`Golden Girls' shows little age at convention
CHICAGO >> TV shows about sci-fi or comic book fare usually inspire fan conventions — not a sitcom about four women of a certain age living together in Florida.
But sisters Hillary Wasicek, 37, and Melissa Gluck, 43, took this weekend's inaugural “The Golden Girls” convention at Chicago's Navy Pier to heart. Both women, who flew from California, spent Friday in elaborate cosplay as the characters of Dorothy and Blanche. The series has always held a special place for them because of its themes of friends becoming family and inclusiveness. Dressing up in wigs and all, which they previously did on a “Golden Girls” cruise, just enhances the convention experience.
“It's a fun expression of showing respect and appreciation for something you admire. It just makes you feel more a part of it,” said Wasicek, who plans to don a different costume every day. “We just met so many people and heard so many stories. It's like `These are my people.'”
For Gluck, meeting other “Golden Girls” buffs gives her “a greater appreciation of the show itself. Now, I've gotten my son and husband into it.”
Golden-Con: Thank You For Being a Fan, which lasts through today, is giving those who adored the NBC sitcom a chance to come together. More than 2,000 attendees were expected to converge. The show, which ran from 19851992, starred Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty and Betty White — the last remaining “Golden Girl” who died at age 99 in December. It was revered for showing their characters, who shared a house in Miami, dealing with issues later in life like ageism, sex and LGBTQ rights.
Like any “con,” there were panels and Q&As with people who guest-starred or worked behind the scenes. There was a vendors market with booths carrying “Golden Girls” themed candles, masks, T-shirts and other merch.
Fans snapped photos in a re-creation of the kitchen where the “girls” always ate cheesecake as well as a giant replica of Sophia's trademark purse. There were also two separate drag queen groups scheduled to perform tributes.