The Engagement (a.k.a) Pilot - S1-E1
Trivia: The exclamation point carving on the back of the front door was carved by Bea Arthur the first day on set. It can be seen throughout the show's entire seven seasons.
Trivia: All of the women who starred in the show, with the exception of Betty White, died one year apart from each other. Estelle Getty in 2008, Bea Arthur in 2009, and Rue McClanahan in 2010. Betty White was the oldest of them all and is the last surviving main character of the series.
Trivia: Although she appeared to be an 80 year old on the show, the late Estelle Getty (born 7/25/23) was younger than her costars Betty White (born 1/17/22) and Bea Arthur (born 5/14/22); and Rue was the youngest of the four (2/21/34). Estelle at first was turned down for the role of Sophia (because she was too young). It was only after she came back dressed in a gray wig, thrift store dress, and heavily made-up, that she got the part.
Trivia: Murray Hamilton was only ten years older than Rue McClanahan, who plays his daughter in this episode.
Trivia: There were always 3 chairs around the kitchen table instead of 4 due to limitations of filming, and so one actress wouldn't have her back to the camera.
Trivia: Dorothy got her last name from Kent Zbornak, the show's stage manager.
Trivia: NBC was against casting Bea Arthur as Dorothy, stating she was "recognizable but not lovable".
Trivia: Rue had a clause in her contract that allowed her to keep all of Blanch's custom made clothing she wore on the show.
Answer: Ice makers were a new invention, advertisement purposes.