Lets Bring Back the Variety Shows

     Whatever happened to the “Variety” shows of the past? How do we consider some of the shows on TV now entertainment? The real entertainment has seemed to have gone away from our lives. It used to be you had to have some kind of real talent to get a show; such as sing, dance, acrobatics, animal or magic tricks... or throw a good punch line in a comedy skit, or even be able to ACT. Today you just have to be stupid, pregnant, have a dozen kids, drunk or addicted to some form of drugs to be considered entertaining.

Milton Berle

Elvis Presley 1/28/56

Elvis Presley 1/28/56

Beatles - Ed Sullivan Show

     In the late 30’s into the 40’s “Variety” shows came to the airwaves, from the music halls in the United Kingdom, or vaudeville of the United States, we moved away from our radios to our new wonder; the TV. In came the visuals we had been missing, and let our imaginations go. We could now see the actors performing their routines in our own living rooms. The Texaco Star Theater, was one of the first to bring the true art form of entertainment into homes with their big bands, singer, comedians and many other talents. Hosted by the great Fred Allen; was truly one of the first American Idol or America's Got Talent “Variety” show.

Rowan & Martin Laugh In

Rowan & Martin Laugh In

Saturday Night Live 19

Saturday Night Live 19

     Back in the 40’s and 50’s we were introduced to Milton Berle, "Mr. Television" ,  Ted Mack introduced us to Gladys Knight at the age of 7. The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show  gave Elvis Presley him his first TV appearance and Ed Sullivan gave us The Beatles. All within their own rites brought forth great talent to the forefront and into our homes.      

     In the 60’s and 70’s we came into a new era of “Variety” with The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, venturing into late night programming. The Smothers Brothers Show, with their continued controversial political satire aimed at the “Vietnam War” or the  Carol Burnett Show, and there entertaining comedic skits throughout the show. There was Rowan and Martin's Laugh In, which was characterized by a “rapid-fire series of gags and sketches” that were sexual innuendo or politically charged.

     Of course we can't forget the everlasting, still going strong to this day " Saturday Night Live" which started in 1975. With the talents of; Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, George Coe, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Michael O'Donoghue, and Gilda Radner. It has gone through some change thru the years but has been resilience. Even though some of the writings are bit lame, I still catch myself going back for more.

     As with shows such as Jersey Shore , The Bachelor, The Real Housewives of......; just to name a few,I don't believe there is no need for talent and talent is what I look for in entertainment. Not someone trying to show me what they had for lunch, or who they slept with, or how great there life is or not. I have enough drama in my life to deal with I am not concerned with theirs. If the cameras were not there would they act the way they do. My mother always told "never air your dirty laundry for everyone to see" In today's society that is even more prevalent, as employers or future employers or even people on the street, will judge what they see before they really get to know the person.

I beg of you, Please bring back my Variety Shows with good talent and writers.

 

P.S. Click on highlighted areas to view samples.

Texaco Star Theater /Milton Berle / Ted Mack / Ed Sullivan / Elvis Presley / Gladys Knight / The Beatles / American Idol / America's Got Talent / TV Variety Shows of the 50's / Rowan and Martin's Laugh In / Elvis Presley / Johnny Carson / Saturday Night Live 19