From a Screen Actors Guild Award to Hosting SNL: Why 2010 Was the Year of Betty White!
2023/12/28

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Betty White, at the age of 88, kicked off the year by accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Jan. 23, 2010, Screen Actors Guild Awards. This was just the beginning of a remarkable year for her. She proved that she still had so much to offer.

In February during Super Bowl XLIV, White showcased her sassy side in a Snickers commercial that quickly went viral. Covered in mud and dirt, she was roughed up during a football game. When a friend called her out for her poor performance, White cleverly replied, "That's not what your girlfriend said."

In March, White played the role of Mrs. Nethercott, a grudge-holding librarian, on ABC's The Middle.

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She portrayed a character who held a vendetta against a young boy for not returning library books. Her threats of not allowing him to enter the third grade were quite intimidating.

In May, a Facebook campaign caught the attention of Lorne Michaels, leading to White hosting Saturday Night Live on the Mother's Day special. During her monologue, she humorously admitted that she initially didn't even know what Facebook was.

White made a successful return to sitcoms in June with Hot in Cleveland, alongside Jane Leeves, Valerie Bertinelli, and Wendie Malick. The show became the top comedy on basic cable and TV Land's highest-rated series.

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In June, White presented Sandra Bullock with the Generation Award at the MTV Movie Awards, expressing her admiration for her friend's grace and talent.

On another occasion, White joined Bullock on stage at the Teen Choice Awards in August, where they danced together to Lil Jon's music.

White collaborated with Jerry Leigh Apparel to create "The Betty White Collection," a line of clothing that featured her name. A portion of the proceeds went to the Morris Animal Foundation, a cause close to White's heart.

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In September, White participated in a humorous spoof of the film You Again for funnyordie.com. She engaged in a catfight with Kristen Bell and threatened to take her down.

White showcased her comedic skills again as June Bauer in Community. Playing an eccentric anthropology professor, she added a unique flair to the show and even performed a rap version of Toto's "Africa" with other cast members.

White graced the cover of AARP Magazine in November/December alongside her You Again co-stars Kristen Bell and Jamie Lee Curtis. In the interview, she opened up about her marriages and the love of her life, Allen Ludden.

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Throughout the year, White also signed a publishing deal for two books, one being a self-help book titled Listen Up!, scheduled for release in 2011. She also wrote The Zoo and I: Betty and Her Friends, a book about her furry friends at the Los Angeles Zoo.

To top it all off, White released her own calendar in 2010, featuring bronzed male models. The proceeds from the calendar went to the Morris Animal Foundation, making it a worthwhile purchase for anyone wanting to spend 365 days with Betty.

Overall, 2010 was an eventful and successful year for Betty White, showcasing her talent, humor, and enduring popularity.

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