‘Golden Girls’ was reimagined with an all-Black cast
“Zoom Where it Happens,” a new series launched by Black women in Hollywood to encourage Americans to vote in the upcoming presidential election, kicked off Tuesday with a live table read of one of the country’s best-loved sitcoms.
The reimagining of “Golden Girls” featured Tracee Ellis Ross, Regina King, Alfre Woodard and Sanaa Lathan in the iconic roles of the four ladies. The reading was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and hosted by Lena Waithe.
Ross played lovable Rose Nyland, King was the sassy Dorothy Zbornak, Woodard took the role of Dorothy’s straight-talking mom Sophia Petrillo, and Lathan was sexpot Blanche Devereaux.
Ross tweeted a promo for the Zoom show on Sept. 6.
#ZoomWhereItHappenshttps://t.co/fbN7hcygRf pic.twitter.com/4DEzJfi3X1
— Tracee Ellis Ross (@TraceeEllisRoss) September 6, 2020
“‘Zoom Where It Happens’ is an opportunity to bring people together for joyful, entertaining cultural gatherings that also work to support action-oriented organizations that are uplifting communities by registering voters and increasing civic engagement,” Ross said in a statement, as reported by Los Angeles Times.
On Sept. 8, the “Golden Girls” episode streamed live at 6 p.m. PT on Zoom. The event also spotlighted the online racial justice organization Color of Change.
There’s no word yet on how to watch a replay if you missed it — filmmaker Ava DuVernay revealed on Twitter that over 100,000 people registered for the event and 50,000 actually got in to view it (50,000 is the maximum capacity for Zoom).
“Thanks to all who tuned in,” DuVernay wrote on Twitter. “And all who tried. Share the census info! Much love!”
Proud of these ladies! The wigs! The accents! The costumes! Good vibes!
Over 100k registered for this special table read. 50k got in, which is the @zoom_us max. We hit it!
Thanks to all who tuned in. And all who tried. Share the census info! Much love! #ZoomWhereItHappens pic.twitter.com/4Hd7qFLYMf
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 9, 2020
Those who were lucky enough to catch the live table reading had nothing but good things to say.
Twitter user @kafiyakordahab wrote, “Can’t believe how well that went! Amazing show.”
https://twitter.com/kafiyakordahab/status/1303543137844039680
Meanwhile, @DrennaB was blown away by Lathan’s performance as Blanche.
Listen. Sanaa is doing a THING, honey. I’d love to see her in a southern role! She IS Blanche, honey…okay?! #ZoomWhereItHappens pic.twitter.com/EMWCuI5UMB
— DrennaB (@DrennaB) September 9, 2020
An installment of “Zoom Where It Happens” will air live every Tuesday night at the same time until Nov. 3 — the day of the 2020 presidential election.
“When you combine cutting edge technology and some of the most creative minds in entertainment, incredible things happen,” said Zoom CMO Janine Pelosi in a statement. “It is an honor to partner with this dynamic group of artists on this nostalgic series with bold intention.”