Michael Crawford and Howie Mandel
Discuss the Variety Ad 12/16/98
Howie: My next guest originated the role in Andrew
Lloyd-Webber’s, The Phantom of the Opera. He performed to sold out audiences for 10
years and he even won a Tony. He just released a new CD, “Michael Crawford in
Concert.” Please welcome, the Phantom himself, Michael Crawford.
(Audience applause. Michael walks out Howie greets him and shakes his hand.)
Howie: Welcome.
Michael: Thank you.
Howie: This is an honor for me, you know, I loved the play. I loved you in the play. You
know, I don't know if I should open up…this is kind of controversial, but did you see
this ad in the trades?
Michael: I saw it two days ago, yes.
Howie: This is... I’ll explain it the audience at home..(to Michael): Are you
comfortable talking about this? They are doing a movie of The Phantom of the Opera, and
YOU should play the Phantom of the Opera, right?
(AUDIENCE APPLAUSE!!!)
Howie: You should!!! Do you think you should?
Michael: I would love to do it, yes.
Howie: You would love to do it?…They’re looking at Antonio Banderas, but I think
that you are the Phantom... so, they took out an ad with a phone number that you can call.
All the fans of the Phantom are creating a petition to get you to play the part.
(more audience applause)
Michael: (over the applause) I’ll call. (little smile)
Howie: So my question is, my question is, how many times have you phoned the number?
Michael: As soon as you give me the number, I’ll be on there...
Howie: (showing ad to the camera) There it is... we have it in still star, there it is.
You can see the ad and the number (number is cut off of the screen). So call in and
hopefully, we’ll get to see you in the movie.
Michael: It’s mind-blowing for those people to have gone to all that trouble, I must
say, because I don't know who they are...
Howie: They're fans!!!
Michael: Yeah!!! (big smile) It’s really, really, really nice and I so appreciate it.
Howie: Well, obviously you're doing something right. Obviously, you really created... You
are synonymous with that part. It’s a wonderful part. I'm sure it will be a wonderful
movie. It'll be even better if YOU are in it.
Michael: Thank you.
(Interview continues with early work, “Hello, Dolly,” Gene Kelly, etc.)
