Why Betty White Shouldn't Host a Full 'SNL'

The concept of teaming White with Tina Fey, Molly Shannon and Amy Poehler is a good one, though, some obviously don't agree. See, it's fun, as in this case, to champion a grassroots, Internet movement to have the now 88-year-old White host 'SNL.' But that doesn't always mean it's 100 percent thought out. Hosting 'SNL' is not just a 90 minutes show. It's an intense, week-long marathon of pitches, rehearsals, last-minute changes and lightning-quick costume changes.

There are time-consuming pitch meetings on Monday and Tuesday -- followed by an all-night writing session (the host is spared from the all-nighter). On Wednesday, read-throughs begin, which includes a meeting with the host on what sketches will make it and which will be cut. Rehearsals start on Thursday, as well as filming a series of promotional commercials. Friday is met with more rehearsing along with costuming. And, keep in mind, 'SNL' cast members don't memorize their lines. It's all read off cue-cards because of all the last-second changes. There is a special skill to doing this. It's what makes Alec Baldwin and Jon Hamm great hosts and what makes Robert De Niro -- a magnificent actor -- a lesser 'SNL' host.

Then, on Saturday, more rehearsing and a full 90-minute dress rehearsal -- filmed in front of a live studio audience -- and then, finally(!), the live show Saturday night.

Look, I'm a huge fan of 'Saturday Night Live.' I've read every book on the market and have interviewed several cast members. I had no idea how intense a live episode actually was until I witnessed it with my own eyes.

It was early 2009 and I had just done a piece on, at the time, first-year featured player Bobby Moynihan. Bobby -- honestly, one of the nicest guys you will ever meet in entertainment -- invited me backstage for a taping of an episode that featured Tracy Morgan as the host. I knew it was a hectic scene, but I could have never imagined the intensity on display. What you see on screen, the set, is the most serene aspect of the studio. The surprisingly small hallways are littered with, well ... just about everything and everyone you can think of: Costumes, props, make-up technicians, random celebrities (Bill Paxton?) and people like me, who just totally get in the way.

At one point, halfway through the show, I passed host Tracy Morgan on the stairwell that connects the two floors that make up the 'SNL' studio and dressing rooms. Or, I should say, I had to clear the way as two assistants were almost carrying him to his next costume change. Morgan -- a (at the time) 40 year-old man that might be described as a "human dynamo" -- appeared exhausted. And remember, this is just the crescendo of a week that involved six full days of preparation. Would that be too much for an 88-year-old White? Perhaps. At least 'SNL' producers fear that it might be -- there is precedent.

If White does wind up co-hosting, she would set a record as the oldest host by 8 years. Two 80-year-olds have hosted the show: Miskel Spillman hosted 'SNL' on December 17, 1977, as part of its 'Anybody Can Host' contest, and earlier that year, Ruth Gordon -- from 'Every Which Way But Loose' -- also hosted. So, while it can be done, it's debatable whether either of those episodes would be classified as memorable.

As much as the world loves Betty White -- and we are included! -- the idea of her hosting 'Saturday Night Live' by herself only sets her up to fail. Having her host with Fey, Shannon and Poehler, however, sets her up to succeed -- and leave us all wanting more.

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