“Betty, White Hot!, a series of periodic flashbacks to key moments in Betty White’s amazing television career, concludes.
On December 11, 1982, Betty White and pal Carol Channing guest starred on ABC’s “The Love Boat” as aging showgirls with a love/hate relationship – roles that almost earned the actresses their own series.
White played penny-pinching Betsy and Channing was extravagant Sylvia, whose niece was cruise director Julie (Lauren Tewes).
The actresses played the roles four times on “The Love Boat” – first in 1981, then again in 1984 and 1985.
White recalled working with Channing in her 1995 memoir “Here We Go Again: My Life in Television:”
We had such a good time that we thought it would be great fun to do a series together. We had an idea that we liked a lot for “The Pickle Sisters,” but we seemed to like it better than anyone else, because it never got off the ground.
Stupid network executives!
Then again, if “The Pickle Sisters” had taken off, White might have been unable to star on NBC’s “The Golden Girls” – and then how empty would our lives be?
See for yourself: Unfortunately, Betty White’s “Love Boat” episodes aren’t online or on video.
On TV
Here’s the prime-time lineup for Saturday, December 12, 1982:
8: “T.J. Hooker”* (ABC), “Walt Disney: Winnie the Pooh and Friends”* (CBS), “Diff’rent Strokes” (NBC)
8:30: “Silver Spoons” (NBC)
9: “The Love Boat” (ABC), “Cry for the Strangers” (CBS), “Gimme a Break” (NBC)
9:30: “Love, Sidney” (NBC)
10: “Fantasy Island” (ABC), “The Devlin Connection” (NBC)
* Repeat
The Record
For the week of December 5, 1982:
Top novel: “Space” by James A. Michener
Top song: “Truly” by Lionel Richie
Top movie: “The Toy”
Top TV show: “Dallas” (CBS)
In the news: NATO urged the Soviets to be nice
Caption: Carol Channing and Betty White play Sylvia and Betsy on ABC’s “The Love Boat” (photograph appears courtesy of StyleList).


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