The impossible just happened: Betty White is cooler than before

Just when I thought Betty White couldn't get any more awesome, she totally did.

Yaaay Betty White!

I just finished her book, "Betty White: Here We Go Again" and loved every page. Not just because it's Betty White (though that's pretty much a given) but because I genuinely enjoyed her writing style and learning about the history of television. You see, that's really what the book is about--her life, as seen through TV shows over the past 60 years. For a minor history geek, not to mention a Betty White fanatic, it's one of the best combos that could be dreamed up.

I've only seen Betty White in Golden Girls, but after reading her book, I want to go out and find every show she's ever been in. Unfortunately, her earliest shows were before the invention of tape (wow!) so no luck there. But there are plenty of other shows that, with a little luck, I could find. And believe me, after reading some of the sketches she did, I will be looking.

Anyway, go read the book if you find it! And I'm not just saying that as a Betty White fan. I love the six degrees of separation idea, and there's plenty of that in this book. TV shows are all eventually connected to each other through actors, producers, directors or networks. All the work that she's been in, from Life With Elizabeth to covering Thanksgiving parades for 20 years, (I didn't know that!) to the Mary Tyler Moore Show, to Golden Girls and beyond is discussed and without a hint of egoism or bragging. Sure, she's proud, but who wouldn't be if they managed to stay relevant in television for 60 years?

If you're looking for serious background on the history of TV I wouldn't really recommend it, since that's not really the point of the book. It just gives you her history and how she took her first steps in showbiz, the format of game shows and getting shows on networks has changed. Basically, it's just enough so that you understand what she's going through at the time, but for a complete TV un-know-it-all (ie, me) it was just the right amount.

And, if you're one of those people who likes pictures with their books, this can help you out, too! Lots of photos included, including a nice color section. It helps get a sense of who all the people from "the old days" are.

I thought I knew a little something about Betty White and her TV history, but this book showed more of the incredibly warm, bright, funny, engaging woman than I could've imagined. With her career taking off once more, here we go again, indeed. I can't wait to see what she will do next.

It's the most wonderful advertising time of the year

This weekend, as everyone knows, is Superbowl Sunday. Which means of course, that it's time to get together with a few friends, sit back, drink a lot and enjoy the best part of the game--the ads! Some this year have already been leaked, including a very funny one of Matthew Broderick for Honda:

The Superbowl is like the Olympics for advertisers--it's a chance for them to show their brightest and best stuff and win the equivalent of medals (i.e., large numbers of consumers flocking to their products, along with lots of Youtube views and bragging rights to the best ad.) I don't watch the Superbowl because I don't give two craps about pro football, so sadly I've missed out on quite a few good ads.

But that's what the Internet is for, right? Here are a couple of my favorite ads from Superbowls past:

#1: Betty White Snickers commercial (2010)

Seriously, you can NEVER, EVER go wrong with Betty White. And Snickers are good, too.

#2: Darth Vader Passat (2011)

How adorable is this little kid? And it's Star Wars! Yaaaaay Star Wars!

#3: Jerry Seinfeld and the Acura NSX (2009) 

I've always enjoyed Jerry Seinfeld's standup comedy, so this was a nice little treat when I found it.

I'm hoping that the majority of this year's ads will be good. Chances are I'll have to watch most of them online, unless the Superbowl starts at 7 instead of 8 like I'm thinking. (See? This is how little I know about it, I can't even say what time it starts.)

As for halftime, who cares?