16 Talks to Kidd Video's Robbie Rist

The following is an article from the December 1985 issue of 16 magazine.

16 Talks to Kidd Video's Robbie Rist

Let "Whiz" Fill You In On Your Favorite Saturday Morning Show!

Robbie "Whiz" Rist recently took some time off to talk to 16, 'cause he knows that's where all his fans go for the latest on Kidd Video. Listen in as he fills you in on all the details!

Hello, Robbie. Did you have an enjoyable summer?
It was really good. Mostly I just dedicated all my time to Kidd Video though.

Kidd Video is in its second season now, and already there are some changes in the show. Can you tell 16's readers about them?
Robbie: Well, actually, there aren't any changes in the show, but in the characters. At least not this year anyway. Next year, however, there will be a lot more live action.

What are the changes in the characters?
All four of us -- Gabrielle Bennett-Rozzi, Steve Alterman, Bryan Scott and me -- got what you might call a face-lift. Our cartoon characters now look a lot more like our real selves than before.

What's the major difference in your appearance?
I look a lot slimmer now -- I lost about 40 pounds since last year!

Kidd Video has been involved in a lot of group projects lately, right?
Yes, besides the show, we've been working on an album and a possible tour.

How's the album going?
It's coming along really well, everyone's been doing their bit here and there. I wrote some songs for it but they were passed on for some reason, although one or two of Bryan's made it.

Are you looking forward to playing live?
Yeah, I am. I've played live shows before with a club band called Robbie Rist And The Framework--we did all the local clubs, that sort of stuff. With Kidd Video it'll be different though.

Are you nervous about it?
No, I'm not nervous yet, but I'm sure I will be!

You and the other band members were also involved in a benefit fundraiser.
Yes, that was called Kidds For Kids In Africa. It was Kidd Video plus some 60 other teen celebrities who got together to record a song and video called "Love's Gonna Find A Way."

Where will the proceeds go?
The project is to aid Africa and all proceeds willl go to UNICEF. The whole thing was our way of saying that you don't have to be a grown-up to contribute your help to the world.

What have you been up to on your own?
Well, Steve and I have this five-piece band called the Intentions -- at least it's called that this week, but it may change yet. We're just a bunch of local musicians and we've been together for about six months now. It's very vocally oriented.

Kidd Video make-over: for their second season, Ash (Steve Alterman), Whiz (Robbie Rist), Carla (Gabrielle Bennett-Rozzi) and Kid (Bryan Scott) will get a brand-new look!

And you've also done a film that'll be out next month.
Yes, with Lou Gosset Jr.: It's called Iron Eagle.

Can you tell us a bit about the plot?
We're a group of Air Force kids and one of the fathers gets shot down, so we steal a plane and with Lou's help, we go out and search for this guy.

What's your character like?
I play a computer genius. A real change of character for me, huh? There must be something about having blond hair and glasses and makes people think you're a computer genius.

Do you prefer acting to singing?
Well, acting is work. I"ve always been involved in music, though, and I would rather be singing, but acting is really what I'm more successful at. Music is and will always be my first love.

With so much going on, do you ever have any spare time?
Every now and then -- when I'm not sleeping, that is! But even my free time is all taken up with another project I have. I've been producing and playing keyboards for a local band called Delletante -- they sound a bit like Cheap Trick with a touch of Loverboy.

What are your plans for the future?
Basically to keep acting, get the Intentions signed and put an American engine in my Sunbeam, a '64 red Sunbeam Alpine convertible. I just go day by day.

What would you like to be doing five years from now?
Playing guitar with Nick Lowe -- that would be my biggest thrill!

One final question, Robbie: where can your fans write you?
They can send their letters c/o Kidd Video, NBC-TV, 3000 W. Almameda Ave., Burbank, CA 91523, or to my fan club c/o Robbie Rist, P.O. Box 761, Woodland Hills, CA 91365.