Just what everyone's looking for in a variety show...Bobby Vinton?

That's right, especially if that show happens to be "The Bobby Vinton Show", in which the original Mr. Show himself, Bobby Vinton, makes his own shot at a variety series as he sings (naturally), plays sax, trumpet and even gets to do a couple of comedy routines along with the rest of the troupe.

One part I'll always remember from this show is where he'd always sing his trademark song "My Melody of Love", and this big-boned (let's just say) woman in full traditional Polish garb, complete with fake blonde ponytails and a hat with horns (???) comes out and dances for the audience. For some strange reason, that part of the show always stuck with me.

Then there was another routine where this hot dog vendor and his manager were always getting orders for dogs and the manager would blare the order out through a huge speaker system, right into the poor vendor's ear. That was always good for a laugh, too.

And right in the center of it all was Bobby, singin' and struttin' and making a whole show about music, vaudeville-style comedy and good old-fashioned American variety...with a Polish host.

Only lasted for one season in syndication, though. A shame, since it was a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon if you were in a silly mood.

Ten stars and fond memories for "The Bobby Vinton Show".

TIDBIT - this show was produced by Chuck Barris. That explains a lot, doesn't it?