Betty White gently roasted at the Friars Club

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Marion Curtis / The Associated Press Betty White arrives with a white pony as she is honoured at a Friars Club Roast last Wednesday at the Sheraton Hotel in New York. (CP)

NEW YORK -- Celebs turned out in force last week for the Friars Club roast of entertainment icon Betty White.

Barbara Walters, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, Bethenny Frankel, Regis Philbin, Matt Lauer, Joy Behar, Victor Garber, Liza Minnelli, Valerie Harper and Katie Couric were among those who gathered at the Sheraton hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

No roast for the weary: Prior to the event, White, 90, posed on the red carpet with The Artist's canine star, Uggie. So, was she feeling a little fearful of what would be said about her? "I'm panic-stricken! But I know what an honour it is and I deeply appreciate it, but I'm scared," she said.

So far, everyone had raved about how kind, caring and delightful White is. So surely she had nothing to worry about, given she doesn't have a dark side. Or does she? "Oh, sure, can you imagine that? I lust after certain people. Robert Redford. Not too shabby," said White, who co-stars on Hot in Cleveland and hosts the hidden-camera prank show Betty White's Off Their Rockers.

Friends with benefits: White's pals turned out in force to fete the actress, author and Saturday Night Live host. Garber has known White for "a number of years. I was so happy to be asked. I love her like everyone else -- there's a long list of people. I'm not going to speak today. That was my condition. I'm coming to be supportive."

The most shocking thing about White? "She's maybe the sweetest woman alive. She does it all. There's nothing hidden," he said. Garber is close friends with Jennifer Garner, whose wedding to Ben Affleck he officiated.

Has he met their newest addition, newborn son Samuel? "Oh, yes. He's spectacular. That's a shock. He's beautiful -- how is that possible?" deadpanned Garber. "He's the best, and they're doing really well."

Dirty talk: Meanwhile, the Today show's Gifford and Kotb sang White's praises in tandem. Gifford said she wished "everyone could have a friend like Betty. She's everyone's favourite aunt. She's the best woman." Added Kotb: "She's one of those people who, if you put the spotlight on her, turns it right back on you. There's no one better than that. It makes you feel great about yourself."

So seriously, she's that perfect? Said Gifford: "She likes to pick her nose. She does not! I totally just made that up."

Minnelli also praised White's good humour. "She gives all of us everything. She's very funny. I think some of it would surprise people," said Minnelli. Because she's dirty? "She can be, but always funny."

Numbers game: White, accompanied by bodacious men, rode out onto the stage on a white horse. Walters emceed the roast, and the jokes and anecdotes ranged from sweet, with Harper recalling how animal lover White helped Harper's daughter find a no-kill shelter for a kitten, to downright tasteless, as when comedian Jeffrey Ross referred to White ending up in an urn.

Walters got things off to a good start. "Yesterday, I was talking to the president of the United States, and today I'm talking to a bunch of second-rate comedians and a dog," lamented Walters, who had U.S. President Barack Obama as a guest on The View the day before.

The advanced years of White, and many of the attendees, was an ongoing topic. Walters pointed out "the great love of Betty's life: Gen. Custer." "How old is this (expletive)?" wondered Behar, looking over at White. "Her first sitcom was called Hot for Grover Cleveland."

Philbin made out with White. Minnelli sang a farcical show tune.

And Ross made repeated cracks about her age. "Welcome to the taping of Barbara Walters' 28 least-most-fascinating people," cracked Ross, before segueing over to the honouree.

"Betty likes the Friars Club. It's the only way she can meet older men."

-- USA Today

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 20, 2012 A16