How 'The Golden Girls' Rank In TV's Best Gal Pals

Whenever I'm feeling a little blue and in the need of a little pick me up, I can always count on Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia to cheer me up. The Golden Girls is one of those timeless series that I can watch over and over again and still find something new to love about it. The landmark comedy premiered 30 years ago and made grey the new black. In 1985 it was rare to have a TV series about four single women living together and it was especially rare to have all of its stars be well over Hollywood's age standard. However, no amount of sexism or ageism in the industry could stop The Golden Girls from taking television by storm.

The series has been on prime time and syndication for my entire life. I grew up watching Miami's most fashionable and sassiest broads on sick days and lazy, rainy weekends. They turned the stereotype of old age on its head and made growing older seem fun and full of newness instead of the tired and grim stereotype its often made out to be.

All four of the gals were whip-smart, independent, and sexual beings — The Golden Girls was ahead of its time in many, many ways and for that I am thankful. I am especially grateful for its depiction of female friendship. I learned a lot from the show about how much women take care of each other.

Let's take a look at how The Golden Girls rank amongst TV's most famous gal pal gangs.

7. Hannah, Marnie, Shoshanna, & Jessa

The absolute worst example of female friendship currently on television, in my opinion. All of these girls are selfish and cruel to each other. They've slept with each other's exes, abandoned each other at their most dire moments, and not supported each other in their decisions because of jealously or pettiness. Worst. Worst. Worst.

6. Spencer, Hanna, Aria, & Emily

These gals might stick together, but there's too much drama to be really worth all the hassle here.

5. The Litchfield Inmates

Sure, Poussey and Taystee are the definition of loyalty, but there's too much (literal) backstabbing in Litchfield for any friendship to feel safe. Pennsatucky turned her back on her followers and now she's paired up with Big Boo, but who knows how long that'll last. I'd like to believe these women have each other's backs no matter what, but their environment just doesn't allow for it. Nevertheless, the moments of real compassion between the inmates makes up for all of the outcasting and starvation... OK, maybe not.

4. Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, & Charlotte

The heart of Sex and The City was never really sex — it was the friendship between its fierce foursome. We saw each woman in their proudest and most vulnerable moments and through it all, they supported each other. Most importantly, when the SATC women were bad friends, they owned up to it and made up for it. They really made it through thick and thin with each other... and through a lot of ridiculous outfits.

3. Rachel, Monica, & Phoebe

Though it's always fun to see the women of Friends go off in different pairings, they are always at their best when they're together. The three women made some of the series most iconic moments: the wedding dresses, when they all helped Rachel pack up her room, and when they found out Rachel was pregnant at Monica's wedding. There was an unbreakable bond between them and in a way, they were always each other's lobsters.

2. Leslie, Anne, Donna, & April

As different as all of these women were, and as different as their relationships are to each other, what binds them is how deeply they all care. It's rare in TV that there's a show about people being nice to each other, but that's what Parks and Rec was. Even dark and gloomy April was a big 'ol softie on the inside. Whether it was Donna helping Anne learn how to flirt; Leslie helping April find her path; Anne helping April with vet school; or Leslie throwing all of them an unforgettable Galentine's Day and constantly showering them with elaborate compliments and gifts, the women of Pawnee's Parks and Rec department define sisterhood.

1. Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, & Sophia

The Golden Girls are the best of the best. They set the standard for how groups of women can and should be on television. They faced a brand new chapter in their lives together with bravery and humor. Each of their personalities shone through and they were as wonderful together as they were off on their own. They always had each other to come home to, and they proved that female friendship can weather any storm. Thank you for being a friend, Girls.

Images: NBC, Giphy (7)