Movieline at the Midpoint: 5 Candidates to be the Next Betty White of 2010

Today marks the midpoint of 2010 -- and thus the midpoint of our year in movies and TV. Join Movieline in both taking stock and looking ahead.

If there was one constant that unified the first six months of 2010, it was that everyone loved Betty White. Seriously -- saying something mean about America's Grandma this year was akin to stealing candy from a baby while kicking a puppy. You just didn't go there. But now that we're on the other side of 2010, White has probably peaked -- unless someone starts a Facebook campaign to get her become an astronaut or something. So which former icon will return to glory in the next six months? Movieline speculates ahead.

· Larry King

Yes, he "retired," but as King himself said, leaving his nightly CNN show will allow him to do anything he wants for "other networks." King referenced sports and commercials -- apparently forgetting all those Welch's Grape Juice ads that he's done -- but can't you imagine a scenario where some enterprising young layabout starts the "Larry King Should Host the Oscars!" Internet meme?

· Joan Rivers

She's an obvious choice to be the "Next Betty White," if only because of her advanced age and comic background. But whereas White is beloved, Rivers isn't. That should change as people start to see Joan Rivers -- A Piece of Work, since it's a very entertaining portrait of fame in life's third act. Rivers won't host the Oscars, but she might get nominated for one.

· Pee-wee Herman

Now that Judd Apatow has crowned him relevant again, is there any doubt that Pee-wee Herman will host Saturday Night Live this fall? Or that he'll appear on the Emmy Awards? Let's just hope this iteration of Paul Reubens' alter-ego ends better than the last one.

· Richard Dreyfuss

Not only is 2010 the 35th anniversary of Jaws, but Dreyfuss also has parts in Movieline favorite Piranha 3D and RED coming in the next 2 months. He's still as funny and nebbish-y as he was back in the '70s, so why not a comeback? Like J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg won't be able to find room for him in Super 8?

· Stephen Dorff

He's a lot younger than the other people on this list, but consider: He's languished as a has-been for a while now -- what, you haven't seen Tennis, Anyone...? or Felon? -- he's poised to have a Mickey Rourke-like resurrection in Sofia Coppola's Somewhere, and he's just the type of actor that other actors will speak about in hushed method-y tones. Until they remember that he's not Ethan Hawke.



Comments

  • Citizen Bitch says:

    I think the acutal facebook page is "Larry King to host the Oscars, need one million members to make official"