Classic Television - Prime Time

The Bobby Darin Amusement Company

Original Network

NBC

Original Run

July 27, 1972 - September 7, 1972

Dean Martin Presents: The Bobby Darin Amusement Company premiered on NBC at 10:00pm EDT on Thursday July 27, 1972. It was a variety hour that  co-producers Saul Illson and Ernest Chambers described as "a comedy show with music." 

The supporting cast featured Geoff Edwards (later of The New Treasure Hunt), comedian Rip Taylor, Richard Bakalyan (who was featured with Bobby in the movie Pressure Point) and Steve Landesberg (Barney Miller).

Some of the many characters that appeared on the program included Bobby's Groucho impression; the "Godmother," in which Darin was dressed in drag and interviewed by Geoff Edwards; and "Dusty John Dustin," a hippie poet backed by his drummer Tommy Amato on bongos. Some of other characters on the program were Landesberg's psychiatrist role, in which he comically analyzed Bobby every week; and "Skyway Silverman," a helicopter pilot portrayed by Rip Taylor. One weekly segment, "The Neighborhood" was a popular and significant part of the show, featuring Bobby and Bakalyan as two friends sitting on the front porch stoop of their old Italian neighborhood.

Bobby also showed off his muscial talents that summer too. Backed by his band (which included Terry Kellman, Tommy Amato and Bobby Rosario,) Mr. Darin sang many songs such as "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," "Charade," "That's All," "Artifical Flowers," "Talk to the Animals," and "Work Song." 

Each week during the summer series, Bobby had different guest stars ranging from Burt Reynolds to George Burns to Joan Rivers to Mimi Hines. He also had musical guests including Bobbie Gentry, Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick and Debbie Reynolds. 

Darin's summer series became the highest rated summer replacement show on NBC and received overall good reviews. It returned to the air the following January.