The Golden Edge

Jun 3 2010 6:24 PM EDT 8,040
Betty White Says Rue McClanahan's Death 'Hurts More Than I Ever Thought'
White is now last surviving 'Golden Girl.'

By MTV News staff
"McClanahan had suffered a minor stroke earlier this year while recovering from triple bypass surgery. McClanahan's rep told the magazine that at the time of her death Thursday, McClanahan "had her family with her. She went in peace."
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640725/20100603/white_betty.jhtml

Well, just like Mom said about the famous, "They always go in threes." Dennis Hopper, Gary Coleman, and now Rue.

The first time I ever saw Rue, it was an episode of "All in the Family" and Rue was playing the wife of a swinging couple looking to get frisky with Archie and Edith. This was very risque' for early 70's TV and her performance was edgy.

The next role I saw her in was as the neighbor on the sitcom, "Maude", with Bea Arthur. This again, was a pretty edgy role, discussing taboos like menopause and breast cancer. I always felt a tad disconnected from her characters; that might be because I was a prepubescent boy being educated on "scary" topics by a woman I didn't altogether trust.

By the time "Golden Girls" came along, I was an adult and knew exactly the type of woman Rue was playing. I laugh at her, and with her, though I never quite lost that repulsion attraction thing that happens with scary childhood stuff.

This is what I clearly do understand. Another era is closing, and we're watching those of us who led us in show us the way out. We'll miss them, and hopefully be comforted and entertained by their image for many years to come.