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NEW YORK (KFL)—If you're looking for something different in daytime TV, ‘‘The Fun Factory’’ may be just the thing. It premieres on NBC, Monday (June 14); and, as the title ef it’s a lot of fun, aes ilots can a “y as a compatible blend of of music; the zany, off-beat humor of “Laugh-In,’’ and the game show madness of “Let's Make a Deal.” Of course, to make the show work, the host has to be an entertainer who can really think on his feet, since he deals with contestants chosen at random from the studio audience. Bobby Van more than fills the . His facili ty allows him to be mildly sarcastic asell as immensely charming. “The Fun Factory’’ is Bobby's second fling at game shows; he also hosted “Showoffs, ’ an ABC game show which didn't make it. He readily admits that many of his friends have wondered why he lends his talents to game shows rather than rush back to Broadway and captivate audiences with his brilliant dancing and singing. Bobby has a simple an swer...he’s a workaholic. He is smart enough to know that good parts in Broadway musicals, such as the revival of ‘No, No Nanette” which earned him a Tony nomination, don't come along very often, and rather than wait around, Bobby keeps busy doing ‘nightclubs and ame shows like “The Fun actory. ’ The major ap “Fun Factory’’ for Sky is the spontaneity of the show. There is a script for the sketches and , but most of the rapport with the con testants is ad libbed. Bobby finds this a challenge and he does very well, judging from the pilot. Of course, Bobby says his early career was also more or less ad libbed. He never really thought about becoming a dancer when he was a kid, even though his father was a dancer in vaudeville. Bobby preferred to be a musician, but dancing came so naturally that he eventually decided to trip the light fantastic for a living. From nightclub stints in the Catskills, Bobby moved up to featured spots in such Broadway musicals as “Alive and Kicking” and a revival of “On Your Toes.” Bobby also worked the early live TV variety shows but he kept saying no to Hollywood offers to make movies. He turned down a contract at Warners and 20th Centry-Fox, because he was holding out for MGM, the studio that turned out the best and the biggest musicals. MGM finally called and appeared in a suc cession of technicolor musicals with such stars as Debbie Reynolds, Ann Miller, Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Jane Powell, and Mario Lanza. Bobby described that period of his life as ‘carefree and fun.’’ He worked very hard learning intricate dance routines and going from picture to picture, but he was young and his steady salary allowed him to buy a big car and chase girls—which is all any red American boy really wants, even a dancer in MGM e. An example of oneseee is tad e ntertainment, Part II. In the collection of musical moments from MGM's treasure trove of past musical entertainments, Bobby's “‘h number from an obscure Jane Powell opus titled ‘Small Town erl” is easily one of the highlights of the film. audience enthusiastically applauded the number at a recent sc For another side of Bobby Van's talent, tune in “The Fun Factory’— ou'll probably have a go . Song-and-dance man Bobby Van hosts NBC's new daytime game show, “The Fun Factory,”’ debuting Monday (June 14).
Newspaper Details
Oswego Palladium Times
Oswego, New York, US
Sat, Jun 12, 1976
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 03 Feb 2026
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