TV & VIDEO - Feb. 15, 1990

Hope’s Phantom: “Phantom of the Opera” star Michael Crawford finds himself in a lot of uncharacteristic roles in Saturday’s NBC special “Bob Hope Lampoons Show Business.” He plays Batman opposite Hope’s Joker in one skit, and in another he sings a rap version of the nightly news. “Standing there dressed as Batman was not a natural experience,” the Tony-winning Englishman said. “Phantom” still is playing to sold-out audiences in Los Angeles, and Feb. 22 will mark Crawford’s 1,000th performance as the Phantom.