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Betty White Bringing Hilarious New Series, “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers” to NBC

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  • March 31, 2011

  • 4 mins to read

Comedic genius Betty White will soon bring the award-winning European show, Benidorm Bastards, to our screens.  Betty White’s Off Their Rockers (working title) is a hidden camera type show and will follow seven senior citizens as they play pranks on unsuspecting younger people. With White at the helm, I’m pretty sure hilarity will ensue, making this an instant hit for the peacock network. Below is the official press release from NBC.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — March 31, 2011 — NBC will broadcast “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers,” (working title) a new hidden-camera comedy show hosted and executive-produced by seven-time Emmy Award winner Betty White, it was announced today by Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios. The series of 12 half-hour episodes will be produced by Kinetic Content, the new company run by Chris Coelen (“Secret Millionaire”).

‪Known throughout Europe as “Benidorm Bastards,” “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers” follows a band of seven senior citizens who make it their mission to play pranks on unsuspecting younger people.

‪”Betty White is a comedic genius who escalates hilarity in any situation,” said Telegdy. “Viewers will thoroughly enjoy watching her pull one over on the unsuspecting youth of America.”

‪”People have been telling me that I’m ‘Off My Rocker’ for years — now I can prove it,” commented White.

‪”NBC is a terrific home for great comedy and Betty White’s mischievous sense of humor is a perfect fit with this format which has shattered ratings expectations and garnered critical acclaim in every territory around the world,” said Coelen, CEO of Kinetic Content.

‪Caroline Kusser, Director North America of SevenOne International, said: “We are thrilled to work with Betty White and Chris Coelen — an absolute dream team for this hilarious international smash hit.”

‪The deal reunites White with NBC, where “The Golden Girls” ran successfully for seven seasons. More recently, White’s performance on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” earned her another Emmy.

‪A television veteran whose many credits extend to the medium’s early years, White also gained notice and an Emmy Award for her performance as Sue Ann Nevins on the classic “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

‪White remains one of the busiest actresses in Hollywood. Having just turned 89 years old, she continues to star with Valerie Bertinelli, Wendie Malick and Jane Leeves in the hit sitcom “Hot in Cleveland” for TV Land, which has been picked up for a third season. In addition, her new book “If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won’t),” will be released by Penguin on May 3.

‪Consistent with the fun, playful tone of White’s persona, the original version of the series has received many awards worldwide. “Benidorm” swept the 2010 Rose d’Or Awards, winning the Best Comedy Award as well as the Golden Rose for Best Program of the entire competition. In addition, the show won Best Comedy Format at the 2010 FRAPA Format Awards.

‪Distributor SevenOne International has sold “Benidorm Bastards,” originally produced by Shelter in Belgium, to over 20 territories worldwide, including France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, throughout Scandinavia and South Korea. The program has been an instant ratings hit, regularly doubling the channel averages in each territory where it has launched.

‪White, Coelen, Kinetic’s Matilda Zoltowski and Shelter’s Tim Van Aelst will serve as executive producers of the U.S. version. The series is an APA represented package for the U.S.

Source: NBC Universal Media.

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!

Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!