wiseguy182
05-04-2014, 12:34 PM
As unpleasant as it is to think about, Betty White is 92 and there's been some talk on what would happen if she passed away. Asking who would replace her is sort of a trick question since nobody could really replace a legend like Betty White. She would leave an enormous void. But...I think there are several older actors that might be a good fit, assuming they wanted to keep things the same and have an older actor as the caretaker of the house. Many of these options have already guest-starred on the show.
Let's take a look at some possibilities, I'll put an asterisk next to ones who have appeared on the show:
*Doris Roberts ~ Perhaps not quite as beloved as Betty, but she's certainly up there. Check out the HUGE applause she got when she guest starred on Full House in the early 90's (I think the only person to rival that, at least in the first 3 seasons, was Scott Baio). She has her fan base and deservedly so.
*Carol Burnett ~ Generally thought of as one of the nicest celebrities, as well as one of the funniest women, Carol would certainly be a strong contender. The Carol Burnett reunion shows, which were happening up to the 2000's, were very well received. And on that note...
Vicki Lawrence ~ would Vicki reprise the Mama character? Make no mistake about it, Vicki was still doing the character as recently as a few years ago, and the dvd releases last year were very well received. Vicki is only a year older than Wendie IRL, but the Mama character would have to be Elka's age right about now.
*Valerie Harper ~ Valerie's popularity is sky-high at the moment, after she beat out a seemingly incurable brain tumor. Perhaps a spot on a proven sitcom hit would be a nice end to a career that saw her kicked off her own sitcom in favor of Sandy Duncan. (and no, I DON'T want to see Sandy Duncan on Hot in Cleveland, so please don't suggest it, LOL :lol:
Charlotte Rae ~ And speaking of someone who beat out a tough disease at an old age, there's Charlotte Rae. Charlotte recently defeated pancreatic cancer (a silent killer since it has no visible symptoms). Charlotte pretty much disappeared after leaving the Facts of Life after seven seasons. But she certainly has experience playing a housemother. Speaking of which...
*Cloris Leachman ~ Ah, Cloris Leachman. She seems to be somewhat underestimated. Over the years, she's played everything from the mother of deranged Anthony Fremont, to Beverly Ann, to hilariously cantankerous Aunt Mooster on Promised Land. (a role in which she played a character considerably older than her real age, one of her episodes airs on UP! tomorrow -- 5/5/14). She could certainly play the role of feisty old lady like Betty. And on that note...
Katherine Helmond ~ Simply delightful as the likeable, feisty, horny old lady on Who's The Boss?
Angela Lansbury ~ Having seen several of her elderly Murder, She Wrote co-stars die in the last few years hasn't dissuaded Angela from retiring, she's apparently itching to get back into a major role. She's 88, and one of the older options. But she might be up to it.
Katherine MacGregor ~ This one seems unlikely as Scottie seemingly retired from television at the tail-end of Little House on the Prairie's run. But LHOTP is a much beloved show, and Katherine NAILED her part. Currently 89 years old, but she could bring the laughs.
Feel free to mention anyone I may have forgot. You may vote for more than one option in this poll.
Let's take a look at some possibilities, I'll put an asterisk next to ones who have appeared on the show:
*Doris Roberts ~ Perhaps not quite as beloved as Betty, but she's certainly up there. Check out the HUGE applause she got when she guest starred on Full House in the early 90's (I think the only person to rival that, at least in the first 3 seasons, was Scott Baio). She has her fan base and deservedly so.
*Carol Burnett ~ Generally thought of as one of the nicest celebrities, as well as one of the funniest women, Carol would certainly be a strong contender. The Carol Burnett reunion shows, which were happening up to the 2000's, were very well received. And on that note...
Vicki Lawrence ~ would Vicki reprise the Mama character? Make no mistake about it, Vicki was still doing the character as recently as a few years ago, and the dvd releases last year were very well received. Vicki is only a year older than Wendie IRL, but the Mama character would have to be Elka's age right about now.
*Valerie Harper ~ Valerie's popularity is sky-high at the moment, after she beat out a seemingly incurable brain tumor. Perhaps a spot on a proven sitcom hit would be a nice end to a career that saw her kicked off her own sitcom in favor of Sandy Duncan. (and no, I DON'T want to see Sandy Duncan on Hot in Cleveland, so please don't suggest it, LOL :lol:
Charlotte Rae ~ And speaking of someone who beat out a tough disease at an old age, there's Charlotte Rae. Charlotte recently defeated pancreatic cancer (a silent killer since it has no visible symptoms). Charlotte pretty much disappeared after leaving the Facts of Life after seven seasons. But she certainly has experience playing a housemother. Speaking of which...
*Cloris Leachman ~ Ah, Cloris Leachman. She seems to be somewhat underestimated. Over the years, she's played everything from the mother of deranged Anthony Fremont, to Beverly Ann, to hilariously cantankerous Aunt Mooster on Promised Land. (a role in which she played a character considerably older than her real age, one of her episodes airs on UP! tomorrow -- 5/5/14). She could certainly play the role of feisty old lady like Betty. And on that note...
Katherine Helmond ~ Simply delightful as the likeable, feisty, horny old lady on Who's The Boss?
Angela Lansbury ~ Having seen several of her elderly Murder, She Wrote co-stars die in the last few years hasn't dissuaded Angela from retiring, she's apparently itching to get back into a major role. She's 88, and one of the older options. But she might be up to it.
Katherine MacGregor ~ This one seems unlikely as Scottie seemingly retired from television at the tail-end of Little House on the Prairie's run. But LHOTP is a much beloved show, and Katherine NAILED her part. Currently 89 years old, but she could bring the laughs.
Feel free to mention anyone I may have forgot. You may vote for more than one option in this poll.