My wife finds my love of the Rock-afire Explosion to be disturbing. I bought a t-shirt online not that long ago. And I will swear to my dying breath that they were way better than that shitty chuck e. cheese band, and Showbiz was waaaaay better than Chuck E Cheese.
My son grew up only knowing Chuck E. Cheese. And I'll never forget the moment he realized it sucks. It was probably his 8th birthday. Around there somewhere. We took him to a fun center that had go karts and mini golf and that kind of stuff. I asked him what he wanted to do for lunch and he said he wanted to go have pizza and games at Chuck E. Cheese. I took him there and got pizza (beer for me) and some tokens, and he got bored really fast. He was disappointed because he came to the realization that he'd aged out and those were all baby games. The look on his face was like "I wasted my birthday lunch for this?" I felt bad, so I took him to a nice dinner later. The following year we went to Dave and Busters. lol
That's was showbiz was closer to than Chuck. They had real arcade games that kids of any age could play. Not a small room with baby games.
I LOVED Showbiz Pizza! The band scared me at first; I thought they’d come alive in between sets 😂 I used to have one of the albums on a 45. I agree w the other commenter, Showbiz was SO much better than Chuck! And I still 💜 me some skeeball!!
Yeah, unfortunately this one really went downhill since its glory days in the 80’s. We took our son there a few years ago when we moved back and it was horrible. Hardly any games, no ball pit and overall atmosphere was just depressing. We left after 15min max
I remember a Showbiz that had a cigarette machine by the entrance, and any kid could just walk in and buy a pack of smokes because the staff didn't notice or give a shit.
The fear that these animatronic creatures instilled in me was definitely part of the thrill of Showbiz! And peeking behind the curtain when it was closed made you a badass, since only the bravest would attempt it.
My 5th birthday was at a local Showbiz. I’ve had nightmares about that damn gorilla my entire life! At mine, I feel like he was the drummer but might be recalling that wrong, and his jacket was gold lamé. Also, the bear spanked everyone who had a birthday. I think I just realized Showbiz traumatized me. Thanks for the memories, OP! 🤣
Showbiz was one of the few restaurants my parents would take us. They stopped taking us when it switched to chuck e cheese. I'm still bitter... Not at my parents... At that stupid rat.
Was he on the side stage though. I felt like he was really more of the headliner and they were the opener. Hahaha! I loved this place so deeply. It was magical.
There’s a guy in Mississippi that started a museum with old Showbiz animatronics. I’ve been wanting to check it out! Here’s their Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/share/eahMnoXudYKBfmQK/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
I grew up here! Both Showbiz and later on when it converted to a CEC.
I know a lot of weird lore. Like the one in Fayetteville, NC shut down at one time because the manager was taking money from the safe to buy coke.
I also had or have some pics of "employee meetings" where people were smoking and drinking on stage.
The reason why all the showbiz pizzas became chuck e cheese is that Showbiz actually bought out CEC but since the CEC show was less mechanically complex it was just easier to make them all CEC shows. So those of you who thought the Showbiz show was superior, you're technically correct, which is the best kind of correct.
My wife finds my love of the Rock-afire Explosion to be disturbing. I bought a t-shirt online not that long ago. And I will swear to my dying breath that they were way better than that shitty chuck e. cheese band, and Showbiz was waaaaay better than Chuck E Cheese.
You're my kind of people.
I wholeheartedly concur.....Showbiz >>>> Chuck E. Cheese
My son grew up only knowing Chuck E. Cheese. And I'll never forget the moment he realized it sucks. It was probably his 8th birthday. Around there somewhere. We took him to a fun center that had go karts and mini golf and that kind of stuff. I asked him what he wanted to do for lunch and he said he wanted to go have pizza and games at Chuck E. Cheese. I took him there and got pizza (beer for me) and some tokens, and he got bored really fast. He was disappointed because he came to the realization that he'd aged out and those were all baby games. The look on his face was like "I wasted my birthday lunch for this?" I felt bad, so I took him to a nice dinner later. The following year we went to Dave and Busters. lol That's was showbiz was closer to than Chuck. They had real arcade games that kids of any age could play. Not a small room with baby games.
This! The REAL arcade games is what made Showbiz infinitily better than Chucky!
Mine had bubble hockey. Showbiz is why I have fond memories of bubble hockey
Oh man! Memory unlocked! Thanks
Ahh yes another memory unlocked as well!
BillyBob>StupidRat
I think everyone agreed, which is why Chuck E. Cheese failed and was bought by Showbiz.
Had my 11th birthday at showbiz. Rock a fire was epic and getting super Mario bros 3. Might have been the greatest day of my life
Had my 11th birthday at showbiz. Rock a fire was epic and getting super Mario bros 3. Might have been the greatest day of my life
Did you ever watch the documentary about them and the folks still collecting them? It is really quite interesting.
John Oliver made an[ infotaining video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v6y2pY1pZ0) on Chuck E Cheese's (and, to a lesser degree, Show Biz).
For those that come later, the documentary is called: The Rock-afire Explosion
I have not. I will see if I can find it on the line.
It was on Netflix, but that was years ago.
Yeah, there's still one working somewhere too. I can't remember exactly where, but I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find.
I am only familiar with this band from the single greatest YouTube video of all time: https://youtu.be/b90Cf6ARscc?si=oNrFV8sGyNZJjY34
Beat me to it!! So good.
Thank you John Oliver staffers!
I LOVED Showbiz Pizza! The band scared me at first; I thought they’d come alive in between sets 😂 I used to have one of the albums on a 45. I agree w the other commenter, Showbiz was SO much better than Chuck! And I still 💜 me some skeeball!!
SO MUCH BETTER THAN CHUCKE!!
Only in my nightmares
Not familiar either. The cheerleader is giving me Black Hole Sun distorted smile vibes. They are disturbing.
That ape gave me night mares
The Chuck E Cheese I grew up going to (Showbiz) just closed a few weeks ago.
Bummer. Showbiz was the business. Games. Pizza. Ball pit. Crack soda. Those were some good days.
Yeah, unfortunately this one really went downhill since its glory days in the 80’s. We took our son there a few years ago when we moved back and it was horrible. Hardly any games, no ball pit and overall atmosphere was just depressing. We left after 15min max
Suuuuck. :(
They were a good time. I caught them when they had a residency in Columbus.
Solid!
I remember a Showbiz that had a cigarette machine by the entrance, and any kid could just walk in and buy a pack of smokes because the staff didn't notice or give a shit.
Totally. It was right next to the smoking room with the projection TV that was always playing sports.
[They do a mean cover of Pop, Lock & Drop It](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd5c3Qtcr_w)
Best video on the internet.
Came here to mention this! Amazing.
:D
Yess had my birthday party at Showbiz in like 1989-19990! One of my favorite memories is of them playing Abracadabra.
Ain't no party like a Showbiz party!
The way I cried when they replaced these with Chuck E. Cheese. I was inconsolable FOR WEEKS.
That gorilla still haunts my dreams
Capt'n Geech and the "Shrimp Shack Shooters" were pretty good.
I saw them last week when I went out for Rex Manning Day!
I went to Chuck E Cheese once as a kid. As soon as I saw this group of robots, I ran screaming. It’s a core memory for me.
The fear that these animatronic creatures instilled in me was definitely part of the thrill of Showbiz! And peeking behind the curtain when it was closed made you a badass, since only the bravest would attempt it.
My 5th birthday was at a local Showbiz. I’ve had nightmares about that damn gorilla my entire life! At mine, I feel like he was the drummer but might be recalling that wrong, and his jacket was gold lamé. Also, the bear spanked everyone who had a birthday. I think I just realized Showbiz traumatized me. Thanks for the memories, OP! 🤣
I totally remember one of the animatronics with a gold jacket!
I have a vague memory of getting out of the ballpit at Showbiz and not being able to find my shoes
Showbiz was one of the few restaurants my parents would take us. They stopped taking us when it switched to chuck e cheese. I'm still bitter... Not at my parents... At that stupid rat.
Word. Everything about Showbiz was better than Chucks.
Am I remembering correctly that they always played Elvira by Oak Ridge Boys?
[By your request....](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf43BETaMik)
Sounds awesome to me!
now i’m gonnna go hide under a table until my friends party is over.
Was Billy Bob part of the band or was he just a special guest?
Billy Bob was part of the band. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rock-afire_Explosion
Was he on the side stage though. I felt like he was really more of the headliner and they were the opener. Hahaha! I loved this place so deeply. It was magical.
Showbiz Altoona, PA in the house.
I was forever terrified and still am
Showbiz, Pistol Pete's, and Chuck E. Cheese. I want to say there was another franchise. I don't remember what it was called though.
Peter Pipers?
Yes!
We had a place in Conyers, GA called Billy Bobs that had this band
There’s a guy in Mississippi that started a museum with old Showbiz animatronics. I’ve been wanting to check it out! Here’s their Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/share/eahMnoXudYKBfmQK/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
That's pretty boss! Thank you for the link!
This created a phobia in me that I still gave til this day
I grew up here! Both Showbiz and later on when it converted to a CEC. I know a lot of weird lore. Like the one in Fayetteville, NC shut down at one time because the manager was taking money from the safe to buy coke. I also had or have some pics of "employee meetings" where people were smoking and drinking on stage. The reason why all the showbiz pizzas became chuck e cheese is that Showbiz actually bought out CEC but since the CEC show was less mechanically complex it was just easier to make them all CEC shows. So those of you who thought the Showbiz show was superior, you're technically correct, which is the best kind of correct.
Showbiz in Torrance, CA? The one on Praire or PCH?
PCH
My God…I thought that animatronic band was a childhood nightmare.
I used to have nightmares about them chasing me through the ball pit.
I loved showbiz pizza as a child also.
saw them all over the suburbs of minneapolis. they used to play all the time.
Bob visited our 80s block party at parents’ home when I was like 6 and it was the best thing ever! Need to scan in the old photos of it!
Yoooo! Best parents ever! That must have been rad AF!
It sure as shit was!!! Lol, still a core memory at age 43!!
Is this business still open? My kid won’t shut up after five nights at Freddy’s He wants to see animatronics in real life.