Happy Ninetieth Birthday Betty White
At The Theatre with Audrey Linden
What would a birthday cake with ninety candles look like? Imagine a very bright light, candles that glitter and glow, and a sweet whipped icing. And, imagine Betty White. She is a very bright light, glows and is a true sweetheart. She has endured and is working now more than ever. The tribute at the Biltmore Hotel, which aired live on channel 4 Monday, January 16th was heart-warming with many of our favorite actors who paid homage to Betty. This gal, born in 1922 has worked steadily and is a “national treasure.”
The tribute to the birthday gal was a combination of live speakers and clips of those who were not present. Carole Burnett spoke as a clip played which showed Betty doing a fun sketch comedy with Burnett. There was an Adam and Eve sketch Betty did with Johnny Carson that still was very funny. Eve (Betty) could not find a fig leaf to fit Johnny. “They don’t make fig leaves that small.” Betty was a regular on the “Golden Girls” as the slightly dim Rose Nyland, whose naiveté was the butt of caustic remarks from Bea Arthur’s character. Ray Romano filmed a clip and quipped that he just turned 50 and had his first colonoscopy. “ Betty, You must have had dozens.”
William Shatner, told how Betty has lent her voice to endorse products in sixty years and there was a black and white clip of Betty doing a Geritol commercial way back when. “And, it tastes good.” “Now, she drinks Red Bull followed by Vodka.” An energy saving commercial Betty did with George Burns was next followed by the recent Snickers commercial Betty did. Tracy Morgan said his Rolex “disappeared” when she was on “30 Rock and as her biological son he won’t press charges.”
Mary Tyler Moore was on stage and said Betty was to have done one guest spot on her show but ended up doing four seasons as the sexy, ditzy Ann Nivens. Several clips were shown. I loved the one in which Betty tries to seduce Lou (Ed Asner). Ellen De Generis drove on stage on a scooter and recalled how Betty did a lap dance on her show. Betty, the queen of game shows did “Password” and met Allan Ludden. He asked Betty what her plans for the summer were. “I don’t know. What did you have in mind?” Ludden was smitten and married Betty. Theirs was a long and happy union that endured until Ludden passed. Betty went on to do ‘Tatletales,” “Super Password,” and “Hollywood Squares.”
Valerie Harper (Rhoda), Vicki Lawrence, Gavin Mc Leod, and Ed Asner did a funny parody on “Password.” Mc Leod said, “You’re a national treasure. I salute you.” Morgan Freeman paid his tribute via a clip. “I don’t write letters; I do voice over letters.”
There was a clip from “Hot in Cleveland” and when asked why she wore a track suit, Betty explained that in their 20’s women dress for men, in their 30’s they dress for success, and in their 60’s they dress to be able to go to the bathroom. Valerie Bertinelli with the cast of “Hot in Cleveland” said Betty is fueled by vodka and applause.
A clip of Betty on “Saturday Night” Live in 2010 showed her commenting, “I have to thank Facebook”. She was not familiar with Facebook, but once she went online she said, “It’s a huge waste of time.” She was on the Jay Leno show and a delightful clip showed Jay going into her dressing room. Betty says she is taking a shower and Jay starts to leave. Betty tells Jay he doesn’t have to leave, she isn’t modest, and Betty pulls the curtain aside, pokes her head through on one end, smiles and Hugh Jackman pulls the shower curtain aside on the other end and pokes his head through leaving a baffled Jay Leno.
Carl Reiner said Betty was “all goodness.” A clip showed Carl and Betty at dinner. She asks for salt and Reiner comments, I’m impressed you can still use salt. “I know how to shake what I got.”
Jennifer Love Hewitt did a made for T V movie with Betty “The Last Valentine” and narrated a montage that showed Betty’s involvement with helping animals. Betty was an only child and always had a “four legged friend.” Betty did a T V show, “Pet Set”, raised money for her charity, “The Morris Foundation,” through her unending involvement with L. A. Zoo, Betty was named Ambassador to Animals, and she was given a Lifetime Achievement by Jane Goodal.
Chevy Chase did a funny bit. He said he knew about abs, the Biltmore Hotel, and Betty White. Betty was born in 1922. The Biltmore was built in 1923. "One of them got a major overhaul in the 1980’s." Mary Tyler Moore ‘s lovely tribute was that “You have had many golden years, have a golden glow and are outworking us all.”
Jerry Herman’s very special tribute was a song and dance number with eight men in tux who sang a song from Mame with words changed to fit Betty White’s life of achievements. They danced to her table and accompanied Betty on stage.
Betty concluded the show. “I am the luckiest old broad on two feet to have had all the jobs I’ve had, all the friendships I’ve had have been a privilege.” “There is a breaking point.” “You don’t want people to know your age; then at some point, you brag about it.” “You have spent a lifetime in a business you love with people you love, and get away with it.” That’s a good life indeed! This is a woman who has lived well doing what she has loved and as the evening showed Betty White is well loved, respected, and cherished. The evening ended with all Betty’s friends on stage with her singing, Thank You for Being A Friend.”
Audrey Linden is a writer, actress and singer. She can be seen in a long-running “Associated Tax Resolution” commercial, two “Little Caesars” spots, a “Teva International Pharmaceutical” short, Gene Simmons’ “Family Jewels,” “America’s Court with Judge Ross,” VHS “Tough Love 2,”etc.
Audrey teaches ON CAMERA COMMERCIAL WORKSHOPS through the City of Beverly Hills, Community Services. To register, call 310-285-6850-course # 18014. Her classes are held at 241 Moreno Dr. B.H. 90212. The next class starts January 12th For more information, contact Audrey -audrey133@juno.com
The class in for 8 weeks @ $118 from 6:45-9:15 PM ($5 materials fee payable to instructor first night).
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