Good Hope
Bob Hope: His Classic Television Performances
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
About the Author
If this article caught your interest, you can always visit our site and learn more about Bob Hope, the
Bob Hope Ultimate DVD Collection
, and
other classic television DVDs
now available.
Don Williams - Lord, I hope this day is good
 |
 Cape of Good Hope 2012 Scott Catalogue Pages 119 122 $2.50 Time Remaining: 17d 10h 16m Buy It Now for only: $2.50 Buy It Now |
 CAPE of GOOD HOPE TRANSVAAL NATAL ORANGE MU COLLECTION 300 Stamps $46.00 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 17h 55m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE TRIANGLE STAMP WATERMARKED IMPERF $1.55 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 21h 32m |
 Cape Of Good Hope Wood Block SG13 SG13c SG14 FORGERIES $4.73 Time Remaining: 12d 14h 41m Buy It Now for only: $4.73 Buy It Now |
 Cape of Good Hope C1855 Four Pence Used on Blueish Paper $10.10 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 3h 21m |
 Cape Of Good Hope SG1SG2SG3SG4 FORGERIES $5.53 Time Remaining: 17d 19h 8m Buy It Now for only: $5.53 Buy It Now |
 Cape of Good Hope C1855 Four Pence Used on White Paper $14.60 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 3h 21m |
 Cape of Good Hope Victorian Revenue 13 Stamps M1459 $21.10 (13 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 9h 36m |
 Grant Hope Comedy Collection Very Good DVD Cary Grant Bob Hope $5.96 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 21m Buy It Now for only: $5.96 Buy It Now |
 Cape of good Hope Victorian Revenue 15 Stamps M1458 $21.10 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 9h 36m |
 Cape Of Good Hope SG5SG6SG7SG8 FORGERIES $5.53 Time Remaining: 18d 18h 13m Buy It Now for only: $5.53 Buy It Now |
 Cape of Good Hope Victorian Revenue Fiscal Issue 15 Stamps M1460 $11.85 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 9h 37m |
 CAPE of GOOD HOPE 4d TRIANGLE POSSIBLY UNUSED $8.69 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 19h 29m |
 Cape of Good Hope swept by waves from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans S Africa $9.00 Time Remaining: 29d 19h 41m Buy It Now for only: $9.00 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE GOOD LOT ON 6 SIDES TRIANGULARS INV WMK Ovpts ETC $16.99 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 12h 30m |
 South Africa 1988 Discovery of Cape of Good Hope Set Mnh SG 631 4 $3.63 Time Remaining: 29d 17h 15m Buy It Now for only: $3.63 Buy It Now |
 Cape of Good Hope Victorian Postal Stationery 3 Items M1592 $10.27 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 10h 44m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 1p TRIANGLE FAKE FORGERY USED SOLD FOR REFERENCE $8.00 Time Remaining: 29d 23h 38m Buy It Now for only: $8.00 Buy It Now |
 Cape of Good Hope Stamps 49 Stamps from a Lot $8.50 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 23h 50m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 1855 SG8 1s YELLOW GREEN TRIANGLE Stamp Used $8.69 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 18h 53m |
 Star of Good Hope 2 Bulbs Ornithogalum saundersiae $7.99 Time Remaining: 16d 22h 34m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE British SOUTH AFRICA STAMPS 1 Page Old Collection Lot 1654L $24.95 Time Remaining: 56m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 1861 SG 14 Used Backstamped $329.99 Time Remaining: 14d 31m Buy It Now for only: $329.99 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SCOTT 6a USED TRIANGLE $70.00 Time Remaining: 19h 13m Buy It Now for only: $77.00 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SCOTT 15 TRIANGLE USED $180.00 Time Remaining: 19h 13m Buy It Now for only: $198.00 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE VICTORIA STAMP USED 4d PALE BLUE 1864 77 SG24 $1.56 Time Remaining: 29d 12h 30m Buy It Now for only: $1.56 Buy It Now |
 IB Cape of Good Hope Revenue Penalty 6d $23.69 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 49m |
 QV Cape of Good Hope Lt Col Money Northumberland Fusiliers SAF Force X in O $31.53 Time Remaining: 26d 17h 28m Buy It Now for only: $31.53 Buy It Now |
 Cape of Good Hope Unused Envelope Postal Stationary 1890s $4.99 Time Remaining: 1h 44m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 1855 SG7 6d PALE ROSE LILAC TRIANGLE STAMP USED $7.90 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 18h 57m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SG71 1902 1d CARMINE MNH $2.37 Time Remaining: 15d 7h 58m Buy It Now for only: $2.37 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 1855 SG5a 1d ROSE TRIANGLE STAMP USED $7.90 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 18h 54m |
 A Sisters Hope Sisters of Holmes County Book 3 Wanda E Brunstetter Good B $4.47 Time Remaining: 29d 24m Buy It Now for only: $4.47 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE Victorian 2 1 2p Stamped Envelope Mint Unused $5.99 Time Remaining: 18h 45m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE Edward Vii STAMPS USED 1 2d 1d 1902 04 SG7071 $1.56 Time Remaining: 29d 12h 16m Buy It Now for only: $1.56 Buy It Now |
 EXCELLENT CAPE OF GOOD HOPE GOGH Used Stamps QV KEVII TRIANGLES 5 COMMONWEALTH $79.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 18h 2m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE Victorian One Penny Letter Card Mint Unused $5.99 Time Remaining: 18h 45m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE VICTORIA STAMP USED 1d ROSE RED 1893 1902 SG59 $1.56 Time Remaining: 29d 12h 22m Buy It Now for only: $1.56 Buy It Now |
 Cape of Good Hope Revenues on Stockcard 9 M1797 $41.09 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 10h 44m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE VICTORIA STAMP USED 2d PALE BISTRE 1884 1890 SG50 $1.56 Time Remaining: 29d 12h 26m Buy It Now for only: $1.56 Buy It Now |
 Cape of Good Hope 1881 Deed of Transfer with Revenue Stamps M1798 $13.20 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 10h 43m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SPECTAKEL postmark cancel $4.73 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 23m |
 Cape of Good Hope SG69 Sc62 Used BONC 1148 $7.99 Time Remaining: 22h 41m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 1853 SG4a 4d BLUE TRIANGLE STAMP ON BLUE PAPER VVLUSED $12.17 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 18h 50m |
 Cape of Good Hope 1902 KE 2d SG 72 MNH vm2 $14.99 Time Remaining: 5d 20h 24m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE Victorian Post Card Cape Town Natal $2.99 Time Remaining: 18h 45m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 Buy It Now |
 Cape of Good Hope Revenue Embossed Issues 7 M1844 $4.28 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 13h 26m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SC 42 USED SG 59 $4.95 Time Remaining: 22d 11h 25m Buy It Now for only: $4.95 Buy It Now |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE Q VICTORIA REVENUES EIGHT VALUES to 10 $1.64 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 5d 20h 3m |
 CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SC 43 USED SG 49 $4.95 Time Remaining: 22d 11h 26m Buy It Now for only: $4.95 Buy It Now |
 IB Cape of Good Hope Revenue Stamp Duty 10 $7.89 Time Remaining: 4d 16h 49m |
 Good Hope Road (Tending Roses Series, Book 2) Sale Price: $15.00  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionTwenty-year-old Jenilee Lane whose dreams are as narrow as the sky is wide, is the last person to expect anything good to come out of the tornado that rips across the Missouri farmland surrounding her home...  |
Good Hope Road List Price: See Reviews For This Product DescriptionTwenty-year-old Jenilee Lane whose dreams are as narrow as the sky is wide, is the last person to expect anything good to come out of the tornado that rips across the Missouri farmland surrounding her home... |
 Good Hope Bags Bottle Limo Wheeled Cooler Sale Price: $79.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionMaterial: 600D polyester Size: 14 1/2" x 14" x 10" 12 separate sections, 6 permanent and 6 detachable, allowing it to securely hold bottles in place. The 6 detachable sections are designed to accommodate bottles of various sizes or to be used as a regular cooler... |
 Cape of Good Hope List Price: Sale Price: $26.59 You save: $3.36 (11%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionCAPE OF GOOD HOPE is a colorful and vibrant mosaic of love and hope. As upbeat and heartwarming as the blockbuster hit LOVE ACTUALLY, this film beautifully connects a number of storylines, all revolving around a Cape Town animal rescue shelter... |
 The Republic of Tea, Good Hope Vanilla Red Tea, 36-Count List Price: Sale Price: $8.91 See Reviews For This Product DescriptionRed Tea Collection Rich in antioxidants, naturally caffeine free. Rooibos is indigenous to South Africa, often referred to as Cape of Good Hope. We offer a blend of Rooibos sweet vanilla beans with a hint of cream... |
 Good Hope Clivia Plant - RARE - 4" pot - NEW Sale Price: $4.80 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNew Variety Introduction to the US. Exclusively from Hirt's! Clear bright yellow color. Vigorous growth. Wider leaf than Golden Dragon. Multiple flowers per stalk. Tough plant. Representing more than ten years of breeding and selection in Japan and the US, Clivia Good Hope is a superior strain of Yellow Clivia... |
 The Good Hope Concerts - Live Sale Price: $11.23 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe Good Hope Concerts - Live by Johnny Clegg & JulukaThis product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply. |
 Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good Sale Price: $0.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product |
 Star Ocean: The Last Hope International List Price: Sale Price: $26.07 You save: $33.92 (57%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe year is A.D. 2087. In the aftermath of World War III, Earth has been ravaged and the population decimated by a deteriorating environment. The countries that survived have joined together to form the Greater Unified Nations and turned their eyes skyward…to space... |
