Kaley Cuoco’s First Starring TV Role Was On A Forgotten Sitcom With Betty White

Kaley Cuoco’s first main-cast TV role was in a forgotten TV show that also starred Hollywood legend Betty White. We’re talking about “Ladies Man,” which aired from 1999 to 2001. It centered on a man named Jimmy Stiles, who was overwhelmed by the number of women in his life — including Bonnie Stiles, one of his daughters. Taking over the role from Shawna Waldron, Cuoco played Bonnie across Season 2. Meanwhile, White played the role of Mitzi Stiles — Jimmy’s mother and Bonnie’s grandmother.

Cuoco and White didn’t have much time together on “Ladies Man,” given it was canceled early in Season 2. While Season 1 consisted of 22 episodes, Season 2 had less than half that, and the series seems to have been forgotten over the years. Early reviews of the series even predicted its lack of staying power. Variety praised the performances of the show’s female talent, including White, but it wasn’t impressed overall.

Despite this, “Ladies Man” featured a “Golden Girls” reunion, when Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty appeared with White during Season 1’s finale, “Romance.” However, Cuoco missed the chance to participate, as she didn’t join until the next season.

Kaley Cuoco’s time on “Ladies Man” with Betty White may not have lasted long, but Cuoco had much better roles in her future. This includes “The Big Bang Theory,” which she starred on for 12 years. Interestingly, White was often floated as the perfect person to play a very important character — Sheldon’s grandmother. Even Cuoco’s co-star, Kunal Nayyar, thought so. “Sheldon’s Meemaw, maybe Betty White or something,” Nayyar told Digital Spy when discussing possible cameos.

Unfortunately, White never actually appeared during the iconic sitcom’s run, but fans got the next best thing. Cuoco and her “TBBT” co-stars filmed a skit on their actual set when she hosted the People’s Choice Awards in 2012. And while White didn’t appear in the pre-filmed portion, she and Cuoco had a hilarious exchange during a skit at the ceremony. 

As you can see on YouTube, Cuoco runs with her shoes in her hand to the front row, where White is sitting. After the announcer introduces her as “the blond bimbo from that sitcom,” Cuoco leans over to White and jokes, “I think they just called you a bimbo.” Never one to be outdone, White quips, “No, no. They were talking about you. … They want you to host.” When Cuoco asks if hosting pays more than being a seat filler, White replies, “Oh, yes.”