BONUS: From “Golden Girls” to “A Divas Christmas” | Stan Zimmerman

80s TV Ladies

On this special Bonus Holiday-themed episode, Susan and Sharon welcome Stan Zimmerman, co-writer of Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas.
Stan Zimmerman is a prolific producer and director but is perhaps best known for his work with writing partner James Berg on A Very Brady Sequel and on the classic television as Roseanne, Gilmore Girls and The Golden Girls. In Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas, Loni Anderson, Morgan Fairchild, Linda Gray, Donna Mills and Nicolette Sheridan star as five glamorous ‘80s soap opera icons who reunite to share the spotlight to shoot the final Christmas episode of their long-running soap opera.
Lifetime’s Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas premieres tomorrow!
-- Friday, December 2nd @ 8:00 EST!
THE CONVERSATION

• STAN TV: As a kid Stan created an imaginary “Fourth Network” in his bedroom, programming a show lineup 7-days a week -- including giving Lily Tomlin her own comedy-variety series!
• Stan started out as a writer so young he had to wear a pair of fake glasses to pitch meetings to appear older.
• In 1985, Stan and his writing partner James Berg were one of the first gay writing teams on network TV – but their agents insisted they stay in the closet for fear they’d be fired.
• LOOKING FOR A ‘BEA ARTHUR TYPE’: How Susan Harris – the creator of The Golden Girls -- ended up snagging the real thing!
• THE BIRTH OF ST. OLAF: Stan tells the story of finding Betty White’s character Rose Nylund’s hometown in the first season of The Golden Girls.
• How Stan and James had to trim their scripts -- because they were getting too many laughs!
• In the 1980’s, you could walk down Santa Monica Blvd on a Saturday night and hear The Golden Girls playing in all the gay bars!
• What happened the night they filmed an episode on the day Bea Arthur’s mother died.
• “ADULT EDUCATION” – how this classic episode came about when Rue McClanahan specifically asked the writers to “challenge my character”.
• The huge network fight about airing the “Lesbian Kiss” episode of Roseanne.
• Which Golden Girl was Stan’s favorite to write for?
• And which one had terrible stage fright every time they filmed an episode?
• How Joan Collins and Jacklyn Smith were almost in A Divas Christmas!

So join Susan and Sharon – and Stan – as they talk Meryl Streep, Fame, teachable moments – and emailing with Lily Tomlin!
AUDIOGRAPHY
Premieres Friday, December 2nd. Watch Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas on Lifetime.
Pre-order Stan’s book on Bookshop.org: The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore.
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