Betty White: First Lady of Television

Monday, Jan. 10 at 9 p.m.

In celebration of Betty White’s 100th birthday on January 17th, “Betty White: First Lady of Television” is a warm look at the life and career of the beloved television and film legend who celebrates 80 years in show business this year — officially the longest career in the history of TV. Lauded for her roles as the bawdy Sue Ann on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” the innocent Rose on “The Golden Girls” and her more recent role as the worldly Elka on “Hot in Cleveland,” Betty White is also an industry pioneer. She was the first woman to produce a national TV show, the first woman to star in a sitcom, the first producer to hire a female director and the first woman to receive an Emmy nomination.

Granted exclusive access to Betty and her team, the producers were able to capture the magic of her performances at various venues, along with more personal moments at home and interacting with close friends — one of whom is a 900-pound grizzly bear. The film is packed with hilarious clips from her long career and comments from friends and co-stars, including Valerie Bertinelli, Georgia Engel, Tina Fey, Valerie Harper, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Gavin MacLeod, Carl Reiner, Ryan Reynolds, Tom Sullivan, Alex Trebek and many more.

“Betty White has created some of the most memorable characters in television history,” said Jerry Liwanag, vice president of fundraising programming for PBS. “This new special reveals that she’s been a groundbreaking pioneer since her earliest days in the fledgling medium – both in front of and behind the camera. Her talent and creativity are timeless, transcending generations and cementing her legacy with each passing decade. She’s truly one of a kind.”

“The goal of the film from the beginning was to highlight the universal appeal that is Betty White,” said co-director Steven J. Boettcher.

“Betty White: First Lady of Television” traces Betty’s remarkable career, from her early days in radio to her first TV series as co-host of a live, five-and-a-half-hour, six-day-a-week variety show. She produced and starred in the pioneering sitcom “Life with Elizabeth” and was a popular TV personality throughout the ’50s and ’60s. A rabid game player in real life, Betty was a much sought-after game show contestant. It was during an appearance on “Password” where she first met the man who would become her husband and the love of her life, Allen Ludden.

The 1970s saw Betty win two Emmys for her role as the man-hungry “Happy Homemaker” on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Betty earned another Emmy in the mid-80s for her role as Rose on “The Golden Girls.” She made history when she hosted “Saturday Night Live” in 2010 at the age of 88 – and won yet another Emmy. Although she continues to attain roles and accolades, Betty’s true love is animals; she has been a passionate animal advocate throughout her career.