Cher is thanking Betty White for being a friend. On Jan. 31, NBC will air the tribute special Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girl. Ahead of the premiere, Cher tweeted a clip from the special featuring herself performing the Golden Girls theme song while adding the phrase, “Every Friend is Golden.” You can watch the clip below.
A follow-up tweet from Cher read: “This Was a Geat Honor For Me.I’ve loved Betty Since I Was 7,& Change. ‘LIFE WITH ELIZABETH,’ PLUS WE DID SONG ON SONNY & CHER SHOW. Betty Taught Me To Speak Like a Southern.”
Fans of The Golden Girls may also recall a memorable reference to Sonny & Cher in the season 5 episode “An Illegitimate Concern.” In that episode, Dorothy (Bea Arthur) dresses up as Cher with her mother Sophia (Estelle Getty) dressed up as Sonny. The two performed a rendition of “I Got You, Babe” for a Shady Pines mother-daughter beauty pageant.
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The Golden Girls aired for seven seasons from 1985-92. Starring White, Arthur, Getty, and Rue McClanahan, the comedy series followed four women in their golden years sharing a home in Miami. Highly regarded as one of television history’s greatest sitcoms, the show is also well-known for its catchy theme song.
NBC’s Special Will Feature Many Stars Paying Tribute to Betty White
NBC
Along with Cher, some of the other celebrities that appear in the TV special to honor White include Joe Biden, Drew Barrymore, Valerie Bertinelli, Bryan Cranston, Ted Danson, Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Ana Gasteyer, Goldie Hawn, Vicki Lawrence, Jane Leeves, Jay Leno, Anthony Mackie, Wendie Malick, Joel McHale, Tracy Morgan, Jean Smart, and Mary Steenburgen.
“Co-stars, friends, admirers and those who shared special moments with White recount their favorite memories and reveal untold stories to commemorate the life and legacy of the trailblazing television star,” NBC stated in a press release. “The telecast will include clips and never-before-seen footage that best capture White’s irreverent tone, spirit and impeccable comedic timing that are a hallmark of her decades-long career.”
This has been one of many big ways White has been honored in the days after her death. The comedy legend had been preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday this month when she passed away on New Year’s Eve. A planned theatrical celebration of her birthday moved forward with a new edit recognizing her passing, now serving as a memorial. The memorial documentary featured White’s last-ever interview and included many celebrity friends paying tribute.
On Jan. 17, what would’ve been White’s 100th birthday, Google also paid tribute to the late star of The Golden Girls. Anyone who Googled White’s name on that day was greeted with animated rose petals covering the screen, a reference to her character Rose Nylund. The message “Thank You for Being a Friend” was also shown on the screen.
Celebrating Betty White: America’s Golden Girl will air at 10 p.m. on NBC. It will be available for streaming the next day on Peacock.
