The Golden Girls - "Las Chicas de Oro"

Spain is launching its own version of the hit American series "The Golden Girls." It will be called "Las Chicas de Oro" and is being produced by Disney Media Networks and Latin World Entertainment. They have plans to release the Spanish series in the Spanish language in the US, some of the episodes could be perfect for your Spanish class!

You remember silly Rose (Betty White), promiscuous Blanche (Rue McClanahan), serious Dorothy (Bea Arthur) and lovable Italian Sophia (Estelle Getty)? The original series was filmed from 1985-1992 and made its way into the hearts of millions of people both nationally and internationally.

The show is about four previously married women who live together in Miami, sharing their various experiences together and enjoying themselves despite hard times. The owner of the house is Blanche who was joined by Rose and divorcée Dorothy. They all had responded to a room-for-rent ad on the bulletin board in the grocery store. Later, Dorothy's mother Sophia joins the group completing the cast.

So what is all the news about? It is not the first time that the Golden Girls has been adapted for other countries, but Spain is different! The difference this time is that the cast includes some of the Spain's biggest stars: Concha Velasco, Carmen Maura, Lola Herrera and Alicia Hermida. Previously in 1996, Spain launched a series that was a spin-off of the Golden Girls called Juntas pero no revueltas but it was canceled after one season due to low ratings.

Velasco will be playing Dorothy, or in Spanish "Doroti" and has been an on-screen character actress since 1954. Maura, who will play "Rosa", is famous her roles with Pedro Almodovar's (one of the biggest names in Spanish cinema) such as the hit movie Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown or her role along side Penelope Cruz in Almodovar's hit 2006 movie Volver, which won the award of Best Screenplay.

Herrera will take on the role of "Blance" and Hermida (best known for her award-winning role as Valentina in Cuéntame) will take on unforgettable role of "Sofia".

And what about the cherished introductory song "Thank you for being a friend?" which was a top hit for Andrew Gold in 1978, sung by Cindy Fee. Up until now the dubbed versions used the original version, so we will have to wait until September to see if they will translate it, because it just won't be the same without it!

As of 2010, out of the original cast only Betty White (Rose) survives. In 2008 Estelle Getty (Sophia) died of dementia, followed by Bea Arthur (Dorothy) in 2009 from cancer. Last month, Rue McClanahan passed away from a stroke and a brain hemorrhage.