Hollywood Nights
The spotlight will be shin-ing on one of the music world's brightest superstars when "Olivia Newton-John Hollywood Nights," is presented Monday, April 14 (8 to 9 p.m.), on ABC-TV. The special, which precedes the Academy Awards tele cast, kicks off a night of spectacular entertainment with music, comedy and celebrities. Olivia's guests are Gene Kelly, Andy Gibb, Elton John. Ted Knight, Peaches, Cliff Richard and Toni Tennille. Also appearing are Dick Clark, Karen Carpenter and Tina Turner. Olivia opens the special by singing the hit song. "Hollywood Nights," as cameras focus on celebrities who're arriving at the network's glamorous Entertainment Center in Century City. Calif. Other highlights include the recording star's rendition of "Deeper Than the Night" and "Hopelessly Devoted to You." Then she's joined by Elton John who'll sing "Candle in the Wind" with her. Olivia, Elton, Cliff Richard and Andy Gibb come to the center of the stage to sing "Oh Boy," and Ted Knight, as a newscaster, joins Dick Clark to give a report from England on their hostess childhood. But the report encounters hilarious difficulties. In a lavish production number with 12 dancers, Olivia visits a movie studio warehouse and sings "Gimme Some Lovin'." While she's in the huge buikling, the petite singer becomes some of the famous film characters whose artifacts are stored there - Helen of Troy. Lady Godiva, Irma La Douce, Marlene Dietrich and Barbella. Gene Kelly and Olivia sing and dance to the tune of "Makin' Music," and they're joined by Karen Carpenter, Toni Tennille, Peaches and Tina Turner to sing "Heartache Tonight." Olivia and Cliff Richard also tean up to sing "Suddenly."
Williamson Daily News, April 14 1980
Los Angeles - Fans of Olivia Newton-John are in for a treat tonight as the Australian-born songstress headlines an hour of music and comedy at 8 p.m. on the ABC network (WOWK, Channel 13 in Huntington), just preceding the annual Academy Awards ceremony. Guests include Gene Kelly, Elton John, Ted Knight, Andy Gibb, Karen Carpenter, Cliff Richard, Dick Clark and Tina Turner, among others. Miss Newton-John has had a long string of pop hits, plus starred in the top-grossing movie, "Grease," along with John Travolta. The 52nd annual Emmies will follow at 9 p.m., live from Los Angeles, More from Olivia's Hollywood Nights 1980 TV special.