The Golden Girls backdrop
Comedy

The Worst Episodes of The Golden Girls

Every episode of The Golden Girls ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Golden Girls!

Binge this in 2d 23h•Peaking at 9.3/10

Four Southern Florida seniors share a house, their dreams, and a whole lot of cheesecake. Bright, promiscuous, clueless and hilarious, these lovely, mismatched ladies form the perfect circle of friends.

Airs on
NBC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons7

All1234567

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 26 - Empty Nests
    3.6/10(1071 votes)

    #1 - Empty Nests

    S2:E26

    In this pilot for another series (Empty Nest, obviously the concept was retooled), the girls' friend Renee is feeling depressed and lonely with her children grown up and moved out and her husband's workaholic habits.

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Susan Harris

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Golden Girls Season 5 Episode 25 - The President's Coming! The President's Coming! (1)
    6.1/10(440 votes)

    #2 - The President's Coming! The President's Coming! (1)

    S5:E25

    An FBI agent investigates the girls' life's for a possible visit from President Bush. This leads the girls to reminisce about times they have spent together.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Gail Parent, Robert Bruce

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 24 - Mister Terrific
    6.2/10(580 votes)

    #3 - Mister Terrific

    S3:E24

    Rose begins to date "Mr. Terrific," a kiddie show host, who gets fired when Dorothy gets a part-time job as a consultant on the show, a job he helped her get.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Golden Girls Season 5 Episode 26 - The President's Coming! The President's Coming! (2)
    6.2/10(442 votes)

    #4 - The President's Coming! The President's Coming! (2)

    S5:E26

    When the FBI agent announces that George Bush will make a visit to their home, the girls continue to reminisce and Dorothy quickly readies a list of points she wants to make to the president.

    Director:Unknown
    Writers:Tom Whedon, Marc Cherry

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Golden Girls Season 6 Episode 24 - Never Yell Fire in a Crowded Retirement Home (1)
    6.4/10(433 votes)

    #5 - Never Yell Fire in a Crowded Retirement Home (1)

    S6:E24

    The deathbed confession of an ex-patient at Shady Pines, means bad news for Sophia, since in her confession she stated that Sophia and her stated the 1985 Shady Pines fire.

    Director:Matthew Diamond
    Writers:Richard Vaczy, Tracy Gamble, Mitchell Hurwitz, Tom Whedon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Golden Girls Season 4 Episode 26 - We're Outta Here (2)
    6.5/10(440 votes)

    #6 - We're Outta Here (2)

    S4:E26

    Blanche debates on whether or not to sell the house as her and the rest of the girls recall times they have spent together (via flashbacks).

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Golden Girls

    READ
  7. The Golden Girls Season 6 Episode 25 - Never Yell Fire in a Crowded Retirement Home (2)
    6.5/10(421 votes)

    #7 - Never Yell Fire in a Crowded Retirement Home (2)

    S6:E25

    Sophia cannot recall the events that lead to the Shady Pines fire.

    Director:Matthew Diamond
    Writers:Richard Vaczy, Tracy Gamble, Mitchell Hurwitz, Tom Whedon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Golden Girls Season 4 Episode 18 - Fiddler on the Ropes
    6.6/10(505 votes)

    #8 - Fiddler on the Ropes

    S4:E18

    Without the consent of the other girls, Sophia sinks their life savings in, Pepe, a prize fighter. However, on the eve of the fight, the girls discover Pepe missing and make a shocking discovery.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Golden Girls Season 4 Episode 25 - We're Outta Here (1)
    6.6/10(451 votes)

    #9 - We're Outta Here (1)

    S4:E25

    Blanche, Dorothy and Rose return home from a play to discover Sophia in the midst of selling the house. It's later discovered a for sale sign was accidentally placed on the front lawn but Blanche begins to consider it after seeing the amount that she's offered.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 18 - Golden Moments (1)
    6.7/10(486 votes)

    #10 - Golden Moments (1)

    S3:E18

    Sophia announces her intentions of moving out and in with her son Phil. This prompts the girls to reminisce about the good times and the bad times they've had together.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 19 - Golden Moments (2)
    6.7/10(479 votes)

    #11 - Golden Moments (2)

    S3:E19

    As Sophia makes up her mind on whether or not to move in with her son, the girls continue to reminisce about the years they've shared together.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Winifred Hervey

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Golden Girls Season 5 Episode 10 - All That Jazz
    7.0/10(458 votes)

    #12 - All That Jazz

    S5:E10

    Dorothy's son, Michael, shows up on her doorstep with news that he's separated with his wife and needs a place to stay. However, Dorothy quickly gets tired of his freeloading and dumps him on Stan. Meanwhile, Rose's stress is getting terrible and is reluctant to talk to her boss about cutting back on her "things-to-do" list.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Robert Bruce

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Golden Girls Season 1 Episode 16 - The Truth Will Out
    7.1/10(737 votes)

    #13 - The Truth Will Out

    S1:E16

    Rose is apprehensive about a visit from her daughter and granddaughter, since their reason for coming is to settle Rose's late-husband's will. Meanwhile, Blanche gets caught up in the tabloids of a society murder.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Susan Beavers

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Golden Girls Season 1 Episode 24 - Big Daddy
    7.1/10(681 votes)

    #14 - Big Daddy

    S1:E24

    Blanche's father, Big Daddy, comes to Miami for a visit, with an announcement, he's sold the family plantation and is setting out to become a country singer. Meanwhile, Sophia places a curse on a neighbor who refuses to remove his tree that fell over onto the lanai during a storm.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 7 - Family Affair
    7.1/10(647 votes)

    #15 - Family Affair

    S2:E7

    Dorothy's son, Michael, and Rose's daughter, Bridget, each come to Miami for a visit and each of them become a little too friendly for Dorothy and Rose's liking. Meanwhile, Blanche hurts her back in aerobics class.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Winifred Hervey

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 23 - Son-In-Law Dearest
    7.1/10(571 votes)

    #16 - Son-In-Law Dearest

    S2:E23

    Dorothy's daughter, Kate is coming for a visit and has a big announcement. Dorothy is excited when she thinks the announcement is going to be that Kate is pregnant. However, when Kate arrives, her announcement is far from exciting. Meanwhile, Blanche and Rose stay up and watch an "I Love Lucy" marathon.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Harriett Weiss, Patt Shea

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 14 - Blanche's Little Girl
    7.1/10(682 votes)

    #17 - Blanche's Little Girl

    S3:E14

    Blanche is thrilled by a visit from her daughter, Rebecca, an ex-model who has now gained quite a bit of weight. Also visiting with Rebecca is her oafish beau who constantly puts down her weight. The kicker: she's thinking of marrying him.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Golden Girls Season 1 Episode 6 - On Golden Girls
    7.2/10(897 votes)

    #18 - On Golden Girls

    S1:E6

    Blanche's 14-year old grandson comes to Miami for a visit and brings a new meaning to the term "generation gap." Meanwhile, Dorothy studies for her French final.

    Director:Jim Drake
    Writer:Liz Sage

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Golden Girls Season 1 Episode 14 - That Was No Lady
    7.2/10(739 votes)

    #19 - That Was No Lady

    S1:E14

    Dorothy latest boyfriend Glen gives her a shock when he tells her that he's married. She surprises herself when she finds herself sneaking around to be with him. Meanwhile, Blanche unloads her old car on Rose in order to buy a new one.

    Director:Jim Drake
    Writer:Liz Sage

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 15 - Before and After
    7.2/10(578 votes)

    #20 - Before and After

    S2:E15

    Rose is convinced she died during a throat spasm. This leads her to live her life to the hilt, totally disrupting the other girls lives. Then, when the girls complain about her new lifestyle, Rose moves out.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Bob Rosenfarb

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 21 - Dorothy's Prized Pupil
    7.2/10(605 votes)

    #21 - Dorothy's Prized Pupil

    S2:E21

    Dorothy feels that it's her fault when her prized pupil wins a writing contest which inadvertently signals the INS that he's an illegal alien.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Christopher Lloyd

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 6 - Letter To Gorbachev
    7.2/10(585 votes)

    #22 - Letter To Gorbachev

    S3:E6

    Rose becomes concerned about nuclear war when girls in her cadet troop draw pictures of a bleak future. This prompts her to write letters to Gorbachev and Reagan. She's stunned when she gets a response and learns that Gorbechev would like to meet her.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 12 - Charlie's Buddy
    7.2/10(542 votes)

    #23 - Charlie's Buddy

    S3:E12

    A wartime buddy of Rose's late husband arrives in Miami to see Rose, however he has more in mind than just a friendly visit. Meanwhile, Dorothy and Blanche haggle over the same dress to wear to a social event.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Kathy Speer, Terry Grossman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 22 - Rose's Big Adventure
    7.2/10(496 votes)

    #24 - Rose's Big Adventure

    S3:E22

    Rose's latest boyfriend has just retired and she is ready to spend a whole lot more time with him but his retirement quickly turns him into a couch potato. Meanwhile, the girls deal with remodeling the garage into a guest room.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Golden Girls Season 4 Episode 17 - You Gotta Have Hope
    7.2/10(529 votes)

    #25 - You Gotta Have Hope

    S4:E17

    Dorothy is in charge of a hospital charity show and things aren't going her way. She can't find any talent for the talent show and her emcee has just cancelled. Rose's solution for her problem makes things worse when the girls scour Miami in hopes of getting Bob Hope to perform in the show.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Empty Nests" is the worst rated episode of "The Golden Girls". It scored 3.6/10 based on 1071 votes. Directed by Jay Sandrich and written by Susan Harris, it aired on 5/16/1987. This episode scored 2.5 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The President's Coming! The President's Coming! (1)".