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'Technological spaz' Betty White turns 89, TV Land celebrates in style

By April MacIntyre Jan 6, 2011, 6:25 GMT

11/04/2010 - Betty White - 19th Annual BAFTA/LA Britannia Awards - Arrivals - Hyatt Regency Century Plaza - Century City, CA, USA © Bob Charlotte / PR Photos

Betty White was the zinger babe of the TCA's (Television Critics' Association) today, January 5, as TV Land featured the fabulous ladies of their runaway hit "Hot in Cleveland" all together in panel along with their "hot" showrunner, Suzanne Martin.

TV Land will celebrate Betty White’s 89th birthday by giving stars and fans the opportunity to honor everyone’s golden girl with birthday wishes and personal video messages via a birthday card that is on the “Hot in Cleveland” Facebook page. 

Join superstars Tina Fey, Joel McHale, Taylor Swift, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Kristin Chenoweth, Jessica Walter and more along with fans around the world in wishing the incomparable Betty White a happy birthday. 

The birthday card will be presented to Ms. White at her TV Land birthday bash happening in New York City on January 18th, and a compilation of messages will be available for all to see on TVLand.com.

Today at the TCA's, Betty White talked about her impending birthday and her good fortune to work with Valerie, Wendie and Jane, and issued a caveat to starlets who flirt with trouble all the time:  "I’m only going to be 89 in a couple weeks.  I tell you what’s wonderful about working with these ladies. They’re all pros. They’ve all come off of big, successful shows, and they’re so professional about their career, unlike some of the young — my advice to young stars is: don’t believe your own publicity, and don’t abuse your privileges. These girls are on the set with their lines learned with their hair done.

“From her Emmy® award-winning appearance on ‘Saturday Night Live’ to being honored as one of Barbara Walters’ ’10 Most Fascinating People of 2010,’ it really has been the year of Betty,” said Larry W. Jones, president of TV Land.  “Betty is embraced by people of all ages and is truly America’s sweetheart.  We wanted to create a space where fans could share their birthday wishes and express their gratitude for the 60 years of laughs and entertainment our beloved Betty has given…and continues to give us.”

White, who celebrates her 89th birthday on January 17th, is one of television's most beloved and talented actresses.  Regarding her Facebook campaign, Betty was still nonplussed:  "... I would have said it myself, but I didn’t know what Facebook was, and I still don’t. I’m sorry.  Valerie Bertinelli added,  "It’s true. I will e-mail all of them, and Betty has to be called. She doesn’t own a computer."

Betty was not budging on her disdain for technology: "I don’t have a computer because I get a lot of mail, but I can stack those in stacks and throw this stack out without answering, and then I get to this stack. But if I punched the button and stored something in a computer, I wouldn’t sleep at night wondering what was stored in there. I’m a technological spaz."

And regarding a big four-legged spoiler for the new season, Betty says, "Can I tell you one piece of news? I don’t think I’m giving away a surprise. Why I love this season even better than last season is we’ve got a dog. Yup."