Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Wireimage.com; AMPASShe joked about it on a promo for Saturday Night Live (“Type, nerds!”), but fans of Betty White are taking the idea of the 88-year-old hosting the Oscars seriously. The Facebook page “Getting Betty White to Host the Academy Awards” has amassed more than 6,000 fans since launching late Sunday night. It might sound far-fetched, but after proving she’s a ratings boost for SNL, one has to think the Academy might at least stop to consider it. She’s got the live TV experience and the quick wit. She’s beloved (in a Bob Hope way), so A-listers should be game for bits. And despite all those nerves she spoke about before hosting SNL, once she hit that stage, she was the picture of confidence.
UPDATE: White’s agent, who was instrumental in convincing her to host SNL, tells EW.com, “It is very flattering to hear that there is a movement on Facebook for Betty to host the Oscars. I try not to discuss hypotheticals with Betty….If offered…we will sit down or maybe even stand up and discuss if it is in her best interest.”
What do you think? Would you tune in to see Betty White host the Oscars? (One of the bits could be her changing gowns multiple times. At least one of them would need to be turquoise.) Or do you think that’s one audience she couldn’t win over?
I adore Betty White and think she’s do great, but seriously, give her a break. She did a fantastic job Saturday night, but she also let everyone know how terrified she was. Do we really want her to be terrified? That said, she should definitely have a role somewhere-maybe presenting?
I KNOW JUSTIN BIEBER NEEDS TO HOST THE OSCARS!
I know crispy needs to get a life.
hey jeremy,
the oscars aren’t in Germany so Justin could probably do it.
Perhaps he could co-host with Kim Kardasian?
justin beiber is a one hit wonder.
Justin had a hit???
I’m thinking/hoping that Crispy is kidding.
I agree with Megg. We love her, but give the poor woman some rest! SNL is live for an hour-and-a-half — the Oscars is live work for a month-and-a-half! (OK, maybe four hours. Still, let her rest!)
Its not like the Oscars are any time soon.
Betty White is the only thing that could make me sit through the Oscars or actually watch it for that matter.
betty white is a ledgend in her time she should host the oscars,she knows all he stars of her time and more.im sure uou and the people of the wourld knows her.
I think you are making judgements based on her age. If you watch the Oscars the hosts do not do a terrible amount – mainly just the opening segment. I would say SNL would have been more energy consuming for her. So if she could pull off SNL with flying colours I am sure the Oscars will be a breeze!
I’m not making judgments based on her age, just stating that she told everyone several times how afraid of live TV she is. I have no doubt that she she would rock it (she is pretty awesome), but I also don’t want her to be pressured into doing things.
Stop making this decision FOR her! She didn’t have to host SNL but she did and she did better than any current performer! We are simply petitioning to show our support – not to pressure her to do something she may not want. However, I believe her experience, confidence, and charm would prove she would do more than outstanding if she hosted the Oscars! Furthermore, at her age, why should she settle for anything less than Hosting (ie presenting)? Go for the top, she may surprise us all!!
No, thank you. She was good enouph on SNL but the Oscars are a recipe for disaster. Everyone who hosts is under so much scrutiny and is expected to come up with ad libbed one-liners if anything unusual happens. Plus, the ‘Academy’ doesn’t care about Facebook.
You say with all certainty that the Academy doesnt listen to the public? aka they dont care about Facebook. I highly doubt that! We are talking about people involved in media aka publicity. If Betty White will increase ratings and guarantee historically entertaining show, then I say they would be out of their minds not listen to facebook! All the hosts on the Oscars have been chosen for their popularity – this is Betty White’s year, back off!
I don’t think you know what “aka” or “ie” mean.
I’d rather see her guest host WWE RAW. I even made a facebook page for it. Of course, I suck at things like petitions so I have just one person so far.
even I would tune into that!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE BETTY WHITE. I THINK IT WOULD BE A TREAT FOR ALL AGES TO SEE HER HOST THE OSCARS. I, AS WELL OF MOST, HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT FOR HER AND HER TALENTS AND EXPERIENCE.
Haha. What’s the fanpage called?
Betty White for the Oscars? Nope. But here’s one for you Facebook fans. The MTV Movie Awards! No seriously, not to host the awards but to have her in all the bits and clips that parody the previous year’s films. I love those clips, and having Betty White dressed up as Iron Man in a clip would be a riot! I still remember the year in which all the movie parodies were portrayed by chimps, especially the Braveheart one.
Now that’s a great idea. Are even just having her make fun of by doing the “who’s that” line over and over…can you see her making jabs at Justin Bieber and his youth?
i love betty white, and i would love to see her as a presenter for the oscars, but not the host. the mtv movie awards on the other hand – that would be brilliant!
I’m starting to feel really bad for Rue McLanahan.
Ha ha haaa! Poor Rue…
And Shirley Maclaine, I know she wasn’t a Golden Girl but she’s a pretty neat old lady.
Rue was brilliant in Golden Girls but never the star of Betty’s calibre. What I love is that they are still close friends and talk every week! Now THAT’s golden!
Although Betty has been in a few movies over the last decade or so now, really, she is known as a TV actress and star. It would make much more sense to try to push for her to host the Emmy awards.
Jon Stewart does TV, he makes a good Oscar Host
Not really.
Excellent idea, the Emmys would be an obvious and wonderful hosting gig for Betty. On TV since 1953!!
I can’t wait to go home and fan her!! She would ROCK as the host, and lets have her host the Emmy’s too,
why not? whats age got to do with it? She is very good at everything she does.
I thought Betty was a hoot on SNL, but I agree with some of the posters here; Emmy’s okay – but even seasoned presenters have admitted to how nerve-wracking it is; I agree with Al; this would be a recipe for disaster.
I started a Group on Facebook. Boycott the Academy Awards if Betty White doesn’t host.
Oh, to Hell with the Oscars. Let’s get behind Betty White for President! After all, the house is already named after her.
Although I adore Betty White I think hosting the Oscars would be a lot to ask! She’ll be 89 years old by the time they roll around and there’s a world of difference between a handful of 3-4 minute SNL sketches and a three hour plus telecast. I agree with Megg, presenting an Oscar (best actress, maybe?) would make more sense.
I think you underestimate the amount of energy it takes for a 3-4 min sketch!! I think that there numerous ways for the Oscars to accommodate Betty White throughout the three hour show. Betty White has been working in tv and film her WHOLE life. She didnt just take a break from golden girls till now – look at her resume. She can do this and we all know it. Stop holding her back because of her age. We should be supporting her because of it!!!
NO. I’m sick of these facebook campaigns. I might start one to get EW to stop talking about Betty White, SNL, Lost and Twilight.
No LOST! You’ve got to be kidding! EW’s LOST coverage is the only reason I come here. I’m sure that’s true for lots of people.
But wait a few weeks, you’ll have your wish.
Or you could just stop reading EW all together…Betty White rules – leave her alone.
Are you her agent?
You could just not read those parts.. I know that’s a LOT of work for your poor eyes.
I adore Betty White. I’ve had many, many years of watching her on TV. If she wants to host the Oscars, that would be great. If she doesn’t at least we tried.
Amen!!
you go girl
I think she would be magnificent as the oscars host, I might even look at it for the first time in many years myself