Mabel Munoz
Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?
Syl
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.
dwr246
This was a delightful series that had a little trouble catching on, and never recovered after two of the major players left at the same time. In its halcyon days, it was witty, irreverent, intelligent, and altogether a lot of fun.The series revolved around four women who ran a design firm together in Atlanta, Georgia. Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter) was an intelligent and outspoken woman, who ran the business out of her house. Her sister Suzanne (Delta Burke) was an oft married - and divorced - aging beauty queen, who, while also outspoken, lacked her sister's intelligence and sensitivity. Mary Jo Shively (Annie Potts) was a divorced mother of two, still trying to get her confidence back after the end of her marriage. Office manager Charlene Frazier (Jean Smart) was a country girl with a heart of gold, if not the most sense in the world. They were assisted by delivery man, and eventual partner, Anthony Bouvier (Meshach Taylor), the lone male and the lone black in the business, an ex-con who seemed surprisingly comfortable spending the bulk of his time with four white women. After Burke and Smart left the show in 1991, two new characters were introduced, Allison Sugarbaker (Julia Duffy, the kiss of death to every sitcom she's ever been in except for Newheart), an erstwhile cousin who was obnoxious, self absorbed, and completely unlikeable, and Carlene Dobber (Jan Hooks), Charlene's sister, who was nothing but a dim witted country bumpkin. Fortunately, Duffy left after a year, but by then it was too late to save the series, which limped along to its close with Judith Ivey playing a new partner, the rich, widowed B. J. Poteet.Guest stars were frequent, and several played characters which recurred with great frequency. Hal Holbrook (Carter's real life husband) played Reese Watson, Julia's love interest for the first several seasons until he left to do Evening Shade. Gerald McRaney (who eventually became Burke's real life husband) played one of Suzanne's ex-husbands. Richard Gilliland (who married Jean Smart after meeting her on the set - see the pattern here) played Mary Jo's boyfriend for the first few seasons. And the dashing Douglas Barr (who apparently was not involved with any other cast member) played Col. Bill Stillfield, the man Charlene eventually married. The favorite by far, however, was Alice Ghostley as Bernice Clifton, an eccentric with a joie de vivre which left the others stunned.In the beginning, the series sparkled with wit and humor as it dealt with the lives of these four women, so different, and yet so similar. Julia's passion for life, justice, and feminism was revealed in fiery, but incredibly humorous long winded speeches. Suzanne's brash self-absorption contrasted well with her vulnerability and her loyalty to those she loved. Mary Jo's growing sense of self was handled quite well. And Charlene's hopeless romanticism culminated in her marriage and her gracefully rising to the challenges of being a military wife and a working mother. In its hay day, the series also took on some interesting issues - AIDS, sexuality, death and dying, menopause, among others. Unfortunately, after Burke and Smart left, the writing took a turn for the worse, losing its sparkle, and settling for silliness instead of wit.Like many sit-coms of its era, this one stayed on the air a little too long, and I personally found the last two seasons very regrettable. But the rest of the series was a jewel which still gives pleasure to those who view it.
sadierose
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!
DixieCarter4Life
I LOVE "Designing Women" I've been a fan for years now! And I'm a HUGE Dixie Carter fan! In my opinion "Designing Women" is the BEST show that was ever put on tv. I wish there would be more, good ole shows like "Designing Women" Don't get me wrong, I like the new shows out, like "Any Day Now" and "Family Law" but I think everyone who's a "Designing Women" fan would have to say "Designing Women" was well written, had 'true' stories that people could relate to, and much much much more! But probably one of the biggest thing that made the show such a hit had to be the actresses! They had the BEST casting.... I LOVE every single one of the actresses on the show! And Meshach Taylor is a wonderful actor, as well as Hal Holbrook (Hal the Hottie), Gerald McRaney, and Douglas Barr, and of course all the rest of the guest stars! My favorite guest star was for sure was Ginna and Mary Dixie Carter! They were both wonderful when they starred, and I hope they become just like their Momma! I will for sure be a huge fan! But all in all, "Designing Women" is the best show that ever was, and will continue to be!
