Designing Women: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      Season 1 – Designing Women

      1986 Comedy List
      73% 15 Reviews Tomatometer Series creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason uses the fictional Atlanta design firm of Sugarbaker and Associates as a witty bully pulpit for caustic social and political humor. The founder of the company is Julia Sugarbaker, a sharp-tongued but elegant and surprisingly compassionate woman. Her younger sister, Suzanne, is a former beauty queen who is long on charm but a bit slow on the uptake. Their associates are Mary Jo Shively, a recent divorcee, and officer manager Charlene Frazier, whose sweetness is matched only by her naivete. Their deliverman is Anthony Bouvier, a well-spoken ex-convict, and cheerfully dotty senior citizen Bernice Clifton often drops by for a visit as well. Read More Read Less Watch on Prime Video Stream Now

      Where to Watch

      Designing Women — Season 1

      Prime Video Hulu

      Watch Designing Women — Season 1 with a subscription on Prime Video, Hulu.

      Designing Women — Season 1

      What to Know

      Critics Consensus

      Although the jokes don't always stick the landing, the excellent actresses alone make Designing Women worth watching.

      Read Critics Reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (0) audience reviews
      Audience Member Loved the show. Original characters were the best after than it got boring. I just could not understand why Julia and Suzzanne although both had been married, had the same last name. If Julia loved Hayden her husband so much why would she not keep his name when he died? Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/01/24 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      Episodes

      Episode 1 Aired Sep 29, 1986 Pilot Julia and Charlene are horrified to learn Suzanne has fallen for Mary Jo's ex-husband (Scott Bakula). Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 6, 1986 The Beauty Contest Charlene agrees to sponsor Mary Jo's daughter (Priscilla Weems) in the Miss Pre-Teen Atlanta Contest. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 20, 1986 A Big Affair Suzanne arranges a date for Charlene with a very portly gentleman (Walter Olkewicz). Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 27, 1986 Julia's Son Julia is shocked to learn her son (George Newbern) is dating a college professor who is twice his age. Details Episode 5 Aired Nov 3, 1986 Mary Jo's First Date Mary Jo goes on a date; Julia learns that her tax auditor is a man she verbally abused in a restaurant. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 17, 1986 Design House Suzanne's first redecorating assignment ends when the house she is working on burns to the ground. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 24, 1986 Perky's Visit Julia and Suzanne's mother (Louise Lathem) and her friend (Alice Ghostley) visit Sugarbakers for Thanksgiving. Details Episode 8 Aired Dec 4, 1986 I Do, I Don't After a wild night on the town, Julia's attorney, Reese Watson (Hal Holbrook), proposes marriage. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 4, 1986 The IT Men Charlene gets involved with a married man (Madison Mason) who is also a Sugarbakers' client. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 18, 1986 The Slumber Party A maid puts a voodoo curse on Suzanne and she persuades Julia, Charlene and Mary Jo to spend the night. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 1, 1987 New Year's Daze Charlene's (Jean Smart) New Year's Eve date (Thomas Callaway) appears to be a dangerous prison escapee. Details Episode 12 Aired Feb 1, 1987 Old Spouses Never Die Mary Jo and J.D.'s romance heats up despite interference from their respective ex-spouses; Charlene receives disturbing medical news. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 1, 1987 Old Spouses Never Die Mary Jo and J.D.'s (Richard Gilliland) romance heats up despite interference; Charlene receives disturbing medical news. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 8, 1987 Monette The women are forced to consider the ethics involved in a most lucrative assignment. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 15, 1987 And Justice for Paul The ladies face jail when Charlene's friend offers them authentic antiques at bargain prices. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 22, 1987 Reese's Friend Julia jumps to the conclusion that Reese is seeing another woman. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 16, 1987 Nashville Bound Charlene is convinced that she will become the next country music star. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 23, 1987 O Susannah Suzanne volunteers her services as a temporary foster mother to a Vietnamese girl (Connie Lew). Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 6, 1987 Mary Jo's Dad Dates Charlene Mary Jo's divorced father takes a romantic interest in Charlene. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 13, 1987 Seams From a Marriage The women of Sugarbakers begin receiving lavish gifts from a wealthy couple (Guy Boyd, Janet Carroll). Details Episode 21 Aired May 4, 1987 Grand Slam, Thank You Ma'am An ex-husband's (Gregg Henry) sizzling autobiography reveals some personal moments in his marriage to Suzanne. Details Episode 22 Aired May 11, 1987 Bachelor Suite Mary Jo is sexually harassed by a handsome and wealthy client. Details

      More Like This

      View All Popular TV on Streaming
      % % Murphy Brown % 71% The Nanny % % One Day at a Time % % Maude % % Cybill Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Critics Reviews

      View All (15) Critics Reviews
      Marvin Kitman Newsday Designing Women is a promising show, but it doesn't seem to be a big hot comedy. It’s too traditional -- an insult-humor show like Golden Girls at a time when the opposition is doing Sledge Hammer and ALF and Amen. Apr 18, 2022 Full Review Howard Rosenberg Los Angeles Times Punchless punch lines that leave this very good cast all dressed up with no place to go. May 29, 2018 Full Review Clifford Terry Chicago Tribune Already tiresomely pegged as a younger version of The Golden Girls. May 29, 2018 Full Review Michael Cuby them. Designing Women is one of those sitcoms everyone should see. Nov 1, 2022 Full Review Bruce R. Miller Sioux City Journal Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Jean Smart and Annie Potts (winners all) play four interior designers who share their lives and loves over a swatch book. The lines are snappy (and a bit risqué) and just what CBS needs to shed its lethargic image. Apr 18, 2022 Full Review Karl Vick Tampa Bay Times The characters are true in the manner of effective scenery -- exaggerated just a little. And the dialogue works so well you don't know which to credit more, writing or cast. Apr 18, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Season Info

      Director
      Jack Shea, Barnet Kellman, Arlene Sanford, Michael Lassac, Harry Thomason, Ellen Gittelsohn, Matthew Diamond, David Steinberg
      Network
      CBS
      Rating
      TV-PG (D)
      Genre
      Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date
      Sep 29, 1986