Edith's Cousin

As purely an object of affectionate feminist sitcom kitsch from the heart of the 1970s, I had thought Bea Arthur understood there was no way she could have gone and given up her earthly bonds today at the age of 86. But old sitcom stars do of course age behind the frayed curtains of syndication. They're are dozens of them right now in L.A., their fragile health being carefully tended to and their obituaries being written in rough draft. Their great sitcom gigs are still drawing in viewers, 30 or 40 years on now, and helping to anchor ads for gardening shovels and local furniture stores. You'll be a little surprised to discover just how old they've gotten when they too shuffle off.

But 86. Man, that's a damn good ride Bea.