Why the Variety format is dead - SPTO's Blog

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Why the Variety format is dead

Posted on November 26, 2008 at 08:38 PM.

(3)

So with the Rosie Live! train wreck on TV right now it brings up the fact that the variety format just can't work these days. There's a thread about the show in the OS forums and I made mention that the variety format is actually good but the shows that spring to mind were on TV long before most of us were born.

Now here's why the variety format can't work today, back in the day the format worked great because you had ENTERTAINERS. Today it's far too specialized. Singers are singers, actors are actors etc etc. There's no multi-dimensional people out there today. Back in the day even the comedians can carry a tune and do comedic things with music. You had guys like Dean Martin who could sing, do a little dance and perform well in comedic sketches and such. You also had eclectic acts who were unique because they were so different. Today we're in such a inter-connected world that even the unique acts seem a bit old hat.

I'm watching some of this Rosie stuff and the few minutes of comedic dialogue is painful to listen to. At least the acts that come on and sing or whatever are pretty good but the comedic bits and interacting with the crowd and TV audience just falls flat and that's one of the main points of the variety show. You need a host who can connect with the audience and has built in goodwill. Rosie.....is too divisive so it just doesn't work at all.

Comments

# 1 ChiSox05 @ Nov 27

Yah I watched a few minutes of Rosie and it just comes off as corny and forced.

# 2 Fresh Tendrils @ Nov 27

There are exceptions, but I think the vast majority of variety shows are absolutely abysmal. PBS seems to go through a spell where all they televise are old variety hour shows and they are best left forgotten thats for damn sure.

# 3 pfunk880 @ Dec 4

Back in the day, there also wasn't cable, the Internet, etc.

Not saying the variety format was all bad, but I think a large portion of its success can be attributed to the lack of other entertainment options at that time.