Why Can't We Have Variety Shows Instead Of Competitions?

[Killing Floor]

The three major networks do not have variety shows, they are promotions for movies, books, upcoming performances etc.

What you specificity describe is a variety show.
Do you seriously not think Ed Sullivan was a promotion vehicle for production houses and publishers?

 

[MTPoteet]

What you specificity describe is a variety show.
Do you seriously not think Ed Sullivan was a promotion vehicle for production houses and publishers?

I don't recall him ever interviewing an author, actor or anyone else on his show to sell a book or movie or a record. (I could be wrong, it was a long time ago.)
Do you have any examples?

 

[PhoenixBill]

I guess there’s some confusion about what a “variety show” is. Back then , there were shows like Glen Campbell or Jim Nabors or Andy Williams. There would be some comedy skits but there would also be several performances by bands or singers. There might also be some other entertainment act like juggling or whatnot. Hee Haw focused exclusively on country musicians but the other shows drew from several genres.

Oh, and there weren’t any phony competitions or dramatic critiquing; just bands/artists and sometimes they would interview them afterward.

 

[Toto'sDad]

View attachment 1099971

I've seen that look before, THAT means trouble! (But fun)

 

[Nogoodnamesleft]

There's no losers on variety shows. The suffering of the loser is a large part of the entertainment.

What sucks is that it is not art.

Sadly, I think this is part of the appeal. Tuning in to see if someone blows it is an unfortunate bipolar reality - tears of joy or tears of laughter.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I've been watching Ed Sullivan half hour show on Sunday night reliving childhood. Which makes me say to myself; "Self, why can't we just have entertainment shows which are not competitions?"

I think their audiences all went to cable music channels.

I do see some bluegrass shows and Opry, but obviously the most watched are Idol, Voice, AGT. Would those audience not tune into the show if it was just the performance?

Entertaining question. Haven't watched network TV for years or cable ever, but there were lots of variety shows to choose from when I was a kid, like:

- The Grand Old Opry
- The Johnny Cash Show
- Hee Haw
- Hootenany (my favorite)
- Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest
- Shindig
- Tom Jones

And comedy-variety:

- The Carol Burnett Show
- The Great American Dream Machine (my favorite)
- Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In
- The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour

. . . which all paved the way for Monty Python's Flying Circus, Second City TV, and Saturday Night Live.

Then that audience migrated to Comedy Central, so no more network comedy/variety shows anymore, either.

What am I forgetting (besides to take my meds)?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Who the heck is Sarah Purcell?

I got's to know!

I was around back then, but I don't remember her at all.

Ahem. Language, please. Who the heck is Sarah Purceck?

 

[CinPA]

As long as they don't turn into the gong show, ya, I agree.

The Gong Show - in short spurts - was hilarious! Lots of stuff! Couldn’t watch it on a regular basis but there were some great acts on occasion. It was meant to blend humor with talent.

That said, yeah, let’s stick to talented performers without the pomp and circumstance of so-called judges.

 

[backporchmusic]

To the OP: because cooperative behavior isn't valued. It's just gimme gimme get your own get outta my way.

 

[Refugee]

Though I don't like reality shows. There is something about watching Gordon Ramsey berate stupid Americans that just tickles me so.

 

[Killing Floor]

I don't recall him ever interviewing an author, actor or anyone else on his show to sell a book or movie or a record. (I could be wrong, it was a long time ago.)
Do you have any examples?

Yes. Every actor is selling a movie. Every author selling a book. Every band selling an album. And yes, including the Beatles. It’s never ever been a coincidence or a favor or a gift for a celebrity to appear on a TV show. Doesn’t mean you have to like that reality. But it is a reality. Business is what pays for business.

 

[Vocalion]

I grew up on variety shows and do miss them. You'd get exposed to just about everything in pop culture rather than just existing on a diet of what you already liked. The last variety show of note that I recall was back in 2015. It was called Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris. Despite decent reviews (a 7.6 average on IMDB), it only lasted eight episodes.

Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris (TV Mini Series 2015) - IMDb

Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris: With Neil Patrick Harris, Nicole Scherzinger, Nathaniel Motulsky, Penelope Bellerjeau. A variety show starring Neil Patrick Harris. Inspired by the U.K. program "Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway."

www.imdb.com

 

[NC E30]

Sadly, people want Drama.
Drama comes from Conflict.
People pretending to be mean and upset seems to attract the most Viewers and, Advertisers.

To heck with the Talent, look at the reaction shots from the Judges.
Whip-up some Egg Whites, let the Cat drink them and throw-up on the Carpet.
THERE'S your Show.
And it's a GOOD Show.
YEP!!!

I personally hate drama. Idol is enjoyable until they get to Hollywood week and the drama starts, time to turn the station.

 

[Telenator]

When you cut out all the nonsense on competition shows, you're left with about about 12 minutes per hour of actual musical performances. The same old weepy stories of "my mom has cancer and my dad left us" are so boring and readily available on other dramatic shows if that's what you like to watch.
I want to be uplifted by the spirit of performance when I watch a talent type show, and have no use for the latest disease sob stories that seem to take up 75% of each episode.
I can watch 5 episodes of America's Got Talent in a single hour when I fast forward through all the crap.

 

[String Tree]

I personally hate drama. Idol is enjoyable until they get to Hollywood week and the drama starts, time to turn the station.

Agreed!

 

[PhoenixBill]

Vat ve need is Lawrence Welk introducing that old Gospel tune, “One Toke Over The Line”…..

(yes, the guy and girl on his show did sing it)

 

[Tmcqtele65]

My wife and I rediscovered the 1977 Johnny Cash Christmas Special this past year. The guests included: June and her mom and sisters, Roy Clark, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and the Statler Brothers. Finale song had that entire group singing. An unreal collection of super-star talent.

 

[memorex]

I think the popularity of "all-talent" shows, likes Ed Sullivan or Lawrence Welk, has declined over the years, but many variety shows were mainly scripted, with some live musical variety talent. What changed TV 15 years ago was the Writers Guild of America strike in late 2007. Since then, networks have had to pay Guild Writers greater residuals on most scripted shows, but reality shows don't require script writers. So, more reality shows, lose the writers, more money for the network.

 

[Leonardocoate]

I like seeing the talent at all levels. I could never put down anyone that’s willing stand in front of a crowd and do their thing. Bring back Live at Daryl’s and Night music with David Sandborn

 

[BigDaddyLH]

The way we watch has changed. Even if there was a new variety show I was interested in, I would go onto YouTube and only watch the segments I was interested in, skipping over Topo Gigio and the plate spinner.