BOB HOPE TO BRING QUIPS TO CAMPUS

Somehow finding time between one more round of golf and the taping of another television special, Bob Hope will stroll onto the UC Irvine campus Sunday for a performance in the Bren Events Center.

The ubiquitous comedian with the famous gait (and equally famous profile) will share the stage with vocalist Patrician Price and a 25-piece orchestra. But the performance, which gets under way at 7 p.m., will unquestionably be Hope’s show.

Moreover, because he can draw from two walk-in vaults of jokes--plus the efforts of three comedy writers on salary--he’ll have no problem tailoring his material to include references to local politicians, local celebrities and local issues--maybe even local golf courses.

An avid golfer with at least one annual tournament named after him (The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic), Hope wrote a best-selling book called “Confessions of a Hooker: My Lifelong Love Affair With Golf,” the entire proceeds of which he donated to the USO.

Indeed, donating to charity and participating in benefit appearances define the 83-year-old comic nearly as much as his golf swing. (Interestingly, however, after promising to combine these traits locally at this month’s fifth annual Auction and Celebrity Golf Tournament to benefit the Orange County chapter of Childhelp USA, he failed to show up--for the second successive year.)

Still, Hope’s efforts since 1941 to entertain military troops, the benefits he’s performed and charities he’s supported largely account for the more than 1,000 citations, medals and other honors he’s received over the years. Hope also should be completely comfortable in the university campus; he’s been awarded more than 50 honorary doctoral degrees, and he makes about a dozen campus appearances each year.

For ticket information about the performance, billed “Bob Hope in Person,” call UC Irvine at (714) 856-5000.