Betty White talks about career, new season of 'Off Their Rockers' prank show

Jan 08, 2013 (Tulsa World - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Betty White is all about a good laugh.

The actress, who's turning 91 this month, has gotten most of the spicy lines on shows from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Golden Girls" to her current hit "Hot in Cleveland." She can tell a risque story or act in a saucy skit, and no one is offended. It's because she's very particular about the kind of humor she does.

"I always see more than one meaning to a word, so double entendre kind of came naturally," said White, who was Emmy-nominated for her role as host of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers" prank show on NBC last season.

"But a double entendre is one thing, and then dirty humor is something else. I don't like dirty jokes, but I do enjoy a double entendre." Her "Off Their Rockers" show returns for a second season Tuesday with guest Korean pop artist Psy at 7 p.m. and reality star Kim Kardashian at 7:30 p.m. on NBC, channel 2, cable 9.

White, who steals the show in "The Proposal" -- as the minx of a grandmother -- as well as in most of her other film and TV roles, is just as particular about the pranks pulled on unsuspecting people in her NBC show.

"It's silly and nonsensical but good-spirited," said the comedienne whose birthday will again be celebrated on the upcoming NBC special "Betty White's Second Annual 90th Birthday." "We're never mean-spirited, and that's the iron rule ... They know they're being kidded and all that, and, when we reveal that, they're not any the worse for it." This season, appearing in the hidden-camera series will be special guests Howie Mandel, Nicole Richie, Steve O, Nick Lachey, NeNe Leakes, former "Mary Tyler Moore Show" co-star Ed Asner, Nick Cannon, Bob Harper and "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" Adrienne Maloof, Camille Grammer, and Kyle Richards. The show will be pranking unsuspecting folks from coast to coast.

With her career so hot, White finds herself constantly surrounded by today's hunky male stars. But you can't call her a cougar, she said.

"My problem is, all my life, I never was interested in younger men. He had to be a littler older than I -- and my problem now, at 90, is I can't find anybody older than I." With acting awards too numerous to mention and an envious film resume, the Oak Park, Ill., native is known for not saying "no" to any good acting job. She has built a 60-plus year career on it.

"Who would expect at 91 to still get invited to do shows " she said, laughing. "I mean, that's unheard of -- so if they don't want me to do it, don't ask me because if they ask me, I will take it." However, she wasn't "enthused" about doing the prank show at first, she said in a recent teleconference.

"... My schedule just didn't tolerate it, so I thanked them very much and said 'No, thank you,' " she explained. "But they just kept coming back. It was a show that started in Belgium, and it was the most popular comedy show in Europe for a while, according to Emmy. When they invited me to do it, I said, 'That's very nice, but I can't work it in.' And they kept coming back, and, of course, I had the backbone of a jellyfish, so here I am doing it, but I'm having a good time." White doesn't participate in any of the on-camera pranks. Instead, she handles the introductions or wraparounds.

She said it's all fun and something she enjoys. Even with at least 104 TV and film appearances since 1945, she said she isn't done yet.

"It's been 65 years, and I think in that time I've been the luckiest person on two feet. I think I've done as much as I can do. I'd just like to keep on doing the same thing.

"... How can you quit something you enjoy so much I am blessed with good health and blessed with good energy so as long as they ask me, I'm thrilled to say yes." 'BETTY WHITE'S OFF THEIR ROCKERS' When: 7 & 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Where: NBC, channel 2, cable 9 Rita Sherrow 918-581-8360 rita.sherrow@tulsaworld.com ___ (c)2013 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) Visit Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) at www.tulsaworld.com Distributed by MCT Information Services

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