Showoffs with Larry Blyden (Pilot Episode) & Bobby Van (ABC), "The Showoffs"

This video collage that I made is from the short-lived game show, "Showoffs" that aired on ABC from June 30, 1975 to December 26, 1975.

The hosts were:
Larry Blyden (The Pilot Episode, taped on May 24, 1975)
Bobby Van (1975)

The theme song is call "The Showoffs" by Ed Kalehoff.

Reportedly, only one episode is known to exist and is traded among tape traders, in varied quality. Originally broadcast on November 28, guest celebrity Dr. Joyce Brothers injured herself on that show. Her other celebrity partner, Dick Gautier, had to do her portion of the charades for the final round in the end of the show. Karen Morrow and Mike Farrell were the other two celebrities.

The pilot (featuring Larry Blyden as host) is located at the UCLA Film and Television Archive. A clip was also seen during the VH-1 special Game Show Moments Gone Bananas.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Showoffs
• ABC
• American
• Broadcasting
• Company
• 1975
• Game
• Show
• Larry
• Blyden
• Bobby
• Van
• Mark
• Goodson
• Bill
• Todman
• Body
• Language

[killabobo]

where did u download the song

[Stratman78]

I didn't download it. I actually recorded the song onto Audacity. Where I got it? I'll have to hold that a secret! :)

But if you want the theme, I can send it to you by E-mail.

[Jiltedin2007]

If you loved Charades, then this was the Perfect game Show for you. I loved Bobby Van just too much. Does anyone remebered the Game Show he hosted, back in 1979, called "Make Me Laugh"? To me, it wasn't much Humurous because the Comedians, my opinion, on that Game Show were Second rate.

RIP Bobby Van. We'll always love you.

[Stratman78]

I remember watching the "Make Me Laugh" reruns. I think they were on USA in the early-mid 80's along with the un-censored versions of "Kung Fu Theater" (I wonder if anybody remembers that one?).

[Jiltedin2007]

I don't remember "Kung-Fu Theatre", but they really had the Game Show, " Make Me Laugh", even in the Early Mid 80's? Who was hosting the show then? I know that Bobby Van Died back in 1979, so, it could not have been him.

[Stratman78]

Bobby Van was the host around that time, he passed away on July 31, 1980. They were showing the reruns of the Bobby Van version of Make Me Laugh around that time.

[familyfeudfan95]

Larry Blyden did the pilot for the show Showoffs before he died in 1975. After his death, Bobby Van took the hosting job for that show.

[Madelow56]

I always enjoyed Bobby Van's appearances on the Goodson-Todman game shows of the 1970's. He always seemed to have a happy outlook on life. Van and Elaine Joyce were fun to watch on "Tattletales". Sad that he died so young.

[snoops71]

@Jiltedin2007 Oh I too am delighted to meet another fan of Bobby Van! He is very seldom on tv these days, which is very unfortunate. I do remember seeing him on tv all the time in the late '70s. He was on an episode of "Love Boat" with Elaine, plus he had a guest spot on the short-lived show "Flying High", and he was on "Vegas" once. He was also on "Dance Fever" one time. What I remember most about him is his very sweet smile, and vibrant personality.

[Jiltedin2007]

@snoops71 I really don't remember watching Bobby Van hosting a Mrs. America Pageant. It is so good to communicate with another Bobby Van Fan like myself. Very rarely have I seen Bobby Van on television. Come to think of it, only once in my life have I seen Elaine Joyce on television as well, and that one time was when she did an episode on Kojak. If possible, please fill me in on other things you happen to know about Bobby Van.

[snoops71]

@Jiltedin2007 Same here. I remember seeing them all the time. You're right, they always seemed to win. Do you remember when he would host the Mrs America Pageant? He was so good at that. I too watched Make Me Laugh because of Bobby. Had there been another host, I probably wouldn't have paid it much attention. Bobby had that sweet, sunny persona, and it really drew me in. I watched him every chance I got, no matter what show he was on.

[Jiltedin2007]

@snoops71 I loved watching Bobby Van on "Tattletales" with his wife Elaine Joyce more than watching anything else. Yes, I still remember Bobby Van also like you, and I will never forget how Bobby Van and Elaine Joyce practically dominated the Game Show "Tattletales" no matter who they were up against. Make Me Laugh was not very appealing to me because the Comedians on that Game Show couldn't make a Hyena laugh. But it was beacuse of Bobby Van did I watch that show.

[snoops71]

@Jiltedin2007 Very sweet comment :) I too remember "Make Me Laugh". It could be pretty funny at times, but I always thought he deserved a better game show. I think I love Bobby now more than ever. I still adore his smile, and sunny persona.

[snoops71]

Thanks for posting. The 5/24/75 date reminds me of my 4th b-day party, which was a few days earlier :)

[saml760]

RIP Bobby Van & Larry Blyden,you left us too soon and we still miss you :(

[ben1245689]

June 30th 19 years after showoffs was canceled was the day i was born