BEA ARTHUR : Was she better in Maude or Golden Girls ?

Maude was too neurotic and Bea was more over the top in that part. Her more low key and sarcastic performance as Dorothy was far better. Also Golden Girls stands up over 30 years later while Maude doesn't as well.

Maude's still funny in reruns, but Golden Girls isn't as funny when revisited.

My personal opinion - deal with it.

R2 That's your opinion and you're entitled to it.....but you're wrong hahaha.

I never liked the character of Maude.

But Dorothy was also kind of stupid. Remember when Rose was looking for a job and Dorothy wrote an enhanced resume for her? Something like housewife was transformed into CEO.

So I'll go with the Star Wars Christmas Special

Maude and Dorothy are completely different people. Maude is vain, narcissistic and ALWAYS right. Dorothy is self-deprecating, analytical and sober.

Bea is fantastic at both though. I love Maude and Dorothy equally.

I also choose her Lucy Brown in the Threepenny Opera as an important role.

I loved both character, but in my humble opinion.....Dorothy could have been played by any number of actresses. Maude could have only been played by Bea Arthur.

Team Maude here, always.

Of course GG is and will remain more popular. It was much more accessible, with rhythms and laughs dating back to vaudeville.

Maude was a handful and yes, the raised voice could be very tiresome. But it was also more realistic to many of our lives.

I never get credit for my supporting role.

Me neither.

I was in both shows. What about me????

R9 Stifle, Edith.

She dressed better in "Maude" for the times. Rita Riggs, the costume designer, was approached to license the "Maude" style of clothing, but Lear and his cronies nixed it. Instead, you had millions of knock-offs in the U.S. with the Maude vests and pants.

She may not have loved earrings but Bea worked the fuck out of a caftan!

Maude is unwatchable like most 70s tv.

This is a tough call, OP --I voted "Golden Girls" -but she was fantastic in everything I've ever had the pleasure of seeing her in. She was quite brilliant.

And then there's MAUDE!

Bea Arthur was a comedic genius. Nobody could do more with a sarcastic line or a withering glare. Nobody.

Bea shit on Betty’s dressing room floor!

Lady Godiva was a freedom rider

She didn't care if the whole world looked

Joan of Arc with the Lord to guide her

She was a sister who really cooked

Isadora was the first bra-burner

Ain't ya glad she showed up? (Oh yeah!)

And when the country was fallin' apart

Betsy Ross got it all sewed up

(And then there's Maude)

And then there's Maude

(And then there's Maude)

And then there's Maude

(And then there's Maude)

And then there's Maude

(And then there's.....)

That uncompromisin', enterprisin', anything but tranquilizin'

Right on Maude!