The Operation (Season 1, Episode 18)
WELCOME TO EPISODE 18 OF THE GOLDEN GIRLS DEEP DIVE PODCAST! Starting from the beginning of the show, each week we recap an episode of The Golden Girls and we end each episode with a fully researched deep dive into something from the Golden Girls universe!
In Episode 18, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose are rehearsing a tap dance to perform in a local competition (these gals really do keep themselves busy!). Shenanigans ensue when Dorothy discovers a foot injury that requires surgery!
For this week's deep dive, Patrick is telling us all about the Maude abortion episodes. The episodes, called "Maude's Dilemma Parts 1 & 2" aired in the show's first season and, as you can imagine, caused QUITE a stir!
Sources:
TV, Film and Stage Actor Bill Quinn Dead at 81 - AP - May 3, 1994
History of Medicine: The Mysterious Appendix - Columbia Surgery
It Slices, It Dices: When Ginsu Knives Cut Through the As-Seen-on TV Competition - Mental Floss
Far from Reality TV: The Changing Story of Abortion on Television - Vice - Jan 5, 2016,
Re-Scripting Depictions of Abortion on Screen - New America - Oct 19, 2023
Here's How Bea Arthur got her own show after All In The Family - MeTV - Sep 19, 2023
Norman Lear’s Most Controversial Episode: ‘Maude’ on Abortion - The New York Times - Dec 7, 2023
An Abortion That Shook Prime Time - LA Times - Nov. 10, 1992
Maude Didn't Leave 'em All Laughing - The New York Times - Dec. 10 1972
How The Golden Girls creator Susan Harris - EW - Oct 15, 2018
Norman Lear Shocked America… - The Washington Post -Dec 8, 2023
25 C.B.S. Affiliates Won't Show ‘Maude’ Episodes on Abortion - The New York Times - Aug 14, 1973
Norman Lear's Groundbreaking Maude Abortion Episode - EW - Sep 22, 2022
At 100, Norman Lear Looks Back ... Hollywood Reporter - Sep 7, 2022