Sophia Petrillo: The Ultimate Guidette

While waiting for it to warm up a bit before I go to the gym this afternoon, I got caught up in a Jersey Shore mini-marathon. I blame Sunday morning/afternoon's lack of decent TV. I've resisted thus far, but I admit, I got a little hooked.

But, the Italian guidos and guidettes got me thinking of one of my favorite television Italians, or Sicilian, rather: Sophia Petrillo, portrayed by the lovely Estelle Getty on the 80s classic, Golden Girls.

She's got the big hair, the attitude, the accent, the tough Brooklyn New York background and the mob connections. She's the inspiration for the hit MTV reality show, whether they want to admit it or not. Women like that have to be tough to give birth to boys with such spikey hair. (that stuff has got to hurt coming out).

Sophia Petrillo is a goddess, and the girls of Jersey Shore would be so lucky to be her and the boys would be lucky to marry a girl like her. Next time you watch Jersey Shore, check out Golden Girls afterward to fast forward the picture 50 years.

The Golden Girls

I've been watching the Golden Girls a lot lately, and they really embody the single girl spirit. Even though they all were married, they learned to live without men as protectors and bread winners. Three of the "Girls" were widdowed, but Dorothy was divorced.

It's hard to continue your life as normal after a break-up. A major part of your life is suddenly ripped out of your life, and minimal to no contact is preferred. It's hard, and you cry and you either eat way too much or don't eat anything and normal doesn't exist until you rebuild.

Now imagine that you've built your whole life with someone, not just a few months or a few years but your whole life. And you don't just break up with someone, they die. The person you love will never be back. That's what the Golden Girls is about.

They are strong female role models and I think young twenty-somethings can take a page from their book. No matter what happens in life, you must march on, and great friends are a key support.