This is the first book‑length study of The Golden Girls, which ran for seven award‑winning seasons from 1985 to 1992 and produced two spin-offs.

Through a cultural studies approach, this collection examines a wide range of topics, including race, sexuality, queerness, memory, familial mythmaking, aging, health, and financial precarity. Featuring contributions from an international team of scholars, this book highlights the enduring relevance and cultural impact of the show, even 30 years after its original airing.

Offering fresh insights into its cross‑generational and cross‑cultural appeal, Down the Road and Back Again is intended for scholars of pop culture and fans of the show.