Wherever You Are...

Bea Arthur to me, was one of the funniest, talented, most intelligent broads to ever hit show biz. I'm slightly too young to have fully embraced all of her work as much as I did The Golden Girls (one of the best cast chemistries EVER), yet that classic alone is worth many tributes. Add her noteworthy stage career, Maude, and the Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson (seriously, check that one out if you haven't) and it's hard to see her as anything other than icon. She was tall and husky and not the norm for her day or any. Gotta love that.



She was an important pioneer for television. I know I'm not the first to applaud the undertaking of abortion (and countless other issues) on her show Maude, but I say it again. It took guts to give voice to controversy like that, and she did it realistically and with her own brand of tough cookie heart. That 's one of the most affable things about her. The line between what seemed to be her own endearing sensibilities and that of her characters were always blurred to an expert degree. I dare you to watch an episode of the Double G and not feel as if you know her, and are better for it. It's a toughie. She's your elder aunt that don't take no shit from no one, and it's comforting to feel a part of it in that way. Whatever age I am re-visiting any of her work, that holds true.



I am truly chagrined that I wasn't around to partake of her performances on stage, but you could always see that influence regardless of medium. She made holding for laughs an art form, and I mean that as an actor and as a fan. I shudder to think what the current landscape of t.v. would resemble without Ms. Arthur's cocked eyebrow of slow burn incredulity...it would be a lot less witty and a lot more safe. I'm so thankful she was here, and shared with us all she did.


Someone close to Bea stated that she was one of the few performers on earth that didn't need dialogue or pratfalls to get roaring laughter. That sums it up pretty well, and makes her passing today so poignant for so many. Thanks for scoring one for the ballsy ladies, and for being so damned entertaining. Tell Ma hi for us.


Here's to one of the greats.