LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Maude" and "Golden Girls" star Bea Arthur is happily poised to enter the TV Academy Hall of Fame, but she admits it's her own fault the recognition didn't come sooner.

Arthur says the academy approached her five years ago about her joining the ranks of past honorees, who include Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson and Bill Cosby. But she didn't accept at the time because, she had heard about George C. Scott turning down the Oscar and thought it was "kind of cool."

This time, she's "delighted" to be included.

The Hall of Fame ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 9 in Beverly Hills.

By LYNN ELBER
AP Television Writer

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