Bea Arthur Threatened to Hit Merv Griffin Because of His Question to Betty White
In November 1985, Golden Girls had only been on air for two months, but it was already a hit. The four stars—Betty White, Bea Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty—were guests on The Merv Griffin Show to talk about their new series, but some of the host's questions didn't go over so well with one of the actors. A clip that recently circulated on X (formerly Twitter) shows that Arthur threatened to hit Merv Griffin live on air because of questions he asked both her and White.
RELATED: Kathleen Turner Says Burt Reynolds' Sexist Comment Started 30-Year Feud.
"Are you bringing up an age thing, Merv? Because if you are, I'm going to hit you. I really am going to hit you," Arthur tells the talk show host in the clip posted by user @mxnedits to the prompt "name a time when a celebrity gagged their interviewer." Griffin tries to explain himself, but she adds, "I heard how you were questioning Betty, and I really resent it." White was interviewed solo prior to Arthur joining her on stage; McClanahan and Getty came out out later.
when bea arthur threatened to hit merv griffin on national television because of his questions for her and betty white
— maxine 🐝 (@mxnedits) January 3, 2024
A longer version of the interview is available on YouTube. In this video, White can be seen making an exaggerated pleased expression toward the audience as Arthur defends her. It also shows why Arthur decided to confront Griffin in the first place.
Griffin asks Arthur if she's been "picked up" recently, and she says that she was when she was in Toronto. Arthur then says, "You were asking Betty things like … about the age thing and how it changes one, right? I, frankly, don't see any difference at all." Griffin says, "In what?" and the Maude actor explains, "I mean, why would you bother asking me if I've been picked up recently. If I were 30 years younger, you wouldn't have bothered asking me that question." To this, Griffin says, "Oh, yes, I would've. I probably would have asked you if you had picked up anybody."
"So, there is a difference? There is a difference," Arthur responds.
The interview continues from there with Arthur making an outdated comment of her own. She says that she was picked up by an Indian man in Toronto and adds, "I'm not talking about American Indians. The fun ones."
Arthur's defense of White may come as a surprise to some Golden Girls fans since the two had a contentious relationship. Casting director Joel Thurm said on the podcast The Originals that he heard Arthur call White the c-word. Thurm also said that one of the reasons Arthur was upset with White was because she poked fun at Getty to the studio audience when Getty, who was showing early signs of dementia, forgot her lines.
White herself opened up about Arthur's view of her. "She was not that fond of me," White said, according to the Village Voice. "She found me a pain in the neck sometimes. It was my positive attitude—and that made Bea mad sometimes. Sometimes if I was happy, she'd be furious!"
They did get along sometimes, however. As reported by E! News, McClanahan told the TV Academy that while they were filming, Arthur "wouldn't go to lunch unless Betty would go with her."
For more celebrity news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Lia Beck Lia Beck is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to Best Life, she has written for Refinery29, Bustle, Hello Giggles, InStyle, and more.Read moreFiled Under1980s • Celebrities • Entertainment • NewsRead This NextWhy Betty White Was Bob Barker's "Sworn Enemy"
The two TV icons and animal lovers clashed over the fate of an elephant named Billy.August 28, 2023Bea Arthur Called Betty White a Vulgar Name
She reportedly didn't like White's behavior toward one of their <em>Golden Girls</em> co-star.January 24, 2023Betty White Made This Co-Star "Furious"
While she was widely beloved, the TV icon's personality irked her fellow lead.January 21, 2022Betty White's Assistant Shares New Photo
"She was radiant and beautiful and as happy as ever," says the late actor's assistant.January 18, 2022This Was Reportedly Betty White's Last Word
The iconic actor was still in love with her late husband.January 5, 2022Val Kilmer and Marlon Brando's Bitter Feud
The "difficult" actors clashed on the set of <em>The Island of Dr. Moreau</em>.December 18, 2023Sylvester Stallone & Richard Gere's Feud
The two actors clashed on the set of a 1974 film, before they were major stars.October 24, 2023"What Not to Wear" Hosts Talk Feud
The pair hosted the makeover show for 10 years before having a very public falling out.September 29, 2023Marilyn Monroe & Joan Crawford's Feud
The older actor accused the up-and-coming star of "flaunting" her sexuality.June 17, 2023Barbara Walters & Frank Sinatra's Feud
The singer was a family friend until the journalist tried to report a story about his personal life.March 11, 2023
