial subjects— including abortion, psychoanalysis, and plastic surgery. Having never watched the series when it was running, Arthur mentions her reaction to catching episodes of Maude on early morning television many years later. She then speaks briefly about her next series, Amanda's, and acknowledges the show's failure. She enthusiastically describes reading the pilot script of The Golden Girls, considering it "one of the funniest, most adult, hilarious, sophisticated, terrific, delicious things I had ever read." She delves into her character "Dorothy Zbornak," for which she won another Emmy award. She notes some of her favorite moments from the show and compliments her fellow actors. Finally, she identifies what she feels is her proudest career achievement as well as her biggest regrets, and offers advice on playing comedy. Karen Herman conducted the interview on March 15, 2001 in Brentwood, CA.
Highlights
Beatrice Arthur on being cast as "Yenta" the Matchmaker in the original stage version of "Fiddler on the Roof"
Beatrice Arthur on guesting on All in the Family in "Cousin Maude's Visit", leading to the spinoff, Maude
Beatrice Arthur on her favorite episode of Maude, "The Convention"
Beatrice Arthur on how she got the role of Dorothy on The Golden Girls
Beatrice Arthur on leaving The Golden Girls
Beatrice Arthur on the catchphrase "God'll get you for that" on Maude
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her early years and her interest in theater; on studying acting and her first breaks in theater and working in revues
On her first TV roles, including The George Gobel Show and Caesar's Hour
On her earliest experiences seeing television, and on her early interest in acting on it; on appearing on various series including Omnibus and The Steve Allen Show; on not having an agent until later in her career
Chapter 2
On her theatre work in "Ulysses in Nighttown", "Fiddler on the Roof", and "Mame"; on her limited work in film and briefly on her appearance on The Star Wars Christmas Special; on her political views before Maude
On getting cast as "Cousin Maude" on All in the Family; on the production of Maude, and on working with Norman Lear; on the character of "Maude Findlay"
Chapter 3
on the character of "Maude Findlay"; on the audience response to Maude; on the controversial Maude episode "Maude's Dilemma" and dealing with taboo subjects, and on her favorite Maude episode "The Convention"
On working with Bill Macy as "Walter Findlay," and the rest of the cast of Maude; on the relationship between "Maude" and "Walter" on Maude; on the catchphrase "God'll get you for that" on Maude
On the popularity of Maude, and on the end of the series; on the love that "Maude Findlay" had for her family on Maude, and where she might be in the then-present
Chapter 4
On working on Woody Allen's play "The Floating Lightbulb"; on starring in the ill-fated sitcom Amanda's
On how she got the role of "Dorothy" on The Golden Girls; on how the cast of The Golden Girls came together with her, Betty White, Estelle Getty, and Rue McClanahan; on her character, "Dorothy", on The Golden Girls
On working with the cast of The Golden Girls; on Golden Girls episodes, and on being allowed to do more risque humor; on her favorite Golden Girls episode "An Illegitimate Concern" and other episodes
On audience reaction to The Golden Girls; on leaving The Golden Girls; on Empty Nest
Chapter 5
On her work after The Golden Girls, including her stage show "And Then There's Bea"
On celebrity, her achievements, and advice to aspiring performers
On B-roll- photos from year career- on stage with Anthony Franciosa; with Dick Shawn; as "Vera Charles" in "Mame"; as "Vera Charles'' in "Mame"; doing the "Man on the Moon is a Woman" number from "Mame"; with Angela Lansbury in "Mame"; with Lucille Ball in "Mame"; taping Maude
Shows
All in the Family
Beatrice Arthur on guesting on All in the Family in "Cousin Maude's Visit", leading to the spinoff, Maude
Amanda's
Beatrice Arthur on working on various series, including Amanda's, which was based on the British show Fawlty Towers
Beatrice Arthur Special, The
Beatrice Arthur on starring in The Beatrice Arthur Special featuring Rock Hudson
Caesar's Hour
Beatrice Arthur on her small roles on Caesar's Hour
Empty Nest
Beatrice Arthur on Empty Nest
Fawlty Towers
Beatrice Arthur on working on various series, including Amanda's, which was based on the British show Fawlty Towers
George Gobel Show, The
Beatrice Arthur on being cast on The George Gobel Show in its last season
Golden Girls, The
Beatrice Arthur on how she got the role of "Dorothy" on The Golden Girls
Beatrice Arthur on her character, "Dorothy", on The Golden Girls
Beatrice Arthur on working with Estelle Getty and the fun she had with her character on The Golden Girls
Beatrice Arthur on her favorite Golden Girls episode "An Illegitimate Concern" and other favorite episodes
Beatrice Arthur on leaving The Golden Girls
Beatrice Arthur on how the cast of The Golden Girls came together with her, Betty White, Estelle Getty, and Rue McClanahan
Beatrice Arthur on working with Rue McClanahan as "Blanche Devereaux" on The Golden Girls
Beatrice Arthur on working with the producers Tony Thomas and Paul Junger Witt on The Golden Girls
Beatrice Arthur on the guest-stars of Maude and The Golden Girls
Beatrice Arthur on Golden Girls episodes, and on being allowed to do more risque humor
Beatrice Arthur on audience reaction to The Golden Girls
Maude
Beatrice Arthur on guesting on All in the Family in "Cousin Maude's Visit" leading to the spinoff, Maude
Beatrice Arthur on the production of Maude, and on working with Norman Lear
Beatrice Arthur on playing the character of "Maude Findlay" on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on the character of "Maude Findlay"
Beatrice Arthur on her favorite episode of Maude, "The Convention"
Beatrice Arthur on the audience response to Maude
Beatrice Arthur on the controversial Maude episode "Maude's Dilemma" and dealing with taboo subjects
Beatrice Arthur on the Maude episodes "Stitch in Time", "Life of the Party", and "Maude Bares Her Soul"
Beatrice Arthur on working with Maude co-star Bill Macy as "Walter Findlay"
Beatrice Arthur on working with Rue McClanahan as "Vivian Harmon" on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on working with Adrienne Barbeau as "Carol" on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on working with Esther Rolle as "Florida Evans" on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on working with Hermione Baddeley as "Mrs. Naugatuck" on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on working with Conrad Bain as "Arthur Harmon" on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on the relationship between "Maude" and "Walter" on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on the catchphrase "God'll get you for that" on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on the popularity of Maude, and on the end of the series
Beatrice Arthur on the love that "Maude Findlay" had for her family on Maude, and where she might be in the then-present
Beatrice Arthur on the Maude episode "The Game Show"
Beatrice Arthur on the guest-stars of Maude and The Golden Girls
Omnibus
Beatrice Arthur on appearing on various series including Omnibus and The Steve Allen Show
Once Upon a Tune
Beatrice Arthur on appearing on the 1951 DuMont show, Once Upon a Tune
Seven Lively Arts, The
Beatrice Arthur on appearing on The Seven Lively Arts
Star Wars Holiday Special, The
Beatrice Arthur on guest starring on The Star Wars Holiday Special (Ms. Arthur speaks of The Star Wars Holiday Special, though the interviewer asks her about appearing in Star Trek, which she never did)
Steve Allen Show, The (1956-61)
Beatrice Arthur on appearing on various series including Omnibus and The Steve Allen Show
Topics
Advice
Beatrice Arthur on her advice to aspiring actors
Characters & Catchphrases
Beatrice Arthur on playing the character of "Maude Findlay" on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on "Maude's" catchphrase: "God will get you for that!"
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Beatrice Arthur on the performers who inspired her
Fame and Celebrity
Beatrice Arthur on fame and celebrity
Hollywood Blacklist
Beatrice Arthur on her awareness of the Hollywood Blacklist, and on her politics
Industry Crossroads
Beatrice Arthur on her awareness of the Hollywood Blacklist, and on her politics
Pivotal Career Moments
Beatrice Arthur on the performers who inspired her
Pop Culture
Beatrice Arthur on playing the character of "Maude Findlay" on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on "Maude's" catchphrase: "God will get you for that!"
Beatrice Arthur on fame and celebrity
Television Industry
Beatrice Arthur on not having an agent until later in her career
Beatrice Arthur on her awareness of the Hollywood Blacklist, and on her politics
Beatrice Arthur on her advice to aspiring actors
Beatrice Arthur on how television changed over her career
Professions
Actress
Beatrice Arthur on finding her comedic voice
Beatrice Arthur on acting in a sitcom
Beatrice Arthur on her advice to aspiring actors
Performers
Beatrice Arthur on finding her comedic voice
Beatrice Arthur on acting in a sitcom
Beatrice Arthur on her advice to aspiring actors
Genres
Comedy Series
Beatrice Arthur on playing "Maude Findlay" on All in the Family and Maude
Beatrice Arthur on starring on Maude
Beatrice Arthur on playing "Dorothy" on The Golden Girls
Beatrice Arthur on Empty Nest
Beatrice Arthur on how television changed through her career
People
Woody Allen
Beatrice Arthur on starring in Woody Allen's play "The Floating Lightbulb"
Hermione Baddeley
Beatrice Arthur on working with Hermione Baddeley as "Mrs. Naugatuck" on Maude
Lucille Ball
Beatrice Arthur on her opinion that Lucille Ball should not have done "Mame"
Adrienne Barbeau
Beatrice Arthur on working with Adrienne Barbeau as "Carol" on Maude
Sid Caesar
Beatrice Arthur on her small roles on Caesar's Hour
Herb Edelman
Beatrice Arthur on working with Herb Edelman as "Stan" on The Golden Girls
Estelle Getty
Beatrice Arthur on working with Estelle Getty on The Golden Girls
Susan Harris
Beatrice Arthur on Golden Girls creator Susan Harris
Norman Lear
Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear casting her on The George Gobel Show
Beatrice Arthur on Maude read-throughs with Norman Lear
Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear's response when she didn't like a Maude script
Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear's taboo-breaking work
Bill Macy
Beatrice Arthur on working with Bill Macy as "Walter Findlay" on Maude
Rue McClanahan
Beatrice Arthur on working with Maude co-star Rue McClanahan
Beatrice Arthur on working with Rue McClanahan as "Blanche Devereaux" on The Golden Girls
Esther Rolle
Beatrice Arthur on working with Esther Rolle as "Florida Evans" on Maude
Elliot Schoenman
Beatrice Arthur on Amanda's, produced by Elliot Schoenman