Reality shows may soon be taking a backseat to a new wave in television entertainment. With many of today’s reality shows focusing on the lives of the rich and overindulged, TV executives may fear that this type of program will lose its popularity during an economy slump.
A few networks may manage to bring in more viewers over the next few days by hosting variety shows featuring 3 famous comedians. Variety shows have not been on primetime U.S. networks since the 1970’s, but in its time shows like “The Carroll Burnett Show” and “The Ed Sullivan Show” were extremely popular with many age groups.
Rosie O’Donnell is one of the comedians set to air her NBC variety show special called Rosie Live on November 26th. O’Donnell recently told a reporter for Reuters about why she thinks her show will be a success. She said, “The timing is right, I think the economy has made it so people are staying home more and sadly unable to go out. One hour to get around the TV with everyone in your family and laugh, that to me I think is needed now.”
Both Stephen Colbert and Ellen DeGeneres are also slated to host their own variety shows in upcoming days. DeGeneres told Reuters that she wanted to bring back the variety show because she watched it a lot while growing up and felt that it was fun.
Not everyone is as optimistic about the variety show format as the networks and comedians hosting them. A retired talent agent and dean at the school of cinematic arts at the University of Southern California, Larry Auerbach is not so sure viewers will want to tune in. Auerbach said, “Maybe some day it might come back, but I think it’s a different time today. People, if they’re old enough to remember anything, will consider it old fashioned.”
What do you think of the variety show format making a comeback on primetime television?
Will you be tuning in to any of the upcoming variety shows with your friends and family this week?
I'm not sure...there are edgier, more interesting things to watch on network TV, and better comedy on cable. I did used to like Rosie's am show, mostly because she always made sure to include theater and theater performers on the show. But I thought her recent Rosie Live! foray fell a little flat.
slm2722::
on Dec 02, 2008
I'd love to see a variety show w/ Steven Colbert. I'd probably at least try something Ellen did but I have absolutely NO interest in seeing anything Rosie does. The woman is confrontational and obnoxious just for the sake of being that way. No thank you!
Salemsw::
on Dec 03, 2008
I used to love rosie but no longer and I think oh a whole most people feel that way about her... I do love Ellen and try to watch her when I can..
ladylisette::
on Dec 03, 2008
Much to the dismay of the kids I love to learn something while watching tv. When it's my turn to have the remote I love the Discovery group of channels. I have a passion for ancient archeology.
msfriendly::
on Dec 03, 2008
I agree with some of the other comments. I can no longer stand the sight of Rosie. I like Ellen a lot though. Sometimes she reminds me of Lucille Ball!
Sanjabay::
on Dec 03, 2008
Rosie's variety show was painful, I actually watched it because I was cooking at the time and needed something on in the background. I loved Rosie's talk show and I still like her, but that show was not well thought out and was all over the place. I think it's hard to do a variety show nowadays. Colbert's was good, but unlike Rosie, he's relevant as is his material.
littleme::
on Dec 03, 2008
I would love to see more Variety on tv.To me the reality shows are just to much these days. A few is fine but now there is so darn many. It would be nice to have some family shows back on tv. Like little house on the prairie or some others that use to be on.
