Golden Girls Superfans Kelly Ripa and Sheryl Lee Ralph Dive Deep into TV Special in Exclusive Interview

It feels like just yesterday that The Golden Girls first graced our TV screens on September 14, 1985. The show was an instant hit, running for an impressive seven seasons. And even though production of new episodes ended over three decades ago, this iconic sitcom has never really gone away.

Thanks to streaming platforms like Hulu, new generations of viewers continue to fall in love with the hilarious antics of Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia. Plus, who can forget the unforgettable theme song, a remake of Andrew Gold’s classic “Thank You for Being a Friend”?

To celebrate 40 years of laughs and friendship, ABC is airing a one-hour special, The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter & Friendship — Special Edition of 20/20, on November 11. In the exclusive trailer shared with PEOPLE, superfans like Kelly Ripa, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Laverne Cox, and Mario Lopez discuss the show’s impact on their lives.

Speaking of Mario Lopez, did you know he guest-starred on The Golden Girls back in 1987 as a foreign-exchange student named Mario?
It turns out that his previous work with Bea Arthur helped him land the role. And according to the trailer, the show has streamed over 100 billion hours on Hulu, proving that its humor is truly timeless.

So mark your calendars for November 11 when The Golden Girls: 40 Years of Laughter & Friendship — Special Edition of 20/20 premieres on ABC. And if you miss it, don’t worry – you can catch it the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. It’s a celebration that will make you feel like it’s Day 1 fresh all over again.