Bob Hope: His Classic Television Performances
- Date: 2008-06-26 - Word Count: 733
Share This!
Bob Hope is hands-down the most acclaimed, honored and versatile entertainer in show business history. During his seventy-plus years in the entertainment industry, Hope earned more than two thousand awards and recognitions for his various professional and humanitarian work, including an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, a Congressional Gold Medal from President Kennedy, the Medal of Freedom from President Johnson, and fifty-four honorary doctorates. Hope's Christmas specials, USO shows, radio and television programs, and regular appearances on numerous sitcoms and variety shows have some of the highest ratings of any primetime telecasts. Because of this well-deserved praise, it is difficult to choose only a few television appearances as the "Best Of" Hope's career. Instead, it is better to look at the huge variety of shows Hope appeared on and why this versatile performer became America's most beloved entertainer.
Born in England May 29, 1903, Hope and his family traveled to America in 1908 aboard the SS Philadelphia. Ironically, Hope was a relative latecomer to television; he dabbled in experimental broadcasts with NBC in the 1930s but held off almost twenty years before starting his illustrious career. He began his official television career on Easter Sunday, 1950, on NBC. His specials, most of which were sponsored by the Chrysler corporation, were often hysterically unscripted variety programs that featured such guest stars as Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Marilyn Monroe and Dina Shore.
Christmas Specials
Hope got significant recognition for his gut-busting Christmas specials. These specials ran for years and featured duet performances of "Silver Bells" by Hope and adorable young guest stars, such as Olivia Newton-John and Brooke Shields. The most memorable Bob Hope Christmas specials were, without a doubt, his 1970 and 1971 episodes. Filmed in front of military audiences at the height of the Vietnam War, these specials actually aired in January -after Hope was back in the United States- and were seen by more than sixty percent of television-viewing households in America. Like his other Christmas specials, the Vietnam shows were all about celebrating the traditional joy, peace and good cheer of the season. His use of humor, beautiful women and talented performers were a welcome respite from the horrors of the war itself.
USO Performances
Hope is probably best known for his performances for the United Service Organization (USO), beginning with his USO debut at March Field, California, on May 6, 1941. Hope performed USO shows throughout World War II, prompting acclaim from such contemporaries as John Steinbeck. "It is impossible to see how he can do so much," Steinbeck wrote in 1943, "can cover so much ground, can work so hard, and can be so effective." Hope continued his USO shows during the Korean War, Vietnam War and Persian Gulf War, heading roughly sixty tours in total. Because of his tireless dedication to the overseas troops, Hope was awarded the impressive Sylvanus Thayer Award by the U.S. Military Academy in 1968. He was named an Honorary Veteran by a 1997 act of Congress, signed by President Clinton, a recognition Hope referred to as "the greatest honor I have ever received."
Sitcom Appearances
Hope also appeared on a number of popular television programs during his career. Hope did a guest spot on America's favorite TV show of the 1950s, "I Love Lucy". Supposedly, Hope balked at the idea of using a script. He ad-libbed the entire episode, legend goes, giving one of his best performances in the process. He also appeared on the Danny Thomas Show, the Jack Benny Show, the Ed Sullivan Show, the Donny & Marie Show, and others.
Saying Good Bye
Hope bid a nostalgic farewell to his television audiences in 1996 with "Laughing with the Presidents," a special he co-hosted with Tony Danza. In this special, Hope gave a very personal tribute to the U.S. presidents he had known and worked with during his career; Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Kennedy, Johnson, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and others. The show was a fitting and entertaining good-bye to the hardest working entertainer in American history.
It's not surprising that Bob Hope was so heavily recognized for his work. Radio and television programs, USO shows, Christmas specials, books, movies; the man did it all. He helped the world smile during troubling times. He lent his celebrity status to good causes. He championed humor and fun as the best tool in achieving peace at home and abroad. Hope wasn't only a great entertainer; he was an amazing humanitarian.
~Ben Anton, 2008
Born in England May 29, 1903, Hope and his family traveled to America in 1908 aboard the SS Philadelphia. Ironically, Hope was a relative latecomer to television; he dabbled in experimental broadcasts with NBC in the 1930s but held off almost twenty years before starting his illustrious career. He began his official television career on Easter Sunday, 1950, on NBC. His specials, most of which were sponsored by the Chrysler corporation, were often hysterically unscripted variety programs that featured such guest stars as Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Marilyn Monroe and Dina Shore.
Christmas Specials
Hope got significant recognition for his gut-busting Christmas specials. These specials ran for years and featured duet performances of "Silver Bells" by Hope and adorable young guest stars, such as Olivia Newton-John and Brooke Shields. The most memorable Bob Hope Christmas specials were, without a doubt, his 1970 and 1971 episodes. Filmed in front of military audiences at the height of the Vietnam War, these specials actually aired in January -after Hope was back in the United States- and were seen by more than sixty percent of television-viewing households in America. Like his other Christmas specials, the Vietnam shows were all about celebrating the traditional joy, peace and good cheer of the season. His use of humor, beautiful women and talented performers were a welcome respite from the horrors of the war itself.
USO Performances
Hope is probably best known for his performances for the United Service Organization (USO), beginning with his USO debut at March Field, California, on May 6, 1941. Hope performed USO shows throughout World War II, prompting acclaim from such contemporaries as John Steinbeck. "It is impossible to see how he can do so much," Steinbeck wrote in 1943, "can cover so much ground, can work so hard, and can be so effective." Hope continued his USO shows during the Korean War, Vietnam War and Persian Gulf War, heading roughly sixty tours in total. Because of his tireless dedication to the overseas troops, Hope was awarded the impressive Sylvanus Thayer Award by the U.S. Military Academy in 1968. He was named an Honorary Veteran by a 1997 act of Congress, signed by President Clinton, a recognition Hope referred to as "the greatest honor I have ever received."
Sitcom Appearances
Hope also appeared on a number of popular television programs during his career. Hope did a guest spot on America's favorite TV show of the 1950s, "I Love Lucy". Supposedly, Hope balked at the idea of using a script. He ad-libbed the entire episode, legend goes, giving one of his best performances in the process. He also appeared on the Danny Thomas Show, the Jack Benny Show, the Ed Sullivan Show, the Donny & Marie Show, and others.
Saying Good Bye
Hope bid a nostalgic farewell to his television audiences in 1996 with "Laughing with the Presidents," a special he co-hosted with Tony Danza. In this special, Hope gave a very personal tribute to the U.S. presidents he had known and worked with during his career; Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Kennedy, Johnson, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and others. The show was a fitting and entertaining good-bye to the hardest working entertainer in American history.
It's not surprising that Bob Hope was so heavily recognized for his work. Radio and television programs, USO shows, Christmas specials, books, movies; the man did it all. He helped the world smile during troubling times. He lent his celebrity status to good causes. He championed humor and fun as the best tool in achieving peace at home and abroad. Hope wasn't only a great entertainer; he was an amazing humanitarian.
~Ben Anton, 2008
Related Tags: classic television, classic tv, classic tv dvd, bob hope dvd, bob hope specials
If you enjoyed this article and appreciate great classic tv shows, we would like to extend an invitation to you to visit our site and read more about classic Bob Hope television on DVD. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Queen Latifah Lives Large
Queen Latifah lives a life larger than most women can dream of. She has become the very image of a w - Aishwarya Rai, India's Screen Queen
When someone asks you where the film industry's main stomping grounds are, you probably think of sun - Mural Artists Wanted - Nowadays You Gotta Be More Than A Caveman
In ancient times, there were cavemen and maybe cavewomen who were mural artists. These prehistoric m - 5 Famous Folk Of Eastern Tennessee
In a land known for its delectable down home cooking, rousing country music, and the majestic beauty - Ayush Homam- Paving The Way Towards A Prosperous Life
Ayush Homam can put an end to your quest for a well-healed and promiscuous life. Hindus perform a re - Beginning Your Own Collection Of Art
Do you collect art for a hobby and have your own home filled with sculptures and paintings? If you d - Entice Your Senses With Big Love Download
All the fans of Big Love around the world must be familiar with the legendary status of this show in - Tiger Woods Sex Tape Goes Viral - Leaked To Internet
Unidentified source says Tiger Woods Sex Tape is to be released to the internet.The Tiger Woods sex - Five West End Leading Men That You Need To See
With so many London shows on offer, there are more leading men and women in the West End than ever b - Megan Fox Speaks Out
Here in a fabulous society where Lindsays, Hillarys, Kristins, and Blakes contend against one anothe
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Public Pap Penetrates the Pitts...
Despite the best efforts of the paparazzi industry to snap Brad and Angelina in Namibia preparing fo - Imus Is Sunk - Hip Hop Sails Away Unscathed
Among the fairest and most balanced offerings on the Imus incident hails from journalist Ellis Cose - Holly Madison's Pregnant Rumor Continues To Circulate
With Hugh Hefner and Kevin Burns' The Girls Next Door, also known as The Girls of the Playboy Mansio - Exclusive Interview: Christel Khalil From The Young And The Restless
Christel Khalil may only be 19 years old but the petite young beauty from Los Angeles, California ca - Tim Gunn Stars In "sprays In The City"
With the fashion design hit reality show, Project Runway, still a few months away, fans can still ge - Gift Ideas For Actors: Get In Their Limelight With Flowers, Plants And Homemade Gifts
Gift ideas for actors - what to buy someone who has it allSo you want to buy a gift for your favouri - John Glover's Thoughts On Smallville
Veteran actor John Glover, who plays the irresistibly charming and scheming Lex Luthor on the CW ser - Bill Paxton Talks About Real-life Marriage
Star of Big Love Bill Paxton plays a polygamous businessman in the HBO drama series, however in real - Riya Sen- The Hottest Bollywood Actress And Model!
This 5"1 Bollywood actress was born on January 24, 1981 in Kolkata, India. She belongs to a famous f - Does Prison Change You - Paris Vows Yes
Can a three week prison stay change a person? Hotel heiress Paris Hilton says yes. In her comments t