The Kokomo Tribune from Kokomo, Indiana • Page 8

Entertainment 8 Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1988 Hope is thankful for theme song SAN DIEGO (AP) Bob Hope says he has a lot of thanks for the song "Thanks for the The 84-year-old entertainer introduced thesonginhis first movie, "The Big Broadcast of 1938." "It was the thing that saved me in pictures, thatsong," Hope said recently. "Damon Runyon, then one of the top newspapermen in the world, wrote a whole column about the song and how it was sung. "Someone sent that column of Runyon's to the head of Paramount Pictures and the top man there said, 'Say, we ought to keep this And they did," said Hope, who will be honored Sunday at a Super Bowl pregame show in San Diego's Jack Murphy Stadium. Asked if he has tired of "Memory," Hope said: "I love singing that song.

I don't end a show without it. Wherever I go, as soon as the audience hears those first notes, they recognize the song immediately it seems to mean something to everybody, something special." 'Sunday Today' changes co-hosts NEW YORK (AP) Garrick Utley is the new co-host of NBC's "Sunday Today," replacing Boyd Matson, who will become senior correspondent for the "Today" show. Maria Shriver remains as co- host. Utley had been serving as chief correspondent for the show. "Sunday Today" premiered in September, but its ratings have been in the 2-plus range, less than half the typical rating of its sometime rival, "CBS Sunday Morning." NBC moved "Sunday Today" to a later start time, 9 a.m., so the shows now go head-to-head in several major markets.

'Cosby Show' again leads laughs LOS ANGELES (AP) Bill Cosby and his television family won the hearts of those gathered around the video hearth last week, according to the Nielsen survey, which again rated NBC the top network. NBC won the A.C. Nielsen Co. ratings in a week in which regular series, particularly comedies, took over the top 20. Fourteen of the shows were half-hour comedies.

CBS held its season-to-date lead in the evening news ratings. "The Cosby Show" once again led the gaggle of gigglers, followed by its spinoff "A Different World" and NBC's entire Thursday schedule. "Cheers" was third, "Night Court" was fourth and "L.A. Law," which occasionally offers a few chortles, was ninth. Only two movies managed to squeeze into the top 20, the first part of the NBC miniseries' The Murder of Mary Phagan," which was 12th, and CBS' "Body of Evidence," tied for 14th.

NBC was first with an average rating of 16.3, followed by CBS' 15 and ABC's 12.3. The top 10 programs for the week that ended Sunday were: "The Cosby Show," "A Different World," "Cheers" and "Night Court," all NBC; "60Minutes," CBS; "Murder, She Wrote," CBS; "Who's the Boss?" ABC; "L.A. Law" and "Golden Girls," both NBC. Rather insists he wasn't rude MEW YORK (AP)-Dan Rather insisted he wasn't rude during his combative TV interview with Vice President George Bush, and remained unapologetic, telling the television viewers, "it goes with the However, in an unusual "personal word" during Tuesday night's "CBS Evening News," Rather acknowledged that viewers might have been made "uncomfortable," and said the abrupt ending to the interview wasn't "done as gracefully" as intended. However it may seem at any given time, the intention of even persistent questioning in a spirited interview is to do an honest, honorable job," Rather said.

"The fact that more attention is sometimes given to the heat than the light is regrettable, but it goes with the territory." The nine-minute exchange between Rather and Bush, carried live at the top of the news Monday night, spurred angry phone calls to CBS affiliates across the country, headlines and political analysis of the fallout. Bush, on a campaign trip to Wyoming on Tuesday, said the interview was "kind of like combat" but added he has' 'no hard feelings about it." "I don't want to have a big running fight with Dan Rather or anybody else," said Bush, who according to some reports was heartened by the interview and the support of viewers. ABC and NBC led their Tuesday night newscasts with stories about the interview. CBS correspondent Bruce Morton did a reaction story from Iowa. 'Phantom's' hype might be right By Michael Kuchwara AP drama critic NEW YORK (AP) For once, the hype might be right.

Riding relentless advance reports that would warm the heart of the most hardened Broadway press agent, "The Phantom of the Opera" arrived in triumph Tuesday night at the Majestic Theater. The show is quite simply the best of the British spectaculars that have invaded and dominated Broadway over the last decade. There are several reasons for its success. "The Phantom" contains some lush, romantic music by Andrew Lloyd Webber his most accomplished score to date two striking lead performances and stunning sets and stage effects by Maria Bjornson that are guaranteed to bring gasps from the audience. Even before it opened, the musical captured the imagination of the public, especially, it seems, those who rarely go to the theater.

That may be because of the story, a beauty-and-the-beast tale that first was told by Gaston Leroux in his 1911 novel and later in several film versions that starred Lon Chaney and Claude Rains. The story, a gothic, heart-tugging romance, lends itself to music. The setting is the Paris Opera House where nefarious goings-on Michael Crawford, who plays the title role in "The Phantom of the Opera" and daughters Lucy, left, and Emma, have big sm iles at Tuesday's party (AP photo) abode reached by traveling across a cavernous lake beneath the opera house. That journey is the jewel of Bjornson many imaginative sets, which are exquisitely lighted by Andrew Bridge. The Phantom and Christine glide in a boat across a subterranean lagoon dotted with flickering candles that glimmer through a thick carpet of fog.

The creature's home is the setting for "The Music of the Night," terrorize the cast and backstage crew. These evil deeds are the work of the title character, a deformed genius whose obsessive love for Christine, a young member of the company, transforms her into an opera star. The Phantom becomes her "angel of music," the man who awakens in her a musicality she didn't know she had. The transformation, almost erotic in its intensity, occurs in the phantom's lair, an ornate underground Wednesday Evening OLD OS Q(D ID(ti) O(u) DOS) O(U (DUD laj CD HLUL 4:00 Smurfs 4:30 DuckTates Oprah Wintrey Divorce Court Pyramid 3-2-1 Contact Flintstones BraveStarr Flintstones Gomer Pyle The Judge Jeopardy! Secret City Real Ghost. Transformers Brady Bunch Trader Vision Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey Diff.

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Tonight CBS News Yahtzee Business Rpt. Family Ties Cheers Andy Griffith 7:30 I.U.TipOff Lose Or Draw Hollywood Sq. Wheel Fortune Lines 3's Company Barney Miller Sanford 700 Club Jeopardy! Family Ties M.A.S.H Wheel Fortune Cheers Cheers MacNeil Lehrer Newshour Family Ties Cheers 8:00 Basketbil P. Strangers Harry McGraw Highway Live From Met "Comancheros" H's Heroes "Family Plot" Lester Sumrall Harry McGraw P. Strangers Highway Pledge Break Movie Wednesday Evening OLD 016J IB (ID ouu OiJii OtU ODUD tow IB tu CD (2?) BSD 8:30 9:00 9:30 College Basketball: Indiana at Ohio State Cont'd Mead Of Class Harry McGraw Highway Hooperman Slap Maxwell Magnum, P.I.

10:00 10:30 News Dynasty Equalizer Golden Age Live From The Met Cont'd Movie: "The Comancheros" Cont'd News College Basketball: Marquette at DePaul Movie: "Family Plot" Cont'd Living Word Harry McGraw Head Of Class Highway LESEA Alive Magnum, P.I. Hooperman Cheers Slap Maxwell Bev. Buntz Movie Palaces Current Affair News 11:00 Hit Squad News News News Lawmakers M.A.S.H INN News 11:30 Sanford Newlyweds Magnum, P.I. 12:00 12:30 Movie: "Falling In Love Again" Dating Game Best Of Carson MacNeil Lehrer Newshour Late Show Magnum, P.I. Movie: "A Stranger Is Watching" Jimmy Swaggart Equalizer Dynasty St.

Elsewhere PTLClub News News News Ent. Tonight Nightline Best Of Carson Movie: "That's Dancing!" Movie: "Support Your Local Gunfighter" Cont'd Bob Newhart Taxi H's Heroes Late Show Robert Tilton Nightline Bamaby Jones D. Letterman Benny Hill Movie "Citizen Kane" Dallas Ent. Tonight Taxi D. Letterman Movie Tonight in television 8 p.m.

(WRTV), Perfect Strangers Larry is horrified to learn that Balki has invited an ex-convict to their home. (CO 8 p.m. (WISH), The Law and Harry McGraw depressed over a coming birthday, Ellie suddenly finds herself being charmed by a career diplomat and a suave- but-mysterious gentleman. (R) 8 p.m. (WTHR), Highway to Heaven a reckless young man and an unmarried, pregnant teen-ager learn a lesson about love and responsibility.

In stereo. (R) (CO 8 p.m. (WFYI), Live from the Met "Turandot" (season premiere). Eva Marlon, Leona Mitchell, Placido Domingo and Paul Plishka star in this Franco Zeffirelli production of Puccini's classic opera. In stereo.

MARKLAND MALL 123 ALL SEATS $2.75 BEFORE 8 p.m. (WTTV), Big Ten basketball Indiana at Ohio State. 8:30 p.m. (WRTV), Head of the Class Janice is disappointed when she fails to win a spot as first cello in the school orchestra. (CO 9 p.m.

(WRTV), Hooperman Harry tries to pass off Bijoux as a canine narcotics agent. In stereo. (R) (CO 9p.m. (WISH), Magnum, P.I. Magnum's desire to get in on a lucrative business deal takes a backseat when TC's son winds up in jail.

FITNESS AND TANNING SALON NO INITIATION FEE-MO MEMMRSHH- FEE Great New Way To A Sleek New You. JANUARY SPECIAL Minutes -NOW- FOR KEEPS" Molly Ringwald, Randall Batlnkoll PQ-13 Shows at: 1:20, 3:20, 5:20, 7:20, 9:20 I What A Great Place To 13 Toning Visits -NOW- 39 9b Call 45-SLEEK 7:30 P.M.; SAT. 2016 S. ELIZABETH OLDS PLAZA Try Tribune Want Ads Phone 456-3811 the best moment of music in the show. It's a hypnotizing song of seduction sung with power and absolute conviction by Michael Crawford.

The actor, his face half hidden by a white mask, turns the monster into a believable human being without neglecting the theatricality and larger-than-life aspects of the role. His horrifying makeup is the goulish but expert handiwork of Christopher Tucker, but it can't hide the affecting creature underneath. "The Phantom of the Opera," which has a book by Lloyd Weber and Richard Stilgoe, is basically a love triangle, a battle for Christine between the mad operatic genius and the handsome Vicomte de Chagny. Their fight forms much of score. Lloyd Webber, the man behind the music in "Cats," "Evita" and "Starlight Express," has fashioned some soaring melodies.

A couple of them already have hit the top of the pop charts in England. But the music is more than just a series of popular songs. Cast and friends greet London hit NEW YORK (AP) Amid the flickering lights and golden splendor of 19th century Paris, the cast and friends of "The Phantom of the Opera" welcomed the hit London musical to Broadway. "I love it here," leading lady Sarah Brightman, wife of the show's composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, proclaimed as she arrived at Tuesday night's cast party. Manhattan's Beacon Theater was transformed, at a cost of about $250,000 to the show's producers, for the celebration after the musical's opening night at the Majestic.

"Absolutely fantastic," proclaimed actress Audrey Meadows, who played Jackie Gleason's wife on "The Honeymooners" television show. She said it was "the most exciting opening night I've seen in New York, and I've been going for some "Incredible," chipped in young movie actress Molly Ringwald. "It was magic," said television newswoman Barbara Walters. "I did see it in London, and I liked it even more here." Lloyd Webber looked surprisingly solemn, or maybe just tired, beside the wide-eyed Brightman, who glowed. "I thought it was fabulous tonight," he said.

As for the critics, "if they don't like the show, they don't like it," he said. "It's the best show we possibly could have done." The composer revels in the oper-; atic style of the late 19th century and has laden the score with bits, and pieces of several mock' operas. He has fun with these' conceits and so does the audience. Charles Hart's lyrics with an assist from Stilgoe tend toward: the overripe but their sweetness- fits the florid style of the music. Both words and music get the; best possible showcase from the- other cast members.

There's lovely, limpid performance by Sarah Brightman as Her wide-eyed glances invoke memories of those early silent screen heroines tied to the tracks: as the villain sneers. Brightman, a fine dancer, also has a pure voice that leads one to believe that she truly has been inspired by "the angel of music." There is some excellent work in the supporting cast, particularly! Steve Barton as the gallant and sturdy-voiced vicomte; Judy Kaye as a demanding diva whose position at the opera is usurped by Christine; and Nicholas Wyman and Cris Groenendaal as the beleaguered managers of the opera house. Harold Prince directs in a fluid, almost cinematic style, marshaling his large cast with ease around the elaborate scenery created by Bjornson. That's not to say "Phantom" is a perfect show. It sags somewhat in the second act, right before the climactic battle by the Phantom and his handsome young enemy over Christine, but it recovers for an ending that is as touching as it is satisfying.

The show works because the spectacle serves the story and not the other way around. Audiences may cheer the special effects, but it is the story and the music they remember. One note of caution for ticket buyers. Brightman appears in only six of the eight weekly performances. Patty Cohenour, who was Linda Ronstadt's alternate in "La Boheme" several years ago, per-' forms the role on Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees.

KOKOMO MALL CINEMA i iv 457-9334 ROUTE 31 EAST BLVD. BARGAIN MATtNKS-EVIIirOAY ALL SHOWS $2.75 Marino's Italian Villa Child Spaghetti Dinner includes soup, salad garlic bread only $1.95 mon-thurs. 1929 N. Washington St. 457-9181 Battorlm Not Included 5:15 only SB QoMicHiwn OVERBOARD 7:15, 9:20 only Chuck Norrlt MISSING ACTION III 8:00, 7:00, OiOO Robin Williams Good Morning Vietnam 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 fl Tom Solwck A A Baby 5:30, 7:40, 9:45 I tokomo Symphonic Society Presents ANNETTE KUDRAK Winner of the KSS Concerto Competition in concert with The Kokomo Symphony Orchestra Tuesday, February 2, 1988..

..7:30 PM Havens Auditorium also Ann Kelly Adult Orchestra Soloist Kokomo Symphony Orchestra performing Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel and Kokomo Symphony Youth Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra In Concert For Ticket ln fo rmation Please Call The Kokomo Symphony Business Office "THE COUCH TRIP" Dan Aykroyd At: 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 8:15 "INDY WITNESS" JAN. 30-FEB. 29 I Throw Momma From tho Train Billy Crystal, Danny Dtvlto PQ-13 I Shows At: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30 NEWLY REMODELED 455-0950 U.S. 31 BYPASS SOUTH Golliday Inn at LEGION POST 6 2604 South LaFbuntain Special For Week 1-28 to 2-4 CATFISH DINNER for 4 95 Music By Benny Dave Monday Saturday Evenings Public Invited FREE SANDWICH Buy Any Size Sandwich Except and Receive Identical Sandwich FREE SAVE UP TO LIMIT 2 COUF i PER PERSON Good Thru Jan. 31, 1988 Good At ARBY'S Kokomo 1710 E.

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