One of things that bothered me about Designing Women was the loss of Delta Burke and Jean Smart leaving the show. Saturday Night Live's Jan Hooks and Newhart's Julia Duffy joined the cast but the show was never the same again. Alice Ghostley and Meshach Taylor were regulars in supporting roles. I remember watching this show on Monday nights when it first aired. They were four loud, opinionated, Southern broads with a sense of humor and chemistry. I truly could believe that Suzanne and Julia played by Dixie Carter and Delta Burke were sisters. I didn't care about Suzanne or Delta's weight. It wasn't an issue but people in Hollywood think that weight is a bigger issue than it should be. Anyway, I never saw the four women ever appear to be working. The place didn't look like an office but an actual house. I know they were supposed to be interior designers but I never saw them do any work. Anyway Annie Potts and Jean Smart were great as the divorced mom and single receptionist. I remember the episode in which Julia was a juror and she was invited to meet President Carter and his wife. Well she missed the dinner but they invited her for desert because of her obligations. It was a well-written show too and very well acted.
38 Reviews
Quite Underrated
Aztec_Camera25 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Where to begin. Designing Women has always been one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. For the record I am also a huge fan of The Golden Girls. As many know these two shows have been heavily compared and contrasted for the longest time. The two shows do have striking similarities and many out there have accused Designing Women of ripping The Golden Girls off (And I do believe there is a hint of truth to that, but we'll save that for another time) but Designing Women stands completely on it's own. In many ways I think there is a sense of humanism & realism in Designing Women that is lacking in The Golden Girls, but enough about them.
I fell in love with the show straight from the Pilot. I was still in grade school but I thought it was hysterical. I enjoyed the great cast of characters and how beautifully they played off of one another. And the actresses who played those characters were amazing. Whether it was the kooky yet vulnerable Charlene (Jean Smart), the confidence and dry wit of Julia (Dixie Carter), the semi-neurotic girl next door Mary Jo (Annie Potts) or the over the top drama (And silliness) of Suzanne (Delta Burke), these characters made me laugh and laugh. They were all great performers but Delta Burke as Suzanne truly stood out as a one of a kind comedic talent. Burke surprised critics and viewers alike by showing she could bring a self absorbed former beauty queen (With a secret heart of gold) to new heights of hilarity. The show also benefited from the strong political sensibilities of it's creator/producer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason as the show often took liberal political stances during a time when it was relatively taboo for sitcoms to do so. The show did struggle during it's last couple of seasons primarily due to a revolving door of cast changes. First, it was the very abrupt departure of Burke, which from a viewer stand-point was somewhat jarring. What I mean by that is that we had one of the strongest (And funniest) characters literally vanish in thin air without ANY explanation, it really kinda threw things off for awhile. After Burke departed we than saw Charlene leave. At least this time there was an explanation, her military husband had suddenly been permanently transferred to the UK. Next was the truly AWFUL casting of Julia Duffy as Sugarbaker cousin, Allison. Though I hold no ill-will towards the acting talent of Duffy, the character of Allison Sugarbaker was dreadful. She was completely unlikeable and had NO redeeming qualities. Someone must've thought the same thing as she too vanished without a trace after just 1 season. Let us also not forget the season 6 finale "Shades of Vanessa" which attempted to set up black comedienne Jackee' as a possible partner in the Sugarbaker firm for the upcoming 7th season. This idea never panned out, for whatever reason. Although it never "Jumped The Shark", the Allison character came pretty close to pushing it over that edge. I think Jan Hooks should get special mention as someone who continuously elevated the show. With a few years of Saturday Night Live experience under her belt she managed to create a funny, memorable character in that of Carlene Dawber, the sweet yet strange little sister of the departed Charlene. Eventually another character hopped on board, that of BJ (Played nicely by Judith Ivey) a wealthy widow who, in it's final season, became a partner to save the ailing Sugarbaker firm. I will always remember Designing Women as a genuinely funny show with quirky yet believable characters and great writing, despite some of it's messy cast changes. My all-time favorite episode is "Pearls of Wisdom", just for the laugh-til-you-cry hilarity of the salad bar scene.
At the time of this writing (June 07') a season-by-season DVD release is pending. Sony (The studio that will release DW on DVD) initially intended to release Season 1 in the summer of 06. However, a season-by-season release has been stalled due to music clearances. This is completely plausible considering the dozens (and dozens) of songs/pieces of music used throughout the series. Sony has stated that due to a market saturation of TV to DVD releases, the music industry is taking advantage of this by demanding big bucks for music licensing. Sony says that the music fees are so high that if they were to go ahead with the shows release it would mean a much higher than usual retail price for the sets. Sony has repeated that they are committed to releasing the show on DVD but want to keep the price point low so that casual fans and hardcore fans alike can enjoy the show without raping their wallets. And so we wait......
I fell in love with the show straight from the Pilot. I was still in grade school but I thought it was hysterical. I enjoyed the great cast of characters and how beautifully they played off of one another. And the actresses who played those characters were amazing. Whether it was the kooky yet vulnerable Charlene (Jean Smart), the confidence and dry wit of Julia (Dixie Carter), the semi-neurotic girl next door Mary Jo (Annie Potts) or the over the top drama (And silliness) of Suzanne (Delta Burke), these characters made me laugh and laugh. They were all great performers but Delta Burke as Suzanne truly stood out as a one of a kind comedic talent. Burke surprised critics and viewers alike by showing she could bring a self absorbed former beauty queen (With a secret heart of gold) to new heights of hilarity. The show also benefited from the strong political sensibilities of it's creator/producer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason as the show often took liberal political stances during a time when it was relatively taboo for sitcoms to do so. The show did struggle during it's last couple of seasons primarily due to a revolving door of cast changes. First, it was the very abrupt departure of Burke, which from a viewer stand-point was somewhat jarring. What I mean by that is that we had one of the strongest (And funniest) characters literally vanish in thin air without ANY explanation, it really kinda threw things off for awhile. After Burke departed we than saw Charlene leave. At least this time there was an explanation, her military husband had suddenly been permanently transferred to the UK. Next was the truly AWFUL casting of Julia Duffy as Sugarbaker cousin, Allison. Though I hold no ill-will towards the acting talent of Duffy, the character of Allison Sugarbaker was dreadful. She was completely unlikeable and had NO redeeming qualities. Someone must've thought the same thing as she too vanished without a trace after just 1 season. Let us also not forget the season 6 finale "Shades of Vanessa" which attempted to set up black comedienne Jackee' as a possible partner in the Sugarbaker firm for the upcoming 7th season. This idea never panned out, for whatever reason. Although it never "Jumped The Shark", the Allison character came pretty close to pushing it over that edge. I think Jan Hooks should get special mention as someone who continuously elevated the show. With a few years of Saturday Night Live experience under her belt she managed to create a funny, memorable character in that of Carlene Dawber, the sweet yet strange little sister of the departed Charlene. Eventually another character hopped on board, that of BJ (Played nicely by Judith Ivey) a wealthy widow who, in it's final season, became a partner to save the ailing Sugarbaker firm. I will always remember Designing Women as a genuinely funny show with quirky yet believable characters and great writing, despite some of it's messy cast changes. My all-time favorite episode is "Pearls of Wisdom", just for the laugh-til-you-cry hilarity of the salad bar scene.
At the time of this writing (June 07') a season-by-season DVD release is pending. Sony (The studio that will release DW on DVD) initially intended to release Season 1 in the summer of 06. However, a season-by-season release has been stalled due to music clearances. This is completely plausible considering the dozens (and dozens) of songs/pieces of music used throughout the series. Sony has stated that due to a market saturation of TV to DVD releases, the music industry is taking advantage of this by demanding big bucks for music licensing. Sony says that the music fees are so high that if they were to go ahead with the shows release it would mean a much higher than usual retail price for the sets. Sony has repeated that they are committed to releasing the show on DVD but want to keep the price point low so that casual fans and hardcore fans alike can enjoy the show without raping their wallets. And so we wait......
Great show but gets ruined within the last 2-3 seasons
ktruitt-439675 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Witty and Extremely Funny
vs66196630 November 2003
"Designing Women" centered on four Southern women who worked at an interior design firm in Atlanta, Georgia. The original cast included Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, and Meshach Taylor. The humor was outrageously funny, witty and topical and the actors all worked well as an ensemble since their characters were so well-defined and very different. I am puzzled by the many negative comments about this show stating that it was not funny. Were these people watching the same show that I was?
In 1991, both Delta Burke and Jean Smart left the series and were replaced by Julia Duffy, who had played Stephanie on "Newhart," and Jan Hooks, an alumna of "Saturday Night Live." Both were fine actresses but their characters were not well fleshed-out. Duffy's Allison Sugarbaker was a New Yorker and, in my opinion, just never caught on with viewers. Hooks' Carlene Dobber was simply a nitwit, which is a shame because Jan Hooks was hysterical and very versatile on all the seasons she was on SNL. They never developed a multi-layered character that utilized her full comedic potential, but rather one that was mostly a one-note caricature. So, this truly fine and funny actress was wasted in a silly role. Julia Duffy was replaced the next and final season by Judith Ivey, whose character was again a Southern type who fit seamlessly into the ensemble.
I often think the best character was Bernice Clifton as played by the outrageously funny and talented Alice Ghostley. Next to Suzanne Sugarbaker, this character had some hilarious and unforgettable lines.
There are many terrific episodes of this series. They are currently being rebroadcast on the Lifetime Network along with "The Golden Girls," another great series. Those who commented that "Designing Women" is a rip-off of "The Golden Girls" are mistaken; both are fine situation comedies in their own right but are also very unique and distinct from one another. The only thing common to both is that each show starred four wonderful comedic actresses. It would be great to have some solid programming such as both of these shows on the networks today.
In 1991, both Delta Burke and Jean Smart left the series and were replaced by Julia Duffy, who had played Stephanie on "Newhart," and Jan Hooks, an alumna of "Saturday Night Live." Both were fine actresses but their characters were not well fleshed-out. Duffy's Allison Sugarbaker was a New Yorker and, in my opinion, just never caught on with viewers. Hooks' Carlene Dobber was simply a nitwit, which is a shame because Jan Hooks was hysterical and very versatile on all the seasons she was on SNL. They never developed a multi-layered character that utilized her full comedic potential, but rather one that was mostly a one-note caricature. So, this truly fine and funny actress was wasted in a silly role. Julia Duffy was replaced the next and final season by Judith Ivey, whose character was again a Southern type who fit seamlessly into the ensemble.
I often think the best character was Bernice Clifton as played by the outrageously funny and talented Alice Ghostley. Next to Suzanne Sugarbaker, this character had some hilarious and unforgettable lines.
There are many terrific episodes of this series. They are currently being rebroadcast on the Lifetime Network along with "The Golden Girls," another great series. Those who commented that "Designing Women" is a rip-off of "The Golden Girls" are mistaken; both are fine situation comedies in their own right but are also very unique and distinct from one another. The only thing common to both is that each show starred four wonderful comedic actresses. It would be great to have some solid programming such as both of these shows on the networks today.
Hilarious, often touching Southern belles
blanche-24 August 2005
Designing Women is a true classic show, certainly with its original cast, offering some of the best characters, chemistry, and scripts ever on television. The people behind the show were the Thomasons, good friends of Bill Clinton from Arkansas, and often, the show expressed their liberal point of view.
Julia, Suzanne, Charlene, Mary Jo etc., have now all passed into syndication where they can be enjoyed all the time. These wonderful actresses fleshed out their characters so were able to laugh, be appalled, and cry with them: Julia, the widow, outspoken with a good heart; Suzanne, her beauty queen sister, selfish, shallow, and lovable; Charlene, the patsy, pretty, sweet, and naive; Mary Jo, the divorcée, struggling with dating and motherhood, self-deprecating and funny. And what can be said about that supporting cast of Meshach Taylor as Anthony and Alice Ghostley as Bernice? Perfect.
Even though I laughed hysterically at many of the episodes, two stand out - one where, during freezing weather, Suzanne and Anthony are stranded at a fleabag hotel for the night; the other was when the girls went on some sort of camping trip and were ordered around by a counselor - I'm vague on the details, but I can still see the look on Charlene and Mary Jo's faces.
Like the Golden Girls, with the loss of one of the cast, in this case Delta Burke, the show suffered, although it was still funny with Julia Duffy and Judith Ivey. But audiences find it difficult to accept new characters as replacements, no matter how good. The chemistry was never the same. Nevertheless, even the later episodes make for great viewing.
Julia, Suzanne, Charlene, Mary Jo etc., have now all passed into syndication where they can be enjoyed all the time. These wonderful actresses fleshed out their characters so were able to laugh, be appalled, and cry with them: Julia, the widow, outspoken with a good heart; Suzanne, her beauty queen sister, selfish, shallow, and lovable; Charlene, the patsy, pretty, sweet, and naive; Mary Jo, the divorcée, struggling with dating and motherhood, self-deprecating and funny. And what can be said about that supporting cast of Meshach Taylor as Anthony and Alice Ghostley as Bernice? Perfect.
Even though I laughed hysterically at many of the episodes, two stand out - one where, during freezing weather, Suzanne and Anthony are stranded at a fleabag hotel for the night; the other was when the girls went on some sort of camping trip and were ordered around by a counselor - I'm vague on the details, but I can still see the look on Charlene and Mary Jo's faces.
Like the Golden Girls, with the loss of one of the cast, in this case Delta Burke, the show suffered, although it was still funny with Julia Duffy and Judith Ivey. But audiences find it difficult to accept new characters as replacements, no matter how good. The chemistry was never the same. Nevertheless, even the later episodes make for great viewing.
Wonderful show that was both groundbreaking yet a window of how much further we needed to go.
alexjohnson-4990431 July 2021
I have ALWAYS adored this show. I think Delta Burke is criminally under- appreciated. The chemistry between the 4 is undeniable. And learning the back rounds of how 3.of the ,4 women's husband were on the show in some way. (Annie Potts is the only one who's spouse never appeared.) This show immediately takes me back to my childhood. Watching with my grandparents during it's first run. However I am really shocked that I am the first person to say anything about the handling of race on this program.
I am not talking about Suzanne though obviously her lack of empathy in anyway for ANYONE not just minorities is part of her characters flaws. No I am talking about the episode where Suzanne wears blackface during a performance. And yes that is something the character would do but the other three don't really do anything more than slightly giggle. As if to say..." Oh that kooky Suzanne. But I think as a black woman myself what bothers me is Anthony's acceptance as well. This could have been a quote " teachable moment" to really help non- minorities understand WHY its so hurtful and not CUTE or funny.
Clearly the writers knew how to make a serious. Subject funny. They wrote a exceptionally good story about Suzanne the beauty queen gaining weight. They actually won a Emmy for it.
Even if it's a little late i think we still can go back and look at this episode to see how we've changed so much for the better. And how all of us can continue to do the same.
I th.
I am not talking about Suzanne though obviously her lack of empathy in anyway for ANYONE not just minorities is part of her characters flaws. No I am talking about the episode where Suzanne wears blackface during a performance. And yes that is something the character would do but the other three don't really do anything more than slightly giggle. As if to say..." Oh that kooky Suzanne. But I think as a black woman myself what bothers me is Anthony's acceptance as well. This could have been a quote " teachable moment" to really help non- minorities understand WHY its so hurtful and not CUTE or funny.
Clearly the writers knew how to make a serious. Subject funny. They wrote a exceptionally good story about Suzanne the beauty queen gaining weight. They actually won a Emmy for it.
Even if it's a little late i think we still can go back and look at this episode to see how we've changed so much for the better. And how all of us can continue to do the same.
I th.
Brilliant comedy
clive-1321 October 2014
This show along with The Golden Girls were the only reasons to watch TV during the last half of the 1980's. Thank God that both series are in syndication and can be seen on numerous channels today. Designing Women was the warmer of the two series, particularly the first five years before the change of cast. Just great writing and brilliant acting took this series to the very top of comedy shows. It was always a hoot to see all the girls supposedly working in an interior decorating company when they never appear to actually be working. Many of the shows featured Julia singing and those were the shows that I liked the best. My other favorite character was played by Jean Smart who unfortunately left the show after the fifth season when she married Bill the serviceman. All in all such a wonderful entertaining show that can still be seen today.
Was this show considered funny when it first came out?
professor_of_gamez17 December 2023
The only thing I can say for sure, is that it's not funny now. Without a laugh track, I would have no idea when I was supposed to laugh.
First "weird" thing ... why did they cast the least attractive of the four women as the "former beauty queen?" Her obnoxious character fits, but that could have been assigned to one of the more attractive actresses.
I am mystified as to why Julia's rants are considered funny. They are all so similar. Do you have to be a woman to get the "humor."?
And why are Suzanne's dumb and mean tirades considered funny? I feel sorry for her.
Charlene isn't the sharpest tool in the box either, but at least she is a nice person.
Mary Jo seems quite pleasant, but she has her share of rants.
To me, Anthony is the only character that is regularly funny, but even he does the occasional rant ... which is just a rant, and I wouldn't know it was supposed to be funny without the laugh track.
First "weird" thing ... why did they cast the least attractive of the four women as the "former beauty queen?" Her obnoxious character fits, but that could have been assigned to one of the more attractive actresses.
I am mystified as to why Julia's rants are considered funny. They are all so similar. Do you have to be a woman to get the "humor."?
And why are Suzanne's dumb and mean tirades considered funny? I feel sorry for her.
Charlene isn't the sharpest tool in the box either, but at least she is a nice person.
Mary Jo seems quite pleasant, but she has her share of rants.
To me, Anthony is the only character that is regularly funny, but even he does the occasional rant ... which is just a rant, and I wouldn't know it was supposed to be funny without the laugh track.
One of a Kind
philhayes8024 August 2018
Did you hear that? The lights went out in Georgia.
The show was one of a kind for every reason.
Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Jan Hooks, Alice Ghostley, Annie Potts, Meshach Taylor, Jean Smart, Judith Ivey etc, were all amazing in the series. The show promoted not only Dixie Carter's on screen presence as a comedic actress but her legacy for her "Terminator" rants and her characters no-non-sense style of dealing with people. Jean's character Charlene needing to know everything, Annie's Mary Jo wanting the best for her children, and even Delta's character Suzanne for providing us with hours of laughter.
Even with what happened behind the scenes, the show remained popular, the first 5 seasons will always be my favourite, with how the characters grew, and even when Delta and Jean left the show tried and even managed to go on for two more seasons, and they never gave up hope.
And with talk now that Designing Women is getting a possible reboot, I hope it can do the original justice. I hope we see how Sugarbakers survived and who runs it now.
So, if you haven't had the chance make sure you catch a few episodes, because its iconic.
The show was one of a kind for every reason.
Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Jan Hooks, Alice Ghostley, Annie Potts, Meshach Taylor, Jean Smart, Judith Ivey etc, were all amazing in the series. The show promoted not only Dixie Carter's on screen presence as a comedic actress but her legacy for her "Terminator" rants and her characters no-non-sense style of dealing with people. Jean's character Charlene needing to know everything, Annie's Mary Jo wanting the best for her children, and even Delta's character Suzanne for providing us with hours of laughter.
Even with what happened behind the scenes, the show remained popular, the first 5 seasons will always be my favourite, with how the characters grew, and even when Delta and Jean left the show tried and even managed to go on for two more seasons, and they never gave up hope.
And with talk now that Designing Women is getting a possible reboot, I hope it can do the original justice. I hope we see how Sugarbakers survived and who runs it now.
So, if you haven't had the chance make sure you catch a few episodes, because its iconic.
Did the reviewers actually watch this show?
susan509618 May 2020
I'm stunned that so many people rated this show a 7. I watched it from the first to the last episode and laughed out loud in nearly every episode that had the four original stars. Like The Golden Girls, it was a show about women for women. If men watched, they learned an awful lot about how women are complex individuals, which is not the way they're often portrayed on television.
I don't think I saw more than a few episodes that should have been rated a seven during the seasons the early seasons. Most were between 8.5 and 10.
This is one of my top five favorite shows and I've been watching television for 63 years.
I don't think I saw more than a few episodes that should have been rated a seven during the seasons the early seasons. Most were between 8.5 and 10.
This is one of my top five favorite shows and I've been watching television for 63 years.
I'm all for female empowerment, but this is mindless dreck
tiffanie_says_stay_in_your_lane13 February 2023
I've tried watching this show more than once, and I just don't see where the humor is. Designing Women is about Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter), who is the president and founder of Sugarbaker & Associates, an interior design firm she runs out of her house. The main designer is Mary Jo Shively (Annie Potts), single mom of two kids. Jean Smart plays Charlene Frazier-Stillfield, Sugarbaker's office manager. Suzanne Sugarbaker (Delta Burke) is Julia's vain and shallow younger sister. She was made silent partner. Sugarbaker's delivery man (who, shocker, is black - played by Meshach Taylor), Anthony Bouiver, is an ex-convict who's attending law school. He later becomes a full partner. The jokes are terrible and the characters' dialogue is so boring. They just sit around and talk about nonsense. I'm a woman, and I find the show to be dumb. That's why I avoid TV shows and movies that are geared towards women. And it's not because I'm sexist - I love seeing actresses portray intelligent female characters. Notice I said intelligent. By that I mean, women who are concerned about other things besides relationships and the size of their breasts. Many shows and films that are targeted towards a female audience are vapid. I find it hard to believe the show's creators, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason, were liberal. With all of the stereotypes, I wouldn't have guessed this show was created by liberals, considering they're supposed to be progressive minded people. Since the show takes place in Atlanta, everyone has an over-exaggerated southern accent. The black male character is a delivery man, and he was in jail. That's nice he was eventually made a partner, but why give the black person the lowest job on the ladder? And why have him be an ex-con as his backstory? Suzanne only dates wealthy older men, and they're usually terminally ill (what the freak, how messed up is that???). And who can forget the episode where she puts on blackface in a talent show because she was impersonating one of the members of the Supremes... That should've been my cue to stop watching, but I went back for more. Sometimes I get annoyed with myself for my own dumbness. My favorite all female sitcom is Facts of Life. They dealt with more serious issues and the characters were teenagers! Designing Women is dated and humorless. Watch something else from the 80s.
Without Delta Burke and Jean Smart, this show floundered
SkippyDevereaux7 March 2001
This show was funny most of the time--and a might preachy some of the time, but always fun to watch. As long as Delta Burke and Jean Smart were on the show, it really was great, but when these two funny women left the show, it went downhill FAST!! That means that the first five years of the show were the best and should not be missed. Suzanne, Charlene and Anthony were the funniest characters on this show and Julia was too preachy, while Mary Jo was a pain in the neck--always whining about something!!
Great, Funny Show
zombiemockingbird1 December 2019
Loved this show for 5 seasons. It was witty, funny, sad, sentimental and had a lot of good moral lessons; like Suzanne's speech at her high school reunion after everyone made fun of her for being fat. Sometimes the producers pushed their personal political agenda too much, but overall it all evened out. Delta Burke and Dixie Carter carried the show with solid support from Jean Smart, Annie Potts, Meshach Taylor and Alice Ghostly. When Delta and Jean left, the show took a real nose dive. I just don't like Julia Duffy. I will give her the benefit of the doubt and say it's the characters she plays; I didn't like her on Newhart either. A lot of the problem was that she wasn't southern, and it threw off the cohesiveness of the characters. Jan Hooks was okay, but the show just didn't work anymore without Delta and Jean. When Judith Ivey joined in Season 7 it was on it's way to being good again; but by that point it was too late to save it, the audience was gone. I'm amazed at reviews that say the show wasn't funny; they must not have watched the same shows I was watching. Also people who kept comparing it to the Golden Girls; aside from being four women, I don't find them at all similar.
The Southern Belles of Atlanta
carleeaves16 February 2020
Designing Women is four friends that work together at a firm called Sugarbakers. Each of the characters has a distinct personality. The show has good and sad times. It's approach to realism is southern style. I know this because I am from the South.
Remembering one of the all-time classic sitcoms
mark.waltz21 December 2000
Warning: Spoilers
One of the funniest "Designing Women" moments never even happened on the show; it was on the short-lived series "The Edge". Shortly after Julia Duffy came on the show, "The Edge" spoofed the show in a hilarious skit where a 50-foot Delta Burke shows up, rips off the roof, and after exchanging some wise cracks with the group, eats one of them (Julia, I think), then storms through Atlanta creating havoc. Although the written description of this skit can't possibly describe its hilarity, it did spoof the irreverance of the character's sense of humors and their relationships with each other.
Terminator Julia (Dixie Carter, my favorite) had a loving if strained relationship with her selfish sister Suzanne (Delta Burke), while sassy but sensible Mary Jo (Annie Potts) had a very close friendship with all of them, especially the not-so-dumb Charlene (Jean Smart). Charlene was more of an innocent, lost in her own naive world yet was quite intelligent in her own way. The "fifth" of the clan was black ex-con Anthony (Meshach Taylor) who had a way of always walking in during a "female" discussion which would ultimately embarrass him.
Then, there was a bizarre array of recurring characters, most notably the wacky Bernice (Alice Ghostley), the dizzy senior citizen "with the arterial flow problem to the brain", who always had a wonderfully hilarious comment for everything. She reminded me of the hard-of-hearing Emily Latella from "Saturday Night Live" with her wacky comments, and every episode with her was a highlight of the show. Carter's real-life husband, Hal Holbrook, was memorable as well as Julia's attorney lover.
Yes, there were some serious social issue episodes, but this was a show created with that purpose. The writers were not afraid to explore these issues, and in most cases, they were very successful. I adored Julia because she was not just a one-dimensional opinionated woman; she showed tenderness on many occasions. However, cross her with an issue which upset her, and you would feel her wrath. She often exploded on Suzanne, but on a few occasions, she felt a true sympathy for Suzanne's well- meaning flaws. She also had a soft spot for Anthony, and was proud of the fact that he could put his past behind him and become successful.
Suzanne on the other hand had a soft spot she hid behind her seemingly selfish nature. She could be self- serving at one moment, then totally sympathetic the next. Her love/hate relationship with Anthony was one of the show's highlights, as was her hysterical love for her pet pig, Noelle.
Mary Jo was probably the most sensible of the four women; unlike Julia, she saw things from a more widened point of view. Wacky situations came to her by chance; she didn't invite them like the others did because of their eccentricities. Charlene was both touching and funny, an innocent woman the others felt they had to protect. However, she had a strong streak out of her goodness and big heart, winning the respect of the others at Sugarbaker's.
Julia Duffy came on after Delta Burke's departure. As the obnoxious Allison, Julia's cousin, Duffy played a character hiding behind her deep insecurities by being overly obnoxious and opinionated. While she could be funny, her character was not as developed as the other women. Jan Hook's Carleen was funny and lovable; not naive like sister Charlene, but more of an overly happy woman. I loved when she tried to be more like Julia because she looked like a little girl playing dress-up.
Until recently, I had only seen a few episodes with Judith Ivey, whom I think is one of the funniest women on TV today. I found her character much more likable than either Suzanne or Allison, making her fit in better as the show concluded. Yet, she was not overly nice like Carlene or Charlene, but just a good old gal whom everybody could not help but love. "Designing Women" itself could be hysterical (Julia getting her head stuck in a bannister; Bernice having a nose job and looking like Miss Piggy; Suzanne gluing her lips shut, etc....) or very, very touching.
The episode which stands out as the most touching was the hour-long episode where Charlene gives birth, and Julia meets a 100 year old black woman (played by the fabulous Beah Richards). Who could not help but weep when Charlene is handed her baby while angel Dolly Parton escorts the old woman, who has died, into heaven, while she is singing "Somewhere Out There". It was presented in a way which was full of emotion; human, yet not manipulative. It is an episode I watch between Christmas and New Year's every year (as it took place on New Year's Eve 1989) and consider one of the best sitcom episodes ever made.
"Designing Women" slowly shrunk in ratings after the departure of Delta Burke, but went out on a high note with a "Gone With the Wind" spoof where all of the female characters (including Bernice) fantasize about being Scarlett O'Hara. To end the series, the producers gave a wonderful closing to the delightful Alice Ghostley by having her have the last moments to herself of the series as she fantasizes about Anthony being Rhett to her Scarlett. It was a hysterically funny (and touching) way to end a fabulous show.
Terminator Julia (Dixie Carter, my favorite) had a loving if strained relationship with her selfish sister Suzanne (Delta Burke), while sassy but sensible Mary Jo (Annie Potts) had a very close friendship with all of them, especially the not-so-dumb Charlene (Jean Smart). Charlene was more of an innocent, lost in her own naive world yet was quite intelligent in her own way. The "fifth" of the clan was black ex-con Anthony (Meshach Taylor) who had a way of always walking in during a "female" discussion which would ultimately embarrass him.
Then, there was a bizarre array of recurring characters, most notably the wacky Bernice (Alice Ghostley), the dizzy senior citizen "with the arterial flow problem to the brain", who always had a wonderfully hilarious comment for everything. She reminded me of the hard-of-hearing Emily Latella from "Saturday Night Live" with her wacky comments, and every episode with her was a highlight of the show. Carter's real-life husband, Hal Holbrook, was memorable as well as Julia's attorney lover.
Yes, there were some serious social issue episodes, but this was a show created with that purpose. The writers were not afraid to explore these issues, and in most cases, they were very successful. I adored Julia because she was not just a one-dimensional opinionated woman; she showed tenderness on many occasions. However, cross her with an issue which upset her, and you would feel her wrath. She often exploded on Suzanne, but on a few occasions, she felt a true sympathy for Suzanne's well- meaning flaws. She also had a soft spot for Anthony, and was proud of the fact that he could put his past behind him and become successful.
Suzanne on the other hand had a soft spot she hid behind her seemingly selfish nature. She could be self- serving at one moment, then totally sympathetic the next. Her love/hate relationship with Anthony was one of the show's highlights, as was her hysterical love for her pet pig, Noelle.
Mary Jo was probably the most sensible of the four women; unlike Julia, she saw things from a more widened point of view. Wacky situations came to her by chance; she didn't invite them like the others did because of their eccentricities. Charlene was both touching and funny, an innocent woman the others felt they had to protect. However, she had a strong streak out of her goodness and big heart, winning the respect of the others at Sugarbaker's.
Julia Duffy came on after Delta Burke's departure. As the obnoxious Allison, Julia's cousin, Duffy played a character hiding behind her deep insecurities by being overly obnoxious and opinionated. While she could be funny, her character was not as developed as the other women. Jan Hook's Carleen was funny and lovable; not naive like sister Charlene, but more of an overly happy woman. I loved when she tried to be more like Julia because she looked like a little girl playing dress-up.
Until recently, I had only seen a few episodes with Judith Ivey, whom I think is one of the funniest women on TV today. I found her character much more likable than either Suzanne or Allison, making her fit in better as the show concluded. Yet, she was not overly nice like Carlene or Charlene, but just a good old gal whom everybody could not help but love. "Designing Women" itself could be hysterical (Julia getting her head stuck in a bannister; Bernice having a nose job and looking like Miss Piggy; Suzanne gluing her lips shut, etc....) or very, very touching.
The episode which stands out as the most touching was the hour-long episode where Charlene gives birth, and Julia meets a 100 year old black woman (played by the fabulous Beah Richards). Who could not help but weep when Charlene is handed her baby while angel Dolly Parton escorts the old woman, who has died, into heaven, while she is singing "Somewhere Out There". It was presented in a way which was full of emotion; human, yet not manipulative. It is an episode I watch between Christmas and New Year's every year (as it took place on New Year's Eve 1989) and consider one of the best sitcom episodes ever made.
"Designing Women" slowly shrunk in ratings after the departure of Delta Burke, but went out on a high note with a "Gone With the Wind" spoof where all of the female characters (including Bernice) fantasize about being Scarlett O'Hara. To end the series, the producers gave a wonderful closing to the delightful Alice Ghostley by having her have the last moments to herself of the series as she fantasizes about Anthony being Rhett to her Scarlett. It was a hysterically funny (and touching) way to end a fabulous show.
discriminating and not in a funny way
dr-soso_9998 March 2023
I finished The Golden Girls & it was 10 out of 10, a show which respect women and funny for all times. Then I was looking for something like it in that era, I saw half of season one and couldn't continue at all!
It really 4 women discriminating womanhood and think that's funny! They make you feel bad to be a women yourself. Racism about age, body shape among others. And its really not funny at all. I don't think these kind of shows is accepted nowadays.
The fashion, styling, location and decor is really amazing tho. The acting is good, the script is very bad and boring non the less very expected.
It really 4 women discriminating womanhood and think that's funny! They make you feel bad to be a women yourself. Racism about age, body shape among others. And its really not funny at all. I don't think these kind of shows is accepted nowadays.
The fashion, styling, location and decor is really amazing tho. The acting is good, the script is very bad and boring non the less very expected.
Tornado Watch
Nick-33729 May 2001
I just saw an episode of Designing Women entitled "Tornado Watch". In my opinion this was the best episode of the entire series. The writers and actors were at their peak of hilarity when they produced this little gem back in 1990. I've seen it many times and it never fails to make me laugh out loud. This particular episode had all the elements that made Designing Women one of the best television sitcoms in history. Dim-witted Charlene Stillfield makes a home video to send back to her hillbilly clan in Poplar Bluff. Aging beauty queen Suzanne Sugarbaker at her most 'PMS-on-a-diet' bitchy, shrieks "Happy Anniversary, Lois and Shimmy!" into Charlene's camcorder. Sassy single mother Mary Jo Shively is whining about some sexist pig again. Feminist Julia Sugarbaker is her usual cool-collected self but getting more frazzled by the minute. Ditzy senior-citizen Bernice Clifton drops by and so does Daddy Jones, an old mountain man. When Daddy breaks out the moonshine things really get zany. Ex-con Anthony Bouvier and his annoying girlfriend Vanessa groove to motown tunes in the background. It's an all-out madcap party. As Bernice and Daddy Jones dirty dance, Julia delivers the funniest line of the show, "I don't ever wanna see anything like this in my home again." Then, a nerdy client drunk on moonshine, strips down to bikini briefs and proceeds to sexually harass all the women. Luckily, a tornado rips through Sugarbaker's before things get too out of hand. The next day as everyone cleans up the mess, Charlene's outrageous home video airs on CNN...the perfect ending to this perfect episode. Many thanks to Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Jean Smart, Annie Potts, Meshach Taylor and Alice Ghostley for making us laugh for seven great seasons. Now we can see them all again everyday on Lifetime. Enjoy!
A must-see CBS hit!
Catherine_Grace_Zeh22 January 2006
"DESIGNING WOMEN," in my opinion, is a must-see CBS hit! Despite the fact that I've never seen every episode, I still enjoyed it. My favorite one is the one where Mary Jo (Annie Potts) got her head stuck between the banister rails in the house. Also, I really loved the theme song. I just can't believe that Delta Burke (Suzanne) and Jean Smart (Charlene) weren't with the show throughout its entire run. Everyone always gave a good performance, the production design was spectacular, the costumes were well-designed, and the writing was always very strong. In conclusion, even though it can be seen on Lifetime now, I strongly recommend you catch it just in case it goes off the air for good.
Sitcom Perfection
boidiva0231 May 2009
"Designing Women" is one of those rare shows that is utter perfection from start to finish. Each and every character is truly defined from the first scene of the pilot until the last frame of the finale. The cast is glorious and the writing pitch perfect. You will literally laugh until you can't laugh anymore. Delta Burke as uppity aging beauty queen Suzanne Sugarbaker is the glue that holds this show together. The show started to flounder when she left the series but rebounded with the casting of Judity Ivey as B.J. Poteet. Linda Bloodworth-Thomason the creator/writer/executive producer of this show flawlessly created a world in which these hilarious characters could exist without seeming unrealistic or over the top. At times the show could seem preachy to some but the delivery of the lines and the overall performance always made up for that. your sides will ache from watching this show it is hilarious.
Funny, comedic, southern style, laugh-out loud
spencerdietrich-9841824 July 2023
Designing Women is a great comedy sitcom, starring Delta Burke as Suzanne Sugarbaker, Dixie Carter as Julia Sugarbaker, Annie Potts as Mary Jo Shively, Jean Smart as Charlene Frazier/Stillfield, Meshach Taylor as Anthony Bouvier, Julia Duffy as Allison Sugarbaker, Jan Hooks as Carlene Frazier/Dobber, and Judith Ivey as B. J. Poteet. This comedy sitcom brings the Southern style to Atlanta! These four ladies and one gentleman run their decorating business in Atlanta! This sitcom brings us back to the Atlanta routes in the 1980s! Julia is famous for her no-nonsense speeches! Thank you for this!!!
As A True Southern Belle, I Adore This Show!!
Bacall-32 December 1998
I know most episodes word for glorious word, and hope that Designing Women stays in syndication for a long time. It would be wonderful to see a reunion between the main characters, Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Jean Smart and Annie Potts. The recurring themes to the show are the strong-willed Julia's many social campaigns and commentaries, and the ultra-feminine Suzanne as her manipulative yet sexy counterpart. I rather see myself in both characters, and feel that Southern women are portrayed pretty accurately in the show. We are very feminine, yet strong as Steel Magnolias. I live in Atlanta, and wish that I knew 4 wonderful friends as spunky and interesting as these main characters.
Great Show
needles-pins15 September 2019
Designing Women was WAY before it's time! It is relavant to the Women's Tell All Movement of today. The show should have gone to the big screen with such a great cast and the stellar performances they gave and with no profanities!
Bring it back so the audiences can see good humor with the correct language.
A witty and wonderful show
sadierose3 August 2003
This show had a lot of wit and humor. It was such a greatly written show about issues that were (and still are) important. They were brought to light for others to learn and understand.
Additionally, the comedy was hilarious. I found the women to be fantastic characters and the actresses did such wonderful jobs. I loved the speeches Julia fired upon people, the useless stories Charlene recalled, the wit that Mary Jo displayed, and the way that Suzanne was ignorant and it was done in such a humorous and revealing way. I just think this show was ingenious!
Additionally, the comedy was hilarious. I found the women to be fantastic characters and the actresses did such wonderful jobs. I loved the speeches Julia fired upon people, the useless stories Charlene recalled, the wit that Mary Jo displayed, and the way that Suzanne was ignorant and it was done in such a humorous and revealing way. I just think this show was ingenious!
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