With a star-studded cast playing six strong, Southern women, the 1989 film adaptation of Steel Magnolias has long been hailed as a celebration of female friendship, empowerment, and resilience.

And as resurfaced clips from the movie’s press tour show, those themes were rather timely.

Cast members Sally Field, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, and Julia Roberts sat on stage answering questions on the popular talk show Donahue. Host Phil Donahue asked his own questions and audience members asked theirs. Watching it now, though, one thing is clear: We’ve come a long way since the 1980s.

Asking women about their weight and looks was par for the course

In part one of the clip, Phil Donahue immediately comments on Dolly Parton’s weight, asking her if she eats birdseed for breakfast and telling her she almost weighs nothing. According to 1989 standards, that was meant to be a compliment, but a few decades later, it feels inappropriate.

@nostalgia6934 #steelmagnolias #juliaroberts #sallyfield #dollyparton #shirlymcclain ♬ original sound –........

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