Betty White!

My nana is the best. I know everyone says that, but she really is. Everything, minus her health, is awesome. My Nana’s chocolate cake recipe is the best. She makes the best rolls. My Nana introduced me to Cherry Limeades at Sonic. She loves the Denver Nuggets, and is still really upset about Melo and Chauncy. She’s so nice to everyone. Her worst insult is “Dumb Bunny”. Like what is that, it doesn’t really feel insulting, but that’s as dirty as her mouth gets.

Obviously I’m biased, I’m sure a lot of people adore their Nana, Grandmother, Grandma, G-Ma, Nonna, Nonni, Abuela, Abuelita etc. There are a million names out there for Nana’s, because every grandmother is a little different…right? Of course they all have unique quirks, but in theory grandmothers have the same characteristics. They are all caring, and kind. All of them spoil their grandchildren. They all are amazing cooks. They usually host the family gatherings. They are all funny without meaning to be. These common thread are why we all love comedical grandmas in movies. One of the funniest grandma’s of the silver screen is Ellen Albertini Dow, who plays the grouchy, senile grandma in wedding crashers. She epitomizes the grumpy old lady rule (the one great thing about growing to be that old, is that you can say whatever, literally whatever, you want). She also plays the cute lady who raps in the wedding singer.

But, if there’s one Nana who is a blockbuster, it’s Betty White. Her last name, and her hair, may be white, but everything she touches turns to gold. Everyone loved her as Rose in the Golden Girls, but really made her comeback in the Proposal. She killed it in the Proposal and really she was the only person who did. She’s sweet and funny, and this 91-year-old legend isn’t afraid to let loose. She carries all the great aspects of Nanas, which is why I think people love her so much. I haven’t watched Hot in Cleveland, but I’m guessing she steals the show.

Last May, Betty White hosted Saturday Night Live. It was an epic performance, which was ironically contrasted with musical performances by Jay-Z, who would ever think to match them up (but thank God they did). Interestingly enough, Betty White wasn’t originally supposed to host the show. During White’s opening monologue she explained that after several months of campaigning via Facebook, her fans had convinced NBC to let her host the show. In fact, it was her fans idea. According to an article from the Christian Science Monitor, a Facebook page called Betty White to Host SNL (please?) was started in January of 2010 by David Matthews. As time passed the grassroots campaign grew exponentially, and finally it was big enough to get NBC’s attention. White didn’t start the campaign; it was all started by her fans (http://www.csmonitor.com/From-the-news-wires/2010/0507/Thanks-to-grassroots-Facebook-campaign-actress-Betty-White-to-host-Saturday-Night-Live)

The power of the masses is undeniable. Fiona Apple hit it big with criminal. Zuniga tells the story of how her fans started a grassroots campaign for the release of her sophomore album, which had been shelved by her record label Sony. Apple said she made the decision to shelve it, but her fans are completely responsible for the album’s release.

"Take charge of your message, your strategy, and your effectiveness. Don’t wait for orders—seek out your own fellow troops, join or start networks, and be a catalyst for change. Find creative ways to get the word out, in new and unexpected venues, tailored to your local conditions and audience,” (Zuniga, Taking On the System).

It’s unlikely Betty White incepted David Matthews into starting a Facebook page for her; she didn’t even know what Facebook was. David did exactly what Zuniga cites at the beginning of Chapter 2. He rallied the troops using Facebook to get Betty White onto the SNL, and he got a ticket as well (not too shabby, my friend). Many of Zuniga’s other pieces of advice weren’t necessary for Matthews to use (he didn’t need to craft the hero, Betty White was perfect, and he didn’t have a villain to target, maybe NBC, but not really), but he hit “Mobilize” spot on. With mediums like Facebook and Twitter the distance between fan and celebrity or artist is bridged. The distance between fan and industry executive is also bridged. Fans can finally have a voice; you can surpass the gatekeepers to choose the entertainment you want. Betty White can be in the same vicinity as Jay-Z. T