Betty White Is Alive and Well, But Hoaxer May Wish He Were Dead - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-03-2010, 11:53 AM

There are some people who you just shouldn't mess with, and one of them is 'Golden Girls' goddess Betty White. In the wee hours of Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, a dastardly hoax was perpetrated in the comments area of popular gossip blog Oh No They Didn't, where a screen-shot of a fake TMZ article was posted claiming the actress had died.

How'd she perish? The faux article said it was a mixture of drug abuse and foul play.

From there, the rumor spread like wildfire and quickly became a hot trend on Twitter and Google. Countering the silliness, White's rabid fans began posting whimsical #BettyWhiteFacts ("Betty White turned Tiger down" ... "Betty White taught MJ how to moonwalk") instead.

Of course, readers should have immediately known it was a hoax; the cause of death was about as believable as White's 'Golden Girls' character Rose Nylund being awarded the Nobel Prize in Science.

A blog called The Cutting Room Floor got to the bottom of the hoax early Wednesday. Though commenters on Oh No They Didn't claimed they had seen the article on TMZ, no such piece could be found on the popular Web site's homepage. Also, the font used in the fake did not match the one used by TMZ.

The offending post was eventually deleted by Oh No They Didn't, but the damage was done, and White's fans are calling for blood. Some common reactions on Twitter:

@loganX2: dear internet a betty white death hoax is never a joke!! thanks// i'll kill the internet for those remarks. Ordering a hit.

@LexiDV: Who would start a rumor Betty White died? Sick. May Sophia Petrillo curse you.
Several sites, including The LA Times' Ministry of Gossip, have put in calls for comment from White.

White has recently enjoyed a particularly high profile among younger people, courtesy of a memorable appearance at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, her performance in the hit film 'The Proposal,' a popular Super Bowl ad and a recent Facebook campaign to get her the hosting job at 'Saturday Night Live.'

http://www.popeater.com/2010/03/03/b...te-death-hoax/

Pitooey · 03-03-2010, 07:47 PM

She was hysterical on the Tonight show episode about The wizard of Oz.

SueAnn_Rose · 03-04-2010, 05:44 PM

There are somethings you don't mess with and when it involves Betty White and the internet I would not think it'll be true. Although TMZ is a good source, I doubt they ever had something posted like this on their site.

She was great on the Tonight Show!!

03-03-2010, 11:53 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Betty White Is Alive and Well, But Hoaxer May Wish He Were Dead There are some people who you just shouldn't mess with, and one of them is 'Golden Girls' goddess Betty White. In the wee hours of Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, a dastardly hoax was perpetrated in the comments area of popular gossip blog Oh No They Didn't, where a screen-shot of a fake TMZ article was posted claiming the actress had died. How'd she perish? The faux article said it was a mixture of drug abuse and foul play. From there, the rumor spread like wildfire and quickly became a hot trend on Twitter and Google. Countering the silliness, White's rabid fans began posting whimsical #BettyWhiteFacts ("Betty White turned Tiger down" ... "Betty White taught MJ how to moonwalk") instead. Of course, readers should have immediately known it was a hoax; the cause of death was about as believable as White's 'Golden Girls' character Rose Nylund being awarded the Nobel Prize in Science. A blog called The Cutting Room Floor got to the bottom of the hoax early Wednesday. Though commenters on Oh No They Didn't claimed they had seen the article on TMZ, no such piece could be found on the popular Web site's homepage. Also, the font used in the fake did not match the one used by TMZ. The offending post was eventually deleted by Oh No They Didn't, but the damage was done, and White's fans are calling for blood. Some common reactions on Twitter: @loganX2: dear internet a betty white death hoax is never a joke!! thanks// i'll kill the internet for those remarks. Ordering a hit. @LexiDV: Who would start a rumor Betty White died? Sick. May Sophia Petrillo curse you. Several sites, including The LA Times' Ministry of Gossip, have put in calls for comment from White. White has recently enjoyed a particularly high profile among younger people, courtesy of a memorable appearance at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, her performance in the hit film 'The Proposal,' a popular Super Bowl ad and a recent Facebook campaign to get her the hosting job at 'Saturday Night Live.' http://www.popeater.com/2010/03/03/b...te-death-hoax/
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-03-2010, 07:47 PM	#2
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	She was hysterical on the Tonight show episode about The wizard of Oz.
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

03-04-2010, 05:44 PM	#3
SueAnn_Rose Sue Ann Nivens BFF Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 03, 2010 Location: WJM news room/The Big Potata Posts: 336	There are somethings you don't mess with and when it involves Betty White and the internet I would not think it'll be true. Although TMZ is a good source, I doubt they ever had something posted like this on their site. She was great on the Tonight Show!!
	__________________ "I have been the owner of this house for 50 years, but you can kick me out" Elka "When I die, I want to be cremated and have my ashes thrown on Robert Redford." Sue Ann "Max you know i'm your girl" ღBetty & Allen Luddenღ ★Betty White★ Elka & Maxღ