‘Golden Girls’ Shows Little Age at Inaugural Fan Convention

Estelle Getty, from left, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur and Betty White, from the television series "The Golden Girls" appear during a break in taping in Los Angeles on Dec. 25, 1985. (AP)

TV shows about sci-fi or comic book fare usually inspire fan conventions - not a sitcom about four women of a certain age living together in Florida.

But sisters Hillary Wasicek, 37, and Melissa Gluck, 43, took this weekend's inaugural "The Golden Girls" convention at Chicago's Navy Pier to heart. Both women, who flew from California, spent Friday in elaborate cosplay as the characters of Dorothy and Blanche. The series has always held a special place for them because of its themes of friends becoming family and inclusiveness. Dressing up in wigs and all, which they previously did on a "Golden Girls" cruise, just enhances the convention experience.