Betty White Is Alive and Well, But Hoaxer May Wish He Were Dead

By Marc Schneider Posted Mar 3rd 2010 09:23AM

There are some people who you just shouldn't mess with, and one of them is 'Golden Girls' goddess Betty White. In the wee hours of Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, a dastardly hoax was perpetrated in the comments area of popular gossip blog Oh No They Didn't, where a screen-shot of a fake TMZ article was posted claiming the actress had died.

How'd she perish? The faux article said it was a mixture of drug abuse and foul play.

From there, the rumor spread like wildfire and quickly became a hot trend on Twitter and Google. Countering the silliness, White's rabid fans began posting whimsical #BettyWhiteFacts ("Betty White turned Tiger down" ... "Betty White taught MJ how to moonwalk") instead.

Of course, readers should have immediately known it was a hoax; the cause of death was about as believable as White's 'Golden Girls' character Rose Nylund being awarded the Nobel Prize in Science.

A blog called The Cutting Room Floor got to the bottom of the hoax early Wednesday. Though commenters on Oh No They Didn't claimed they had seen the article on TMZ, no such piece could be found on the popular Web site's homepage. Also, the font used in the fake did not match the one used by TMZ.

The offending post was eventually deleted by Oh No They Didn't, but the damage was done, and White's fans are calling for blood. Some common reactions on Twitter:

@loganX2: dear internet a betty white death hoax is never a joke!! thanks// i'll kill the internet for those remarks. Ordering a hit.

@LexiDV: Who would start a rumor Betty White died? Sick. May Sophia Petrillo curse you.

Several sites, including The LA Times' Ministry of Gossip, have put in calls for comment from White.

White has recently enjoyed a particularly high profile among younger people, courtesy of a memorable appearance at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, her performance in the hit film 'The Proposal,' a popular Super Bowl ad and a recent Facebook campaign to get her the hosting job at 'Saturday Night Live.'

Comments

(26)

Wednesday 03 March

By Maryellen

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Betty White is a classy lady. I am sure she'll get a chuckle out of the hoax. I have followed her career for many years. Her marriage to Alan Ludden was one to be admired. They had a story book romance. He was a wonderful game show host. She has brought us much joy in the roles that she played. I thought she was phenomenal in The Proposal. It was a great movie. She will be missed when it is time for her to leave us. May we have many more Golden moments with her.

By Kay

Betty White is an amazing lady and blows me away with her energy and drive. She is one smart lady. I am 71 and she puts me to shame! Wish I had her energy and get up and go. Too bad we have idiots out there stirring up crap. Knowing her or rather observing her and her wit, she will undoubtedly just shine this all on!

Thursday 04 March

By Aaron

Here we go again, this Kelli and the other Kelli in our development always knocking on doors, distributing tracts spouting every other word her religion. I attend my Synagogue, not in the business of converting anyone. What she needs is to research the original founder, Judge Rutherford and take it from there. There's something wrong with these Kelli's!
Lol, dumb and dumber!

Saturday 20 March

By Rita K.

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I was looking for the date Betty is to be on the Larry King show when I saw this cruel joke about Ms. White being "dead"..I was in shock until I realized it was a joke...I think she is amazing...You go Girl!!! At 88 years young she is fantastic...I wish at 65 I got around and was as active as she is....she is really a "Class Act"

Wednesday 29 December

By Nita

I was on my way to work when the radio announced Betty White had died. I was so shocked and upset about the news I almost caused an accident. I'm so glade and blessed Betty White is still with us and I'm also happy the media is clearing this gossip mess-up!! I love you Betty!!?)

Tuesday 18 January

By TGM

She needs to die, for real, as well as all you panty sniffers who worship the old scrotum.

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