The Bobby Vinton Show

"The Bobby Vinton Show" was a Canadian musical variety television series produced for the CTV Television Network between 1975 and 1978, with a total of 52 episodes broadcast. Starring Bobby Vinton, a best selling pop singer since the early 1960s, the series mixed comedy skits with musical interludes. Appearing on the series as a regular was comedian Billy Van. The series often played up Vinton's Polish heritage, and its theme song was an "umpah band" rendition of his 1974 hit "My Melody of Love" (Vinton also ended each episode by performing the song himself).

Vinton was approached by Alan Blye and Chris Bearde, who had produced Elvis Presley’s legendary “’68 Comeback Special” and successful variety shows for Sonny Bono among others. Production began in May 1975 in Toronto, Canada, episodes being taped in front of a live audience. In September 1975 "The Bobby Vinton Show" premiered in major markets everywhere. The format was tight and geared to Vinton's newfound ethnic appeal. The first season spawned a best selling album on ABC Records featuring songs performed on the show.

The show’s popularity brought and increase in television markets and a more upscale set and selection of comedy material for following seasons. A group of female singers, "The Peaches" were introduced as backup singers. Vinton had signed new deals with Las Vegas Casinos and was also recording new material.

The Bobby Vinton Show was created by Chris Bearde and produced by Chuck Barris. The series, which was syndicated to local stations in the United States (although the show's entry in the user-edited Internet Movie Database suggests it may also have been aired by CBS in 1975), spawned a soundtrack album on ABC Records; see "The Bobby Vinton Show (album)".

Guests appearing on the show included: Ethel Merman, Ted Knight, Barbara Walters, Phyllis Diller, O.J. Simpson, The Spinners, Donna Summer, Petula Clark, Lainie Kazan, Foster Brooks, Anne Murray, Jessica Walter, John Byner, Artie Johnson, Loretta Swit, Tanya Tucker, Clifton Davis, The Peaches, Adrienne Barbeau, Charlie Callas, Hank Garcia, and Henny Youngman.

External links

*imdb title|id=0072480|title=The Bobby Vinton Show
* [http://www.tv.com/the-bobby-vinton-show/show/7332/summary.html The Bobby Vinton Show on TV.com]