Saturday Night, Live Again

Girl Power on Mother’s Day Weekend

I have not been much of a fan of Saturday Night Live for a long time; the show has been beset by uninspired performances, lame characters and the seeming inability to discern when a sketch is really, really tanking. But kudos for this past weekend’s show, when 88 year old Betty White knocked the ball out of the park with everything she did.

Granted, having an octogenerian drop a few F-bombs is an easy target, but Betty White has always been able to make people laugh, most famously as  “Happy Homemaker” Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the naive Rose Nylund on The Golden Girls.  A long time TV presence, White is also known as “The Queen of Game Shows” since she’s been on more of them than money itself.

The Password is..."funny"

Really, is there anyone who doesn’t like this woman? The award-winning comedienne and actress is probably among the most beloved people in Hollywood. That also explains why her appearance on the show – the result of a fan campaign on Facebook – reportedly landed SNL its best ratings in over eighteen months. In fact, she had me at “hello”…

Watch Betty White’s SNL monologue

The show soared, of course, because it also brought back a bevy of female talent from recent years, including Amy Poehler, Ana Gasteyer, Molly Shannon, Tina Fey, Rachael Dratch and the always incandescent Maya Rudolph. Ironically they probably got more airtime this weekend then they did on any Saturday when they were cast members. And White was game, joining in every sketch, including a few classic routines. Betty White rules.

See the clips of the show here and some unaired clips here.

Saturday Night Live wiki

Betty White wiki

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And R.I.P. Lena Horne –  a very talented lady who used that tremendous voice for much more than singing.