The Star-Spangled Revue: Bob Hope's First TV Special (1950)

[mitchikaboola]

If ever they make a bio-pic of Hope's life, then Hope HAS to be played by Kelsey Grammer.

[fromthesidelines]

Hope's initial "Star Spangled Revue" specials were produced by the one man NBC depended on to produce a weekly 90 minute prime-time show in early 1950: Max Liebman, who was responsible for "YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS", the legendary Saturday night revue starring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, which lasted for almost five years.

[fromthesidelines]

Bob almost didn't do this show- he was avoiding TV then, finding his weekly radio show a more comfortable "racket". When Frigidaire asked how much he wanted to host this, he said, "$50,000" [figuring they'd turn him down, because no one asked for THAT much money at the time]. They countered by offering him five specials @ $40,000 a show. That was too good for Hope to pass up, and he agreed. After this special, he embraced television, and other radio stars soon followed him into the new medium.

[fromthesidelines]

This was Bob Hope's first network TV special, presented LIVE on Sunday, April 9, 1950 [5:30-7pm(et)], on behalf of General Motors' Frigidaire division {the first of several he would appear in for them over the next two years}.