AND THEN THERE'S MAUDE!
The Bold, Brassy & Unapologetic Tribute to TV's Original Feminist Icon — Maude Findlay — loud laugh, louder opinions, liberated woman in a polyester pantsuit who changed television forever.
Unapologetic, Loud & Right
Who The Hell Is Maude?
Maude Findlay — played to perfection by Bea Arthur — stormed out of All in the Family and into her own show on September 12, 1972. Divorced three times, married to fourth husband Walter, living in Tuckahoe, New York with daughter Carol and grandson Phillip.
She was 47, liberal, pro-choice, pro-Equal Rights Amendment, pro-everything Archie Bunker hated. She had an abortion on television in 1972 — a year before Roe v. Wade — and America lost its mind. Twice. The two-part episode “Maude’s Dilemma” still ranks among the bravest moments in sitcom history.
- ✊ Endorsed ERA, civil rights & women's lib on prime-time CBS
- 🛋️ Held court in the most famous living room of the 70s
- 📢 Sparred with best friend Vivian, neighbor Arthur & maid Florida
Why We Built This Madhouse
And Then There’s Maude started as a late-night rewatch and turned into an obsession. We catalog every eye-roll, every caftan, every “Walter!” shouted down the hallway. We write about what Maude means in 2026 — abortion rights, menopause jokes, marriage at 50, female rage as comedy.
Inside you’ll find: deep-dive episode guides, feminist readings, mid-century interiors breakdowns, Bea Arthur biography bits, Florida Evans appreciation, and style guides for living like a Tuckahoe liberal with a cocktail in hand.
↑ The Tuckahoe living room energy we aspire to daily
Maude premieres. Bea Arthur wins hearts, terrifies censors. Instant Top 10 hit.
Two-part abortion episode airs. 65 million watch. History made.
Bea Arthur finally wins Outstanding Lead Actress. About damn time.
We rewatch, rewrite, reclaim. Maude is more relevant than ever.
Meet The Tuckahoe Chaos Crew
No laugh track could contain them. Six people, one living room, zero filters.
Maude Findlay
The queen. Liberal, loud, loving. Four marriages, one massive voice, endless caftans. Would absolutely have a podcast today called “Maude Unmuted”.
Walter Findlay
Long-suffering appliance-store husband. “God’ll get you for that, Walter!” — and He tried. Secret softie, professional ulcer-haver.
Florida Evans
The maid with the best comebacks on TV. So iconic she got her own show Good Times. “Damn, damn, damn!” — we still quote her.
Vivian Harmon
Best friend, giggler, fellow liberated woman. Married to obnoxious Arthur. Proof that best friends let you scream.
Arthur Harmon
Conservative neighbor, Walter’s best friend, Maude’s verbal punching bag. Every group needs one to roast.
Carol Traynor
Divorced daughter, single mom, the 70s everywoman. Caught between Maude’s feminism and real life.
Episodes That Shook America
Maude's Dilemma
47, pregnant, and deciding. The abortion two-parter that changed TV. Brave, funny, heartbreaking. Still radical.
Florida's Goodbye
Esther Rolle leaves for Good Times. Maude actually cries. Class, race and friendship — handled head-on.
The Election
Maude runs for state senate. Walter has a breakdown. Vivian giggles. Peak 70s political farce.
Vivian's Problem
Menopause, martinis and middle-age honesty. Two women talking about bodies on CBS in 1973? Revolutionary.
Arthur vs. Maude
Conservative vs. liberal over cocktails. Every insult is Shakespeare with shoulder pads.
The Last Laugh 1978
Maude becomes a congresswoman? Almost. The finale that sent her to Washington in our hearts.
Fresh Rants & Retro Takes
No stories yet — Maude is powdering her nose.
Check back soon for episode guides and feminist fire.
Caftans, Cocktails & Avocado Kitchens
What made Maude so controversial?
Everything. She had an abortion on TV in 1972, supported ERA, talked about menopause, alcoholism, divorce and politics — all while being funny. CBS got thousands of protest letters and millions of viewers.
Who played Maude Findlay?
The incomparable Bea Arthur — 6'0" of comedic authority, ex-Marine, Broadway star, later Dorothy on Golden Girls. Emmy winner, gay icon, legend forever.
How many seasons are there?
6 seasons, 141 episodes, 1972-1978 on CBS. Spin-off of All in the Family, gave birth to Good Times via Florida Evans.
Where can I start watching?
Start with our episode guide above — “Maude’s Dilemma”, then Season 2. Then binge our Journal essays for context on every cultural bombshell she dropped.