This comment is regrettably from memory because it seems that there's just no way to secure any tape/disc of this event. But the who's who that turned out for this event, honoring Muhammad Ali on his 50th birthday, represents a wonderful cross-section of the era's pop icons. ESPECIALLY moving was Billy Crystal's "15 Rounds" tribute to Ali - just an AMAZING performance that elicited a heart-felt ovation from the audience. To anyone who might read this commentary : if you know how a tape/disc of this particular event might be found PLEASE LET ME KNOW. In closing - hail to The Champ - who truly was, and still is, The Greatest.
2 Reviews
Two things stand out here
dtucker8625 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I remember this prime time special very well that honored a man who is probably the most beloved boxer of all time and the most famous and controversial athlete of the twentieth century. Muhammad Ali's 50th birthday party special has equal part laughter and tears. Howard Cosell chokes up as he talks of their long friendship and says I love you. Ali had lost his 1960 Olympic Medal and his fellow athlete Wilma Rudolph gives him one of hers. Ali was sick with Parkinsons but could still talk a little and he makes funny speech at the end where he says "I shall return!" The two parts of this special that really stand out in my mind were a poem about Ali delivered with beautiful power and intensity by Blair Underwood and a humerous monologue on Ali's life performed by his friend Billy Crystal.
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