1988 "50 Years at NBC" Conclusion John Forsythe Nancy Reagan Ronald Reagan

Bob Hope turned 85 years old in May 1988 and NBC marked his fiftieth year with them -- radio and TV combined. So, despite the Writers Guild strike which was ongoing at the time, a gigantic 3-hour party was staged at the NBC studios in Burbank. The guest list read like a Who's Who of show business and the entertainment combined live performances with clips of scenes from Hope's films, his hosting the Academy Awards and past TV specials. Live guests Included Lucille Ball, George Burns, Milton Berle, Steve Allen, Sammy Davis, Jr., Leslie Uggams, James Stewart Marie Osmond, Curt Cameron, Reba McEntire, Jay Leno, Jonathan Winters, Ann Jillian, Betty White, Danny Thomas, Tony Randall, Bernadette Peters, Shecket Green, Olivia Newton-John, Bea Arthur, Linda Gray, Barbara Eden, Florence Henderson, and a host of others. Deceased stars included Humphrey Bogary, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Duranta, Steve McQueen, Gary Cooper, Jack benny and many more. It was three-hours of pure entertainment, the likes of which had seldom been seen before and hasn't been seen since. Here, as broadcast (sans commercials of course) it the special. Enjoy.

You can read all about the how Hope worked with his guests and his writers and what happened behind-the-scenes of these classic Bob Hope video clips by reading my book "THE LAUGH MAKERS: A Behind-the-Scenes Tribute to Bob Hope's Incredible Gag Writers." Says "laugh-In's" Gary Owens:

"The Laugh Makers is the book we've all been waiting for. It's jam-packed with stories, anecdotes and un-retouched photos from a fondly remembered past, recalling often hilarious, sometimes heartwarming, and always touching tales of legendary stars, near-legendary stars and one or two complete failures — which happens in show business. You can look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls."

To get your copy, just click on this Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1593933231/ref=cm_cr_mts_prod_img

Or this Barnes & Noble link:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Laugh-Makers/Robert-L-Mills/e/9781593933...

Or, if you'd prefer the KINDLE e-version for $2.99, click here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041D9EPO

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[thexxit]

wow. awesome. thanks!