The Betty White Effect: Fans Launch 'SNL' Campaign for Carol Burnett

By John Mitchell Posted May 11th 2010 06:30PM

During her smashing 'Saturday Night Live' monologue, living legend Betty White gave credit where credit was due, thanking (with the odd back-handed joke) the massive Facebook campaign that helped successfully land her on stage at Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Center.

"Now, I'm here tonight because you wanted me to be," White said sincerely. "I just want to say I feel so loved. Thank you."

The show nabbed huge ratings and continues to create buzz for both White and 'SNL,' so is it any surprise that a host of copycat Facebook campaigns have popped up in its wake? According to the New York Times, one of the most prominent is for comedienne Carol Burnett.

The page is closely modeled after the one built to support White. "Carol Burnett to Host SNL (PLEASE?)!" has attracted over 25,000 (and counting!) fans, though it has a ways to go to reach White-like levels -- more-than half a million fans joined the campaign to support the 'Golden Girls'' 'SNL' bid.

Burnett recently admitted on 'The Joy Behar Show' that she would host 'SNL' if invited to:

While Burnett's campaign may be picking up steam, the legendary star of 'The Carol Burnett Show' (a spin-off from which, 'Mama's Family,' featured both White and Burnett as supporting characters) is just one of many stars getting the Facebook-'SNL' campaign treatment.

Leading the pack is New Orleans Saint quarterback, NFL MVP Drew Brees, with nearly 6,000 Facebookers joining the good fight to see him play opposite the likes of Kristen Wiig and Jason Sudeikis on the NBC late night staple -- just like former MVPs Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have. Not far behind: White's 'Golden Girls' co-star Rue McClanahan and country music diva (and former CW sitcom leading lady) Reba McEntire.

Other notable hopefuls include Carol Channing, Jane Lynch and Rachel Maddow.

Unfortunately, this week's show -- hosted by 'SNL' fave Alec Baldwin -- is the season finale, so fans will have to wait until fall to see if any of their favorites make the 'SNL' cut.

Brees might be busy with his day job when 'SNL' returns, and McClanahan is still recovering from a stroke she suffered earlier this year -- though we do know her sense of humor remains in tact. White reportedly sent her longtime friend a card reading, "Dear Rue, I hope you hurry up and die so I can be the last Golden Girl left. NOT KIDDING!" And McClanahan thought the card was "hilarious."

That leaves Reba. No slouch on the stage, Ms. McEntire is the second most successful female country artist of all time and even earned a Drama Desk Special Award for her acclaimed Broadway turn in 'Annie Get Your Gun.'

For further evidence of Reba McEntire's awesomeness, the video for her song 'Fancy' is below:

Tags: betty white, carol burnett, golden girls, reba mcentire, Rue McClanahan, SaturdayNightLive, snl

Comments

(44)

Tuesday 11 May

By themeeker

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Carol KNOWS live TV. Not like the amateurs of today.

Friday 14 May

By denise maxion

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love you i think you are great

By ROBERTO

WOW...WHO PEED IN YOUR CHEERIOS?

By Caroline

...the spelling is "intact," not "in tact." Two different meanings.

I want Carol, but I also want her real face back:((

By Paula

You know, the face you remember would also be less recognizable to you if she didn't have a face lift. It is called aging and we all do it. She is so beautiful on the inside, what do you care if she is trying to fight mother nature a bit. Someday you will have a bunch of wrinkles and sagging and if you decide to age gracefully then God Bless you, but if not that is your choice too. Carol is perfect just the way she is.

By Kat Lively

Got a better idea: rerun the old Carol Burnett Show in SNL's time slot.

By KONNIE & SWEETHEART

FRANK CADY!

By N2

CAROL BURNET WOULD BE "FANTASTIC" ON SNL. BETTY WHITE WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD GREAT. SNL SAW THE LIGHT AND WENT TO IT. IT'S ABOUT TIME.

By jmfabianorpl

I'd LOVE to see Roozie and Betty together and do a Golden Girls reunion skit. She too is still pretty sharp, I hear she was great on Sordid Lives. But hopefully she recovers first and foremost.

By Janine

Did I miss something or did someone post that Rue M. was ailing?? If so, what happened-- missed it.

By sw

Ummm if u read the article...it says that Rue M. had a stroke!

By Kevin

Everyone talks about Carol hosting, which I would love to see, but what about Tim Conway?? Could you see him doing it?

By nmbr1momy

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Yes even better choice!

By Alan

NOW there's one for Barbra Streisand to host. What's next? Queen Elizabeth? I'm for Carol Burnett and I'll be she'd do it !

By rdora30

Yes I loved Betty on SNL and YES Carol would be another great bet to host SNL as well!

By Sarge

I would watch it, only if Carol would do the Tarzan yell.

By martinslcp

test

By eileen

I LOVED BETTY WHITE ON SNL, SHE WAS VERY FUNNY AND SHARP, I ALSO THINK CAROL BURNETT WOULD BE GREAT ON IT, AND BRING TIM CONWAY AS HER SIDEKICK.

Wednesday 12 May

By Henry

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What a plastic surgery disaster!!!!!!!

By Cleanlady

If they can get Carol to do this, I would like to see them bring in Vicki Lawrence as well. Can you imagine a send-up of Mama's Family SNL-style??!!! And by the way, Betty White and Rue McClanahan played Carol's sisters on the "Mama's Family" show! I also think that having Tim Conway on with Carol would be a riot!!!

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