After SNL: Is the variety show dead?

[zoid]

@astorian

Who are “we”, Paleface? Who are you calling “the public”?

I guess I just assumed that people in general had at least a vague idea about what was happening in the world around them.

I had no idea this would offend you. Go figure.

[RealityChuck]

The true variety show has been dead since Carol Burnett went off the air. That type of entertainment started losing popularity in the 60s (except for a few stragglers). SNL managed to hang on as a sketch comedy show with music, and by showing late at night, when lower ratings were OK.

Audiences are too fragmented these days for variety shows and people will change the channel as soon as they don’t like an act.

[Joey_P]

@Oedipus

Do you think that its the writing cycle they go through? Or even maybe the writers themselves?

I mean, god, how different would SNL be if they put some real money into cast members and had someone like Matt and Trey, or Doug Stanhope, or Joe Rogan, or Adam Carolla writing the thing and you took all the limits off it. Christ, put those guys in a room with a bong and you’ll get genius every week.

Or it would be really funny the first week and then the same tired jokes about cocaine and midget hookers the second and third and forth week until everyone realized that it’s all they talk about.

[Colibri]

@Czarcasm

So what was the last actual variety show aired?

Sabado Gigante is still on every Saturday night. It’s a mixture of comedy, musical and other acts, and game show. Now that’s what I call a variety show!

[astorian]

@zoid

I guess I just assumed that people in general had at least a vague idea about what was happening in the world around them.

I had no idea this would offend you. Go figure.

I’m not offended- I’m mocking the notion that Jon Stewart provides a model for appealing to a mass audience.

[Clothahump]

@Czarcasm

After Saturday Night Live finally gives up the ghost is the variety show concept dead, or can it be revived with the proper troupe? I’m talking a regular cast, some guest stars, a little song, a little dance, a little seltzer in your pants.

Well, an argument can be made that it’s already dead, because SNL hasn’t been funny or entertaining since 1976 when the Muppets left.

[TriPolar]

@Clothahump

Well, an argument can be made that it’s already dead, because SNL hasn’t been funny or entertaining since 1976 when the Muppets left.

It was never as good after the Muppets left, but it often had funny and entertaining moments well into the 80s.

ETA: In retrospect I’ll say well into 1980.

[DocCathode]

@Colibri

Sabado Gigante is still on every Saturday night. It’s a mixture of comedy, musical and other acts, and game show. Now that’s what I call a variety show!

Thank you, I came in to this thread to post about Sabado Gigante. Where else can you see Shakira, a trained poodle act, an exciting paternity test, and a chance to win a new car all in the same show?

[CarnalK]

@astorian

I’m not offended- I’m mocking the notion that Jon Stewart provides a model for appealing to a mass audience.

Then you kind of did it wrong. The pale face line doesn’t really work they way you used it. Even if you don’t like it, ie not a pale face, it’s still arguable that the Stewart/Colbert model might help ratings.