There’s not much question about why viewers tuned in to see the premiere episode of Hot in Cleveland. That would be a certain 88-year-old woman named Betty White. It turns out that she isn’t really tied to the show’s future. Could the sitcom continue without her?
Hot in Cleveland is TV Land’s new original series that stars sitcom veterans Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick, Jane Leeves, and Betty White. The three younger women star as ladies from L.A. who are on a flight bound for Paris, but get stranded in Cleveland. They find that they’re more appreciated by the men in the Midwest and decide to stay. They move into a house that comes with a sassy caretaker (White).
Originally, White was only set to be in the pilot episode. But, once her star got white hot earlier this year, TV Land worked to find a way to make her a series regular. They offered the octogenarian a less rigorous shooting schedule and other incentives. As White told Entertainment Weekly, “They were making all these concessions where I felt like a heel if I said no… So I guess, let’s face it: I’m easy.”
White agreed to appear in all ten of the first season’s episodes, yet isn’t obligated to return if or when there’s a second season. Most actors get locked into multiple season contracts but that’s not the case here.
The premiere attracted 4.75 million viewers, the largest audience in TV Land history. Episode two fell to 3.37 million but that’s still number that makes the cable channel execs very happy. Unless the ratings keep falling, it looks likely that the series will be renewed. Endemol recently made a deal to distribute the series internationally.
TV Land will surely want to hold onto White if they can but will have to negotiate a new contract for season two. Will the cable channel be able to afford her? At her age, will she want to do it?
What do you think? Could Hot in Cleveland survive without Betty White? If necessary, would you sacrifice Bertinelli, Malick, or Leeves to keep her?
Image courtesy TV Land.
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16 Comments on "Hot in Cleveland: Could the Show Survive Without Betty White?"
yeah!!!!!!!!!!! I love it Hot in Cleveland is on for another season..
I, my husband and our friends love this show. It is the funniest show on television, so much like the old shows we use to enjoy. Please leave it on. If Betty White continues, that’s great but the other 3 are hysterical too. It is catching on. During the last season I mentioned it to everyone and each person got hooked on it, just as we did. Please keep it on. Thanks
I doubt that it could work, what makes the show special is the relationship between all 4 women. To prove how much removing one cast member can effect a show… compare the success of Golden Girls to the failure of Golden Palace. One cast member left, the show went to hell. When you have an ensemble cast like these sitcoms do you have to keep that group together as long as you can or the show will die
I agree with you Chris. I love the show, but, I think it would do well still if Betty White didn’t return. I would love to see her return, but I think the other three actresses are very strong and would do just as well with our without her. She is great, and I love watching her, so I hope she will return.
I c an’t find this show in my tv guide in the paper on my TV. What channel day and time can I see this show in CA.? I caught the promo this summer on the East coast. But I can’t find it here in LA.
I think Betty White should survive without the show which we think is awful. It’s a latter day Golden Girls. 3 ladies and an older lady. Original? No.
And the writers of the show need to be very careful about the drugs they mention. One of the ladies said she takes Cclebrex. That’s the dangerous drug that can cause heart attacks. Not very bright!
This is my new favorite show. Love Betty White and also love Jane Leeves! (BTW, they all look great! It is especially nice to see women over 45 on tv who still have long hair and also to see women who look better than most 30 something actresses! It is quite refreshing!
i’m watching in ireland (illegally!)
the show is going to labour to bring betty white into it ever week, the girls are the story.
happy if she stays but not at the expense of a story assuming the characters grow to such a degree.
the show is good my GF loves it,
I don’t see there being much of a contract issue with Betty returning for another season either. She comes off as a VERY polite, reasonable and unselfish person, so she probably won’t demand a ton of money to be kept around. I think Betty has so many fans because of her kind nature and would hate to lose any fans because of something as petty as greed.
If I had to sacrifice one of the girls to keep Betty I certainly would. I would probably opt to keep Valerie and Wendy and let Jane go, however, I would love to see all four of them stay together. This show is really, really funny.
Ehh, I think they’ll need all four to make it work, it’d flow a little bit less well if only the three were there. They could probably try to pull it off, but still, Betty white sort of gives me a reason to tune in — though I forgot to watch it tonight; again.