Cavalcade of tributes hits the airwaves

Television tributes to Bob Hope started airing almost as soon as news of the entertainer’s death was announced Monday morning. It started with morning news programs and included several news and entertainment specials later in the evening.

More special programming devoted to Hope will air later this week, with cable movie channels AMC and Turner Classic Movies offering marathons of Hope movies on Thursday.

AMC’s tribute begins at 7:10 a.m. with the special “Bob Hope: The Road to the Top,” followed by “How to Commit Marriage” (1969), “Paris Holiday” (1958), “Road to Bali” (1953), “The Seven Little Foys” (1955), “Son of Paleface” ( 1952) and concluding with “The Private Navy of Sgt. O’Farrell” (1968).

TCM’s marathon begins at 11 a.m. Thursday with “The Road to Hong Kong” (1962), “A Global Affair” (1964), “Call Me Bwana” (1963), “I’ll Take Sweden” (1965) and “Bachelor in Paradise” (1961).

Local PBS station KCET will repeat its tribute special “Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter” at 7 p.m. Saturday. It aired May 31, in conjunction with the comedian’s 100th birthday.