HOPE FOR PRESIDENT {BOB HOPE} (TV)
Summary
This televised comedy/variety special features Bob Hope and his attempts to become U.S. President in 1980 with the help of many talented friends. The program begins with a series of clips of Hope performing stand-up comedy on a number of political topics, and he then takes the stage and does his monologue, commenting on the recent television miniseries "Shogun," the recent Carter/Reagan debates and their heated campaigns against one another, and the less-than-hopeful aspirations of independent Presidential candidate John B. Anderson. Audience members then suggest that Hope himself should run for president, and they quickly form a rally, with signs and showgirls performing a song about "Hope for America." Hope dismisses the idea as a mere joke, but he runs into his friend Tony Randall backstage and Randall encourages him to do it and "belong to history." Hope begins preparing for a goofy burlesque sketch, but Randall is undeterred, pointing out that "politics is show business" and appointing himself as campaign manager. Finally, an attractive young lady comes by the dressing room and offers to help, and Hope is soon convinced.
Johnny Carson takes the stage and announces Hope's candidacy, providing an amusing background on Hope's childhood, complete with photos. Mr. Bill of "Saturday Night Live" fame attempts to support Hope's campaign in a commercial, but the evil Sluggo intervenes and demands Mr. Bill's vote instead. Toni Tennille stops by in a "Hope-mobile" and talks to various constituents about their reasons for voting for Hope, and Sammy Davis, Jr. takes the stage and sings "The Birth of the Blues," then encouraging the audience to vote for "a real song-and-dance man." He then brings Hope onstage and agrees to be his running mate, and they trade banter as they sing a duet about their strength as a political team. On "Showdown '80," however, hosts Gary Owens and Jayne Kennedy explain that Davis turned down the offer, as he has too many shows to perform, leaving Hope to search for another running mate. Owens then chats with Southerner Hiram Sweetie, played by Jonathan Winters, about his opinions on the "worldly" Hope. Elsewhere, Hope plays a round of golf with former President Gerald Ford, annoying him with his chatter about his plans for the office. Ford declines his offer to head back to the White House with him, observed by his poorly-hidden Secret Service agents. Hope then calls Congressman Henry "Scoop" Jackson and State Senator Barbara Jordan, but they both turn him down as well.
Hope then finds Randall on a commercial set, explaining that the ad will feature the personable Hope having a backyard barbeque with a number of his "diverse" friends, but Randall proves to be a very tough director and everyone eventually abandons the project. Brooke Shields and Tracy Austin lend their support as well, though they are both too young to vote, and Lou Ferrigno stops by as well. "Showdown '80" checks in again with updates on Hope's successful rallies at various colleges, and Randall calls up Angie Dickinson, asking for her help in securing the women's vote for Hope. Dickinson takes him to Vidal Sassoon's studio, saying that the election will be "the battle of the hairdo." Hope feels that he appeals to female voters as a "sexy, carefree guy," but Sassoon intervenes and offers him a series of familiar-looking wigs. Harvey Korman then stops by to help with his "image" and is overjoyed to meet his hero, but then explains that body language is essential and attempts to teach Hope to "radiate confidence" as a politician rather than a comedian. Stefanie Powers arrives with a group of female voters, but they are annoyed when Hope just flirts with them, and Powers and Dickinson attempt to educate Hope about the feminist movement. Hope gets an idea and meets with Susan Powell, 1981's Miss America. She proves to be well-versed on historical matters and agrees to be Hope's running mate, and they seal the deal with a duet.
"Showdown '80" reports that Hope has won the support of the National Women's Organization, and clips of more rallies and parades are shown. Owens interviews a few more "grassroots voters," again played by Winters, and Louis Nye arrives at campaign headquarters to offer his assistance. Dickinson tells him that Hope is not interested in his "dirty tricks," but Nye, "Mr. Mischief," sets up a series of pranks around the office, and when Hope returns he is surprised when his chair, typewriter and phone all malfunction. Nye reveals his involvement and Hope decides that he cannot win through integrity alone, and Nye excitedly shows Hope his ideas for messing with his opponents. "Showdown '80" reveals that Hope is solidly in the lead in the polls, and he attends a rally at a crowded football stadium. Confident about his chances, he practices the oath of office and then meets with several schoolchildren who work for their school's newspaper. One boy attempts a Rickles-style roast, but another student informs Hope that he is in fact ineligible for the office, according to the Constitution, as he was born in England. Hope breaks the news to Randall, who at first attempts to bribe the kids into silence, and then decides that Hope should run for the office of king instead. Hope decides that the election is still important, however, and closes the evening by encouraging viewers to vote. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 1, 1980 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:07255
- GENRE: Specials
- SUBJECT HEADING: Specials; Comedy/Variety; Music
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV, 1980
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Linda Hope … Executive Producer
- Mitzie Welch … Producer, Writer, Music by
- Ken Welch … Producer, Music by
- Elle Puritz … Associate Producer
- Kip Walton … Director
- Gig Henry … Writer
- Robert L. Mills … Writer
- Stan Hart … Writer
- Chris Hart … Writer
- Fred Fox … Writer
- Seaman Jacobs … Writer
- Steve Perani … Writer
- Pacy Markman … Writer
- Don Crighton … Choreographer
- Bob Hope … Host, Performer
- Tony Randall … Guest, Performer
- Johnny Carson … Guest, Performer
- Toni Tennille … Guest, Performer
- Sammy Davis Jr. … Guest, Performer
- Gary Owens … Guest, Performer
- Jayne Kennedy … Guest, Performer
- Gerald Ford … Guest, Performer
- Henry "Scoop" Jackson … Guest, Performer
- Barbara Jordan … Guest, Performer
- Brooke Shields … Guest, Performer
- Tracy Austin … Guest, Performer
- Lou Ferrigno … Guest, Performer
- Angie Dickinson … Guest, Performer
- Vidal Sassoon … Guest, Performer
- Harvey Korman … Guest, Performer
- Stefanie Powers … Guest, Performer
- Susan Powell … Guest, Performer
- Louis Nye … Guest, Performer
- Jonathan Winters … Guest, Performer
- John B. Anderson
- Ronald Reagan
- Jimmy Carter