What is a variety show?
Q: What is a variety show?
A: A variety show is a show that features a variety of performing acts, such as actors, musicians and singers, acrobats and jugglers, animal trainers, magicians, comedians, puppeteers and other kinds of performers.
Q: Who hosted the long-running variety show on CBS?
A: Ed Sullivan hosted the long-running variety show on CBS from the 1940s to the early 1970s.
Q: What was the purpose of variety shows in the early years of television?
A: Variety shows were useful in providing new acts with an opportunity to break into television and for established performers to gain steady work and regular exposure to audiences.
Q: Why did interest in this format decline during the 1970s in America?
A: Interest in this format declined during the 1970s due to changing tastes among viewers.
Q: How did performance competition shows replace variety shows?
A: Performance competition shows like The Gong Show, Star Search and American Idol became popular replacements for traditional variety shows by providing new opportunities for performers.
Q: How do ensemble comedy programs imitate the format of a variety show?
A: Ensemble comedy programs often incorporate elements from traditional variety shows by featuring multiple entertainers or comedic sketches within one program.
Q: In what way are talk shows similar to classic variety shows?
A: Talk shows carry much of the spirit of classic varieties by offering a range of different entertainers who appear throughout each episode.
