24 February 2017
Why we can’t get enough of Betty White
Update: Hot In Cleveland is no longer on Showmax. Find your next binge in the full series catalogue here.
At 95, Betty White is the queen of sitcom TV and she’s showing no signs of slowing down. Not sure what we’re going on about? Internet streaming service Showmax’s catalogue features all six seasons of Betty’s show Hot In Cleveland (2010-2015) and the actress is an absolute hoot as witty landlord Elka Ostrovsky. Betty’s been dropping one-liners and talking trash for ages, and more often than not, her crack-up quotes have spilled over into her personal life.
Here’s why Betty White and her character Elka in Hot in Cleveland are the best on the box.
Crack-up quote: “You’re too old and creaky to be robbing the cradle.”
From: Season 1, episode 2
IRL (In Real Life): Betty’s been married three times but refused to take another hubby after her last one passed away in 1981. “Once you’ve had the best, you really don’t need the rest,” says the actress. But just like her character Elka, that doesn’t mean she’s not kept her eyes on some of the hotties doing the rounds. “It’s quite interesting what some of these young gentlemen do – they have muscles on their muscles,” teases Betty.
Crack-up quote: “I’m a novelty. I’m genuinely cool.”
From: Season 4, episode 3
IRL: She’s not joking – she really is genuinely cool. She originally agreed to film only the pilot of Hot In Cleveland as a favour to a friend – she was already 88 at the time but, as she laughs, she’s still alive and kicking, “So why not earn a little pocket money and keep going?” When the show was officially picked up in late 2009, the network bosses begged her to continue and the legend that is Betty White rolled on – she appeared in all six seasons, stealing the thunder from her much younger co-stars – Valerie Bertinelli (Melanie), Jane Leeves (Joy) and Wendie Malick (Victoria).
Crack-up quote: “If the guy’s a cutie, you’ve gotta tap that booty”
From: Season 2, episode 20
IRL: With a career a mile long, you’d think that Betty’s favourite scene would be from her other iconic show The Golden Girls (1985-1992) – but you’d be wrong! It happened in Hot In Cleveland’s season 6, episode 3, when she got to smooch fellow small-screen icon Robert Wagner (Anthony DiNozzo Sr in crime show NCIS, 2003-current). “When Jim (Robert Wagner) kissed me, I didn’t find that too bad. I like that because they don’t often write in a kiss for me.”
“In 1976, I had my eyelids done. I scolded myself forever, but now I’m glad I did it.”
Crack-up quote: “Don’t put yourself down, dear – that’s my job.”
From: Season 4, episode 18
IRL: Betty’s been around the block and she knows how to make it in the tough entertainment business. She admits that her co-stars, both film and TV, have always asked her for advice and she’s kept it simple: show up on time and come prepared. “Learn your lines. Don’t ever think you can wing it, because you really can’t.”
Crack-up quote: “I got a spray tan. I look like an Oompa Loompa!”
From: Season 2, episode 21
IRL: While most of Hollywood refuses to admit to a nip here, a tuck there and a lift or two when age sets in (even if it’s painfully obvious), Betty’s the opposite. She’s never made a secret of her plastic surgery and says, “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature! But in 1976 I had my eyelids done. I scolded myself forever, but now I’m glad I did it.”
Sources: Chron.com, dailyentertainment.com, Hollywoodreporter.com, imdb.com, parade.com, perezhilton.com, rd.com, usatoday.com, youtube.com
Original African stories by local talent
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Stream from 9 May, with new episodes weekly.
Big Girl Small World
Stream the new Kenyan romcom series Big Girl Small World from 8 May, with new episodes every week.
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. All episodes now streaming.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
The Real Housewives Of Lagos S2 Reunion, now streaming
ENO S2: New daughter, more chaos
The best of West Africa
Flawsome S2: A look back at the season as final episode is now streaming
Flawsome S2 delivered a rollercoaster of emotions. The season concludes following a captivating 13-episode run, and all the episodes are available to binge-watch on Showmax.
What to watch on Showmax in Ghana in May 2024
Stream Barbie and Oppenheimer, only on Showmax. Plus a ton more great stuff coming in May.
BAFTA winner Gbemisola Ikumelo talks about Black Ops now streaming on Showmax
BAFTA winning actress and writer Gbemisola Ikumelo talks about the 6-part comedy crime-thriller Black Ops, now streaming on Showmax.
Binge-watch all episodes of Sadau Sisters on Showmax
The Original reality TV series Sadau Sisters delivered a captivating season. From pitched battles to rivalries, and unending drama. All the episodes are available to binge on Showmax.