The Betty White Meme: When The Internet Stopped Making Sense
Betty White is a talented comedic actress who has been in the entertainment industry for over 50 years.
This is a screengrab of a Digg.com search of "Betty White."
The top three results, all within the last month, are about Betty White and the show Saturday Night Live. The bottom article, the one with the most diggs, describes a Facebook campaign demanding that SNL let Betty White host the show, the one in the middle lays out a few sketches she should appear in. (That Facebook group, by the way, has almost 500,000 fans.) The most recent story in that screengrab links to the story confirming that Betty would in fact be hosting the show. The day that article went live, Betty White was a trending topic on social networking site Twitter, just below the show Skins and above something called a justin bieber.
The Facebook campaign starts it, Digg.com keeps us posted and Twitter celebrates. Congratulations, Internet, you got Betty White to host SNL. Quick question though:
Why did we do this?
This is one of the most perplexing Internet things I've seen in a while but, before we get into that, I wanted to quickly get something out of the way.
I Have Nothing Against Betty White
No problems with her whatsoever. I thought she was great on The Golden Girls, and as far as old people go, it doesn't seem like she's completely lost her mind, which is good. She's a terrific entertainer and seems like a pretty sweet lady (though I have no idea what that means). I'm not a Betty White hater. I'm not sure if I'd call myself a fan, exactly. I guess if I had to answer the question, "What do you think about Betty White?" I'd respond, "I don't."
But still, nothing against the old broad.
Meanwhile, Why Did We Do This?
I work for the Internet. It's sort of my job to know why we do the shit that we do, and this one leaves me stumped, I just don't understand. This wasn't a small campaign. This was a massive, giant campaign that hit every big Internet site. The mainstream media specifically described it as "the Internet crusade," like we all got together and voted. If the Internet will go down as the responsible party behind Betty White's spot on SNL, I just want to know why.
The Internet is a fickle, complicated and delicate beast of omnisexuality. It can be confusing or alienating at times but, in general, I think I understand it, I have a pretty good handle on why it does what it does. It's not surprising to me that Rick Rolling became a thing. When you and your friends become so desensitized that nothing shocks you anymore, it makes sense that you prank your friends by making them watch something completely, utterly and nonsensically random. And Rick Astley's otherwise entirely forgettable tune hits the sweet spot of pop obscurity (popscurity). And it snowballs from there, and I get that. And I even got lolcats, despite my best efforts.
But somehow over the last few months, we made Betty White the darling of the Internet, and I have absolutely no idea why.Her Contribution to Comedy
The Facebook page brings up the fact that White is entering her eighth decade in show business and has been an important mark on the face of comedy in that time, and deserves honor and recognition for it. Sure. But since when is Saturday Night Live the show to honor anyone for anything? How did someone make the leap from "Betty White sure is a comedy icon" to "Betty White NEEDS to host SNL immediately," and, further, how did the Internet collectively say "Oh, absolutely."
SNLused to be about bringing in interesting and funny relevant people to host, and now it's about finding whatever hot-right-now actor or actress has a new movie to promote and having them host. That's why Megan Fox has hosted twice and Eddie Izzard has hosted never.
Since when is Saturday Night Live (the show that last year ran a sketch involving January Jones as a Grace Kelly who couldn't stop farting on the set of Rear Window), the destination to honor someone's career? Christopher Plummer's had a long career, but he's never hosted. Let's get on that pronto, I think he and Kenan Thompson are a comedic match made in laughter heaven. Hey, Robert Gates has been serving America on an administrative level through, like, six presidents. Let's get him in a MacGruber sketch. Musical guest: The Boston Pops.
Hey, there's a good question. I'm sure she wouldn't mind, but I'd lean towards "Not really." Saturday Night Live's writing, rehearsal and performance schedule is a hectic, maddening week-long process. I don't want to make assumptions about what old people can and can't do, but she needs to be in the building all day, every day keeping up with a bunch of twentysomethings who've been living this schedule for years. The show that makes it to TV? She has to perform that twice on Saturday, did the Internet consider that? This is why she's not technically hosting, she's just "appearing" and co-hosting with a number of other women in comedy. Thankfully. 11:30 is late for an old gal. "What skits should she perform in?" Jesus, I don't know, the ones that keep her safe? She's 88 for Christ's sake, just let her relax.
Seriously, Why Did We Do This?
Was it just to prove the power of the Internet, or the power of numbers? Like, "If we get enough people doing something, a thing will happen!" Is that the thesis we were trying to prove?
I just worry, because there were clearly a lot of people who really wanted this to happen. Maybe they even celebrated when the announcement came that Betty White would be hosting. I'm worried that when they throw their Betty White party the night her SNL gig arrives they'll be disappointed because, seriously, what can they expect to happen? Betty White will play a sweet old lady, or a shockingly inappropriate old lady, because that's mostly what's left in her bag of tricks at this point, right? I suppose if SNL did a spoof on the show Wings, Betty White could play Fay, but I think I just described the worst skit in hypothetical Saturday Night Live history.
I'm just trying to understand you, Internet, because it's my job and I kinda like you. Help me out here.
ok so i completely understand. i have nothing against her either. im just tired of hearing her name contantly. just like im sick of hearing about hipsters, emos, zombies, justin beiber, and twilight. its stuff im not interested in and i just cant escape.
ReplyFeatured on TV Tropes! =D
ReplyOh COME ON, man! I guess I'm not going to get anything done today.
lindsey lohan is 23 and she's old news. Betty White is 88 and she's still funny. "Still funny" saying s**t like that is rude because it's as if things can only be entertaining, or worthwhile if it is new and hip. Oddly this is why I like Jusin Bieber, because he is turning 21 year olds into yesterdays dinosaur's, and making 12 yrs olds into the new hip. Crazy!Being in my 30's I like seeing old folk paid attention
Reply Hide All See All 7 Replies3 things. 1 justin bieber is NOT hip. 2. He is not 12, he's at least 16 by now. 3. You are an idiot!
16 is kinda late for puberty, don't you think, I can't blame her.
I'm 16 and I have a fantastic manbeard-mustache combo. Justin Bieber is obviously a girl.
"Psychofreak" is clearly still in high school. For one, the vehement denial of Bieber's "hipness," which really can't be denied no matter how terrible she/he/it is. For two, I'm pretty sure nobody outside of puberty would call themselves "Psychofreak," that kind of lame pseudo-edginess can exist only firmly between the brick walls of public school. Plus the third item, the offhanded insult that took absolutely no brain power or eloquence to throw out there.
Anyway, my own feelings on its/their/her product (I have a hard time calling it music), you, barloot, have raised the first pro-Bieber argument that I can get behind, as I'm rapidly approaching the 30s myself. Thanks for putting that in perspective. Really, "Psychofreak" just gave you all the proof you need on that one.
mrawesomo, you don't have to say manbeard. You don't have to point out your gender in relation to your beard, unless you're a bearded lady.
yeah, i don't get the beiber hate, it seems like she can really play instruments and she's kinda hot. weird first name, tho, but hey, grrl pwr!
Isn't the Biebster dead now or something?
lindsey lohan is 23 and she's old news. Betty White is 88 and she's still funny. "Still funny" saying s**t like that is rude because it's as if things can only be entertaining, or worthwhile if it is new and hip. Oddly this is why I like Jusin Bieber, because he is turning 21 year olds into yesterdays dinosaur's, and making 12 yrs olds into the new hip. Crazy!Being in my 30's I like seeing old folk paid attention
Replytake that back you do not like justin beiber right?
I don't get the whole Betty White thing at all and didn't even find the thought of her being on SNL very funny. People under the age of 25 have very bizarre senses of humor, thus why they don't understand sitcoms or why the studio audience can be heard in the background of said sitcoms. Kids these days seem to like flavor-of-the-moment random crap instead of something well written.
Reply Hide All See All 3 RepliesI don't understand sitcoms either. I don't understand why anyone watches a form of "comedy" that's been outdated and unfunny for at least 2 decades.
I was going to tell you to get off your high horse but the horse already got off. In your asses. You f*****g donkeys.
dont worry i dont like any of that crap. im 20 so theres still some hope for my age group
david mccullough's not even a historian..
Reply Hide All See All 3 RepliesUm...yes, yes he is. What do you call a man whose ENTIRE career is made of writing tomes on historical people and events? His Pulitzers were for biographies, one was on Harry Truman, the second on John Adams (that was the basis for the HBO series). The most current topic current he's written about is Truman, and he wrote that more than 20 years after his death.
I wonder if you know the definition of "historian"...
He knows what a historian is; he was just thinking of David Duchovny.
(He's ALWAYS thinking of David Duchovny.)
After that amount of asshammering I would be too.
Yeah, the episode was actually pretty damn good. The old broad really held her own, better than most hosts even, and they put her in EVERY. SINGLE. SKETCH. in the whole damn episode, even the Weekend Update.
ReplyDon't they do that for most hosts?
I read your original posting, and I may have an answer (assuming of course you NEED one). Marketing. A massive promotional campaign which began on Superbowl Sunday, and was aided by Facebook. The company, not the community. The cast ensemble that joined BW for the SNL gig? the rest of the cast for the movie being released this Sept.
ReplySo the internet didn't do it. The internet allowed it to be done.
All that aside...BETTY WHITE ROCKS! I haven't laughed so hard at an SNL episode in years! And, you may want to apologize for implying she couldn't handle the show. In case you missed it, that old lady stood strong. Hip replacement helped.
The internet has changed. Before the voice of the internet were sweaty geeks living in their mother's basement. Now it's the hipsters with their fancy iPhones and crude typing skillz that dictate the flow of information.
Replyhipster I barely know her!
Yay! Someone besides me likes Eddie Izzard! He would make the most awesome guest host of all! At least he can act (unlike Megan Fox).
ReplyThe Internet had their own Megan Fox crusade. Remember the fat kid with the flower?
That was just silly and I hope it doesn't become a thing. When we get the next Rebecca Schaeffer, the news networks won't let it go that the Internet killed someone.
Eddie Izzard is easily one of the best stand-up comics who ever lived. i can't believe they haven't had him on!
Thanks Dan... Now I'm DYING for a Betty White as Fay sketch... I shall hate you forever for this...
ReplyBetty White's main audience when she did 'Golden Girls' was kids aged 3-8 years old. I was one of those people, who have now grown up and still have a lot of love for B-White :P things from your childhood always seem so great, even if objectively she isn't amazing
ReplyKids may have watched the show but that was hardly the target demographic or main audience. Fcuking weird comment.
200th comment. b***hes.
ReplyPerhaps because we are all anonymous?
ReplyI think shes going to die in the middle of the show. No seriously. I'll bet 20 bucks she dies.
Reply Hide All See All 4 RepliesJesus.
Seriously uncool, man.
Haha. I love Betty white AND I like depraved humor. I think it's funny, dude.
You owe me $20.
Pay up, B.HOTCH.
Don't let your purse get caught in your skirt, Alice.
first
Replyyour not even trying anymore are you?
1. She was in a snickers commercial recently.
Reply2. It hurts to even type this name but, Rob Pattinson told the view he would love to have sex with her, a few weeks ago. I'm sure that opened the flood gates for new Betty White fans.
3. SNL had asked her a few times in the past to host, I think she wanted to accept it before it was too late/she died.
4. I like making lists.
She said in an interview with Ellen Degeneres that she'd been contacted by SNL a number of times before but they were all at times when she couldn't commit to doing it because she had other projects she was working on.
...course, she also said, she wasn't like head-over-heels interested in it either. She's more interested in pleasing her fans than anything, and since her fans seem to have asked for this, that's why she's gonna do it.
But I will say she's recently gotten a lot of roles that put her kind of front-and-center for an old lady in the entertainment biz, so I think she's relevant enough to be a host for SNL.
It might be because of the possibility of seeing Betty White swear. It's hilarious.
ReplyTo quote a famous blog... "More like January Bones, am I right?"
ReplyDon't listen to the haters. This was a good article. It's like you used an Egyptian mummy hook to pull the brains out of my head, made them funnier, and slapped them on my screen. Very Professor X of you, DOB.
Replyyou are so goddamned funny DOB. well done sir