What are your favourite all-time Variety shows on TV?

When I was growing up, there was one that aired in Canada on CTV called Circus.  It ran from 1978-1985 and featured great circus style acts.  The show was hosted by two singers named Sherisse Lawrence and Cal Dodd (who were both replaced in 1983 by Montreal born singer/host Pierre Lalonde and a Clown named Rumpy).  If this show ever came to DVD, I would gladly add it to my collection!

Cal Dodd now works as a voice actor and from 1992-2005, he was the voice of Wolverine in many Marvel related animations and video games including X-Men: The Animated Series and the Marvel vs. Capcom video games

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQM8b3wkxw0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9omGwaiY32M

I'd say Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-in" would be first on my list, followed closely by the Ed Sullivan show, and then the Smothers Brothers shows (from the 60s and 70s).

I also need to mention the Carol Burnett show, the Mac Davis show, and the Rich Little show.

The Ed Sullivan show gave us so many wonderful musical acts.

Although I love "The Brady Bunch" TV show, the variety show was a bomb. Sorry fake Jan.

Some of my favorites (not in any order)


-Laugh-In (Sock it to me?)
-Carol Burnett
-The Muppet Show
-Smothers Brothers
-Sonny & Cher
-Flip Wilson
-The first couple of seasons of SNL with the original Not Ready For Prime Time Players
-Second City TV
-Mac Davis (I see I'm not the only one who remembers that one)
-In Living Color


To a lesser degree Donny & Marie. (Yeah, I confess that I used to watch it).

I'm sure there are more but I just can't think of them right now.


Cat

-Flip Wilson
-The first couple of seasons of SNL with the original Not Ready For Prime Time Players
-Second City TV



Oops, I forgot those. I liked them too.



-Mac Davis (I see I'm not the only one who remembers that one)



If I recall we are about the same age, and we remember the same things (TV shows, music, etc..)  :)

I enjoyed the ad-libs he used to do when someone just tossed him random lyrics, for him to make up a song.

Oops, I forgot those. I liked them too.

If I recall we are about the same age, and we remember the same things (TV shows, music, etc..)  :)

I enjoyed the ad-libs he used to do when someone just tossed him random lyrics, for him to make up a song.



Yup-that's what I remember, too and I liked that part.


Cat

Carol Burnette.  We were just talking about this today...I wish it were syndicated.  I miss that show.

Definitely, "Laugh-In." Can't think of any others I've watched and enjoyed.

Carol Burnette.  We were just talking about this today...I wish it were syndicated.  I miss that show.


Time Life released volumes of many of the episodes on DVD and also put out the complete series of it's spin-off Mama's Family.

Time Life released volumes of many of the episodes on DVD and also put out the complete series of it's spin-off Mama's Family.


I know, but then you have to buy.  I am poor

The Brady Bunch Variety Show and they have all 6 parts of the first pilot aired in 1976.

Sesame Street before Elmo hogged the spotlight.

Sesame Street before Elmo hogged the spotlight.


Huh? sesame street wasn't a variety show. ???

There was also The Donny And Marie variety show & The Jacksons had one too.

I know, but then you have to buy.  I am poor



You may be able to download them via torrents.



Cat

sha na na!  :D



also can we call the original star search a variety show even tho it really wasn't so I can mention it?  ;)

Huh? sesame street wasn't a variety show. ???


I consider it a variety show for kids---each episode had a side story involving the neighbours on Sesame Street then there were skits involving muppets, animation, and just your everyday kids...

sha na na!  :D



also can we call the original star search a variety show even tho it really wasn't so I can mention it?  ;)


Bowzer was my favorite. http://garycape.com/images/bowzer2lg.jpg

I consider it a variety show for kids---each episode had a side story involving the neighbours on Sesame Street then there were skits involving muppets, animation, and just your everyday kids...



You're right, I guess you could call it a variety show.

I'd say Rowan & Martin's "Laugh-in" would be first on my list, followed closely by the Ed Sullivan show, and then the Smothers Brothers shows (from the 60s and 70s).


Gotta give a shout-out to YCDTOTV for rebooting the format and lifting many of its gags from Laugh-In.

Gotta give a shout-out to YCDTOTV for rebooting the format and lifting many of its gags from Laugh-In.


I loved You Can't Do That On Television. :)

This show was before my time, but I liked to watch reruns of Hootenanny.  Lots of good folk music on there.

I loved You Can't Do That On Television. :)


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I Don't Know!

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http://mikesbloggityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/woy1_612.jpg

SNL from 1991-95 After Hartman, Farley, Spade and Carvey left I lost interest.