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)

Friday 14 May

By miriam

Vote down Vote up Report this

am a foreigner so am not knowing these ladies but god almighty what happened to these poor ladies- what disfigured their faces....terrifying.

Tuesday 18 May

By magicmeatball2

It's called "High Definition"!

By Paula

Reba must be freaking out when they talk about the "betty white effect" and include her name with a couple of women in their late 70's. Reba is just 54, and although I think she would make a great host, she is not yet a little old lady...

Tuesday 25 May

By Wanda

Good point,but in show business 54 might as well be 85,because everything is aimed at teenagers!

Page 3 of 3