Bette Davis on Johnny Carson in 1986

Hilarious

Was it pronounced like Bet or Betty?

r2 Go back to sleep. It's Betty. Were you able to watch the OP's video? or any video for that matter?

What? Did you say it’s Betty?

She was pronounced dead earlier that evening but no one told her.

I loved how Jan Hooks could set up this Bette without being cruel about it.

I love how Mario Cantone can set up this Bette without being cruel about it.

She was such a fucking legend. She just radiated "STAR."

She was a grumpy little gnome.

r9 she had nothing but star quality.

BUMP!

Fucking great clip. That was a movie star.

She was one of those stars, like Madonna and Cher or Babs -that are absolutely self-absorbed - you need to worship them to be in their company - they never ever talk about charity work or anything they've done to help others - or anyone else but themselves - if you aren't there bowing down to them they don't want you around - I never bought into that......

The stand-up oration is embarrassing.

Never liked this staccato-talking wench. Overrated beyond belief.

Weren't there rumors that she somehow caused Sherry's death?

She was fabulous. r13 only an idiot would expect movie stars to be Mother Teresa. They're not. And nobody should care.

R14 here - correction. I was thinking of Husband #2, Farnsworth.

Farnsworth had a head injury that wasn't treated and he died as a result. Bette had nothing to do with it.

I can't believe I'd never seen this interview. FABULOUS!

There's a very dear vulnerability that comes through here that's not in evidence in most of her other late interviews. Maybe she was fresh out of the hospital and thus very fragile? I love how elegant she looks in that beautiful gown and with her own hair (not one of those awful wigs she often sported), perfectly styled in a hairdo that is reminiscent of her 1930s look.

How many years (months?) did she have left after this?

She didn’t suffer fools, R13.

r18 she died three years later. She was back on Carson in '88, the year before she died. Another great appearance.

Jan Hooks captured Bette brilliantly. One of my favourite SNL skits!

r13 "I never bought into that"

And we care because...?

r21 Yes, r6 told us about that

I hate the way she was always bashing Irving Rapper when she is good in the movies he directed with her. I suppose she would say that was all her.

I don't think she ever forgave Rapper for talking shit about her to Mankiewicz when he cast her in All About Eve.

I like how she calls him John Carson.

Mr. Carson was certainly doing God’s work when he allowed Ms. Davis to appear on his show. I hope he was able to deduct a substantial amount off his taxes for this enormous amount of charity work.

Bless Bette and her decades-long senility.

In spite of Bette saying she'd never allow herself to get drunk and out of control at Hollywood parties weren't there stories about just that in the 1940s and 50s?

$1 million dollars Faye Dunaway

Bette was a lifelong alcoholic. In her memoir "This N That" there was an unintentionally funny story she told - After she had a mastectomy and three strokes she quit smoking and drinking for a whole month as part of her recuperation. Yes, one whole month! When that month was over and she resumed drinking and smoking she switched from scotch to white wine and from unfiltered cigarettes to filtered cigarettes.

It was a sacrifice, but Bette knew it was good for her health!