Talk:Variety show

Vaudeville forerunner?

On Vaudeville, variety is identified as its predecessor (1860s-80s). Is that the forerunner of this or is it something else? Anyway, it needs to be mentioned here. Rigadoun 18:54, 24 May 2006 (UTC)

It's something else, but related. Basically, a very low form of a similar concept. We should do an article at variety theater. For some sense of it, see box house. - Jmabel | Talk 20:00, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Move to "Variety show (television)"?

Although some (non-televised) stage variety shows are still put on (seasonally at holiday resorts, for example), the present article, apart from mentioning the derivation of the format, is exclusively about the variety show as a television genre. I would suggest, therefore, that "Variety show (television)" might be a less ambiguous title. -- Picapica 07:52, 22 September 2007 (UTC)

I mostly agree with the above; I don't think we need two different articles, but we need to explain the history and that TV was picking up an existing format. Variety entertainment dates back at least to the 19th century. - Jmabel | Talk 18:13, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

BBC article that helps tie together live and TV variety shows. Also ties (non-TV) variety shows to TV game shows. - Jmabel | Talk 20:00, 22 February 2008 (UTC)

Ping. This article doesn't mention non-TV variety shows. Moberg (talk) 09:25, 5 March 2012 (UTC)

Agreed. Anyhow, it's not clear from the start that this is about television or live shows. Kortoso (talk) 21:51, 14 October 2016 (UTC)

Strongly Disagree. Article should be improved to include detail of the still existent live variety shows that occur regularly (certainly in UK and Germany) Robynthehode (talk) 08:41, 15 October 2016 (UTC)

Insert-Country-Name-Here's Got Talent?

And odd though, but do America's Got Talent and its international spin-offs count as variety shows?--RAult (talk) 22:04, 10 October 2008 (UTC)

Prairie Home Companion?

This radio variety show may deserve a brief mention in this article, as it is a long-running (radio) show which survived the decline in the format's popularity. Also, might be helpful to expand the reasons for the format's decline, and perhaps mention cultural reasons for the format's continued popularity in some areas of the world - such as Latin America and parts of Asia. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 97.124.247.98 (talk) 18:31, 10 February 2010 (UTC)

Yes this show and your ideas should be included.1archie99 (talk) 18:46, 12 March 2014 (UTC)

Parentheticals

This article is in need of a copy edit to remove any and all parentheses. Parentheticals are unencyclopedic (you won't find a single one in Britannica, etc.), and difficult to read and follow. They break up the flow of ideas and text. All of the parentheticals in this article (excepting dates, as per standard style) should be removed and replaced with normal expository text. I'd do it myself, but I don't have the time. Thanks. Softlavender (talk) 20:13, 4 March 2011 (UTC)

Lousy English prevails in this article.

Lousy English prevails in this article. I suggest that it be scrapped and then be replaced by a mere list of variety shows. For example:

"The Emmy Awards consider" is lousy English.
The Emmy Awards is an organization, it is singular, and it is an "it" and not a "they". Also, it is impossible for an organization to "consider" anything at all. "Considering" is something that human beings do.
"Air" does not have anything to do with broadcasting or telecasting anything, and especially nothing to to with radio waves. "On the Air" is a piece of antique jargon from the 1920s and 30s that had long been abandoned and replaced by more accurate terms.
98.67.96.230 (talk) 01:12, 27 September 2012 (UTC)

This is a bunch of pedantry.108.131.83.127 (talk) 22:22, 18 January 2016 (UTC)

"Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In"

"Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In", or is that considered to be purely a humor show? In that case, "The Smothers Brothers Show" belongs in the same category.
98.67.96.230 (talk) 01:14, 27 September 2012 (UTC)

The "Smothers Brothers Show" did present serious musical guests. In fact most comedy shows of that era often presented a musical guest. The Jack Benny show is another example; the musical guest on that show was often a young, lesser known performer.1archie99 (talk)

POV

This article consists almost entirely of american television shows.The history sections is almost entirely based off of american television. The Contemporary U.S. variety shows is larger than the entire international section.173.24.165.50 (talk) 00:40, 2 February 2014 (UTC)

Television variety shows appeared to often contain unscripted remarks of a humorous nature

This added to their charm. I think especially of appearances by Jimmy Durante. I think a section of text about this should be in the article. There are many videos of entire episodes recently uploaded to Youtube which I believe deserve to be used as citations especially if the time references within the clip are supplied. A good example is Jimmy Durante and Jack Benny playing a duet in the middle of the first episode of the Lennon Sisters Hour.1archie99 (talk) 17:58, 12 March 2014 (UTC)

Current variety specials on public television

Not included which may deserve mention are the shows that include performances by artists who are retired or semi retired. Even though they are only presented to raise funds for Public Broadcasting and contain annoying 15 to 20 minute breaks; inclusion may be warranted because they are usually presented in prime time and unlike late night commercial tv, contain little if any talk .1archie99 (talk) 18:26, 12 March 2014 (UTC)

Other countries

Canada? 1archie99 (talk) 14:22, 18 April 2014 (UTC)