Betty Rocked; The Writers Did Not

Betty Rocked; The Writers Did Not

I tuned in 11:30 last night, Saturday, May 8 and watched the Saturday Night Live Mother's Day special hosted by Betty White, with musical guest Jay-Z.  First the consensus of the fans reaction to the show, via Twitter -- "Betty White Rules!",  "Betty  White effin rocks!", "Betty  White kicked SNL'S ass! Best SNL ever!!!!!!!!"

Now for my reaction to the show: Off the top, I don't see why Jay-Z was the musical guest. His music just didn't fit the theme. Even his second song, "Forever Young," which at the end, like an afterthought, he said was a tribute to Betty White, convinced me that scheduling his appearance was somebody's afterthought. That song is his latest standard. I've seen it better performed, elsewhere by him, featuring his wife Beyoncé.

The show's material over-all wasn't all that funny. There were a some laughs. Betty White performed like a trooper, the comedy writers under preformed, their contribution to the show was lacking, so much of the material was mediocre.

USA Today, in their review of the show, said, "90 mediocre minutes with White is still preferable to time spent with most anyone else, if only because our collective affection for her makes even the worst material look a little better."

The Associated Press -- "(Betty) White was the queen bee, appearing in nearly every bit throughout the 90-minute span — and never failing to punch it up."

I'm sure  her three "MacGruber" sketches,  the "muffin" sketch and  the "Thank You for Being A Friend," the digital short, with the "SNL" cast members singing  "The Golden Girls" theme song,  will find a life on the Internet. She was great. The show wasn't all that good.