I've been a fan of Betty White since I was a wee one. I watched The Golden Girls when it first ran in the 80s, even though I didn't really understand a lot of it. I started to understand it more in its later years, as my brain developed. I even watched The Golden Palace, the short lived spin off that also starred Don Cheadle and failed miserably. The Golden Girls reruns got me through college (and grad school). I watched at least an hour of The Golden Girls every Sunday, and always earnestly. The Golden Girls marathons were like church for me. I really did (still do) love it. I love everything she does. I watch Hot In Cleveland, and I love that too.
Today is Betty White's birthday. Happy Birthday, Betty! Last night, NBC put on a star-studded birthday celebration for her. I marked it on my calendar--I was not going to miss it. It did not disappoint. It opened with Amy Poehler and one of her classic speeches. She admitted to writing a fan letter to Betty 20 years ago, when she was 5. Ha! Good times. It probably goes without saying that Betty White is a comedy legend. She has had such a profound influence on everyone who has every been in the industry, and I don't think I'm using too much hyperbole there. Seth Myers made the joke that a lot of things have changed in TV since Betty White got her start--like now it exists. Funny, and true!
Nobody else will ever be as good as Betty White, ever. I started to look up videos to embed to prove my point, but then I got distracted for about three hours just watching them. There is just so much! She's done everything! A master's class in Betty White would be completely appropriate. She started in radio. She starred in Life with Elizabeth. She had her own variety show (though short lived). She is, of course, a comedy legend in her own right, and has also worked with every comedy legend around. I realize I'm gushing, a lot, but really, I'm just so damn inspired by Betty White. She's been on TV for as long as TV has existed. And damn it, she just keeps going.
I'm currently working my way through the entire The Mary Tyler Moore Show series, and she's great on that too. I wanted to share everything I thought was great about Betty White, but it's too much for this little blog to hold. Really, it's too much for the internet to hold, though it does make a valiant effort. She's always been ahead of her time, even though she's 90. She continues to evolve with us. Happy Birthday, Betty White, and thanks for inviting us all to your party.
From NBC's birthday special:
From Community:
From Hot In Cleveland:
Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
I'm Rich with Friends
Thanks, Friends! And Friends, the popular sitcom that ran from 1994 to 2004. You are all wonderful. I have really awesome friends, and they ensured I have the best birthday an aging woman can have.
Mary took advantage of the time difference so I was able to awake to several wonderful birthday surprises. A three month premium subscription to Spotify, which is my new boyfriend. Also, an iTunes gift and a hilarious e-card. Megan sent me a text at 6:30 in the morning. I was in a battle with the snooze button at the time, so it didn't really startle me. Also, I was sort of hoping work was calling to tell me not to come in. Either because the building indeed collapsed after the earthquake, or just because they knew it was birthday too and I deserved a day to myself. A text from Megan was just as good.
My mother called at 7. Of course she did- why wouldn't my mother call me at 7 in the morning? It's amusing, actually. I've accused her of forgetting my birthday in the past, so to prove she knew when it was and that nobody had to remind her, she wanted to call first thing in the morning.
My sister sent me a box full of socks. And I really needed socks, so this was a perfect gift. There were several different styles, all of which I like, and of multiple colors. And then for fun, a few AngryBirds socks. I can now throw away all my other socks. Every once in a while I have to just start over with socks, and she knew it was about time.
Lauri sent me an early morning text as well, and it made me smile all the way to work. My sister also text, to add to the sock extravaganza, as did Jayne. There were a few Facebook messages too, from Kelly, Ingrid, Mary, and Kathy, all before 8. The Facebook messages, texts, and cards continued to pour in throughout the day. They were all very nice. I attempted to reply to each one, creating a fun little game for myself.
Every year on my birthday, at some point I 1) tell the story about when I was too young to read and opened every card saying "Happy Birthday Nancy!" with as much fervor as I could muster, and 2) declare this is going to be my year. Sitting at lunch with Lauri I told her I was going to give the bartender my phone number because "32 is going to be my year!" A little while later a gentleman joined us and worked his way into our conversation. He guessed I was turning 24. I said he was kind.
As I was settling in for the evening, I popped in a Friends DVD- The One Where They All Turn Thirty. I try really hard to not dwell on how well they were doing when they were thirty. Also, I'm always reminded of a time when Mary and I were watching a rerun of Friends and I made the statement that I didn't think I looked older than they do. "Really?!" she said incredulously. And then the longest, most awkward silence ever. We're still friends though. It's ok.
I think 32 will be a good year for me. When I was a teenager, and even in my twenties, I figured 32 was the age I would be best at. Something about it just suits me.
Mary took advantage of the time difference so I was able to awake to several wonderful birthday surprises. A three month premium subscription to Spotify, which is my new boyfriend. Also, an iTunes gift and a hilarious e-card. Megan sent me a text at 6:30 in the morning. I was in a battle with the snooze button at the time, so it didn't really startle me. Also, I was sort of hoping work was calling to tell me not to come in. Either because the building indeed collapsed after the earthquake, or just because they knew it was birthday too and I deserved a day to myself. A text from Megan was just as good.
My mother called at 7. Of course she did- why wouldn't my mother call me at 7 in the morning? It's amusing, actually. I've accused her of forgetting my birthday in the past, so to prove she knew when it was and that nobody had to remind her, she wanted to call first thing in the morning.
My sister sent me a box full of socks. And I really needed socks, so this was a perfect gift. There were several different styles, all of which I like, and of multiple colors. And then for fun, a few AngryBirds socks. I can now throw away all my other socks. Every once in a while I have to just start over with socks, and she knew it was about time.
Lauri sent me an early morning text as well, and it made me smile all the way to work. My sister also text, to add to the sock extravaganza, as did Jayne. There were a few Facebook messages too, from Kelly, Ingrid, Mary, and Kathy, all before 8. The Facebook messages, texts, and cards continued to pour in throughout the day. They were all very nice. I attempted to reply to each one, creating a fun little game for myself.
Every year on my birthday, at some point I 1) tell the story about when I was too young to read and opened every card saying "Happy Birthday Nancy!" with as much fervor as I could muster, and 2) declare this is going to be my year. Sitting at lunch with Lauri I told her I was going to give the bartender my phone number because "32 is going to be my year!" A little while later a gentleman joined us and worked his way into our conversation. He guessed I was turning 24. I said he was kind.
As I was settling in for the evening, I popped in a Friends DVD- The One Where They All Turn Thirty. I try really hard to not dwell on how well they were doing when they were thirty. Also, I'm always reminded of a time when Mary and I were watching a rerun of Friends and I made the statement that I didn't think I looked older than they do. "Really?!" she said incredulously. And then the longest, most awkward silence ever. We're still friends though. It's ok.
I think 32 will be a good year for me. When I was a teenager, and even in my twenties, I figured 32 was the age I would be best at. Something about it just suits me.
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