Bob Hope's Happy Birthday Homecoming:May 28, 1985 was a television show featuring Bob Hope and guests of stage and music. Aired in America May 28th 1985.
About the show[]
A "TV special" commemorated the 82nd birthday of the legendary comedian Bob Hope (actually born May 29 1903). The festivities shown in this "special" were held in London (at perhaps the Royal Albert Hall ?), and the "homecoming" part of the title is in-reference to the fact that despite that Bob was a well-known American, he was actually born in the Eltham district of London, England. Bob was accompanied on stage, and also seated next to Prince Philip, the Royal Duke of Edinburgh. (Image)
Featuring a host of stars including: Michael Caine, Chevy Chase, Phyllis Diller, Crystal Gayle, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Charleton Heston, Dolores Hope, Julio Iglesias, Kermit the Frog, Ben Kingsley, Miss Piggy, Bernadette Peters, Debbie Reynolds, Brooke Shields, Ray Alan, Rowan Atkinson, Spike Milligan, Mike Yarwood and Duran Duran. Running Time: 2:00 hours.
Duran Duran Involvement[]
The James Bond movie "A View to a Kill" had just received a national American release on the evening preceding this telecast; and so this appearance of Duran Duran at this event factored into the promotion of that movie; which had not yet aired in the UK at that time.
Duran Duran didn´t appear at the Bobe Hope Gala. The audience was asked to stand and applaud as if the band had just performed, and pre-recorded footage was added to make it appear as if the band had played live and then gained a standing ovation. (Source: Audience Member)
This occasion marked the penultimate appearance of the original "Fab 5" line-up of the band. Their final appearance would be the sub-par and hastily organised performance in Philadelphia for Live Aid, July 13th.