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Sign in to your Collider account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recapVariety shows have been a television staple for a while now. These shows, often structured around a mix of comedy acts, musical performances, interviews and guest appearances make for a well-rounded viewing experience that the entire family can enjoy. Some of them are a bit more satirical, while others focus a bit more on the music part.
Whatever the case is, though, variety shows resonate with audiences because they allow them to escape from reality and confront it with humor at the same time. There is just something special about this kind of communal watching experience. Here is a list of the 10 best variety shows of all time, ranked, to make sure you aren’t missing out.
10 ‘The Muppet Show’ (1974-1981)
Paul Simon with Gonzo, Kermit, and Scooter on The Muppet ShowImage via ATV
The Muppet Show has to be one of the greatest variety shows of the ‘70s that blended the world of Jim Henson’s iconic puppets with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Some might mistake this one for a kids’ show, but the truth is that The Muppet Show offered something for everyone. From some of the most iconic cold opens of all time to musical numbers and recurring sketches, The Muppet Show’s wide variety of content worked well because Henson ran the show like a real theatre. You had Kermit as the host who would try to keep the backstage chaos in check while Miss Piggy, Fozzie, Gonzo, and all the other characters do their bits.
If you watched the show as a kid, you would return for the big musical numbers and the lovable characters. However, adults definitely appreciated the show for its signature humor and satire. Statler and Waldorf’s balcony shots and even the bad puns add to the show’s legacy. The format of The Muppet Show stayed relatively simple through the end but the appearance of guests like Elton John, Diana Ross, Alice Cooper, Carol Burnett, and more kept things interesting every week. Ultimately, the show’s legacy speaks for itself with three BAFTA Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards. Even today, it stands as one of the greatest family entertainers of all time.
9 ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ (1948-1971)
The debut performance of Elvis Presley on The Ed Sullivan Show.Image via CBS
The Ed Sullivan Show has to be the blueprint for variety programming. As great of a host as Ed Sullivan was, the fact that he let the acts speak for themselves is what made the show work. Every Sunday night, the viewers would experience everything from pop and rock to stand-up, Broadway numbers, opera, magicians, and even puppets, all backed by Ray Bloch’s brilliant orchestra that could adapt to a whole new act within seconds. Sure, The Ed Sullivan Show hosted some iconic guests like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, The Jackson 5, and more.
However, what most people forget is how fast the show evolved beyond just that. In its early days, the acts were a bit too long, but by the 50s, Sullivan removed all the fluff and tightened everything to a few minutes ,which gave him more than enough space to double the acts. This pace gave the show its unpredictable edge. Sullivan also used the platform to center a lot of Black artists and made sure that his show entertained and informed audiences at the same time. No wonder the show ran for 24 successful seasons and is remembered fondly to this day.
8 ‘The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour’ (1971-1977)
Image via CBS
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour proved that great chemistry can go a very long way. Sonny Bono and Cher hosted the show like they were on a nightclub stage, complete with hilarious banter, sharp comebacks, and of course, some pretty great music. The variety show opened like this every week before transitioning into sketches and guest appearances. However, what made it all stand out was the show’s recurring “battle of the sexes” theme. The “Mr. & Mrs.” skit flipped gender roles and featured Cher in a business suit and Sonny as the frazzled househusband, while “Sonny’s Pizza” really leaned into the singer’s optimism, and “Fortune Teller” let Cher roast him to his face.
The fact that the couple taped the openings, closings, and the musical performances with a live audience is why those parts of the show feel so electric and exciting. The comedy sketches would be filmed later on without an audience to make sure they felt cleaner and more polished without needing to slow the pace. You really have to commend the duo for keeping the show going even after their divorce, though the vibe was a little different when they reunited in 1976. Sometimes the jokes stung a little too hard with dry nods to the breakup and Cher’s new marriage to Gregg Allman. However, that was totally on-brand for the show’s inherent honesty.
7 ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ (1967-1978)
Image via CBS
The Carol Burnett Show remained a Saturday night staple across its 11 seasons. The core cast of the show included Carol Burnett, Harvest Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and, later, Tim Conway, all of whom shared a chemistry that is unmatched for a variety show even to this day. None of these people were ever bothered by sticking to the script, and this kind of spontaneity is what made The Carol Burnett Show so special.
The show featured everything from movie spoofs, character pieces, sketches, music performances, and Burnett’s signature Q&A with the audience. The show’s combination of comedy and spontaneity gave the show its sense of fun, and its interactive format made you feel like you were part of it all, instead of only watching it all from the outside. The Carol Burnett was a memorable time for the entire family and that kind of broad appeal is extremely hard to achieve.
6 ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’ (2015-2023)
Adele and James Corden during Carpool Karaoke segment of 'The Late Late Show with James Corden'Image via CBS
The Late Late Show with James Corden has received its fair share of mixed reviews, but you have to watch the show for the host’s infectious energy if nothing else. James Corden’s personality is refreshing compared to other late-night hosts because of his ability to engage guests in a fun, light-hearted way. The show’s standout segments including Carpool Karaoke, Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts, and Role Call have become viral sensations that will definitely go down in pop culture history.
The overall format of The Late Late Show with James Corden features brief monologues followed by segments showing the guests in more casual settings with the host, which makes them come off as more relatable than ever. The show offered a much-needed escape from the news and daily grind and served as the perfect way for people to end their day. Some criticized Corden for calling way too many guests at the same time during the show’s talkshow segment, but he nailed the flow of the conversations and that eventually became one of the standout parts of the show. It obviously took Corden a while to find his footing as a late-night host but once he did, there was no backing down.
5 ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In’ (1968-1973)
Image via NBC
Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In is often remembered as one of the most game-changing comedy shows of its time. The show’s mix of fast-paced slapstick humor and political satire turned it into a cultural phenomenon, so it’s a shame that it’s magic slowly faded over time. The comedic duo Dan Rowan and Dick Martin served as the perfect hosts who often played off of each other in the traditional straight man and funny man roles. They were joined by an ensemble cast and guest stars who appeared in both scripted sketches and improvisational moments.
Some of the show’s most memorable guests included Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Ruth Buzzi, Arte Johnson, and Judy Carne. Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In was designed to feature short, sharp sketches, some of which were recurring. The rapid scene changes and quick punchlines were meant to take the viewers by surprise. One of the show’s best segments was “Laugh-In Looks at the News,” which offered a comedic take on current events and predict the future in playful yet absurd forecasts. It won’t be wrong to say that Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In popularized the variety show format and broke boundaries in its portrayal of race and gender. It practically set the benchmark for every other show that came after.
4 ‘The Jimmy Dean Show’ (1963-1966)
Image via ABC
Country singer Jimmy Dean tried his hand at hosting with The Jimmy Dean Show, and it’s safe to call it a success. The variety show comedy sketches and performances from both country and pop musicians including George Jones, Buck Owens, Roy Clark, The Everly Brothers, and more. The Jimmy Dean Show also introduced Jim Henson’s Rowlf the Dog, who was meant to be Dean’s buddy that he shared musical duets with. Rowlf’s positive reception eventually helped Henson launch his career as a television puppeteer.
The Jimmy Dean Show also hosted Hank Williams Jr.’s first-ever television appearance where the 14-year-old sang songs associated with his late father, Hank Williams. Similarly, Connie Smith also made her first network television appearance on the show right after she released her breakout single. “Once A Day.” All of this only added to the show’s cultural significance and broadened its appeal to a more mainstream audience.
3 ‘Hee Haw’ (1969-1997)
Image via CBS
You never truly know how great something is until it’s gone, and that’s how a lot of people feel about Hee Haw. The show is remembered not only for its stellar country music performances but also its quick-fire comedy sketches, sing-alongs and high-profile guest stars. The great thing about Hee Haw was that it had a little bit of everything. The show’s family friendly tone and content made it a hit with viewers of all ages and provided the perfect combination of humor and country tunes.
The cast, including Archie Campbell, Don Harron, and the Hee Haw Honeys all felt like a big happy family, and that’s the kind of warmth that you wanted to keep tuning in for. However, the show wasn’t all fun and no substance because even with its signature light-heartedness, Hee Haw never backed down from moments of introspection, especially with the performances of the Hee Haw Gospel. This is a variety show that dared to carve out its own identity in saturated landscape through its memorable characters, hilarious sketches and impactful music that set the benchmark for many others to come.
2 ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’ (1962-1992)
NBC
Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show is still one of the most iconic moments in television history. His humor, with and charm remain unmatched and thanks to the show’s endless reruns, people of all ages have been able to appreciate the timeless quality of his hosting. His hilarious dynamic with Ed McMahon was the most memorable part of the show, and that really is something because The Tonight Show had a lot going for it. For starters, Carson’s ability to connect with a lot his guests, whether they were Hollywood stars, politicians or musicians was commendable.
He understood the art of letting the guests speak and allowing them to shine on their own without unnecessary questions or prompts. Even Carson’s bad jokes would manage to get a laugh out of people, and that’s how you know his charisma was unparalleled. The late host had a talent for creating spontaneous moments in ordinary situations and later on, hosts like Jay Leno and David Letterman tried to adopt a similar style. However, he has been and always will be the late night talk show king. If you’ve never seen Carson in action, boy, are you missing out!
1 ‘Saturday Night Live’ (1975-)
Stefon, played by Bill Hader, laughs with his hands over his mouth in Saturday Night Live.
Image via NBCSaturday Night Live (SNL) has been on air for 50 years now, and the fact that millions of people are still tuning in every week says a lot. Over its long and successful history, SNL has become an important part of the zeitgeist and has consistently redefined comedy. The show’s longevity is obviously a testament to its ability to evolve without compromising on the unfiltered approach that made it so groundbreaking in the first place. The show’s format combines live sketch comedy, political satire, musical performances and guest appearances. SNL’s ability to mock current events with humor that resonates with just about everyone has made it a key player in American pop culture.
Not to mention that the variety show has featured some of the most memorable impersonations in TV history. You really have to appreciate SNL for always having been a platform for young and emerging talent. So many of today’s biggest stars including Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, and Bill Hader got their start on the show and have gone on to have successful careers in the entertainment industry. This is a show that takes the unpredictability of live television and turns it into the best kind of entertainment, and that’s why SNL will continue to be around for another 50 years and more.
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Saturday Night Live
TV-14
Comedy
News
Music
Release Date
October 11, 1975
Network
NBC
Showrunner
Lorne Michaels
Directors
Dave Wilson, Don Roy King, Liz Patrick, Andy Warhol, Linda Lee Cadwell, Matthew Meshekoff, Paul Miller, Robert Altman, Robert Smigel
Cast
See All-
Michael Chernus
Self
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Mikey Day
Self / Various
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The Muppet Show
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The Late Late Show with James Corden
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