Week of Feb. 19: Hail Betty White

It's nice to see Betty White received deserved accolades for almost a lifetime of television work.

White is one of the rare people who has performed in a television program of some sort each decade since the medium became a national touchstone.

Her first series was a brief one, called "Life With Elizabeth:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miPyaWgrn2w


She appeared in a number of guest-starring roles from the 1950s through the early 1970s.

Her first truly successful chapter came during the 1960s and 70s, as a game show panelist. She could be seen on "To Tell the Truth," "Match Game" and, in particular, "Password." That's where she met the love of her life, host Alan Ludden, whom she married:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDjeaChO7YE&feature=PlayList&p=6F1A15CEE23D19B9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=20

Sadly, he died in 1981.

Then came 1973 - and White's turn in "The Lars Affair," an episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." The snarky "Happy Homemaker" Sue Ann Nivens, played so well by White, has an affair with Lars Lindstrom, the unseen husband of Phyllis (Cloris Leachman):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_YrLfvraEw

White would become a series regular and play Sue Ann through the rest of its run.

She would continue the guest-starring roles, including a significant part on NBC's "Mama's Family," and game shows until 1984. Then came a second transformational role.

Originally, the producers of "The Golden Girls" sought to have White play Blanche, the widow with a very active (to say the least) social life. They had planned for Rue McClanahan to play the sweet, naive Rose. White asked for a reversal, playing Rose while McClanahan played Blanche. The result was magic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHz8mn3mm_o&feature=related

Long may you work, Ms. White.

See you next week. Until then, Happy Viewing!