83: Julia Sugarbaker Dates a Possible Homosexual

“A Toe in the Water” (September 23, 1991)

What is Designing Women minus Delta Burke and Jean Smart but plus Julia Duffy and Jan Hooks? An interesting beast that is different than the Suzanne/Charlene years, yeah, but still pretty damn interesting. This episode is a showcase for Duffy’s anti-Diane Chambers, Allison Sugarbaker, who only lasted a season but it wasn’t her fault? Jonathan Bradley Welch makes his second GEE turn to talk Sugarbakers and his new podcast with Stonewall Democrats.

Listen to our previous Designing Women episodes, Julia Sugarbaker Plans a Gay Funeral and Suzanne Sugarbaker Accidentally Dates a Lesbian, as well as Jonathan’s first GEE episode, Roy Biggins Has a Big Gay Son.

Check out Jonathan’s queer politics podcast, The Read Down: YouTube • Twitter • iTunes • Website

Listen to Drew’s new 80s music podcast, Deep Cuts and Superficial Wounds: Mixcloud • iTunes • Stitcher • Libsyn • more to come!

Read Rembert Browne’s Grantland article on Delta Burke’s exit from Designing Women. And read the L.A Times article on Jean Smart’s far-less dramatic exit.

Listen to Gayish’s episode on bisexuals.

The Slate article on the political affiliation of various TV characters.

This episode’s outro song is “In the Evening” by Sheryl Lee Ralph: Apple Music • Amazon Music • Spotify