And who can blame her?I was only half convinced that Fabulon's latest Mysterion was Betty White (the jaw worked; the nose didn't; it turned out to be the divine Fran Allison), but it did give me a moment or two to think about one of my favorite people.
Betty White is the Cher of television, the ultimate survivor. On TV since the earliest 50s, she's most recently reinvented herself as a knowing in-joke, sending up her prim reputation on series, talk shows, and even as a foul-mouthed backwoods oldster in 1999's giant crocodile horror spoof Lake Placid.Through it all she appears to be having a marvelous time and somehow remains a perfect lady. There's a lesson there for all of us future 80-somethings looking for a good time...
I have a copy of that first photo (avec gun) saved somewhere. I look at it when I need a bit of cheering up.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're exactly right about her, of course.
some Italian restaurant in Dallas had a full-length painting of her by a local society artist. It wasn't very good, so it took a while to realize it was her. Circa 1965 in a typical-of-the-time sequined formal, hand on fireplace, that sort of thing. I heard later they'd sold off the art in the place when the restaurant went under. What I wouldn't have given to have that painting....over my own mantelpiece.
ReplyDeleteI can see it now...halfway through cocktails a friend looks up, realizes it's Betty White, then wonders how I'm related to her... could have been delicious!
Oh, in our own ways, we're all related to Betty White, I think - it's part of her genuinely remarkable appeal.
ReplyDeleteNow I want that portrait, too...