NEW BOBBY VINTON SHOW : PUTTING THE FAMILY BACK IN VARIETY

Lawrence Welk’s departure from the airwaves left a hole in television. “Variety is dead,” the networks are muttering.

But people cannot live by cop shows alone, giving guys like Bobby Vinton hope that variety can be revived.

“The networks say that variety is dead. I’m trying to convince them they’ve been using the wrong hosts,” Vinton says. “You need a performer. That’s why Bill Cosby’s show is such a success. He’s a veteran performer given a great vehicle.”

Vinton’s vehicle is “The Bobby Vinton Show,” a syndicated program taped live and scheduled to debut in 100 markets this month. It is for everyone in the family.

“There’s a gap in television today,” explains Vinton, revered as “the Polish Prince” of pop. “There are many music shows geared toward a rock audience. But for young children and adults who enjoy other contemporary music, be it pop, jazz, country, whatever, there is nothing.

“I truly believe that it’s time someone gives this larger segment of the viewing public some consideration and gives them what they want.”

There has been an explosion of musical entertainment on television, but Vinton thinks it’s not suited for the entire family. He is down on rock music videos, and can’t understand why his 10-year-old daughter is mesmerized by the 24-hour cable animal called MTV. Music Television airs only the sounds and sights of rock ‘n’ roll.

“MTV, they do a lot of things that are a little far out. I’ve got a 10-year-old daughter that thinks MTV is what life is about. I’m trying to tell her there are other types of music. I think there’s another side of the coin, something the whole family can sit down and watch.”

So instead of Boy George, Wham!, and Twisted Sister, Vinton’s daughter can watch Vinton’s TV family. Featured are Boxcar Willie, who dresses like a hobo and sings train songs; Willie Tyler & Lester, a ventriloquist and his dummy; Joni McGowan, a banjo player; The Indian River Boys, an “innovative” barbershop quartet; Debra Sue Maffett, a former Miss America, and Bettina Rae, a 5-year-old singer-dancer.

Add Vinton and some scantily clad “young female dancers,” and you have “The Bobby Vinton Show.”

Vinton considers himself a show business veteran and something of an expert on variety, with 75 shows to his hosting credit. (A “Bobby Vinton in Las Vegas” special will be seen Friday at 9 p.m. on KTTV Channel 11.)

But can variety succeed in a TV world without the likes of Lawrence Welk?

“It’s not like this show is full of squares,” Vinton says. “Lawrence Welk’s show had a reputation for being somewhat corny. I don’t think this show is corny.

“It’s a family-oriented music show. We’re not going to get the hard rockers, the 12-year-old punk rockers. But for the average public who wants to see a music show, we’re going to give them variety.”