Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Today
Vicki Lawrence Discusses Bob Hope
Aired July 28, 2003 - 10:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A chance to talk with an entertainer who had a chance to perform many times with Bob Hope and knew the man.
Vicki Lawrence joining us on the phone right now from Southern California.
Vicki, hello.
VICKI LAWRENCE, COMEDIENNE: Good morning.
KAGAN: What kind of memories of Bob Hope can you share with us today?
LAWRENCE: You know, I wish I had had more of an opportunity to perform with Bob Hope, but the last memory I have of him personally was on my talk show, which was for about 1993, and of course, we had the military there, and he, you know, had a tear in his eye anytime he was anywhere near the military. He was a charming, lovable, warm, down to earth legend, if that's possible, and to me is like the last of -- he's like the end of a showbiz legacy. You know, he's somebody you just never expected to go away. We all expected him to just be there forever, didn't we?
KAGAN: I think depended on him for a number of things, for a number of laughs.
LAWRENCE: Yes, and we were depending on him for another 100 years at least; he's like the right arm of America, and I don't think it matters what line of work, what part of the country you're from, you just think of him -- he's like the American flag, you know; he's just a symbol of America. But on the other hand, just such a lovely, lovely man, and my condolences to Dolores who is just an absolutely amazingly beautiful woman, and I'm honored to even have ever met him and touched him. It's a piece of American history that I will treasure forever to just have met him.
KAGAN: So many people in awe of him, but you, as an entertainer, as a comedienne, you must really appreciate his gifts and his longevity?
LAWRENCE: Yes, and his just the -- the amazing -- yes, his endurance and, gosh, I don't even know what to say. It's so early in the morning. It's just such a shock. Just his amazing tenacity, you know, and his gift for going into the middle of God knows where and reaching everybody, and just a down to Earth and charming, and he's just -- he's show business at his finest. He makes you want to go watch an old Bob Hope movie today and just appreciate how fine and original and just a trailblazer for all comedians.
KAGAN: Absolutely, and for those who don't have access to the old movies quite yet today. We'll be showing clips throughout the day here on CNN. Vicki Lawrence, thanks for calling in Southern California.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 28, 2003 - 10:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A chance to talk with an entertainer who had a chance to perform many times with Bob Hope and knew the man.
Vicki Lawrence joining us on the phone right now from Southern California.
Vicki, hello.
VICKI LAWRENCE, COMEDIENNE: Good morning.
KAGAN: What kind of memories of Bob Hope can you share with us today?
LAWRENCE: You know, I wish I had had more of an opportunity to perform with Bob Hope, but the last memory I have of him personally was on my talk show, which was for about 1993, and of course, we had the military there, and he, you know, had a tear in his eye anytime he was anywhere near the military. He was a charming, lovable, warm, down to earth legend, if that's possible, and to me is like the last of -- he's like the end of a showbiz legacy. You know, he's somebody you just never expected to go away. We all expected him to just be there forever, didn't we?
KAGAN: I think depended on him for a number of things, for a number of laughs.
LAWRENCE: Yes, and we were depending on him for another 100 years at least; he's like the right arm of America, and I don't think it matters what line of work, what part of the country you're from, you just think of him -- he's like the American flag, you know; he's just a symbol of America. But on the other hand, just such a lovely, lovely man, and my condolences to Dolores who is just an absolutely amazingly beautiful woman, and I'm honored to even have ever met him and touched him. It's a piece of American history that I will treasure forever to just have met him.
KAGAN: So many people in awe of him, but you, as an entertainer, as a comedienne, you must really appreciate his gifts and his longevity?
LAWRENCE: Yes, and his just the -- the amazing -- yes, his endurance and, gosh, I don't even know what to say. It's so early in the morning. It's just such a shock. Just his amazing tenacity, you know, and his gift for going into the middle of God knows where and reaching everybody, and just a down to Earth and charming, and he's just -- he's show business at his finest. He makes you want to go watch an old Bob Hope movie today and just appreciate how fine and original and just a trailblazer for all comedians.
KAGAN: Absolutely, and for those who don't have access to the old movies quite yet today. We'll be showing clips throughout the day here on CNN. Vicki Lawrence, thanks for calling in Southern California.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
