Designing Women | Every Time Designing Women Was Woke | Throw Back TV

'Designing Women' was so ahead of its time! The show took on massive issues such as the HIV crisis in the 80s, women's rights, and gun laws. To celebrate 'Designing Women's anniversary, watch some of the show's most woke moments.
00:00 Season 5 Episode 23, 'Fore'.
05:00 Season 3 Episode 15, ‘Full Moon’
06:48 Season 2 Episode 4, 'Killing All The Right People'
10:12 Season 3 Episode 1, ‘Reservations for 12, Plus Ursula’
12:11 Season 2 Episode 22, 'Reservations For Eight'
13:09 Season 1 Episode 13, ‘Old Spouses Never Die (Part 2)’
15:40 Season 1 Episode 1 'Designing Women’
18:01 Season 3, Episode 19, 'The Women of Atlanta'
22:17 Season 3 Episode 2, 'The Candidate'
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About Designing Women:
Ambitious Julia Sugarbaker and her sister, diva-like ex-beauty queen Suzanne, decide to open their own design firm. They are aided by close friends Mary Jo and Charlene. Also on hand is ex-con Anthony who provides the women with some moving muscle and his often unsolicited male opinion.
#designingwomen #80s #juliasugarbaker
Designing Women | Everytime Designing Women Was Woke | Throw Back TV
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[@vintagegal7376]

No television character could ever deliver a verbal throw down like Julia Sugarbaker!

[@MISNM0]

And THAT'S the night-tuh the lights-uh went out in Georgia-uhhhhh 💝💝💝

[@Rivkid76]

Dixie Carter did not appreciate making the rants and negotiated singing a song for every rant she gave after the 3rd season. Frankly, I could have done without both!

[@jacobprince6602]

They don’t call her the terminator for nothing!

[@JoanneVasquez-ch1qy]

Absolutely! And she does so natural and passionately. This show can't be duplicated. All of the cast's acting was superb and very real, even when some original cast members left. Anthony, Julia and Suzanne were my favs. I did love them all. BTW they did talk about issues happening at that time. And did it with passion, dignity and grace. You are greatly missed DW😢❤

[@anthonymeans7439]

👍👍👍👍

[@cathyarthur3199]

I loved Mechach Taylor in anything he did. He was a natural actor, and I adored him.

[@nikeitasimmons3151]

Me too. Such a great soul. Miss him on the big screen.

[@GoddessNeith]

NO ONE rants better than Miss Julia Sugarbaker. she tells it like it is. we need more Julia's in our lives.

[@syrsknight]

Oh she reads beads like no other! True southern belle and lady!!!

[@gabelogan5877]

The fact that Dixie Carter was a conservative Republican and yet could deliver these progressives soliloquies with such passion shows how good an actress she was.

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Being a conservative doesn't make a person a bigot. These stereotypes just add to the division in America.

[@ortizlydia22]

Because she meant it!

[@gabelogan5877]

@@ortizlydia22 she hated every word. She was conservative and she had a bargain with the producers that every time she was forced to give one of these monologues she could get a singing scene

[@ortizlydia22]

@@gabelogan5877 Might want to check your facts. She was very similar to her character in real life. It was one of the things she loved about it

[@lonnybush5612]

@@gabelogan5877 Kleenex?

[@carolecarr5210]

This was Anthony's shining hour. He was so good.

[@irishlassie0712]

I love Anthony!! Good actor.. RIP 😢

[@bellerain381]

I honestly wish him and Julia would have ended up together!! They would have been a power couple!!

[@Ed-uz6em]

Delta and Dixie had such chemistry like real sisters

[@briansmith6292]

But they stopped being friends with each other at some point

[@afroembrya]

@@briansmith6292 Like many real sisters.

[@sarahlawrence442]

@@briansmith6292 I think they eventually reconciled before Dixie passed away.

[@mariamagdalena2214]

Too bad they all treated Delta like crap off camera.

[@TheBrownIsland]

​@@mariamagdalena2214 NO they DID NOT treat her badly Off-Camera.

[@seanm6215]

Julia was great. But I loved when Suzanne really told it like it is because it was so rare and so precious

[@robinmarley5369]

Q

[@LeemWills]

Suzanne was the show

[@carolecarr5210]

Julia always was at her best ranting.

[@nanaberry4120]

Suzanne was the best thing about the show. Too bad Linda Thomases didn’t realize it.

[@dereklwashington1132]

@@nanaberry4120 agreed 👍

[@dianabryan7421]

I was in awe of Anthony's character I just couldn't figure him out! I was not use to seeing a male character like him and I just thought his character arch was so well planned! He embodied so many things and his chemistry with all the ladies was just so perfect! All the characters were just so perfect but I just do not think meshach gets the credit he deserved for the character of Anthony!

[@jessicabridges4876]

Agree. Anthony was almost always the reason the Julia and Suzanne characters made such an impact, and Anthony worked because of Meshach. (May he and Dixie R.I.P.)

[@bbeyez]

I love Julia and when she gets fired up

[@jay1hi547]

Julia Sugarbaker aka THE TERMINATOR!!!!!

[@patriciabranson5557]

I am 58 years old and I still want to grow up to become Julia sugarbaker.

[@trinapatterson1456]

Me, too!!

[@beverlystewart1096]

Me too and I’m 70.

[@LuxLisbon26]

I'm 45 years old and realized that I have grown up to be Suzanne Sugar baker 😂

[@silky0439]

They truly gave Dixie some Powerful lines and she delivered them amazingly! What a credit to her Profession!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@omni201]

God damnit I loved Delta Burke… piercing blue eyes and dark hair

[@GoddessNeith]

her telling the doctor off resonated with me. I've never allowed ANY doctor (especially male) to tell me "let me worry about that" NO SIR, It's MY body and I'll do the worrying thank you very much. I've always thanked Julia in my heart and head for the nerve to to do that.

[@MysticTalkwithBobbyShue]

I wouldn’t say they were woke, they were realistic and progressive. One of my favorites!

[@evernevermore-ci2so]

Exactly.

[@TheydyGodiva]

I mean you're not wrong, but in today's discourse a lot of people on the right call anything that is realistic or progressive, "woke."

[@chochonero3419]

So basically they were “woke”. LOL.

[@PennyGrey-pl7no]

That is woke.

[@kitkeller5831]

I’ve always loved the line, “If I were you and in many ways, I am.”

[@lkd-iu3qk]

I wanted to be Julia Sugarbaker when I grew up!

[@keyshahodnett876]

Everyone laughs at me when I say that designing women is 1 of my all time favorite shows . But this clip just confirms that I am right. Nice job well put together. U could have done a whole nother 30 minutes of it.

[@Empohi1969]

I have always loved this show. Used to watch it religiously when it was actually on. I think part of the appeal for me were the actual relationships within the show itself. gerald and delta, hal and dixie. beautiful stuff.

[@afasimpaur]

I honestly forgot how amazing the writing on that show was.

[@ninademci1500]

In the “Women of Atlanta” episode, the late Wendy Jo Sperber, who played ‘Estelle’, also played ‘Amy Cassidy’ (I had to look up her character’s name, but not the TV series’s name.) in “Bosom Buddies” with Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari.

[@Winnipegger100]

She also played Michael J Fox's sister in Back to the Future!

[@richardgarcia618]

She was in Heart's Afire's first season.

[@MsGoon40]

And in "Moving Violations" with Sally Kellerman and "Stewardess School" with Donnie Most.

[@jrcarter9175]

RIP Meshach Taylor

[@flenif2247]

Sad that these issues still exist. In many cases they are worse!

[@melissasears6145]

lmao

[@LinkRocks]

@@melissasears6145 Way to contribute absolutely nothing to the conversation.

[@tammybennett6897]

I think you are absolutely right.

[@tammybennett6897]

@@LinkRocks Also, with what you said, if ignorance was bliss, you must be happy all the time.

[@tammybennett6897]

@@melissasears6145 You're just ignorant.

[@lindabishop7656]

I was always sitting on the couch when this show came on and never missed an episode. In Texas, I was and still am a Blue Dot 💙 in a red Sea. I worked with the public for 11 hrs a day. I was a single Mother and every dollar was earned by me. Only made $4 an hour. I had to endure right-wing ,Christian fascists every day. And keep my opinion to myself . Designing Women helped to keep me going those years. Those folks had no idea that when they were saying their garbage beliefs that I have a Julia Sugarbaker inside, and she was having her say. I'm retired now, and I no longer take s#!t off anyone, and I don't take prisoners.....I still am a Blue Dot 💙 in a Red Sea...and I am a survivor.

[@jamesgoodman4457]

Sounds like you are the closed-minded minded bigot.

[@robobee1707]

Okay Karen.

[@f.frederickskitty2910]

You go girl!

[@PabloCruise1]

Move to California and see if you’ll be happier.

[@Sunshine-zm1fx]

@@PabloCruise1 If she could afford to live in California, she would be happier. I am not sure why you are trying to make anyone feel bad on the internet. What kind of life do you have that this is fun for you?

[@christinagomez6591]

I love this show the ladies were so classy and funny. I laughed cried and was inspired. Best show miss them.

[@EphemeralProductions]

That first scene was hilarious! 😂. Awesome! He really had everyone’s number!

[@geneviasims7617]

RIP to Hal Halbrook aka Reese

[@mistiroberts1576]

I loved every character on this show!

[@lisarice4402]

I think all of us have a little bit of everybody on this show in us 😉❤️

[@mistiroberts1576]

@@lisarice4402 I would agree with that!

[@cadillacdeville5828]

I love Julia's southern accent 😍

[@terryr7622]

Designing Women was woke even before the mainstream ever caught on.

[@saraanderson6615]

I loved when Julia would go off on the men in the group, or anyone else. ❤️

[@heygirl35]

I miss Designing Women

[@lisatolliver2866]

It's available on Hulu, if you have that streaming service

[@carmensandiego7749]

Rest in peace, Mesach Taylor.

[@ladyjustice1474]

The woman who wrote this show, deserves the Nobel Peace Prize

[@anthonymeans7439]

👍👍👍

[@deborahchadbourne6113]

Dixie Carter's best moments are when she's fired up

[@geeskin5750]

When u heard all right that's it get ready someone's gonna get it

[@SweptAway529]

Interesting edit here at the 24:38 mark where Julia is saying "take photos of successful "business men," in the original episode Julia goes on to nameTrump and Lee Iaccoca.

[@heathercontois4501]

By then everyone at least knew that Trump loved to be "objectified" and "chased" by women because of his divorce from Ivana.

[@vonvet80]

This show was legendary. Their individual style inspirational ideals. Women Rock!

[@DonMachado]

Damn, the writing on this show is just incredible, and Dixie Carter's delivery is absolutely perfect!

[@davidmarlajurek5038]

Having lived in Augusta, Georgia, home of the Masters, this episode hit close… I LOVED how this was handled by the talented writers and the actors in this beautiful show ❤

[@Dragonrdh]

I'd almost forgotten how great this show was.

[@karamacmillan4757]

Way ahead of its time.

[@RLS-bu4bj]

Thr scene with the doctor has stuck with me for 30 years

[@MichelMawon4982]

Julia did most of the heavy lifting in these clips. She was great at giving monologs, but I would have loved to see them all get a go

[@destinywhite2063]

Oh they all did, at different times, that which was suitable to their characters. Mary Jo did when she needed to. It was not something she was accustomed to. She had to find her own voice. Charlene was more genteel when she did. She told the overweight guy where it was when she felt mistreated by him. Susanne did, but was much more emotionally brutal than Julia. She could do it with a sweet smile on her face , that you could tell was completely fake. Susanne could take care of business when it was needed and Julia and the rest didn’t want to “make waves.” Julia’s “terminator”reputation was intellectually strong cause she was used to forcing men to deal with her when they thought they had no use for her. Her monologues were for a reason. It just goes to show that everyone has their “breaking point” and it’s different for everyone.

[@Breeze0911]

Always enjoyed this show. The fiery South speaks on.

[@tommorales2371]

Lol, when i do Drag its a really an impression of Bernice Clifton

[@Spitfirethedragon]

Not woke. They were standing up for respect and dignity of others.

[@GK-ob1ni]

If this show was on the air today, woke is exactly what people would be calling it, lol.

[@PennyGrey-pl7no]

That IS woke!

[@ciggystardust99]

That's literally what "woke" meant before Republicans decided it now means "anything that we don't like"

[@lisatolliver2866]

RIP Dixie Carter

[@lady4191]

Back in the day that was called this little thing called feminism

[@julieporter7805]

I'm grateful that it was. We still need more people like Julia to tell off these religious rights.

[@IkedaHakubi]

Back when this show was new, i was these guys. I'm happy to say I have started to grow up.

[@BMass83]

I was YOUNG when this show was on the air. However I have vivid memories of my mom and dad gasping at some of the things they said and did.

[@shatashagriffin658]

Omg! I love the Sugarbakers!

[@Ihskhchvkhzhkskwhmdjhcihc]

Dixie/Julia is the maximum form of a true woman.

[@slimtee2]

I was in the beginning of my young adulthood when this show premiered, so I really didn’t get into it, but over the years I occasionally watched reruns. It was a very funny and effective TV show.

[@melizzavelez6823]

Julia is my hero.

[@evernevermore-ci2so]

Such a great show. A lot of it was ahead of its time. Love this characters so much.

[@mimibarely8440]

Is the actor in the HIV scene Tony Goldwyn (a/k/a Fitz from Scandal)?

[@PennyGrey-pl7no]

Yes!❤

[@nickwheeler5396]

He also was the voice of Tarzan

[@BKnightwriter85]

I used to watch this show w/ my Mom lol I was like 7 ..it was good then and even better now lol

[@a.b.creator]

Yeah, I'm going to need the scene in the cabin with the men on a GIF or short video so I can post it everywhere. ✅

[@mariopalma1132]

This show was never "woke" , this show was about treating everyone with respect and empathy, while also dealing with real social issues with perspective and humanity.

[@anniebananie7887]

I love the scene with the guy who has aids, they're all talking loudly about it, and that woman was 3 feet away, than Julia is surprised she heard.

[@nellyluscious]

JULIA!! SHE IS ME!! LOL I LOVE LOVE THIS SHOW FOREVER!

[@jimmypinetwinchell2454]

Flawless...standing the test of time, indeed!

[@thegivingheart3446]

Designing Women was such an amazing show. Everyone on there was so amazing and talented, especially Delta. Delta is my favorite celebrity ever, and she's my hero.

[@ashleyroundtree258]

Most beautiful woman ever!

[@taracallaghan377]

Every one of them from Julia to bernice to Anthony to Annie to Jean to , I watched this on tv when I was 10. It's my favorite show of all time.

[@lisatolliver2866]

Loved this show!

[@melanieballard8669]

I loved the character of Julia.

[@tonis5140]

Is that dude in the 3rd bit from Ghost?!

[@jimmymccully8701]

Yes, Tony Goldwyn

[@kenstubrick634]

This was a great show.

[@josephadiaz8343]

That Julia, beautiful and powerful 😊❤️✌️😎

[@lincroyableprocrastinateur5414]

I've never watched Designing Women, but I KNEW THAT WAS HOLLYWOOD MONTROSE!!!

[@djstuntfox]

I just recognized the cop in the 2nd scene. That's Benny from Total Recall. Remember? He has 5 kids to feed!! Lol

[@biruss]

AR-15 was used in Koreatown during the riots

[@lapislazuli30001]

All of these old shows were waking up, that's why they switched to reality...

[@VintageTVMemories]

Are they not able to do a better job at transferring this damn series? It was shot on film for God's sake. It should be available in 4K by now.

[@ninademci1500]

Vintage TV Memories, 🤷🏻‍♀️I don’t know.

[@richardgarcia618]

I am happy that I have the first 5 Seasons on DVD. Didn't care about Seasons 6 & 7.

[@robertsherman7978]

AMEN!! Also, I believe they are the syndicated edits and not the full episodes on the DVDs. It deserves a better transfer and a series set on iTunes!!😀👍📺🐕

[@harveymoore4984]

Loved Ms. Julia , she was Great !!

[@ritacal557]

11:00. Suzanne is the best.

[@peggymccabe5090]

So what ! Remember WOKE MEANS TO BE INFORMED!

[@pinkapotamus9266]

This show dealt with EVERYTHING. And oh my gosh did it make me laugh.

[@Madam_schaffer5747]

That old lady just got jungle fever haha

[@KT-wr3cv]

This was a wonderful, thought-provoking & we'll done show. Y'all won't find one like this again.

[@sharonpope1737]

I Love this show

[@anthonymeans7439]

DW still relevant even now 30 years later!

[@Breeze0911]

The end of only 25 minutes of your time, is the best. Enjoy.

[@bbsteele671]

5:43 still sending only thoughts & prayers! People are being killed by guns more than ever! So sad we haven't made any progress!!

[@sharquimetal]

Amazing

[@Mushroom321-]

His funny reaction! 😅

[@jeanetteschock4744]

Dammit. Julia Suagarbaker for president ❤😂

[@SamShank175]

Damn, I miss that show!

[@ThestuffthatSaralikes]

I. Loved. This. Show. Charlene was my fav… and Anthony lol!!!

[@brendaprovence1750]

And it was great

[@kareneachus8630]

Loved this show. They were ahead of the times. They were not woke, they just had common sense

[@GK-ob1ni]

If this show came out today, all the conservatives would be calling it woke. It WAS woke then - the word "woke" just wasn't in the public vernacular at that time. I love this show too. I had forgotten how wonderful it was. This was a nice trip down memory lane.

[@blinderII]

At 4:45 ...is that Monika Shnare(sp?) ??

[@gstash3]

In the clip with the photographer, the line Julia spouts is "successful business men like Lee Iococca or Donald Trump" so why was that cut?

[@johnorlando9839]

It was written into Dixie’s contract that if she had to espouse on a topic that did not align with her conservative values, she would get to sing.

[@heathercontois4501]

I don't remember her singing in any episodes. Is that why so many topics were split between all the women?

[@greeneyedwarlock882]

Reeeeeally? Hmmmmm.....then there would've been a ton episodes with her singing in them. And there were........NONE. Ergo, your post is complete bulloney.

[@rlast4698]

She sang in ww2 dream episode. When reese died. When she had solo in church. Just for example

[@stormymac27]

@@greeneyedwarlock882 Yes, Reeeeeally! In addition to the previous poster’s examples (I will admit, I don’t remember one when Reese died), she sang at Charlene’s wedding, her son Payne’s wedding and there was a whole episode about her secretly singing in a nightclub. Did you and @Heather Contois even watch the show?

[@tammybennett6897]

I personally do not believe this.

[@f.thomassimpson4110]

They cut a line about Donald Trump being a successful business man!

[@kerrypicrode2624]

Woke whatever this some of their best stuff

[@deebee7746]

Strange that I'm watching designing women right now. It's enjoyable until Delta left. Then it was just various attempts at saving a show that had lost it's original appeal.

[@infonut]

( 00:18:17 ) RIP Wendie Jo Sperber 1958-2005. Gone WAY too soon.

[@ciggystardust99]

Indecent exposure for being out in your jammies? My how times have changed lol

[@rickbentley8152]

It’s great entertainment,