Seniors: Do you miss variety shows?

Question

The ones where singers were showcased and they did skits and had dancers do numbers? Maybe sing the songs from the then popular broadway shows? Christmas specials?

As I kid I use to watch them and really enjoyed them. I liked to see the pretty dresses that the women wore and just liked the pace of it all. Wasn't too keen on acrobats though.

Shows like Perry Como, Colgate Comedy Hour, Liberace, even Sonny & Cher

Answer 1

Yes.

Back in the day - the 1950s - variety shows were rather popular.

'End of Pier' type shows - with a REAL variety of acts - a chorus-line, acrobats/jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, comedians and a 'main attraction' star - who might be a singer or comedian.

Expensive to stage - and soon overtaken by TV variety shows - with mass million audiences.

Here in the UK - our commercial TV channel started in 1956 and the headline show was 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium'.

It attracted huge audiences - and big names - like Bob Hope, Judy Garland, Buddy Holly & the Crickets, Victor Borge, etc etc who only had to fill a 9-10 minute 'slot - supported by a variety of other 'artistes'.

Happy days - but in turn soon overtaken by 'specials' - a whole hour of Perry Como, Liberace, etc - whilst variety theatres soon converted to holding weekly concerts - starring Billy Fury and half a dozen other rock & roll 'pop music' idols,

Last 'concert I attended - with a grand-daughter - was at Wembley Stadium - the Bee Gees' 'One night only' performance. As an old 'fan' I was glad to see their last live performances in the UK - was stunned by all the sound projections, giant screens, etc - but nevertheless 'missed' the good old shows in small theatres.

Sat some 150 yards away from the main stage - paying £50 a seat - it wasn't really much different from watching them 8 feet away, on TV - in the comfort of my own home - with a few drinks and packets of popcorn within easy reach.

How times change !

; ))

Answer 2

Yes, shows like the Ed Sullivan Show which had a variety of acts. That's why I like America's Got Talent. Never know what you are going to see on it. Wish we could have shows like the Carol Burnett Show - so funny. Jackie Gleason also had a variety show. That was back in the day when there was actually something to watch and enjoy on TV.



Unfortunately what passes for entertainment these days are those awful "reality" shows. Our TVs are bigger and better now - if only there was something to watch on them.

Answer 3

I recall the Beatles, first show, first music 'All My Lovin' '. Also Sr. Winches, the sailors who had been pulled by means of the magnet, the man who twirled the entire plates, all the arise comedians. I also recollect the night time the comic shot himself in the foot. Ed it appears desired him to reduce the act short due to the fact that of time constraints, and the comedian did not wish to go away the stage and was highly rude. The man did ask for forgiveness to Ed but he was once still regularly ruined or at least set again a ways.

Answer 4

Not in the least.I would much rather watch some drugged up non talent being interviewed about their latest sexual conquest,their latest stint in rehab or how proud they are of their child who just received a new tattoo or sex change operation. (Just kidding).



To answer your question.Yes.I miss the class of Dinah Shore or Nat King Cole who performed with their guests.I also enjoyed musicians who incorporated comedy into their routine such as Victor Borge.

Answer 5

The BBC had a programme for years called the Good old days which was a hit from the start it ran for years but I suppose the powers that be thought it old fashioned and it closed, I often watch snips of it on Super tube

Answer 6

Yes I do miss the!, years ago my mates and I used to go to the City Variety shows in Leeds. As well as the dancers, it used to have the Top Stars of the day....And was televised.....

Answer 7

No. they got tiring like anything else that was overdone. Also, who would be the performers today? Is there any of the new generation that you would sit and watch an hour each week?

Answer 8

Yes!



I mentioned this in an answer I wrote a couple weeks ago.



Those were the days of entertainment and enjoyment..

Answer 9

Yes, I certainly do. I try to watch the new shows; if they haven't snagged me before the first commercial I'm off to another station.

Answer 10

Yes, I do miss them.



They've all been replaced by insipid talent shows, fronted by vacuous, characterless and totally forgettable frontmen, because it's cheap television.

Answer 11

Yes, I sure do. Ed Sullivan, Red Skelton, Carol Burnett.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p83ltOAHjI0



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH6TBEbP77Q



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOvUdZgl7vo

Answer 12

Yes. They would give us a performance. Now they come out and sit it a chair and show off their clothes and blab about themselves.

Answer 13

they were scripted and the budgets were bigger. these horrid "reality" shows boomed during a writer's strike so we are forced to listen to nonentities babble.

Answer 14

oh yes i do



carol burnett..milton burel...ted mack (with sid cesar & imogine coca)...



those were the days..good old days