This whole "Betty White as 'SNL' host" movement has been fascinating to watch. Think about it: the users of a decidedly 21st century technology, Facebook, got together in support of a star who started working before the vast majority of the site's users were even born. No one on FB is looking to have Tony Curtis be a guest panelist on 'The Marriage Ref,' or want Dick Cavett to be the new host of 'The Tonight Show,' for instance.

Most people were overjoyed to hear that the online movement to get her on the show was a success; now, according to WNBC and People magazine, White's 'Saturday Night Live' hosting gig has an air date: May 8. She'll be part of a Mother's Day-themed episode which will feature former cast members who are also moms, including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Molly Shannon. Rachel Dratch will also be there; she's not a mom but tended to play one in a lot of her sketches when she was a cast member.

If you're disappointed that Betty didn't get the hosting gig by herself, just step back and you'll realize that this was the best way to do it. Betty's feisty, but she's also 88. The week leading up to the live broadcast is a grueling one for cast members and hosts that are a third of White's age, so I'm pretty sure Lorne Michaels needed to figure out a way she could share the load so she'd be fresh for Saturday night.

But don't expect White's appearance to be a cameo. No, I can see her in a number of sketch situations, like as a guest on Bronx Beat (Maya Rudolph is also supposed to be on the show, so seeing her and Poehler resurrect this sketch is a possibility). It would even be pretty funny if they asked her to impersonate a rapidly-aging young celebrity like Lindsay Lohan on Weekend Update. The possibilities are endless, and White is as game as anyone in the business. This should be fun.

[via PopEater]