Many people believe they're witnessing Betty White's "Renaissance," or her rebirth into the world of television and movies. The truth of the matter is she's been around all along – with a showbiz career spanning 60 years, White has a knowledge of the industry that alleged insiders can only dream about.

The 88-year-old star is currently filming the first season of hit show 'Hot in Cleveland,' which was recently picked up for a second season after only three episodes had aired. The show also broke records over at TV Land (it was the highest-rated show in the channel's history). But don't give all the kudos to White – she'll deny it, and instead give credit to her co-stars Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, and Wendie Malick.

Incredibly modest and beautifully sweet, it's hard to believe that someone like White emerged from the plastic falsity of Hollywood. TV Squad had a chance to talk with White about 'Hot in Cleveland,' what she thinks of the past year, and if she ever gets tired of playing grannies.

First and foremost, how is your dog doing?
Oh, he's fine. He's at home, I didn't bring him up [with me on vacation to Carmel, California] this time. It breaks my heart.

So you're working even now, when you're supposed to be on vacation. There's no rest for you!
[Laughs] Well, I'm not complaining!

How does it feel to be back in an ensemble comedy?
It's great fun. The girls are just a delight, and the chemistry between them is wonderful. When I first came up here I had to go get some groceries, and it took me an hour-and-a-half to get out of the market. It wasn't 'Golden Girls,' it wasn't 'Saturday Night Live,' it was 'Hot in Cleveland.'



And how is your chemistry with the other women?
I adore them. They have to kiss me good-night every night. I just love it. It's a wonderful set to work on. It's so great to be back on a multi-camera show with a live audience.

I was going to ask you about that – the live-camera audience. Does that take you back in time?
Well, for a while, they tried to kill it, to make it go away. But there's nothing better than to do comedy with a live audience that can help with all your timing. There's nothing worse than doing comedy on a one-camera set, as far as I'm concerned. They have to take the master shot, then the two-shot. You beat the poor joke to death.

You've seen TV grow and change over your incredible career. Do you have any thoughts on the current state of television?
I'm not a big fan of reality television, as you probably would guess. I don't think television has changed as much as the audience has changed. When I started in television, which was when television started, it was this big miracle over in the corner of the room. Now the audience has heard every joke, they've heard every storyline, they know where the story is going from the first word. That's a hard audience to surprise and to write for, because it's a very jaded audience. Now writers try to push the envelope as much as they can.

You've got some pretty good zingers on 'Hot in Cleveland.'
When I was on game shows, I always used double entendres. With double entendres, if people get it, they laugh. If not, it doesn't hurt them at all, they just don't get it, and we all move on. Now it's not double entendre, the writers just let it all hang out.

What made you want to stay on 'Hot in Cleveland' past the pilot episode – which, from what I understand, was the initial deal?
I had a guest shot on the pilot with the proviso in the deal that, if the show got picked up, I would not be involved. And I know this sounds silly at my age, but the schedule is a busy one. I didn't want to get tied up too seriously. Well, they got picked up in three weeks – and I've never seen such a fast pick-up on a pilot.

That had a lot to do with you, I think.
Oh, no. It did not. [Laughs] It's those girls. But anyway, they came to me and asked if I would do some more. I said, "That wasn't part of the deal." Then they kept making concessions, like "Work three days only," or what-if this, or what-if that. I was having such a good time with the girls... I guess the bottom line is that I'm now doing all of [the episodes], and we've been picked up for 20 new ones.

Where do you think your comedic flair came from?
If I have any comedic 'sense' inside me it came from my mother and father, since I was an only child. There wasn't a straight man in the house, and I don't mean that in any other sense of the word. We loved to laugh, and they'd ask me how school went, and the next thing you know, we'd be making jokes about it. Our weekend breakfasts were such fun. It was a lovely childhood.

How have you been dealing with all the attention lately? Is it overwhelming?
Well, I'm trying to relax and enjoy it. I'm also very grateful. Each person [who approaches me] thinks they're the only one, so you have to treat them accordingly. You have to listen, acknowledge, and thank them, because I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if it weren't for them.

Has the past year or so been surreal for you at all?
Everybody says this is "my big renaissance" and all that. I never went away! I've been in the same place for 60 years! I think the Snickers commercial and 'Saturday Night Live' had a lot to do with the current interest. I just go working along because it's what I do.



My apologies, since there isn't a more sensitive way to ask this, but does it feel strange being the only surviving member of 'Golden Girls'?
I feel nothing but deep, deep heartache about losing the other three. It's so ironic because I think – they would never discuss their ages – I was the oldest of us all. It turns out that I was, and here I am, still going, while they're all gone.

And it all seems so recent, as if it all happened at once.
It's sad. There's such a hole.

You've worked with such amazing talent over the years, and now 'Hot in Cleveland' is getting some pretty stellar guest stars.
Oh, Tim Conway and Carl Reiner just guested on the show, and that was quite a challenge in itself. Working with Tim is nearly impossible because you have to try to keep yourself off the floor, you're laughing so hard.

You recently had Susan Lucci guest as well, right?
Yes! She was just delightful! She's about as big as a minute, and so beautiful. The best surprise was even though she's a serious soap actress, she has a great sense of comedy. It was so much fun, I hope she comes back.

There are also rumors that you're going to play God in a remake of the movie 'Oh God.' Is there any truth to them?
You know, I've been hearing that. Where did that come from?

The majority of it is online.
[Laughs] A lot of things are online, but there hasn't been even a breath of that uttered to me. I've never heard anything about it from anyone, except online.

Sorry for the pun, but does playing grannies ever get old?
[Laughs] I love the pun, but oh no. I'm always Granny Somebody. I mean, it's natural. I am 88 and a half.

It must be comfortable wearing those tracksuits all the time.
Oh yes. I love them. The best part is Elka [White's character] loves to Bedazzle them. Every once in a while, she's actually doing it on the show. She loves the sparkle.

Speaking of the suits, I understand you're putting out a clothing line?
Yes, for tots and teenagers. They're t-shirts. The proceeds go to Morris Animal Foundation. I've been working with them for 47 years, so I'm delighted about it. It's a cute line, it really is.

Man, you're just doing everything!
[Laughs] Well, it beats not doing anything.

'Hot in Cleveland' airs Wednesdays at 10PM on TV Land, and on Mondays at 8PM on CTV in Canada.