`Golden Girls' shows little age at fan convention

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 always has 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 are expected to converge. The show, which ran from 1985 to 1992, starred Bea Arthur, Rue Mcclanahan, Estelle Getty and Betty White — the last remaining “Golden Girl” who died at age 99in December. It was revered for showing its characters, who shared a house in Miami, dealing with issues later in life like ageism, sex and LGBTQ rights. Like any “con,” there are panels and Q&AS with people who guest-starred or worked behind the scenes. There is a vendors market with booths carrying “Golden Girls” themed candles, masks, T-shirts and other merch. Fans can snap photos in a recreation of the kitchen where the “girls” always ate cheesecake as well as a giant replica of Sophia’s trademark purse. There are also two separate drag queen groups scheduled to perform tributes. Among the guests are actress Bonnie Bartlett, known for roles on “St. Elsewhere” and “Boy Meets World” (both alongside her husband, actor William Daniels). She is notable to for playing a stuck-up new friend of Dorothy’s in a third-season episode. The two-time Emmy winner, 92, however, did not turn her nose up at the idea of a fan convention. “I was running around chasing after Betty Grable and people like that,” Bartlett said. “I was a big fan when I was a kid. So I understand this.

My husband doesn’t understand it, but I do.”

TERRY TANG — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Hillary Wasicek and Melissa Gluck, sisters, pose as the characters Dorothy and Blanche at a “Golden Girls” fan convention in Chicago on Friday.