Reel 2974

(BW)

(Sitcom.)

(Pilot)

Saluting the comedian, who turned 95 on Jan. 20. Burns starts his party off with a rendition of "It's the Only Way to Go," written for him by Marvin Hamlisch and Tim Rice. More music is provided by Ann-Margret ("You Do Something to Me"), Melissa Manchester ("The Kind of Man a Woman Needs") and Kenny Rogers ("Through the Years"). On the laugh front, Richard Lewis, Rita Rudner and Bob Saget perform stand-up routines; and Steve Allen, Milton Berle, Red Buttons and Carl Reiner spoof Burns' early career. In a dance sequence, Ben Vereen recalls Burns' early days as a hoofer, glimpsed in a clip from his appearance opposite Fred Astaire in "Damsel in Distress" (1937). Taped Jan. 6. (60 min.)

Host: Geo. Burns.

(BW)

(Sitcom.)

(Pilot)

Saluting the comedian, who turned 95 on Jan. 20, Burns starts his party off with a rendition of "It's the Only Way to Go," written for him by Marvin Hamlisch and Tim Rice. More music is provided by Ann-Margret ("You Do Something to Me"), Melissa Manchester ("The Kind of Man a Woman Needs") and Kenny Rogers ("Through the Years"). On the laugh front, Richard Lewis, Rita Rudner and Bob Saget perform stand-up routines; and Steve Allen, Milton Berle, Red Buttons and Carl Reiner spoof Burns' early career. In a dance sequence, Ben Vereen recalls Burns' early days as a hoofer, glimpsed in a clip from his appearance opposite Fred Astaire in "Damsel in Distress" (1937). Taped Jan. 6. (60 min.)

Host: Geo. Burns.