September 12, 1977 (1977-09-12) – January 2, 1978 (1978-01-02)
The Betty White Show is an American television series which aired on CBS from September 12, 1977, to January 9, 1978. Fourteen episodes were broadcast. The series was produced by MTM Enterprises. This program should not be confused with two earlier television programs that had the same title—a daytime talk show that ran on NBC from February 8, 1954, to December 31, 1954, and a prime-time comedy variety show that ran on ABC from February 5, 1958, to April 30, 1958.[1]
Synopsis
Joyce Whitman (Betty White), a middle-aged actress, lands the lead in a police series titled Undercover Woman, a parody of Police Woman. Joyce is thrilled with the show, but less pleased to learn that the director is John Elliot (John Hillerman), her ex-husband, whom she unfondly refers to as "old pickle puss." He responds in kind, supplying his star with an oversized male double named Hugo (Charles Cyphers), a sexy, much younger onscreen sidekick (Caren Kaye), and dialogue not nearly as sharp as her tongue. Also on hand are Mitzi Maloney (Georgia Engel), Joyce's best friend; co-star actor Fletcher Huff (Barney Phillips); and network penny-pincher Doug Porterfield (Alex Henteloff).
Reception
The series was scheduled opposite Monday Night Football and The NBC Monday Movie and failed to generate viewers. The show was canceled after 14 episodes.[2] Nick at Nite and TV Land briefly broadcast reruns of the show during the 1990s.
The series aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom in 1985.
Cast
Betty White as Joyce Whitman, a sharp-tongued actress
John Hillerman as John Elliot, Joyce's ex-husband and director of her show
Georgia Engel as Mitzi Maloney, Joyce's naive best friend/roommate
Recurring
Caren Kaye as Tracy Garrett, Joyce's younger, sexier co-star
Mitzi convinces Joyce to let Wilma (Janis Paige), her recently divorced cousin, to stay with them while she visits Los Angeles, but Wilma ends up falling for John and soon wants to move to Los Angeles.
Joyce and John are shocked to find during a tax audit that their divorce was never finalized. Meanwhile, Joyce is upset when Tracy writes a script for the show that makes her look bad.
John's mother (Elizabeth Kerr) comes to visit her son. Because she does not know about John and Joyce's divorce, they have to pretend to be a happy couple for her.
When Joyce begins dating a race car driver (Philip Carey), John suspects he is using her to break into show business.
12
"Fletcher's Decision"
Noam Pitlik
Sheldon Bull
December 19, 1977 (1977-12-19)
Joyce and Mitzi have Fletcher and his wife Marian (Florence Halop) as houseguests while their home is being repainted. However, the couple soon overstays their welcome.
13
"Play Misty for John"
James Burrows
Earl Pomerantz
January 2, 1978 (1978-01-02)
14
"The Stunt Woman"
Noam Pitlik
David Lloyd
January 9, 1978 (1978-01-09)
A rumor begins that Undercover Woman may be cancelled, but Joyce initially dismisses it. When Doug discovers the rumor is correct, Joyce throws a party to convince the network heads to save the show. Meanwhile, Hugo is upset that John has hired a stunt woman for Tracy and believes her hiring caused bad luck that got the show cancelled.
References
^McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: The Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present. Penguin Books. p. 90. ISBN0-14-02-4916-8.
