Here we go again My life in television, 1949-1995

Betty White, 1922-

Large print - 2010

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LARGE PRINT/BIOGRAPHY/White, Betty
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Subjects
Published
Detroit : Thorndike Press 2010, c1995.
Language
English
Main Author
Betty White, 1922- (-)
Edition
Large print ed
Item Description
Subtitle from cover.
"With a new introduction and new photo section"--Cover.
Physical Description
489 p. (large print), [8] p. of plates : ill., ports. ; 23 cm
ISBN
9781410432599
Contents unavailable.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Her late husband, Allen Ludden, once remarked that White had been one of the pioneers in silent television. That is just barely an exaggeration, because she got her start in Hollywood on Television in 1949 and has not been off the tube for any length of time for the past 46 years. Best known for her roles as Sue Ann on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and as the terminally naive Rose on The Golden Girls, she has had four Betty White Shows, starting in 1950, as well as a show close to her animal-lover's heart, The Pet Set. She also played minor, recurring characters on The Carol Burnett Show and its spin-off, Mama's Family, and announced the Rose Bowl parade for 20 years. Additionally, she was a frequent guest of Jack Paar and Johnny Carson and appeared on innumerable game shows. She knows everyone in the business, although her affection for them one and all, while perhaps real, cloys after a time. This behind-the-scenes look at television since the late 1940s, with its dozens of photos, should delight fans. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review

At 89, actress White is enjoying a resurgence in popularity unheard of for most women in her profession. In this anecdote-laden 1996 memoir available for the first time on audio, she tracks her long career in television, from Hollywood on Television to The Golden Girls, also reflecting on her marriage to game-show host Allen Ludden and her charity work. Though this abridged-only audio is not as detailed as many might hope, White's growing fan base is sure to enjoy it, especially as read by the actress, whose timing is impeccable. Recommended for public libraries. [An "entertaining and insightful autobiography," read the review of the Scribner hc, LJ 8/95; White's next memoir, If You Ask Me, will publish in May 2011.-Ed.]-Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

A breezy memoir of 45 years in television by a lady who's seen it all and is still in there pitching. For many years of her career, Betty White appeared to be one of those uniquely television-made stars: someone who was famous purely for being famous. It wasn't until she created the unforgettable role of Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show that the world saw the remarkable comic actress who was lurking behind the perennial game show contestant. White has a great idea for this autobiography: She tells her life story as reflected in the history of television, a medium she was a part of from its very earliest days. Her first major break, in 1949, was a daytime local Los Angeles show, Hollywood on Television, on which she was required to ad-lib for a staggering five and a half hours a day, six days a week. And yet she found the experience a complete pleasure and moved easily onward to sit-coms, game shows (she eventually became the first female host), variety shows, and more. Throughout, she frequently comments on how what she did would be done in TV today, and envisions the future of the medium. Her private life takes a secondary role here, although her love for husband Allen Ludden is sweetly displayed. Unfortunately for this surprisingly lengthy book, not every anecdote is as engrossing as White seems to think; she gives equal weight to her parade-hosting appearances and her Emmy-winning performances. Still, the actress comes across as good company: a gracious woman with an unkind word for no one. A likable if long-winded autobiography from a justifiably well-loved personality. (b&w photos) (Author tour)

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Here We Go Again 1 Once I was a legitimate, card-carrying AFRA member, I worked The Great Gildersleeve several times, sometimes with a line or two, sometimes just to furnish "crowd noise." There is a happy tag to this tale: Years later, when we were doing my second series, Date with the Angels , we had occasion to hire two additional writers--one Bill Kelsay, and the other none other than my benefactor, Fran Van Hartesveldt. He was a dear, silly, talented man, and whenever he'd hear me telling anyone how much I owed him, he'd say, "The moral of the story, boys and girls, is never walk--always take the elevator!" By my next radio commercial, I had graduated from just one word--this time I got to sing. It was for American Airlines, and the song was lilting, to say the least: Why not fly to Meheeco Ceety You weel like the treep, ee's so preety. * * * Perfect casting. Today, that would elicit a protest demonstration on ethnic grounds. Deservedly so. * * * Lane and I were still seeing each other, although we had reached something of an impasse on the marriage subject, and I was becoming increasingly aware that the situation couldn't go on as it was indefinitely. Around this time, an opportunity came along out of the blue for a part in a movie being made for Ansco Film. Primarily, it was designed to demonstrate their new color film process, and would entail six weeks on location in the High Sierras. Timing is everything. Seizing the chance to run for the hills, in every sense of the word, painfully I told Lane it was over between us, and took the job. I knew that if I didn't have a reason to get out of town, I would never be able to make it stick. The ensuing six weeks was a mixed bag. It was certainly another learning experience, but then so is a trip to Devil's Island. There were several good things, not the least of which was simply being in that glorious high country. When my mother and dad and I used to pack in and camp at about ten thousand feet, we wouldn't see another soul until, after two weeks of fishing, we rode out again. Trust me, that's the way to do it--not with a movie company in tow. Another plus was the fact that the leading lady, a beautiful girl named Sally Feeney, proved to be a delightful friend, even under very difficult circumstances. The plot of this opus, entitled The Daring Miss Jones , involved a gorgeous young thing (Sally) becoming lost in the woods. She joins up with two orphaned bear cubs, also lost. In the course of their adventures, the three of them get into all sorts of jeopardy, or whatever would serve to show off the new Ansco color film to best advantage. If I remember correctly, it showed off some of Sally, too: early on her dress had somehow caught on a branch, and she spent most of the trek in her surprisingly discreet undies. Meanwhile, her best friend (me) is fretting back home until she can stand the anxiety no longer, and eventually flies a plane (!) in to the rescue. Of course, there was also a villain in pursuit as well as the obligatory handsome hero to ensure a happy ending, the later played by Ted Jordan, who went on to marry exotic dancer Lili St. Cyr. How do you like them apples? After we got on location, Allan Dwan, the producer/director/cameraman, asked me if, since there were a lot of scenes I wasn't in, I would mind acting as script girl, keeping track of shots, footage, continuity, etc.--as a favor, that is? Sure--what the heck, I'd rather be busy than waiting around; besides, it would keep me close to the two tiny, adorable bear cubs, with whom I got along famously. It was fortunate that I did, because after a very few days it became abundantly clear that the hired "trainer" was far more dedicated to his bottle than to his bear cubs. Once again, Allan Dwan asked me if, since I seemed to get along so well with the cubs, I would mind handling them on the set--as a favor, that is? Sure--what the heck, bear wrangler, script girl, sometime actress, I'd rather be busy than etc., etc. Hey, this was show business! The Daring Miss Jones. Betty as best friend to Sally Forrest. Now, at that tender age bear cubs grow like weeds, and as the weeks went by they nearly doubled in size; to the extent that the script girl had trouble rationalizing the different-sized bears in what were supposed to be matching shots, while the bear wrangler was having more and more of a challenge controlling her charges, and the supporting actress was having one hell of a time trying to cover her scratches with makeup. We all lived through it, and ultimately The Daring Miss Jones was actually released to the public. Or perhaps it escaped. Years later I even managed to find a copy of it on tape for my collection. The lovely Sally Feeney changed her name and became the successful young star Sally Forrest. It never occurred to me until this minute to wonder if she got the idea for her new name from the woods we spent so much time in with the cubs. She could have become Sally Bear. No. To say I was glad to get home is an understatement. Even with the various added jobs, I had still found lots of time to miss Lane terribly, so when I got back and found a package from him waiting for me, I couldn't open it fast enough. It was a Carl Ravazza record of our song --"I Love You for Sentimental Reasons." To an incurable romantic, home at last from a difficult adventure and still very much in love, that was all it took. Two months later, we were married. The Daring Miss Jones. Betty as bear wrangler. Excerpted from Here We Go Again: My Life in Television by Betty White, Betty White All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.