Bea Arthur

Beatrice Arthur, beloved by spinsters everywhere, passed away today.

I love this quote from her, circa 2008, in which Arthur "[recalls] with bemusement CBS executives asking about the new "girl." ... '[When I did All in the Family] I was already 50 years old. I had done so much off-Broadway, on Broadway, but they said, `Who is that girl? Let's give her her own series,' Arthur said."

Our good old, 5'9", gravel-voiced, razor-witted girl. I think Dorothy Zbornak would raise her eyebrows at that!

I like to think there's a special heaven for people who made really good TV shows, and that she's up there sharing G&Ts in a tiki bar with Estelle Getty right now.

Estelle Getty

I need to pay an overdue tribute to Estelle Getty, our beloved Sophia Petrillo. (As most already know, she passed away on Tuesday.) Although I loved Estelle for her role as Sophia, I have to say I didn't know that much about her personal life until a few days ago. What really impresses me is how spirited she was -- she did stand-up before ladies did stand-up, she worked as a secretary most of her life while auditioning on the side, and success didn't come till after 50. She gives hope to all us office girls with a sideline, and I am inspired by her strength and tenacity.

Here are a couple of my favorite Sophia moments.

The Picasso story:



Sonny and Cher:



After being diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2006, she issued a statement through her caregiver, telling her fans "that if she has made you laugh, encouraged you to think, and challenged your beliefs, then she has done her job."