Rock and Roll Variety Show

[Oster]

Wouldn't it be great to have a modern-day variety show with a basic premise like Lawrence Welk or Hee Haw but for today's audience with a variety of different acts - different genres - all playing/dancing/singing Live w/ skits and no overdubs or sampling?

There would have to be an emcee at the center of things, introducing the acts, getting involved now and again. It would be far more engaging and unique than something like The Midnight Special or anything like that done before.

I think something like this - done well - would do away with nonsense like American Idol (let's do away with music being a high school talent show contest) and usher in a new age of people playing instruments - and respecting the craft of Live musical entertainment - again.

The big guitar companies could sponsor the thing (instead of 'Geritol' ).

[Unseen]

Originally Posted by Oster

Wouldn't it be great to have a modern-day variety show with a basic premise like Lawrence Welk or Hee Haw but for today's audience with a variety of different acts - different genres - all playing/dancing/singing Live w/ skits and no overdubs or sampling?

There would have to be an emcee at the center of things, introducing the acts, getting involved now and again. It would be far more engaging and unique than something like The Midnight Special or anything like that done before.

I think something like this - done well - would do away with nonsense like American Idol (let's do away with music being a high school talent show contest) and usher in a new age of people playing instruments - and respecting the craft of Live musical entertainment - again.

The big guitar companies could sponsor the thing (instead of 'Geritol' ).

I'm trying to imagine a skit with both Eric Clapton and Trent Reznor in it and I'm drawing a blank.

[Oster]

Originally Posted by Unseen

I'm trying to imagine a skit with both Eric Clapton and Trent Reznor in it and I'm drawing a blank.

Come on man! You KNOW that would be cool. I really think something wild like this would really work out. Live music/musicians need to be fun again. Remember Alice Cooper on The Muppet Show?

I'm in no position to pitch any ideas to any networks but I hope this idea, if it hasn't seeded elsewhere, takes hold somehow. We're in a holding pattern right now, focused on the same old hollywood thing (much of which I'm sure is very cunningly orchestrated PR anyway - the scandals and the confessional 'response' songs that always seem to follow...they seem a little fake, no?)

Everyone I know is longing for something else, even many of 'the kids' the current schlock is aimed at.

This would be good old fashioned, no-strings, no-net entertainment. It would be cool beyond words.

[teledude66]

Could you imagine Eric Clapton and Tren Reznor in overalls doing "where oh where are you tonight" and then giving the raspberry at the end...

I've been saying for years they need to bring back Hee Haw...

[Rufus]

If it were done on tv today, it would be rap/hip-hop music...

unfortunately.

[Oster]

Originally Posted by Rufus

If it were done on tv today, it would be rap/hip-hop music...

unfortunately.

Well it would be Live. Rappers would be welcome of course but no Kanye West strutting around on Curtis Mayfield's coattails. Strut all you want to but either bring your own band or play to the house band. That would be the rule.

And that wouldn't be discriminatory either. Rap in its usual form is so overhwhelmingly well-represented everywhere else. This show would be an island. And, hey, the rockers/folkies and whatever else would be out of their usual element too. That would be the point.

For example, Fall Out Boy or something couldn't just show up with their gear and do their usual little "spin around and jump off the amps because we're so passionate" routine. Taking a cue from Lawrence Welk, there would be sets...and themes. I think it would really bring a lot of people together, the way music used to and ought to still.

Having a few big music instrument companies as the chief sponsors would be (wait for it) instrumental. The underlying focus would be on playing after all.