Betty White nearly played Blanche

Betty White was eventually given the role of the ditsy Rose on the series, but initially wanted to play Blanche because she had played a similar role on 'The Mary Tyler Show' .

She said: "I was thrilled, but then they made me Rose. I didn't know who she was but Susan said Rose was someone she liked a lot. And then this one [Rue McClanahan] took Blanche out into the orbit where I never would've had the guts to go!"