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Meet Sue Ann Nivens–Betty White’s Other Great Role

Sue Ann (Betty White) checks the oven to see why her dessert failed.

Before she starred as Rose in The Golden Girls, Betty White delighted television audiences with her portrayal of Sue Ann Nivens, the Happy Homemaker on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She made her first appearance in the initial episode of the fourth season of MTM. The show’s producers expected it to be a one-time guest shot for White, but audience reaction prompted them to bring her back–again and again. Here are four episodes featuring Sue Ann, some of the funniest episodes in the entire series.

The Lars Affair (Season 4, Episode 1)

Phyllis (Cloris Leachman) sprays Sue Ann (Betty White) with chocolate, all over Sue Ann's white apron.
Cloris Leachman, Betty White

Here’s where we first meet Sue Ann, and we quickly learn that the saccharine personality hides a less-than-charming side. She’s fooling around with Lars Lindstrom, Phyllis’ (Cloris Leachman) husband. It’s only when confronted with the possibility of losing her career that she gives up on him, but the road it takes Mary. Phyllis and Sue Ann to get to that point is hilarious. This episode has one of Leachman’s funniest performances of the series. Sadly, we also lost her in 2021.

The Dinner Party (Season 4, Episode 10)

Sue Ann (Betty White) checks the oven to see why her dessert failed.
Betty White

When Mary has 24 hours to plan a dinner party for a U. S. Congresswoman, Sue Ann steps in to prepare a gourmet meal for her guests. But that isn’t what makes this episode so revealing when it comes to the Happy Homemaker. Watch what happens when she discovers her on-air oven wasn’t plugged in, ruining the dessert she so meticulously prepared.

A New Sue Ann (Season 5, Episode 7)

Sue Ann (Betty White) proudly introduces her protege to the station manager.
Linda Kelsey, Betty White

A bubbly 23-year-old flatters herself into a job as Sue Ann’s stand-in, only to little by little reveal herself as the career-climbing Eve Harrington character that she actually is. But Sue Ann doesn’t take it sitting down. There’s no revenge like the revenge of a Happy Homemaker.

Sue Ann Falls in Love (Season 6, Episode 23)

Sue Ann (Betty White) breaks down after Mary (Mary Tyler Moore) reveals the truth about Sue Ann's new boyfriend.
Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore

Sue Ann has met a man good enough to make her forget Lou Grant (Ed Asner, who also died in 2021). He’s introduced her to the great outdoors, she’s introduced him to the great indoors. Well, you get the idea. But is he as good a man as Sue Ann believes? Only Mary knows.

I should mention that in addition to White, Leachman and Asner, we also lost Gavin MacLeod, who played Murray Slaughter, in 2021. It was a sad year for MTM fans, but the show lives on. The Mary Tyler Moore Show can currently be seen on Hulu, and probably some other places I don’t know about. Check it out!

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Happy Birthday, Beth–and Many More

I love you and I miss you. I hope your day is a good one and you are safe and happy.

Love, Belinda

Image Credit: © kotoffei–stock.adobe.com

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It’s National Hug Day–and oh yeah, it’s my birthday!

AdobeStock_396759392 [Converted]Celebrate both by giving someone you love a big hug. If you really want to go to town, throw in a cupcake in my honor!!

I know it may not be wise these days to give a hug to a lot of people, so give them a smile or a compliment instead. Make their day a little brighter!

Image Credit: January 21© SergeVo–stock.adobe.com;  National Hug Day © Waseem Ali Khan–stock.adobe.com

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Today’s Joy

It snowed yesterday, and living where I live, it will all be gone by tomorrow.  Warmer weather had been predicted, at least according to the app on my phone, but it’s too overcast and just darn cold for the snow to melt today.

I remember being thrilled by snow when I was young, and I see that joy in the faces and actions of the children who live around me today. As an adult, however, the fun diminishes. Reality sets in. You become nervous about driving and the heating bill intimidates you. Not to mention when the snow melts, it might freeze over, and all of a sudden there’s ice on the steps.

It got me to wondering, what does bring me joy these days? Is there anything that doesn’t have its dark side for me? I love pecan caramel rolls, but they are chock-full of calories and I have vowed to lose weight.

Pages Of A Book Curved Into A HeartThe first thing (okay, second, after those rolls) that comes immediately to mind is books. A good read still brings me joy, and the only consequence is that the story ends. But even that brings satisfaction. I have always loved reading, and the proof is in my apartment–I have five bookcases full of books, and boxes with more, ready to donate.

But thinking of reading brings me to writing. I love to write and can get lost in the process when I allow myself to. Whether it’s a short blog post or a novel, writing is a pleasure I hope I never lose. I am compelled to write.

mittensformimialpacaAnd I love to knit. There’s double joy in that. I enjoy sitting down with needles and yarn, creating something new and then showing it off to other knitters. Speaking of other knitters, I can go to my local yarn store and simply sit and knit with others, sharing our lives. I guess there’s triple joy in knitting, because I can make hats and mittens for those in need.

Which brings us back to snow. Kids need mittens to play in the snow. So what if winter weather doesn’t bring me joy any more? There’s plenty to replace it, and sometimes, it all ties together.

Image  Credits: Snow © mallinka–stock.adobe.com, Book © bigstockphoto.com
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A Messy Home is the Sign of a Good Mom

My mom once said she wished she had spent less time cleaning when my brother, sister and I were growing up and more time hanging out with us. Actually, I don’t know that she said hanging out, but that’s the general idea. I turned her wish around a bit and told my friends who were embarrassed by their lack of meticulous housekeeping that a messy home is the sign of a good mom.

Often their response would be, “tell my husband that.” Oh well. Tell him to pitch in.

But really, I get what my mom was saying. Our home was always clean–save the kids’ rooms–but should that be what we remember most about growing up? I can’t say it’s my strongest memory, but I definitely would have benefited with a little more attention from my mom. And my dad, for that matter.

Still, every parent has regrets and every child–even an adult child–has his or her complaints. I’m leaving the rest alone. I am where I am, I love my parents and I’m too old to dwell on what should have been.

I can’t say I inherited my mom’s penchant for cleanliness. My home is sanitary and presentable, except for the storage room, which I’m still working on. It’s sanitary but hardly presentable. But my apartment  is not as clean as my mom kept things. It could do with a little dusting right now. I don’t remember ever seeing dusty book shelves when I was growing up.

I have no excuse. I only have cats. So I guess I’m going to start working on this storage room again. And to those of you with kids–relax and enjoy your children. The rest will get done.

Image Credit: © New Africa–stock.adobe.com