St. Olaf to New York: White to Host ‘SNL’

St. Olaf to New York: White to Host ‘SNL’ Call it a victory for democracy or peer pressure, but either way it’s happening: Betty White, above, the 88-years-young “Mary Tyler Moore” and “Golden Girls” star, will be hosting “Saturday Night Live” on May 8, a pre-Mother’s Day episode also featuring appearances from six “SNL” alumnae.

Though a popular Facebook campaign helped build Ms. White’s cause, Lorne Michaels, the “SNL” creator and executive producer, said Thursday that the grass-roots movement wasn’t the sole reason for the booking. “The depth of feeling for her at the show and particularly among the women who are coming back was very deep,” Mr. Michaels said in a telephone interview.

He added that he had concerns given the show’s “grueling” schedule, and as a solution invited the former “SNL” performers Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon to appear, too. Ultimately, he said, Ms. White’s age wouldn’t prevent her from participating fully. ATM Parts“Mind you, at our show, Pardo’s 92,” he said, referring to the announcer Don Pardo.

“A couple people in wardrobe are older than him. So she’s a spring chicken in our world.”