Reba McEntire & Little Big Town Celebrate The Golden Girls at the Emmys
A Star-Studded Emmy Tribute
The 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards took place on Sunday (September 14) at The Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, honoring the best in primetime television. This year’s show included special performances dedicated to iconic sitcoms and their unforgettable theme songs.
One of the highlights of the night came when Reba McEntire, joined by Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, performed the beloved theme from The Golden Girls.
A Song That Became Television History
The Golden Girls aired from 1985 to 1992, starring Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, and Estelle Getty as four older women navigating life together. Beyond its witty writing and memorable characters, the show became synonymous with its upbeat theme, “Thank You For Being a Friend.”
Originally written and recorded by Andrew Gold in 1978, the song was later covered by Cynthia Fee and chosen as the official theme for the sitcom. Though Gold once called it “a little throwaway thing,” it went on to become one of television’s most recognizable tunes.
Why The Show Was Honored
Widely regarded as one of TV’s most influential sitcoms, The Golden Girls ran for 180 episodes and earned numerous awards. These included:
Two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series
Three Golden Globes for Best TV Series (Musical or Comedy)
Individual Emmy wins for Arthur, White, McClanahan, and Getty
With 2025 marking the 40th anniversary of its premiere, the Emmys paid tribute to its enduring cultural impact.
Reba & Friends Bring the Song Back to Life
Reba, Fairchild, and Schlapman performed The Golden Girls theme from a replica of the show’s famous kitchen set. Each artist took turns on lead vocals while blending together in warm, nostalgic harmonies.
The audience clapped, sang along, and cheered throughout the performance, clearly moved by the throwback moment. It was both a celebration of the sitcom’s legacy and a reminder of how its theme song continues to bring people together decades later.
✨ Watch Reba McEntire, Karen Fairchild, and Kimberly Schlapman perform “Thank You For Being A Friend” at the Emmys in the video below.