“The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship – Special Edition of 20/20” Coming Soon To Disney+ & Hulu
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the hit comedy series, “The Golden Girls” and to celebrate, Disney has announced a brand new documentary that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the beloved sitcom’s enduring impact on television and culture.
This special chronicles the making of “The Golden Girls,” from its early inception and pilot episode to becoming one of the most treasured shows in television history. At a time when Hollywood heavily favoured youth, “The Golden Girls” famously put four older women — Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty — front and centre, using uninhibited comedy to rewrite the narrative for women over 50. Often tackling taboo and groundbreaking topics, the sitcom redefined aging, while its timeless appeal has attracted new audiences and created a lasting influence on pop culture.
“The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship – Special Edition of 20/20” features new interviews with series creator Susan Harris, Emmy Award-winning executive producer Tony Thomas and director Terry Hughes, and includes rarely seen behind-the-scenes footage of rehearsals, outtakes and camaraderie on set.
The special also features new interviews with celebrity fans of the show, including Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kelly Ripa, Laverne Cox, Erika Alexander, Pamela Adlon and former guest star Mario Lopez, as well as interviews with many of the sitcom’s original writers and producers. The documentary ultimately pays tribute to the legendary actresses who brought the main characters of Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia to life, while also taking viewers inside the world of fans of the show, including dedicated trivia nights, podcasts, fashion collections, live theater shows and even college courses.
“The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship – Special Edition of 20/20” is produced by ABC News Studios and “20/20.” Melia Patria is executive producer, and Eileen Murphy is senior editorial producer. David Sloan is the senior executive producer. Janice Johnston is the executive producer of “20/20.”
“The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter and Friendship – Special Edition of 20/20” will premiere on Tuesday, 11th November 2025 at 10:01-11:00 p.m. EST on ABC, and it will stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. No international Disney+ release details have been announced yet. All seven seasons are available to stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.
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