Designing Women

Julia Sugarbaker, Mary Jo Shively, Charlene Frazier-Stillfield and Suzanne Sugarbaker are associates at their design firm, Sugarbaker and Associates. Julia is the owner and is very outspoken and strong-willed. Mary Jo is a divorced single-parent whom is just as strong-willed as Julia, but isn't as self-confident. Charlene is the naive and trusting farm girl from Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Suzanne is the self-centered ex-beauty queen whom has a number of wealthy ex-husbands.

Designing Women (1986-1993) is a American network sitcom created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason for CBS. Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter) owns Sugarbaker and Associates, an Atlanta interior design firm, and the outspoken, strong-willed Julia leads a workplace ensemble of women who argue constantly while keeping the business afloat. Divorced single mother Mary Jo Shively (Annie Potts) carries the firm's warmth and worry, naive farm girl Charlene Frazier Stillfield (Jean Smart) brings trusting good nature from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and self-centered former beauty queen Suzanne Sugarbaker (Delta Burke) collects wealthy ex-husbands and schemes for attention. Meshach Taylor plays Anthony Bouvier, the firm's receptionist and a steady presence in the office. Each half-hour episode is built from a client's demanding commission, a clash over money or men, and a sharp exchange of one-liners that resolve in warmth. The result is a seven-season, case-of-the-week workplace comedy with a strong southern accent and a feminist edge. Its tone is brisk, witty and comforting, with a theme of female friendship and independence. Fans of Golden Girls and Murphy Brown will find resonance in its verbal sparring and close-knit women at the center.

• Murphy Brownshared workplace comedy with a close female ensemble and sharp witty banter
• Golden Girlsshared southern-tinged ensemble of strong-willed women friends with comedic bickering
• Ally McBealshared workplace sitcom format built on office relationships and sharp dialogue

Created by

Linda Bloodworth-Thomason

Release Date

1986-09-29

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

7.3 / 10 (40)

What is Designing Women about?

Four women running an Atlanta interior design firm bicker, bond and bluntly navigate work and love in a sharp-tongued 1980s sitcom.

What is Designing Women like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Designing Women as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Designing Women violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Designing Women.

Which shows are like Designing Women?

Shows with a similar feel include Murphy Brown, Golden Girls, and Ally McBeal.

How long is Designing Women?

Designing Women: 7 seasons, 163 episodes.

Is Designing Women still running?

No, Designing Women has ended.

Where can I watch Designing Women?

In United States, Designing Women streams on Hulu.