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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!

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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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 26 - Empty Nests
    3.0/10(2 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

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  2. The Golden Girls Season 7 Episode 7 - Dateline: Miami
    5.6/10(5 votes)

    #2 - Dateline: Miami

    S7:E7

    A Saturday night and Dorothy being the only one with a date, prompts the other girls to reminisce about some of the worst dates they have ever had.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Marc Cherry

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  3. The Golden Girls Season 4 Episode 9 - Scared Straight
    5.8/10(6 votes)

    #3 - Scared Straight

    S4:E9

    Blanche's brother, Clayton comes to Miami for a visit and Blanche goes all out fixing him up on blind dates. However, Rose learns the truth, Clayton is gay and is afraid to tell Blanche the truth about himself.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. The Golden Girls Season 5 Episode 18 - An Illegitimate Concern
    5.8/10(5 votes)

    #4 - An Illegitimate Concern

    S5:E18

    Blanche is stunned when a man comes to the front door and claims to be the illegitimate son of her late husband. Meanwhile, Dorothy and Sophia enter a mother-daughter pageant at Shady Pines.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Marc Cherry

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  5. The Golden Girls Season 6 Episode 16 - There Goes the Bride (1)
    5.8/10(5 votes)

    #5 - There Goes the Bride (1)

    S6:E16

    Dorothy has been sneaking around so that Sophia doesn't discover that she's been dating Stan. However, when Stan proposes, Dorothy must reveal the truth to Sophia.

    Director:Matthew Diamond
    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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  6. The Golden Girls Season 1 Episode 14 - That Was No Lady
    6.0/10(7 votes)

    #6 - 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

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  7. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 13 - The Artist
    6.0/10(5 votes)

    #7 - The Artist

    S3:E13

    Dorothy, Blanche and Rose each secretly pose nude for a Hungarian sculptor who will unveil the statue at an art show opening at a museum. Meanwhile, Sophia brushes up on practical jokes to get back a prankster at the Senior Citizens Center.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Christopher Lloyd

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  8. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 20 - And Ma Makes Three
    6.0/10(5 votes)

    #8 - And Ma Makes Three

    S3:E20

    Feeling sorry for a lonely Sophia, Dorothy allows her to come along on a date with her and Dorothy's latest beau. However, pretty soon Sophia begins tagging along on every date which puts a rift in Dorothy's romantic plans.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Winifred Hervey

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  9. The Golden Girls Season 6 Episode 14 - Sister of the Bride
    6.0/10(5 votes)

    #9 - Sister of the Bride

    S6:E14

    Blanche's gay brother Clayton, makes a visit to Miami with a surprise, he has found the right person to make a commitment to, but Blanche still can't get over Clayton's sexual orientation. Meanwhile, Rose expects to win a Volunteer of the Year award.

    Director:Matthew Diamond
    Writer:Marc Cherry

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  10. The Golden Girls Season 1 Episode 15 - In a Bed of Rose's
    6.6/10(7 votes)

    #10 - In a Bed of Rose's

    S1:E15

    Late one evening, Rose brings a man home and they spend the night together. However, in the morning she finds that he has passed away. Even worse, she later discovers he was married.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Susan Harris

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  11. The Golden Girls Season 6 Episode 3 - If at Last You Do Succeed
    6.6/10(4 votes)

    #11 - If at Last You Do Succeed

    S6:E3

    Stan has finally hit it big with a new invention but still Dorothy can't be happy for him. Meanwhile, Rose and Blanche fight over some war bonds that if cashed could bankrupt St. Olaf.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 5 - Isn't It Romantic
    7.0/10(4 votes)

    #12 - Isn't It Romantic

    S2:E5

    Dorothy's old friend, Jean comes to Miami for a visit and Dorothy decides not to tell Blanche and Rose that Jean is a lesbian. Then, after spending time with Rose, Jean begins to fall for her. Meanwhile, a new VCR, prompts Sophia to rent ""dirty movies.""

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Jeffrey Duteil

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  13. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 23 - Son-In-Law Dearest
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #13 - 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

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  14. The Golden Girls Season 1 Episode 24 - Big Daddy
    7.3/10(6 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

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  15. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 7 - Family Affair
    7.3/10(4 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

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  16. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 8 - Vacation
    7.3/10(4 votes)

    #16 - Vacation

    S2:E8

    The girls' dream vacation in the Caribbean turns out to be far from what was advertised in the brochure. While the girls are away, Sophia romances the gardener.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Winifred Hervey

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  17. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 24 - Mister Terrific
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #17 - 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

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  18. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 11 - 'Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas
    7.4/10(5 votes)

    #18 - 'Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas

    S2:E11

    The girls each plan to spend Christmas with their families but a series of strange occurrences lead them to spend Christmas together in Miami.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan

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  19. The Golden Girls Season 4 Episode 17 - You Gotta Have Hope
    7.4/10(7 votes)

    #19 - 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

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  20. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 9 - Joust Between Friends
    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #20 - Joust Between Friends

    S2:E9

    Laid off from work, Dorothy searches for part-time work which leads to Blanche getting her a job at the museum. Then fur flies when Dorothy is handed the job of organizing a banquet, the duty Blanche was hoping for. Meanwhile, Rose finds a stray dog at the supermarket.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writer:Scott S. Gorden

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  21. The Golden Girls Season 2 Episode 21 - Dorothy's Prized Pupil
    7.5/10(2 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

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  22. The Golden Girls Season 3 Episode 6 - Letter To Gorbachev
    7.5/10(4 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

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  23. The Golden Girls Season 5 Episode 5 - Love Under The Big Top
    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #23 - Love Under The Big Top

    S5:E5

    Dorothy is in a serious relationship with a lawyer and jumps to the conclusion that he's on the verge of proposing. However, his announcement is a shocker, he's leaving law to become a circus clown. Meanwhile, Rose and Blanche put together a protest to save some dolphins.

    Director:Terry Hughes
    Writers:Richard Vaczy, Tracy Gamble

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  24. The Golden Girls Season 4 Episode 13 - The Impotence of Being Ernest
    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #24 - The Impotence of Being Ernest

    S4:E13

    Rose is crazy about her latest boyfriend, Ernie, but can't understand why he doesn't approach the subject of sex, so when she forces the subject she learns the truth - he's impotent.

    Director:Steve Zuckerman
    Writer:David A. Goodman

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  25. The Golden Girls Season 4 Episode 18 - Fiddler on the Ropes
    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #25 - 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

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Empty Nests" is the worst rated episode of "The Golden Girls". It scored 3/10 based on 2 votes. Directed by Jay Sandrich and written by Susan Harris, it aired on 5/16/1987. This episode scored 2.6 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Dateline: Miami".