Designing Women

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What’s the Story?

Featuring four sassy-but-charming southern women from Atlanta, Georgia, DESIGNING WOMEN stars smart, outspoken Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter), who owns Sugarbaker and Associates, an interior design firm where she and her sister, former beauty queen Suzanne Sugarbaker (Delta Burke), work with Mary Jo Shively (Annie Potts of Joan of Arcadia), a recently divorced single mother of two, and somewhat naïve Charlene Frazier (Jean Smart of 24). The women spend much of their time with Bernice Clifton (Alice Ghostly), a family friend with a slight dementia problem. Also part of the group is Anthony Bouvier (Mesach Taylor), a convict-turned-delivery person-turned-business partner whose masculinity isn't threatened by his overwhelmingly feminine environment. While recently widowed Julia dates attorney Reese Watson (Hal Holbrook); Suzanne continues her quest to (once again) marry a rich man; Mary Jo attempts to balance the dating scene while trying to raise her kids; and Charlene eventually finds her Mr. Right.

Is It Any Good?

This feminist-leaning, sometimes-controversial show examines some of the prominent themes of the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the characters grapple with larger political, social, and moral issues while they struggle to resolve their professional and personal problems. The group also tackles issues like domestic violence, AIDS, racism, sexual harassment, and attitudes toward the overweight; their opinions are often summarized by Julia during her many indignant speeches about the world's injustices.