Is Betty White headed for Dancing The Stars? The 88-year-old comedy legend is reportedly in talks to compete on the next season of ABC’s hit ballroom dancing competition — and the plan even has the show’s host raising an eyebrow.
“Dancing With The Stars would love to have Betty White grace the dance floor next season,” an insider squeals. “Not only would she guarantee great ratings, she would also make it easier for a lot of big celebrities — who up to now have been sitting on the fence — to sign on. There is no one bigger or more respected than Betty White.”
While DWTS producers are certain the Hot In Cleveland actress (who recently hosted Saturday Night Live in front of a record-setting audience) would rake in the ratings, host Tom Begeron fears that White — now in her late eighties — is simply too old to keep up with the show rigorous training schedule. Not to mention Dancing has been known to leave contestants nursing injuries long after the season ends. Jewel, Nancy O’Dell, Kelly Osbourne, and Steve O are just a sampling of the stars forced to undergo surgery after departing the ballroom.
“I know the producers want me to say yes, but I adore Betty White and she is almost 89 years old and I don’t,” Begeron told The Insider when asked if he thinks Betty should accept the offer to compete on DWTS. “My understanding is that Betty has had a conversation where she expressed some concern about her ability to keep up. I think that is where you have to say, ‘Okay.’ From a promotion standpoint, obviously, she is the hottest name going right now, but I adore her and I would never want to be her last show.”
If Betty accepted the Dancing challenge, she would join a small group of fellow senior stars who have tangoed and jived for millions of Americans, including retired astronaunt Buzz Aldrin and Oscar winner Cloris Leachman.