The Betty White Show (1977 TV series)

The Betty White Show is an American television series which aired on CBS from September 12, 1977, to January 9, 1978. Fourteen episodes were broadcast. The series was produced by MTM Enterprises. This program should not be confused with two earlier television programs that had the same title—a daytime talk show that ran on NBC from February 8, 1954, to December 31, 1954, and a prime-time comedy variety show that ran on ABC from February 5, 1958, to April 30, 1958.

Synopsis
Joyce Whitman (Betty White), a middle-aged actress, lands the lead in a police series titled Undercover Woman, a parody of Police Woman. Joyce is thrilled with the show, but less pleased to learn that the director is John Elliot (John Hillerman), her ex-husband, whom she unfondly refers to as "old pickle puss." He responds in kind, supplying his star with an oversized male double named Hugo (Charles Cyphers), a sexy, much younger onscreen sidekick (Caren Kaye), and dialogue not nearly as sharp as her tongue. Also on hand are Mitzi Maloney (Georgia Engel), Joyce's best friend; co-star actor Fletcher Huff (Barney Phillips); and network penny-pincher Doug Porterfield (Alex Henteloff).

Reception
The series was scheduled opposite Monday Night Football and The NBC Monday Movie and failed to generate viewers. The show was canceled after 14 episodes. Nick at Nite and TV Land briefly broadcast reruns of the show during the 1990s.

The series aired on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom in 1985.

Cast

 * Betty White as Joyce Whitman, a sharp-tongued actress
 * John Hillerman as John Elliot, Joyce's ex-husband and director of her show
 * Georgia Engel as Mitzi Maloney, Joyce's naive best friend/roommate

Recurring

 * Caren Kaye as Tracy Garrett, Joyce's younger, sexier co-star
 * Charles Cyphers as Hugo Muncy, Joyce's hunky stunt double
 * Barney Phillips as Fletcher Huff, Joyce's co-star
 * Alex Henteloff as Doug Porterfield, a network executive who oversees Undercover Woman