As stylist to the cast of television's smash comedy "Golden Girls," Joyce Melton has firm feelings about how people see senior citizens. To Joyce, the older generation is as vibrant and exciting as the younger generation, so she gives the show's cast modern, fashionable hairstyles. To Joyce, television work is exciting and diverse, noting that in all of her 22 years in the industry, no two days have ever been the same.

MILO: How did you become the stylist on Golden Girls?

MELTON: Through the production company, Thomas-Harris Productions. I'd been working with them for about seven years at the time. We did the pilot and learned that the show was picked up, so I got the opportunity to go ahead with it. Prior to the actual pilot, I was given a call to work with Estelle Getty for a screen test in character as Sophia.

MILO: Is this your first work with television?

MELTON: No, I started eight years ago in the hit series "Soap." From there, I worked with "Condo," and "Hail to the Chief." When I started on "Golden Girls," I was the hairstylist for "Benson" and "It's a Living," too.

MILO: Television work can be grueling. How do you keep it exciting?

MELTON: Well, I love it. I've been a hairstylist for 22 years. I love the opportunity of working with people and creating looks that help make their characters so successful. It's also a challenge. No two days are ever the same, even though you are creating the same look. Sometimes the script calls for them to get out of bed, and their hair has to be messed up. It's television, and the viewing audience doesn't think about people having to be messed up on television. But if you just crawled out of bed, you wouldn't look like you just rolled out of a beauty salon. The show's writers and producers want characters to look in such a way that the attention is not on make-up, hair or wardrobe, just the character. That's the challenge, creating that look.

MILO: The characters are more mature than most on television. Does age create any particular concerns about hair quality? Are the products you used designed for older hair?

MELTON: Not really. Products are aimed at hair qualities, not necessarily age. The health of a person in relation to hair, nails and skin is a greater determination. Also heritage, which can determine the texture of hair, whether its coarse or fine.

Each one of the characters is treated differently, so different products are used. For instance, on Betty White, we use a single process application to blend grey/silver, brown and ash blonde, which lightens it. There is not a great deal of tint. We also perm it. She's stayed the same over the years and is consistent in her hair. Rue McClanahan has highlights and is also permed. Bea Arthur's hair has changed in color and texture. It is salt and pepper, naturally beautiful, various shades of grey. It's very strong hair; almost wiry in texture -- almost fights the curling iron I use on it. Her hair requires considerable prepping before creating the actual style.

MILO: What kind of prepping?

MELTON: We use hair treatments such as sprays and conditioners so the hair will take and hold the effect. Then we use a blow dryer.

Because these ladies have their hair worked on more than the average person (and being under hot lights doesn't help), we use a lot of conditioners and scalp preparation to help keep the hair in good condition.

MILO: How does each woman's character affect her hairstyle? How do you make hair decisions?

MELTON: It's a mutual agreement between the producers, the actresses and me. For instance, before we were able to determine the actual color of Estelle Getty's character, we had to consider that she is playing Bea Arthur's mother, and Bea already has gray hair herself. We chose a softer, whiter hair. In that case, hair color was determined solely by character.

MILO: Estelle undergoes such a dramatic change. What is actually done with her hair?

MELTON: In the very beginning, we did coloring with the use of color sprays and some creams around the hairline. But that is not the kind of thing you would want to continue weekly.

After the pilot, we used a human-hair wig. The wig was specially created for her head size. She has a small head and it is a completely hair-length wig. Every hair is individually hand-tied. We permed the wig and cut it to the short carefree style Sophia wears. The other way was so time-consuming, and the metallics in the hair sprays can damage the hair if used often.

MILO: How durable is the wig?

MELTON: With human hair wigs, the hair itself is as strong as any growing on our head. The difference is the dryness that develops. You have to care for it in a slightly different fashion. Because of perspiration and taking it off and on, the base of the wig is the most sensitive part, the actual hair length foundation is very fragile. It is very fine and is likely to rip, and then you have to sew it back together again. Estelle's has ripped as a matter of fact.

MILO: Does wearing a wig affect the natural hair?

MELTON: No, not to the degree that Estelle is wearing it in the show. However, if a person wears a wig day in and day out, it might cause some problems, preventing the hair and scalp from breathing. It wouldn't get proper stimulation from such vital elements as oxygen and sun.

MILO: Do you maintain the same style for the ladies on a week-to-week basis?

MELTON: For the most part, unless the script calls for something different, but even that is usually only rollers or a bandana or something. The basic hairstyle stays pretty much the same.

MILO: Do you style the ladies' hair outside the show, too?

MELTON: Oh, yes. If they are going to a banquet or party, or a commercial shoot, photo sessions, or other daytime p.r. work, that sort of thing -- I'll get together with them first.

MILO: When they are off the set, do they keep the same hairstyles?

MELTON: Well, of course Estelle is different because she wears a wig in character. Her hair is actually sandy brown and very, very fine. She doesn't like to be bothered with it much so she has a wash and wear cut that's easy -- just runs a comb through it.

Betty White has maintained her look for a number of years and feels very comfortable with it. Rue is more likely to change her hair. If you saw the Emmy awards show last year, you'll remember that she came with quite a different look -- spiked and wild, almost punkish.

MILO: What's a typical day like?

MELTON: Well, let's take Fridays for example. Fridays are tape days. That can be very hectic.

The cast rehearses from 12:00 to 3:00 in the afternoon. We're supposed to work with them from 3:00 to 5:00, but that doesn't always happen -- rehearsal can run late or any number of delays can happen. In that two-hour time frame, they do wardrobe and make-up as well as hair, so everything has to function smoothly and rapidly. If there are any extras or guest stars on the show, extra hair and make-up people are called in.

MILO: Do you do all four women by yourself?

MELTON: Thank goodness, no, I have an assistant, Paulette, who helps with washing, blow-drying and placing curlers.

MILO: Several of the ladies wear very modern hairstyles. Is that a statement by the older generation?

MELTON: Since one of the premises of the show was to portray the vitality of older persons, we felt that modern hairstyles were in order. The older generation is as creative and fashion-conscious as younger generations. I don't believe age stipulates that. I think that is more dependent on personalities than with age.

There are some ladies whose lifestyles are very professional, and they need current looks. It doesn't matter if they're 26 or 66. And it doesn't matter if they are in televison or not. I've found the same to be true of most of the women I've worked with in my 22 years as a stylist. Most women are very fashion-oriented, no matter what their age, and they try to keep up with the current mode, as long as it's compatible with their individual personalities. Fashion really is an individual thing after all.

I think older people show more and more fashion-consciousness as they take a more and more active role in society. Senior citizens no longer retire from the mainstream of life.

MILO: Does the TV audience look at the cast for role models, trendsetters?

MELTON: Yes, I do think the audience looks to the girls for possibilities for friends. One of the reasons "Golden Girls" is such a success is that each one of them makes an individual statement. And each of them has a specific role and look about them that people can identify with or want to identify with, whether it be their appearance, mannerisms or way of life.

We've had several requests from the viewing audience, asking for pictures and hairstyling information on the stars.

This show seems to be popular for that type of thing. There's not as much demand on other shows because most of the time, one or two characters are showcased. But with "Golden Girls," there's more to be indentified with and inquired about.

 

*from Milo, March 1987