Four women under one roof in The South crack jokes on a weekly basis. Sound familiar? But these girls are a little younger, a bit more to the north and not quite as funny. Outspoken liberal Julia Sugarbaker runs interior design firm Sugarbaker & Associates out of her Atlanta home with her younger sister Suzanne, designer Mary Jo and office manager Charlene. They are joined by ex-convict turned delivery man Anthony Bouvier and Bernice Clifton. Perhaps tired of Julia reading people to filth each week, Suzanne and Charlene jump ship and are replaced by obnoxious Sugarbaker cousin Alison and Charlene's lazily-named sister Carlene (seriously?). Alison gels like a rash and is replaced by wealthy sassy widow BJ Poteet, who saved Sugarbakers from obscurity.
Designing Women debuted to strong ratings but was almost cancelled due to constant timeslot changes. A viewer campaign saved it and the show flourished for several seasons, thanks in part to being paired with Murphy Brown. Backstage drama ensued as Delta Burke clashed with producers and creators. Having one major cast member leave is the kiss of death but two at the same is a full on makeout session of death. Audiences did not warm up to Delta Burke and Jean Smart's replacements and the show suffered in the ratings until the inevitable cancellation. I caught a few episodes here and there during its run but I only had room for one show about four women and that, of course, was The Golden Girls (1985-1992). Though Designing Women adding Alice Ghostley of Grease (1978) fame, added the opportunity for some whacky one-liners.
Location: Sugarbaker & Associates
Address: 1321 Scott Street, Little Rock, AR
Location Visited: October 2022
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