BETTY WHITE WILL BE ON ‘SNL’

On Sunday night, Betty White confirmed to People Magazine that she will appear on “Saturday Night Live,” although it remains unclear in what capacity or whether she even heard the question correctly. “What? Yes, of course I plan to be alive on Saturday night!”

Fans have been clamoring for White, 88, to do SNL – an idea she called “ridiculous” just a few weeks ago – ever since her comic turn in a Snickers ad during the Super Bowl. One Facebook page devoted to the cause has attracted half a million fans.

When asked by PEOPLE, “Are you doing Saturday Night Live,” she answered, “Yes,” even if she remains perplexed by the groundswell of support. “I don’t know why or how,” she says, “but it’s been wonderful.”

I like Betty White, and I think she’s funny, and I look forward to seeing her on “SNL.” But the notion of her hosting is ridiculous. She is an old, old, old, frail woman. Booking an octogenarian for a gig from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. four to six weeks in the future isn’t necessarily the best investment, you know? Even if she’s still alive when the day arrives, there’s no guarantee she’ll be able to stay awake. Although that could make it easier for the writers. They could just put “grandma sleeping in the corner” into every skit.