"Designing Women" (1986) TV series 1986-1993

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Writer:

Bill Kenny (series)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

29 September 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Outspoken feminist Julia Sugarbaker runs a design firm out of her Atlanta home, along with her shallow ex-beauty queen sister...

Plot Keywords:

Atlanta Georgia | Feminism | Sitcom | Friendship Between Women | Sister Sister Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 14 wins & 23 nominations

Cast

Dixie Carter	...	Julia Sugarbaker / ... (151 episodes, 1986-1993)
Annie Potts	...	Mary Jo Shively (151 episodes, 1986-1993)
Meshach Taylor	...	Anthony Bouvier (132 episodes, 1986-1993)
Jean Smart	...	Charlene Frazier Stillfield / ... (119 episodes, 1986-1991)
Delta Burke	...	Suzanne Sugarbaker / ... (119 episodes, 1986-1991)

(more)

Series Directed by
David Trainer		(63 episodes, 1987-1991)
David Steinberg		(37 episodes, 1987-1993)
Harry Thomason		(19 episodes, 1987-1991)
Jack Shea		(14 episodes, 1986-1988)
Iris Dugow		(5 episodes, 1989-1991)
Barnet Kellman		(4 episodes, 1987)
Hal Holbrook		(4 episodes, 1988-1990)
Matthew Diamond		(3 episodes, 1987-1988)
Dwayne Hickman		(3 episodes, 1989-1990)
Ellen Falcon		(2 episodes, 1986-1990)
Charles Frank		(2 episodes, 1991-1992)
Roberta Sherry Scelza		(2 episodes, 1991-1992)

Series Writing credits
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason		(73 episodes, 1986-1992)
Pamela Norris		(27 episodes, 1989-1991)
Mark Alton Brown		(18 episodes, 1990-1993)
Dee LaDuke		(18 episodes, 1990-1993)
Cassandra Clark		(7 episodes, 1989-1991)
Debbie Pearl		(7 episodes, 1989-1991)
Paul Clay		(5 episodes, 1990-1992)
Thom Bray		(5 episodes, 1990-1991)
Michael A. Ross		(5 episodes, 1990-1991)
Robert Horn		(5 episodes, 1992-1993)
Daniel Margosis		(5 episodes, 1992-1993)
Norma Safford Vela		(5 episodes, 1992)
Emily Levine		(4 episodes, 1993)
Emily Marshall		(2 episodes, 1986)
Trish Vrandenburg		(2 episodes, 1987)
Cathryn Michon		(2 episodes, 1991-1993)
David Steinberg		(2 episodes, 1993)
Bill Kenny		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Norma Safford Vela	....	executive producer (unknown episodes, 1992-1993)
Linda Bloodworth-Thomason	....	executive producer / producer (unknown episodes)
William Cosentino	....	co-producer (unknown episodes)
Douglas Jackson	....	producer (unknown episodes)
E. Jack Kaplan	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Pamela Norris	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Harry Thomason	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Tommy Thompson	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Bruce Miller		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Eddie Rio Rotunno		(unknown episodes)
Leonard J. South		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Daniel Cahn		(1 episode, 1986)
Robert Bramwell		(unknown episodes)
Judith Burke		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Fran Bascom		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
John Beckman		(unknown episodes)
Ross Bellah		(unknown episodes)
William L. Camden		(unknown episodes)

Series Set Decoration by
Rusty Lipscomb		(unknown episodes)
Deborah Siegel		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
Cliff Chally		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Judy Crown	....	key hair stylist (unknown episodes, 1986-1993)

Series Production Management
William Cosentino	....	unit production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
William Cosentino	....	first assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Nick Els	....	sound mixer (150 episodes, 1986-1993)
Bob Costanza	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Ross Deane	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)
G. Michael Graham	....	supervising sound editor (unknown episodes)
Jeff Johnson	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)
Larry Lasota	....	sound mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Gregory J. Barnett	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Kevin McGill	....	assistant camera (69 episodes, 1990-1993)
Adam Glick	....	set lighting technician (unknown episodes)
Michael Hofstein	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Guy Polzel	....	key grip (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Bruce Miller	....	conductor / music arranger (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Marc Cherry	....	assistant to actor (unknown episodes, 1986-1988)
J Graigory	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Roger Lundblade	....	audience warm-up (unknown episodes)
J.T. Steele	....	audience coordinator (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Bloodworth-Thomason
• Columbia Pictures Television
• Mozark Productions

Distributors

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1986-1993) (USA) (TV)
• Columbia Pictures Television
• Lifetime Television (199?-20??) (USA) (TV)
• Shout! Factory (2009) (USA) (DVD) (season 1)

Runtime:

30 min | Germany:25 min (164 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Company:

Bloodworth-Thomason

Trivia:

As with many shows, the pilot features a set that's different from that of the one used once the show is picked up by the network; in this case, there is a stepped entryway beyond the front door, Julia's desk is located front-and-center of the set, and much of the furniture is completely different. Sharp-eyed viewers will also note the dark and grainy quality of the pilot, which is in contrast to the bright, warm, crisp look of the remaining episodes. Dedicated viewers will also note that not only is Suzanne's relationship with Ted, Mary Jo's ex-husband, almost NEVER referred to again after the initial episode, but that Julia alludes to Suzanne's "many" marriages, though in later shows, it's clearly stated Suzanne has only been married three times.

Quotes:

Julia: [when a flight attendant refuses to tell her the age of the plane they're flying in] What exactly are they supposed to do, wait for a wing to fall off and count the rings?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "30 Rock: The C Word (#1.14)" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Georgia on My Mind

A witty and wonderful show

This show had a lot of wit and humor. It was such a greatly written show about issues that were (and still are) important. They were brought to light for others to learn and understand.

Additionally, the comedy was hilarious. I found the women to be fantastic characters and the actresses did such wonderful jobs. I loved the speeches Julia fired upon people, the useless stories Charlene recalled, the wit that Mary Jo displayed, and the way that Suzanne was ignorant and it was done in such a humorous and revealing way. I just think this show was ingenious!