Betty White: Facebook Phenomenon at 88
375,000+ people have joined a group that asks Betty White to host SNL
Feb. 17, 2010— -- Appear in one little Super Bowl commercial, and all of a sudden you are back in the mainstream. That's what happened to Betty White who, after having appeared in a Snickers commercial during this year's Super Bowl, is back in high demand – to host "Saturday Night Live."
A Facebook group campaigning for Betty White to host the program had over 85,000 members the day after the Super Bowl, and over 375,000 today. Betty has never hosted SNL.
Watch Today's Conversation to See Diane's Interview With Betty White
A Facebook Movement
David Mathews, who lives in San Antonio, Texas, created the group on Facebook -- "Betty White to Host SNL (please?)!" -- in December, before the Snickers commercial aired, but it has spiked in popularity since. He wrote on the group's page, "This is a page to encourage both Betty White AND Saturday Night Live that Betty would be a FANTASTIC choice to host SNL. Betty White will turn 88 years old on January 17, 2010. She is universally known and admired. In 2010, Betty will be entering her EIGHTH DECADE in show-business. What a way to honor her, as well as entertain countless millions of people the world over who adore her as an actress, as a tireless animal rights advocate, and as a fanastic [sic] comedian!"
During an interview for World News' Conversation, Mathews told Diane Sawyer he doesn't specifically know where the idea came from, but said the response had him "beyond surprised. I would have been surprised if it hit 1,000 when I first made it."
Many fans have posted personal messages to the comedienne, imploring her to join the campaign to have her host "Saturday Night Live."
One fan wrote, "Your ratings would blow their roof off! As a lifelong fan of yours & SNL, I look forward to the announcement! LOVED the Superbowl Commercial!!!!!!"
Another wrote, "Like so many of us, I grew up with Betty White. We love you Betty!"
Others have posted about White's longevity. One wrote, "1952 her first emmy for Elizabeth. OMG I wasn't even born and I am old."
Betty White: Suprised and Honored
Betty White said she has been very pleasantly surprised -- and a bit befuddled -- by the praise from fans.
"Where did that come from?" she said to Diane Sawyer. " I had no idea. It came out of left field…It's been one of those ridiculous periods in time that you might hope when you're in your 30s, but not when you're in your 80s!"
The Snickers commercial has been just one part of an exciting couple of years for White. She has appeared in the feature film "The Proposal" and received a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild. She said she actually didn't know the Snickers commercial would be appearing during the Super Bowl.
"I'm having the time of my life, Diane," she said. "I've never been this busy in my life."