Les filles d'or?

On tonight’s episode, Maude and Vivian were reminiscing about their college French teacher ... Madam(e) *Devereaux* 😊

Three's A Crowd

It was the voice that tipped me off -- Audra Lindley as Carol’s fiancé’s wife on “Maude.” Sadly, no sign of Mr. Roper.

The Maude Squad

So, a couple more fun guest stars on "Maude," this time with common-denominator appeal. First Helen Martin popped up on two episodes as Arthur’s (and then later Arthur and Vivian's) maid, Stella. (She abruptly quits when Maude tries to get her to help her fix dinner for Vivian's dinner party ... it didn't make sense to me either that Vivian wasn't the one in charge of her own party and help.)

And then Paul Benedict showed up as a reverend who came to officiate Maude and Walter's "second wedding" -- aka Maude's fifth. There he recognized Arthur whose wife's funeral he oversaw. Paul Benedict, of course, would go on to play Mr. Bentley for 11 seasons on the "The Jeffersons." And Helen Martin, I'm sure you know, would play Pearl opposite Benedict's costar Marla Gibbs on "227" -- and was Wanda on "Good Times," which was a spinoff of "Maude" starring the Findlays' first maid, Florida Evans (aka Esther Rolle). It's a small sitcom world, after all!

All of which goes nicely with the time Isabel Sanford (Weezie) played the maid to Carol Burnett's Broad. Her name? New Jersey! 

Ex Marks the Spot

Tonight’s guest star on “Maude”: the irrepressible Carole Cook as Walter’s ex wife, Marta. Haven’t thought of her since her cigarette ash nearly destroyed breakfast in “16 Candles” ... “I’ll just open the doughnuts ... voila! Breakfast is served!"

As my friend Matt reminds us, she's 96 and made headlines a year or so ago for trashing Trump. Just had her NYC cabaret debut at at 94 -- read HERE!

Postcard From Tuckahoe

Having a blast rewatching the complete run of "Maude" as a fully formed person. (Damian bought me the Shout! Factory box set.) Last night was notable for two reasons: First Maude had a run-in with one of her subordinates at the real-estate office she manages -- played by one Herb Edelman, aka Stanley Zbornak. And then later, Robert Mandan -- aka Chester Tate on "Soap" -- popped up as Mrs. Findlay's snooty gay friend! (The episode was particularly hilarious until it missed the mark at the end trying to show that “even liberal Maude” has her deep-seated prejudices, only she really hadn’t done anything wrong.)

So far in the first two and a half seasons, Maude has had an abortion. Vivian has had a facelift. Maude has had a facelift. Walter all but had an affair. Walter's drinking spiraled out of control. Walter gave Maude a black eye. Walter became sober. And Maude couldn't stop talking about how the young girl she had staying at the house was from "the ghetto." 

I'd say it's hard to believe that my parents actually let me watch this back in the 1970s, only then I remember they really weren't paying much attention to anything my brothers and I did ... it was the '70s!

And Now There's 'Maude'

The reason I could never really get into "The Golden Girls" -- Bea Arthur was Maude and Rue McClanahan was Vivian. (And don't even get me started about the Happy Homemaker!)

God'll get you for not buying me this, readers. Details HERE.

And Then There's Bawd

'Bea Arthur Naked' Could Sell for $2.5 Million

On Wednesday, Christie's is auctioning John Currin's (in)famous 1991 painting, although I don't think you can put a price on something this disturbing. 

RIP: Conrad Bain

Dr. Arthur Harmon died of natural causes at 89. How Todd Bridges outlived him is now officially the Eighth Wonder of the World.