'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
02-22-10 | 06:40 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Moderator
'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
I brought up the possibility in the last SNL thread, but CNN is carrying this exclusive:
Cool!
'SNL' close to landing Betty White
(EW.com) -- When a grassroots campaign involves both Facebook and a beloved "Golden Girl," the scope of its influence cannot be underestimated.
To wit: Sources confirm to me exclusively that "Saturday Night Live" is this close to signing TV legend Betty White to host the show for the very first time.
But there's a catch -- and a pretty cool one at that.
White would not be hosting alone. Rather, I hear "SNL" is putting together a "Women of Comedy" episode that would team the former Rose Nylund with several of her younger contemporaries. Ex-"SNL" MVP Molly Shannon is on board, I hear, and feelers have also been put out to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. (An NBC spokesperson insists no one has been confirmed at this time.)
This tag-team approach will allow Lorne Michaels to appease White-on-"SNL" zealots (half a million and counting!) without making the 88-year-old shoulder the burden of all 90 minutes on her own. And hey, anything that gives Fey an opportunity to dust off her Sarah Palin impersonation -- as she's rumored to be considering -- is OK with me.
Thoughts? Are you down with "SNL's" multi-host approach? Do you think SNL should borrow any of Ken Tucker's genius skit ideas for White? Is all of this way too good to be true?
(EW.com) -- When a grassroots campaign involves both Facebook and a beloved "Golden Girl," the scope of its influence cannot be underestimated.
To wit: Sources confirm to me exclusively that "Saturday Night Live" is this close to signing TV legend Betty White to host the show for the very first time.
But there's a catch -- and a pretty cool one at that.
White would not be hosting alone. Rather, I hear "SNL" is putting together a "Women of Comedy" episode that would team the former Rose Nylund with several of her younger contemporaries. Ex-"SNL" MVP Molly Shannon is on board, I hear, and feelers have also been put out to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. (An NBC spokesperson insists no one has been confirmed at this time.)
This tag-team approach will allow Lorne Michaels to appease White-on-"SNL" zealots (half a million and counting!) without making the 88-year-old shoulder the burden of all 90 minutes on her own. And hey, anything that gives Fey an opportunity to dust off her Sarah Palin impersonation -- as she's rumored to be considering -- is OK with me.
Thoughts? Are you down with "SNL's" multi-host approach? Do you think SNL should borrow any of Ken Tucker's genius skit ideas for White? Is all of this way too good to be true?
02-22-10 | 06:52 PM
#3
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
Sad to think it would take an 88 year old woman for me to consider tuning into SNL.
02-22-10 | 07:04 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Moderator
02-22-10 | 07:29 PM
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
After reading the thread title I was hoping she was going to become a cast member. I don't have a problem with multiple hosts, but calling Molly Shannon and Amy Poehler funny is a stretch.
02-22-10 | 09:40 PM
#8
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
I would like to see Vicky Lawrence guest star with Betty White, just for the hell of it.
02-22-10 | 11:02 PM
#11
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Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
Saturday Night Live!
THe show that keeps on tugging!
The show that basically eliminates itself from my mind bank altogether. Half the time, I think it was canceled; the other half, forget it exists. There must be someone somewhere keeping it alive? Strange considering I don't know a single soul who has watched it since the 90's.
The last I've heard people watching this on a regular basis was back in the Wayne's World/Church Lady era!
On a positive note, I did enjoy the Church Lady many years ago!
THe show that keeps on tugging!
The show that basically eliminates itself from my mind bank altogether. Half the time, I think it was canceled; the other half, forget it exists. There must be someone somewhere keeping it alive? Strange considering I don't know a single soul who has watched it since the 90's.
The last I've heard people watching this on a regular basis was back in the Wayne's World/Church Lady era!
On a positive note, I did enjoy the Church Lady many years ago!
02-22-10 | 11:55 PM
#13
DVD Talk Limited Edition
02-23-10 | 12:26 AM
#14
DVD Talk Limited Edition
02-23-10 | 02:23 AM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
I liked it until I got to the part about having those others back. At least get someone like Susie Essman, who wouldn't get to host on her own.
02-23-10 | 06:37 AM
#16
DVD Talk Godfather
02-23-10 | 10:25 AM
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
This "Women of Comedy" idea seems weak to me.
If they want Betty White to host, then they should let her do it alone. She doesn't have to be in every sketch, running around like a maniac.
And January Jones proved that there are times when LESS of the host would have been a good thing.
All they need with Betty White is a good monologue and a couple sketches for her to appear in.
But ultimately I think this is a "Snakes on a Plane" situation, where there's all this supposed interest in seeing her host, but it won't translate into increased viewership.
If they want Betty White to host, then they should let her do it alone. She doesn't have to be in every sketch, running around like a maniac.
And January Jones proved that there are times when LESS of the host would have been a good thing.
All they need with Betty White is a good monologue and a couple sketches for her to appear in.
But ultimately I think this is a "Snakes on a Plane" situation, where there's all this supposed interest in seeing her host, but it won't translate into increased viewership.
02-23-10 | 11:43 AM
#18
Suspended
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
Although if they are going to do the Women of Comedy thing, somebody check to see if Carol Burnett is willing to participate (and I second MLBFan's nomination of Vicki Lawrence). Also Ruth Buzzi, Jo Anne Worley, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Jane Curtin and Penny Marshall. Because if we're going to do this shit, let's do it up big.
02-23-10 | 12:04 PM
#19
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
This would be awesome because it would be SNL stepping outside of their box oh-so-briefly.
Yea, but the major difference is that this would at least be worth watching.
Yea, but the major difference is that this would at least be worth watching.
02-23-10 | 12:31 PM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
I agree with this. Unless it's Betty herself saying she doesn't want to shoulder a whole episode, I say let her host.
Although if they are going to do the Women of Comedy thing, somebody check to see if Carol Burnett is willing to participate (and I second MLBFan's nomination of Vicki Lawrence). Also Ruth Buzzi, Jo Anne Worley, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Jane Curtin and Penny Marshall. Because if we're going to do this shit, let's do it up big.
Although if they are going to do the Women of Comedy thing, somebody check to see if Carol Burnett is willing to participate (and I second MLBFan's nomination of Vicki Lawrence). Also Ruth Buzzi, Jo Anne Worley, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Jane Curtin and Penny Marshall. Because if we're going to do this shit, let's do it up big.
Spoiler:
02-23-10 | 12:55 PM
#21
DVD Talk Hero
02-23-10 | 01:23 PM
#22
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
I agree with Count Dooku, too...ku. It whiffs of being patronizing to women comedians, especially in light of SNL's reputation for chauvinism (whether deserved or not).
02-23-10 | 04:52 PM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
But if you are a seasoned female performer with a long track record in comedy, you can join the "Women of Comedy" hosting team.
02-23-10 | 06:22 PM
#24
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
Yeah, I don't understand the big deal. She's quite uninteresting.
SNL is not too big for Betty White and Betty White certainly isn't too big for SNL so I don't understand why there is hype or anything about it. I would be more interested if Tom Cruise was hosting SNL.
SNL is not too big for Betty White and Betty White certainly isn't too big for SNL so I don't understand why there is hype or anything about it. I would be more interested if Tom Cruise was hosting SNL.
02-23-10 | 06:30 PM
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: 'SNL' close to landing Betty White (CNN)
Yeah, I don't understand the big deal. She's quite uninteresting.
SNL is not too big for Betty White and Betty White certainly isn't too big for SNL so I don't understand why there is hype or anything about it. I would be more interested if Tom Cruise was hosting SNL.
SNL is not too big for Betty White and Betty White certainly isn't too big for SNL so I don't understand why there is hype or anything about it. I would be more interested if Tom Cruise was hosting SNL.