Don't look now, but I have uncovered yet another phenomenon that was as common as the cold when we were kids, but which has disappeared as completely as 29-cent-a-gallon gasoline: the classic TV variety show.
We took variety shows for granted when we were growing up. If we weren't watching Jackie Gleason, we were watching Red Skelton. But there were some that NOBODY missed: Sullivan and Dean Martin, of course, as well as Uncle Miltie and Your Show of Shows (for those old enough to remember the 50's).
But, like so many things we took for granted, the TV schedule full of variety shows has passed from the scene.
Sullivan had a unique approach to variety. He would basically reproduce vaudeville. Thus, his shows would feature comedians and singers alongside circus acts. But most variety shows followed a different premise: lots of music interspersed with comedy.
Thus, most variety show hosts were comedic by nature. Sonny and Cher were singers, but their comedy came naturally with their barbs at each other. Carol Burnett was an actress who became more famous for her comedy thanks to hosting her own venerable variety show for an amazing eleven-year run.
Some variety shows used comedy sparingly. Lawrence Welk's show was mostly musical (and a big hit among our grandfathers and grandmothers). Andy Williams' show was mostly singing, ergo not one of my favorites. Julie Andrews had a show in the early 70's that was all musical, as I recall.
But the ones I loved had lots of laughs. The Jackie Gleason I remember wasn't Ralph Kramden standing in his black-and-white kitchen. No, he was the one who would say "How sweet it is" and "awa-aa-ay we go!" Interestingly, Gleason's variety show work actually predated the Honeymooners. He had one of the DuMont network's biggest hits beginning in 1950, Cavalcade of Stars. By the 60's, he was back to hosting a show that my parents loved. I have snapshot memories of Crazy Guggenheim, the June Taylor Dancers, and of Gleason singing "A Man's Home Is His Castle."
Tune in tomorrow for more memories of the late, great variety show.
Comments (1)
I recall Carol Burnette and one particularly memorable episode with guest star Paul Lynde, at that time on Bewitched. I love his Uncle Arthur character. I was about 8 or 9 at the time. Carol had a spoof soap called “As the Stomach Turns. Paul played Mel Torment. He never missed a chance to absorb some pain. Carol went to put out a cigarette and he would stick his hand in the way. She would go to close the door and he would stick his arm out to get it jammed. It was so funny, I remember it as one of my all time favorite skits.
There was Glen Campbell Variety Hour, The Smothers Brothers, Johnny Cash Show in 1970 with the Everly Brothers taking over for the summer, which happened on several other variety’s in the summer. Variety shows were huge. To me, the 70s brought on more series, cop or adventure type stuff. Westerns were dying. A few kid shows like Nanny and the Professor, Brady Bunch, Partridge Family. Sitcoms like Happy Days, Welcome Back Kotter. I look forward to part 2.
Posted by Scott Irv | May 16, 2009 11:25 PM
Posted on May 16, 2009 23:25