Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Betty White in the Cage with Peyton Manning

Who is this Betty White and what does she have that Peyton Manning doesn’t?
Who is this Betty White and what does she have that Peyton Manning doesn’t?

How did this start? The first thing I remember is reading an ESPN.com item on Kobe Bryant questioning whether or not he’ll play in China this year. Which led to an article on another website, Miami NewTimes, that quoted Kobe praising misunderstood underdog LeBron James, which led to a companion piece about worst celebrity tippers. Number 1 worst tipper on that list was Tiger Woods, which led to CBSSPORTS.com and an article titled, “Poll: Tiger popularity levels still cratering.” The second paragraph says Americans name him the least-liked and least-trustworthy sports figure. Ho-hum.

But, but, but, then I read, “Popular actress Betty White topped the list of 25 most popular celebrities,” which led to ipsos-na.com (a marketing research company) and their poll of 2000 human persons that resulted in the headline, “Betty White Is America’s Favorite and Most Trusted Personality.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

Below that head is a box entitled, “25 Most Popular Personalities.” Betty White is the most popular celebrity in America, more popular than Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Johnny Depp, and, get this, Peyton Manning.

Betty White is more popular than Peyton Manning! What in the hell is going on? And right before football season, too. Who is this Betty White and what does she have that Peyton Manning doesn’t? And what, precisely, is her connection to professional sports?

Believe me, I have researched this, and I’ve come back to tell you Betty White is 121 years old, recently arrested for her fourth DUI, subsequently jumped bail, last seen at the A&C Truck Stop in Laramie, Wyoming, plying her trade. Which is weird...I didn’t think she lived in Wyoming.

Just a second, let me recheck that.

Well, it seems Betty White is 89 years old and lives in Carmel and L.A. But, she does have impeccable television credentials. White made her first television appearance in 1939 on an experimental Los Angeles TV station. She and a buddy sang songs from the operetta, Die Lustige Witwe. I don’t get it either, but it must have been boffo because she’s been working ever since. White was a regular on radio in the 1940s, topping out with her own series, The Betty White Show. Still, it’s television she owns; she’s been appearing on television for the past 72 years. That factoid is either a great bar bet or it could come to you as a sudden, unexpected knowing that provokes existential panic.

Ms. White won her first Emmy (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) in 1951. Time passes...in this case, 60 years. In that time, White has won or been nominated for 48 awards. Some were legit — Emmy, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild — some were semi-legit — People’s Choice Awards, TV Land Awards — and some were flat-out wonderful — Viewers for Quality Television, New Now Next Awards, Walk of Fame, Disney Legends. Plus, she’s an honorary forest ranger.

And, yet, I have never watched one of her shows all the way through. Is there some kind of strange ultra-dimensional attraction between Betty and me? Probably, but that’s not the point; the point is, how does this tarted-up truck-stop hussy out-popular a manly NFL quarterback by the name of Peyton Four-Time-NFL-MVP Manning?

Let’s get to it. Miss Cowboy Truck Stop won Favorite Web Celeb from the People’s Choice Awards. Peyton Manning won the Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian award. Miss Never-Too-Old-to-Party won the Best WTF Moment award. NFL.com named Manning the eighth best player in some unremembered NFL category. White won Favorite TV Guest Star. Returning serve, Manning won the Ohio Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year award.

Pretty much a draw. Okay, let’s drill down to bedrock; namely, who gets the money? Betty White pitches Snickers. Peyton Manning sells Wheaties. Betty White promotes the Lifeline Program, “a leader in the life settlement industry,” and, may I add, a leader in viatical settlements as well.

Dictionary.com: vi-at-i-cal, 2. of or pertaining to a financial transaction in which a company buys life insurance polices from terminally ill at less than their face value and may sell the polices to investors.

On the other hand, Peyton Manning pitches MasterCard, a respected and vital cog in the world’s financial order.

Call it a push.

Peyton Manning had neck surgery in May, says he will not play any preseason games and may not be ready to play in the regular season opener. He’s been placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Last January, Betty White accepted the Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (Hot Cleveland). Her latest movie, The Lorax, is in post-production and will be released in 2012.

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Big kited bluefin on the Red Rooster III

Lake fishing heating up as the weather cools
Who is this Betty White and what does she have that Peyton Manning doesn’t?
Who is this Betty White and what does she have that Peyton Manning doesn’t?

How did this start? The first thing I remember is reading an ESPN.com item on Kobe Bryant questioning whether or not he’ll play in China this year. Which led to an article on another website, Miami NewTimes, that quoted Kobe praising misunderstood underdog LeBron James, which led to a companion piece about worst celebrity tippers. Number 1 worst tipper on that list was Tiger Woods, which led to CBSSPORTS.com and an article titled, “Poll: Tiger popularity levels still cratering.” The second paragraph says Americans name him the least-liked and least-trustworthy sports figure. Ho-hum.

But, but, but, then I read, “Popular actress Betty White topped the list of 25 most popular celebrities,” which led to ipsos-na.com (a marketing research company) and their poll of 2000 human persons that resulted in the headline, “Betty White Is America’s Favorite and Most Trusted Personality.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

Below that head is a box entitled, “25 Most Popular Personalities.” Betty White is the most popular celebrity in America, more popular than Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Sandra Bullock, Tom Hanks, Harrison Ford, Johnny Depp, and, get this, Peyton Manning.

Betty White is more popular than Peyton Manning! What in the hell is going on? And right before football season, too. Who is this Betty White and what does she have that Peyton Manning doesn’t? And what, precisely, is her connection to professional sports?

Believe me, I have researched this, and I’ve come back to tell you Betty White is 121 years old, recently arrested for her fourth DUI, subsequently jumped bail, last seen at the A&C Truck Stop in Laramie, Wyoming, plying her trade. Which is weird...I didn’t think she lived in Wyoming.

Just a second, let me recheck that.

Well, it seems Betty White is 89 years old and lives in Carmel and L.A. But, she does have impeccable television credentials. White made her first television appearance in 1939 on an experimental Los Angeles TV station. She and a buddy sang songs from the operetta, Die Lustige Witwe. I don’t get it either, but it must have been boffo because she’s been working ever since. White was a regular on radio in the 1940s, topping out with her own series, The Betty White Show. Still, it’s television she owns; she’s been appearing on television for the past 72 years. That factoid is either a great bar bet or it could come to you as a sudden, unexpected knowing that provokes existential panic.

Ms. White won her first Emmy (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series) in 1951. Time passes...in this case, 60 years. In that time, White has won or been nominated for 48 awards. Some were legit — Emmy, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild — some were semi-legit — People’s Choice Awards, TV Land Awards — and some were flat-out wonderful — Viewers for Quality Television, New Now Next Awards, Walk of Fame, Disney Legends. Plus, she’s an honorary forest ranger.

And, yet, I have never watched one of her shows all the way through. Is there some kind of strange ultra-dimensional attraction between Betty and me? Probably, but that’s not the point; the point is, how does this tarted-up truck-stop hussy out-popular a manly NFL quarterback by the name of Peyton Four-Time-NFL-MVP Manning?

Let’s get to it. Miss Cowboy Truck Stop won Favorite Web Celeb from the People’s Choice Awards. Peyton Manning won the Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian award. Miss Never-Too-Old-to-Party won the Best WTF Moment award. NFL.com named Manning the eighth best player in some unremembered NFL category. White won Favorite TV Guest Star. Returning serve, Manning won the Ohio Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year award.

Pretty much a draw. Okay, let’s drill down to bedrock; namely, who gets the money? Betty White pitches Snickers. Peyton Manning sells Wheaties. Betty White promotes the Lifeline Program, “a leader in the life settlement industry,” and, may I add, a leader in viatical settlements as well.

Dictionary.com: vi-at-i-cal, 2. of or pertaining to a financial transaction in which a company buys life insurance polices from terminally ill at less than their face value and may sell the polices to investors.

On the other hand, Peyton Manning pitches MasterCard, a respected and vital cog in the world’s financial order.

Call it a push.

Peyton Manning had neck surgery in May, says he will not play any preseason games and may not be ready to play in the regular season opener. He’s been placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

Last January, Betty White accepted the Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (Hot Cleveland). Her latest movie, The Lorax, is in post-production and will be released in 2012.

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Live Five: Rebecca Jade, Stoney B. Blues, Manzanita Blues, Blame Betty, Marujah

Holiday music, blues, rockabilly, and record releases in Carlsbad, San Carlos, Little Italy, downtown
Next Article

Secrets of Resilience in May's Unforgettable Memoir

Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader