Betty White as 'SNL' host becomes Facebook sensation

Lovable, spry, sly Betty White has become America's favorite octogenarian.

After appearing in the most popular commercial in Super Bowl XLIV, the 88-year-old actress is a Facebook sensation.

A fan page that calls for "Betty White to host SNL (please?)!" went from 35,000 followers last Friday, before the spot aired, to 181,600 this morning - and it's still climbing.

The movement was launched by a fan, David Matthews who has written a letter to "Saturday Night Live" producer Lorne Michaels: "What would it take to get you to invite Betty White to be a guest host on SNL?" he wrote. "She is brilliant, funny, witty and a comedic genius and legend. I have little doubt that it would be a ratings hit."

This campaign is picking up steam with help from other celebrities such as Bonnie Hunt, who encouraged viewers of her syndicated talk show to join in the cause. And several Web sites such as The Huffington Post are offering support.

And why not?

Every time you see White you fall in love with her all over again. She was cool as a killer in
"Boston Legal" and even made the giant alligator flick "Lake Placid" watchable.

The woman has been on television since television began.

White, who was honored during the Screen Actors Guild Awards last month with a lifetime achievement award, hasn't stopped achieving.

In the much viewed and highly praised Super Bowl commercial for Snickers candy, White is covered in mud on a football field surrounded by young guys. She is tackled and thrown to the ground.

A teammate heckles: "You're playin' like Betty White out there!" She snaps back: "That's not what your girlfriend said!"

She takes a bite of a Snickers bar and turns back into a young dude. This commercial is funny on its own, and it topped the USA Today's annual Ad Meter as most popular.

It's even funnier if you are fan of the former "Golden Girls" co-star.

White has been making people laugh since 1949, when she started her career as a "phone" girl on a Los Angeles television station. She starred in her first network series in 1952.

Her biggest roles were the devious Sue Ann Nivens on the classic sitcom "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970) and the ditzy Rose Nylund on "The Golden Girls" (1985).