RIP Betty White

[DanOregon]

The only celeb I think is close to Betty in being universally beloved is Dolly Parton. I don't know if there are another two spots on that Rushmore.

 

[Scout]

The only celeb I think is close to Betty in being universally beloved is Dolly Parton. I don't know if there are another two spots on that Rushmore.

Madden
Mr. Rogers
Shaq
Keanu Reeves
Tom Hanks
Elton John - maybe
Prince Harry - maybe
Ichiro - not known enough
Yao Ming - not known enough

But you are correct, this is a short list.

 

[Matt1735]

The scene tonight ... and i hope they are enjoying a cheesecake.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Madeline Kahn
Carol Burnett
Gilda Radner
Mary Tyler Moore

I'd put Cloris Leachman on that list. One of the funniest MTM episodes I recall was when Sue Ann was having a fling with Phyllis' husband Lars.

 

[UPChip]

Very underrated show.

My mom watches the reruns all the time and whenever I go home I am stunned by how well those episodes hold up. You could literally do shot-for-shot remakes of some of them in 2021 and it would still work.

It's remarkable how well Sue Ann Nivens and Rose Nylund represent Minnesota, both sides of the coin.

 

[OscarMadison]

 

[wicked]

The only celeb I think is close to Betty in being universally beloved is Dolly Parton. I don't know if there are another two spots on that Rushmore.

I was talking about this with my girlfriend earlier when we found out. Dolly is the only other person I believe the country would universally mourn — and since she’s not an anti-vaxxer and quite vocal about her views, who knows anymore. Tom Hanks was another name tossed out there. Perhaps QEII and/or Charles in the non-colonized world. I feel like Joe Biden would’ve been on this list as of 2019, but things change quickly. Maybe Tom Brady if he’s around in 2062? But to me he’ll always have the stench of douchedom.

 

[DanOregon]

Hanks is probably too political for some, the Queen the same, Brady had deflategate.

 

[User 150927]

Leonard Nimoy got a warm send off by most

 

[wicked]

Leonard Nimoy got a warm send off by most

Yeah, a lot of folks have.

MTM
GHWB, even from most Democrats
Fred Rogers
Hank Aaron

I’d say there’s little chance of anyone under the age of 60 getting that in the future.

Shatner probably will.

 

[garrow]

 

[Brooklyn Bridge]

That was hilarious. Better than Georgia/Michigan at least.

 

[heyabbott]

I have not laughed this hard in a long time.

 

[MileHigh]

Betty White is an American icon and if her loss doesn't touch you, then that's on you. A comedic genius in so many roles. The list is endless. This dark year filled with so much death and loss ends with the loss of two iconic figures -- Betty White and John Madden. May they RIP.

 

[UNCGrad]

My God, Betty's genius there is unreal. But even in breaking, how good were Bea and Rue to keep that going?

Thanks for sharing that. Imagine how many times she did that throughout her career. And her genius is in how rarely we'd be able to tell.

 

[MileHigh]

This is comedic gold. My goodness, such a genius. RIP

 

[Sam Mills 51]

My God, Betty's genius there is unreal. But even in breaking, how good were Bea and Rue to keep that going?

Thanks for sharing that. Imagine how many times she did that throughout her career. And her genius is in how rarely we'd be able to tell.

There's only one I could see do improv like that better. And can you imagine the skits Betty White and Robin Williams will spin in The Great Beyond?

 

[mpcincal]

Madeline Kahn
Carol Burnett
Gilda Radner
Mary Tyler Moore

Lucy is #1. Never to be surpassed.
Who comes next is a question for another time.

A long life well lived is the best epitaph

I'm glad you thought to put Madeline Kahn on that short list. She was a funny, talented lady who was taken way too soon (Same thing with Radner, of course).

That "Herring War" clip was fantastic. I replayed about four times when I saw it.

I always loved the story about when they cast for the show. White was originally given the Blanche role, and Rue McClanahan was set to play Rose. Then White remarked that the Blanche character was too similar to Sue Ann Nivens, and McClanahan thought Rose was pretty much like the character she played in "Maude," and the producer just had the actresses switch roles.

 

[Neutral Corner]

 

[exmediahack]

Henry Kissinger. Mel Brooks. Bob Barker. Still with us.