EstelleGetty.com has reopened their guestbook so that fans and well-wishers are once again able to post their thoughts, feelings and condolences to the late Golden Girl Estelle Getty. The guestbook was taken offline at the time of her death last week but has since been reopened so that fans an post messages … here is the message that I posted last night:

Much love to Pink reader Kevin for giving me the head’s up about this … I am very happy to be able to post a message of remembrance and thanks for Estelle on her official website and I’m sure there are many folks out there who would like to do the same. Send your thoughts, send your thanks and, most of all, send your lurve.

[Source; thanks Kevin]

Yesterday I reported that Lifetime TV is airing a 10-episode marathon of Sophia Petrillo-centric episodes of The Golden Girls tomorrow afternoon from 12PM - 5PM in honor of the passing of Estelle Getty but the network has added one more extra little tribute to her memory. Lifetime has been showing a brief memorial to Estelle at the end of each re-run episode of the show that they’ve been airing since her passing:

Yeah, it’s nothing fancy or elaborate but it’s a nice tribute to the amazing Estelle Getty, especially since the network airs eps of The Golden Girls 6 times per day (9, 9:30AM, 4, 4:30PM and 1, 1:30AM).

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Pink reader Cindy gave me the head’s up that Lifetime TV, the network which currently owns the syndication rights to The Golden Girls, has announced that they are planning a 10 episode tribute marathon in memory of the late Estelle Getty. Starting at 12PM this Friday afternoon, Lifetime will air a series of 10 Sophia Petrillo-centric episodes in her memory … and they are asking that fans vote for the 10th ep to end the marathon tribute:

Friday, July 25, from 12 noon to 5 pm et/pt, see a special on-air tribute to Estelle Getty, who played the cantankerous Sophia Petrillo on “The Golden Girls.” Ms. Getty passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at age 84. We’ll air 10 episodes showcasing the actress’s character, Sophia, in all her blustering, sarcastic splendor. The final episode shown will be one picked by the fans, so vote for your favorite Sophia moment now.

Click HERE to cast your vote, my pick is for the episode entitled Old Friends … I think that ep would be the most poignant episode to end the marathon (additionally, Old Friends is on my Best Of list of Golden Girls eps). I’m actually surprised that NBC (the network that originated The Golden Girls) hasn’t offered any public tributes to Estelle, at least, none that I could find (not even a mention on their website). The Golden Girls formed the foundation of their Must See TV line-up in the mid-80’s and did much to help the network soar to success. I think it would’ve been nice if they offered some sort of tribute to her.

PS: I don’t know if this t-shirt by Glen Hanson is still available but HERE is info from his site about the shirt.

[Source, thanks Cindy]

Rue McClanahan, who played the sexpot Blanche Devereaux, has released a statement about the passing of her Golden Girls co-star Estelle Getty (who played Sophia Petrillo) following released statements from both Bea Arthur and Betty White (who played Dorothy Zbornak and Rose Nylund respectively). You may sadly recall that Estelle passed away yesterday morning at the age of 84:

“Estelle always wanted to be an actress and she achieved that goal beyond her dreams. Don’t feel sad about her passing, she will always be with us in her crowning achievement.”

I understand where Rue’s sentiments are coming from but it’s hard not to be sad … it kinda feels like losing a grandmother. At the same time, it’s easy to want to celebrate Estelle’s life … she was a comedic giant. I plan on keeping the banner tribute to Estelle Getty at the top of my blog for at least a week’s time. She is sorely missed.

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Bea Arthur and Betty White issued statements to US Weekly to pay tribute to and mourn the loss of their Golden Girls co-star and friend, Estelle Getty, who passed away at the age of 84 years old earlier this morning:

Bea Arthur has released a statement to Usmagzine.com after the death of her Golden Girls co-star Estelle Getty: “Our mother-daughter relationship was one of the greatest comic duos ever, and I will miss her” … Saddened by the news, Betty White (who played the naïve Rose) told Us, “The only comfort at this moment is that although Estelle has moved on, Sophia will always be with us.”

Again, this is very sad news … I imagine it is very difficult for those people who knew Estelle and were close to her but I know that legions of fans are feeling the loss today as well. It’s hard to imagine the feisty Sophia Petrillo succumbing to death … I think Betty White is absolutely right in her belief that Sophia will always be with us. Her legacy will truly live on … even still, this is just really sad news.

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