In Search of Some Variety
By Eric Grigs | February 26, 2021
Like many subscribers, I was overjoyed at the news that all five seasons of The Muppet Show have been restored and finally made their way onto Disney+. After releasing the first three full seasons on disc by 2008, the following year season four artwork was teased at the Disney D23 expo, but then things just... stopped. Until now. I’m sure physical media junkies like myself would like to complete the collection on their shelves, but having quality episodes available on streaming is better than no access at all.
The Muppet Show, backed by the deep pockets and corporate muscle of Disney of course (and beloved by generations of fans), had one of the best chances of escaping the dreaded television vault where some classic shows have been locked up indefinitely. Most people assume EVERYTHING is available on streaming nowadays, but a huge amount of our pop culture history remains tied up and unseen (outside of some hit-or-miss grainy YouTube clips randomly uploaded from dubious sources. And this problem disproportionately affects one genre more than any other: variety shows.
Decades ago, television was widely considered disposable content. There are plenty of stories of important airings lost forever by being carelessly taped over (or never recorded in the first place). When contracts were inked for broadcasting rights, few figured people would want to watch certain shows again on repeat, or even buy programs for multiple viewings. After the technology arrived and the consumer demand for such a thing emerged, one of the biggest (and most costly) challenges to getting the content out there was (and still is) music rights. And variety shows are largely built around musical performances, sometimes several per episode. Imagine clearing a whole season, or multiple seasons, and you’ll quickly realize why most companies and distributors decide its not worth the effort or expense. Consumers are lucky to sometimes get some “best of” compilations of these shows (which doesn’t necessarily indicate top quality, just the right price for which parts can be cleared easily).
Although, in a strange turn of events, here’s some good news: with large corporations racing to build their own streaming platforms and wanting exclusive material no one else has, many are looking a bit more carefully at what’s buried in their stash that they can dust off to sweeten their offerings. Fingers crossed that more variety shows and specials will make the jump.
Variety shows have been around pretty much since the birth of TV, and are direct descendants of turn of the 20th century vaudeville and burlesque performances,. Entertainment in this particular format hit peak popularity in the 1970s. Programmers loaded their schedules with the shows and everyone was in the running to host their own comedy/music/chat hour. However, with a few exceptions (like Award shows and one-off fundraising event specials), since the 80s most variety shows have survived mainly in two forms: the talk show (take your pick, daytime or late-night) and the comedy sketch show (a la Saturday Night Live).
But oh, what a wonder the heyday of variety was! Say you didn’t like the act that was performing at the very minute you tuned in—just wait, and after the commercial break, someone else would be performing a new song. Or maybe it’d be a standup comic. Perhaps a bizarre skit by two actors that would normally never cross paths. It was also a stage to revive the careers of guests who were once the brightest stars but had dimmed in recent days. Puppets could show up at any minute. Lip-syncing and shameless self-promotion were essential ingredients. Elaborate sets were constructed and dazzling costumes were sewn each week. Many productions were done live, so there was an exciting, anything could happen feel. With scripted TV, a lot of times you can imagine where the plot might be headed, even predict the outcome—but with a variety show, anyone’s guess could be right about what surprise was lurking behind the next curtain.
If you want to revisit this golden age of entertainment (when we asked our Hollywood celebrities to actually be triple threats instead of simply online personalities), here are a few recommendations—not an exhaustive list by any means.
Legendary Watches
The Ed Sullivan Show
For years, this show was where acts broke through to national consciousness. Airing from ’48 to ’71, it’s considered one of the television greats to this day. Talk about variety, just about every form of entertainment was featured: from ballet to opera to even circus acts.
Notable: Does anyone not know about the performances by Elvis or The Beatles that caused moral outrage and teenage pandemonium?
Availability: For those who prefer streaming, check out The Ed Sullivan channel on YouTube.
The Flip Wilson Show
This groundbreaking ’70 to ’74 program was one of the first successful American television variety series starring a Black host in the title, and in its first two seasons it was the second highest watched show according to Nielsen ratings.
Notable: Wilson’s comedy produced the catchphrase “the devil made me do it.” Don’t miss Wilson’s drag alter-ego character Geraldine Jones.
Availability: For a time, reruns aired on networks like TV Land, but like most we’ll cover here, outside of some “best of” DVDs, it’s missing a proper release. Time for a change.org petition!
Diva Watches
Dolly
Dolly Parton had two bites at the variety show apple—in ’76 and ’87—but neither could sustain more momentum than one season each. It’s a shame, because we’re all now rooting for this larger-than-life figure in American culture—one of the few people that can bridge seemingly unfathomable divides today with her wit and grit. Back then, we always loved her, but just didn’t fully appreciate the national treasure right before us.
Notable: During the 1976 run, it was the first time Parton and Kenny Rogers worked together.
Availability: Not complete, but a big step forward happened last year: Time-Life is offering an “Ultimate Collection” boxed set that includes 16 (edited) of the 22 episodes from 1987 and 6 of the 26 from 1976, among other Dolly performances and rarities.
The Cher Show
Like Dolly, Cher had multiple goes at the format, with and without husband Sonny. All were incredibly successful. The couple’s acrimonious divorce led to two seasons of her eponymous hit beginning in 1975.
Notable: What isn’t notable about Cher? Her comedy timing is impeccable but even more stunning are the bevy of Bob Mackie gowns she wears throughout.
Availability: What would we do without Time-Life? They are doing God’s work in preserving these old shows. Ten episodes are available on its Best of Cher set.
The Pearl Bailey Show
ABC aired 15 episodes of the show in the spring of 1971, hosted by the trailblazing actress and singer.
Notable: It’s been said Bailey got any guest she asked to appear, and all were heavy hitters, including Lucille Ball, Ike & Tina Turner, Liza Minnelli, Louis Armstrong, and more.
Availability: Scattered clips on YouTube is the best we’ve gotten so far.
Crooner Watch
The Dean Martin Show
Everyone’s favorite drunk uncle was pretty much given carte blanche to do whatever he wanted; he was in such high demand by NBC. Reportedly, Dean didn’t rehearse much, and variety shows have complex moving parts—so talk about TV where anything can happen. The steady stream of gaffes would have ended other productions, but they were all covered by Dean’s charm and fast retorts—only increasing his appeal and the show’s viewership.
Notable: Do yourself a favor and track down a copy of the Dean Martin Christmas Show. In my home, it’s now a yearly holiday tradition that I’ve incorporated into my marshmallow world!
Availability: A handful of official Time-Life “best of” releases are out there to buy physically and digitally. But for a more expansive (yet still edited) look, invest in the 29-volume Guthy-Renker DVDs that were being made by Dino’s long-time producer Greg Garrison before the plug was pulled over legal battles.
Comedy Watches
Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In
Sock it to me! Along with The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, Laugh-In was a favorite among 60s youth counterculture, running from ’68 to ’73. Its name was even a play on counterculture happenings like “sit-ins” and “love-ins.”
Notable: Goldie Hawn, Ruth Buzzi, Jo Anne Worley! And who can forget Lily Tomlin’s memorable characters like Ernestine the obnoxious telephone operator and chatty child Edith Ann in her oversized rocking chair.
Availability: Complete! Besides now showing up on several streaming services, Time-Life has collected all the seasons in a boxed set that you can now own for under $100. (Of course, I’d be shocked if there weren’t a few things trimmed here and there because of rights issues, but to have all six seasons is nothing short of a miracle.)
Hee-Haw
Hee-Haw was like Laugh-In’s country cousin, but also featured gospel, bluegrass, and other traditional forms of American music. Its first run ended as part of CBS’s infamous “rural purge” of similar shows, but survived on in syndication.
Notable: It’s a who’s who of Country Gold titans: Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Roy Acuff, and hundreds more.
Availability: With 26 seasons and over 600 episodes to its credit, its unlikely we will ever see a complete Hee-Haw, but Time-Life is still lovingly offering themed collections of episodes.
Gold Standard Watch
The Carol Burnett Show
One of the most-highly regarded when it comes to variety shows, because of the fresh scripting of character bits, incredibly talented cast, and top-notch guests. Also, it can’t be understated what a consummate showperson Carol is, every bit as likable as Dean Martin, summed up in the warm theme song where Carol tells us she’s so glad we had this time together.
Notable: Surely you’ve seen Carol’s Gone with the Wind parody, right?
Availability: DVDs abound in different edited collections, but to-date, none are fully complete.
Headliner Host Watches
Don Knotts, Tim Conway, Dihann Carroll, Helen Reddy, Dinah Shore. Lawrence Welk, Donny & Marie (…and more!)
With varying degrees of success, who wasn’t asked to host a variety show in the ’70s?
Notable: Too many to mention—but enjoy going down the YouTube rabbit hole searching them out.
Availability: Not good. Few, if any, official media releases or additions to streaming services, and what clips have made it onto the internet are spotty. A few more decades and we might be calling a number of these “lost” programs.
WTF watch
Brady Bunch Variety Hour
Rivaling The Muppet Show in chaos and bizarre production numbers, the grown up cast of one of television’s favorite families also became puppets of sort for our amusement during this ’77 series from the twisted mind of Sid & Marty Krofft.
Notable: While the Bradys shimmy around in bedazzled bellbottoms, there’s Alice forced to sing and dance in her blue and white maid’s uniform. Go figure. Also Eve Plumb was the only original not to return, giving us “Fake Jan.”
Availability: Two of the nine episodes were released on DVD by Rhino in 2000, but even that has been out of print since (and not included on the “complete” Brady collection of last year). Otherwise, head over to YouTube and start searching. You know the drill.
Tell us about your favorite variety show in the comments below!
Eric Grigs is a pop culture writer, artist, and co-host of the Pop Trash Podcast.