Variety shows have always been a staple of American television, especially during the 1940s through the 1980s. These programs, characterized by their many entertaining skits, musical performances, and comedy sketches, brought families together across generations as parents, grandparents, and children gathered around the television set.
Although the rise of multichannel TV and ever-changing viewer preferences have diminished their popularity over time, they still significantly influence viewing habits to this day. This impact is still evident in today’s late-night TV shows, such as the long-running Saturday Night Live (1975-Present) and The Tonight Show (1954-Present).
To that effect, let’s hit that rewind button and look back on a few of the many variety shows that have been entertaining families for decades.
1. The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971)
From humble beginnings as a sports and entertainment reporter, Ed Sullivan rose to become television’s most influential variety show host, captivating audiences for years with his groundbreaking program. The Ed Sullivan Show had something to offer everyone: Broadway performances for parents, rock ‘n’ roll for young adults, and Topo Gigio for children.
The program also led to one of Sullivan’s most notable contributions — his commitment to showcasing artists from diverse backgrounds, including Black performers like The Supremes and Diana Ross, as well as superstars such as Elvis Presley and legendary bands like The Beatles. The sketch comedy program’s remarkable success made it the highest-rated variety program in U.S. television history, maintaining its position as the longest-running variety show until changing viewer preferences and mounting production costs led to its conclusion.
TV critic David Hinckley captured the show’s lasting impact perfectly when he noted that it remains one of the “fondest, dearest pop culture memories” and is widely regarded as the “last great American TV show.”
2. The Lawrence Welk Show (1951-1982)
Lawrence Welk turned a local Los Angeles program into a national phenomenon that defined family entertainment for decades with The Lawrence Welk Show. The musical variety program was beloved for its wholesome content, predictable format, and familiar cast of performers. The show’s popularity soared during the mid-to-late 1960s, claiming the top spot in television ratings and maintaining its position among the 30 most-watched programs for five consecutive seasons.
Despite this success, The Lawrence Welk Show fell victim to the television industry’s “rural purge” in 1971, when networks shifted their focus to younger, urban audiences to meet advertiser demands. Yet the show’s enduring appeal was proven by its successful continuation in syndication until 1982, demonstrating that Welk’s formula for family entertainment transcended network trends and left an indelible mark on American TV.
3. The Carol Burnett Show (1967-1978)
Sketch comedy and musical performances found their perfect blend in The Carol Burnett Show, where an extraordinary ensemble cast brought laughter to millions. Tim Conway’s brilliant improvisational skills frequently transformed planned sketches into moments of pure comedic genius, while Burnett’s legendary wit and timing anchored the show’s success during an era when variety shows were waning.
Not only did the program win numerous Primetime Emmy Awards, but it was also frequently ranked among the greatest TV shows of all time. Though ratings eventually declined and cast changes took their toll, Burnett chose to end the series on her own terms rather than face cancellation. More than four decades after its final curtain call, The Carol Burnett Show endures as a masterpiece of television entertainment.
4. Saturday Night Live (1975-Present)
Every Saturday night for nearly five decades, those five words — “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” — have signaled the start of America’s most influential comedy showcase. What began as an experimental late-night variety show has evolved into a cultural institution, where sharp political satire meets pop culture parody through an ever-evolving ensemble of comedic talent and celebrity guests delivering opening monologues and performing sketches.
As SNL celebrates its milestone 50th season, its cultural impact remains undeniable, drawing an impressive 5.3 million viewers to recent episodes. The program’s enduring ability to capture audiences while constantly reinventing itself has earned it a unique place in television history, with some fans declaring that its current era ranks among its finest. Through changing times and shifting cultural landscapes, Saturday Night Live continues to prove itself not just as a variety show but as an essential voice in American entertainment.
5. The Muppet Show (1976-1981)
Jim Henson brought viewers some of the most hilarious variety sketch comedy when he created The Muppet Show in 1976 and brought with it a whirlwind of felt fur, and pure imagination. These beloved and unforgettable puppet performers delivered a perfect storm of recurring sketches, musical numbers, and backstage chaos, all while building rich storylines that kept viewers coming back for more.
The program’s blend of uniquely designed characters, elements of burlesque, slapstick comedy, absurdist humor, and clever parodies took time to perfect, but once it found its groove, magic happened.
Characters evolved into beloved icons — Miss Piggy blossomed into the diva extraordinaire she was meant to be, while Fozzie Bear grew from an awkward comedian into the endearingly flustered character fans adored. Though mounting production costs brought the curtain down in 1981, The Muppet Show‘s legacy endures as a masterpiece of entertainment that proved puppetry could captivate audiences of all ages.
6. The Andy Williams Show (1962-1971)
Andy Williams brought his signature warmth and polish to television screens as the host of The Andy Williams Show, a program that evolved from a summer replacement series on ABC and CBS into one of NBC’s most cherished weekly offerings. During its nearly decade-long run, Williams anchored a dynamic ensemble that included talents like Dick Van Dyke, The Osmond Brothers, and Charlie Callas, while also introducing audiences to unique acts like Hungarian acrobat Janos Prohaska’s beloved cookie-begging bear.
The show’s uncanny ability to balance traditional entertainment with contemporary flair, with Williams himself singing and participating in comedy skits, made it a weekly ritual for families across America until its conclusion in 1971. The Andy Williams Show was an integral part of many of our lives as we grew up, and is still fondly remembered today.
7. Hee Haw (1969-1993)
From the farming community of fictional Kornfield Kounty, Hee Haw brought country music and down-home humor to our living rooms, with Buck Owens and Roy Clark leading an outstanding cast of performers. The show’s winning formula combined folksy humor, toe-tapping music, and the glamorous Hee Haw Honeys, proving that rural entertainment could capture hearts in every corner of the nation. It became a staple in many households, creating cherished memories for kids who watched it with their parents and grandparents.
Though CBS dropped the show in 1971 during the network’s shift away from rural programming, Hee Haw’s appeal transcended network decisions. Moving to syndication, it continued delighting multiple generations of families for another 22 years. Until its final bow in 1993, the show remained true to its roots, creating a legacy of laughter and music that resonated with viewers from all walks of life, making it an enduring touchstone of American entertainment.
8. The Dean Martin Show (1965-1974)
Dean Martin had his first stint as a variety show host on The Dean Martin Show, in which the singer and actor exhibited his comedic brilliance, which was entirely spontaneous. Famously refusing to rehearse and relying on quick wit and cue cards to navigate each episode.
His unorthodox approach kept both cast and crew on their toes, creating an electric atmosphere that resonated particularly with white-collar audiences. By 1968, it had risen to the No. 2 spot in that demographic and outperformed even The Andy Griffith Show.
Though NBC brought the curtain down on the series in 1974, Martin’s television legacy was far from over. His natural charm and comedic prowess found a new outlet in the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast specials, which kept audiences laughing for another decade until 1984, cementing his reputation as one of entertainment’s most captivating hosts.
9. The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-1969)
Folk music met fearless satire when The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour burst onto television screens, with Dick and Tom Smothers, transforming their musical talents into brilliant comedy, making them ideal candidates for hosting a variety show. Between their playful sibling rivalry over “Mom’s Favorite,” singing folk songs, and the skillful combination of slapstick humor and political satire, the duo’s antics were 1960s entertainment at its best.
The show’s bold approach to controversial topics inevitably clashed with CBS executives, leading to its abrupt cancellation after just two years. Yet its impact proved lasting beyond the 1970 special, 1988 revival, and 1993 E! Network repackaging, the Smothers Brothers’ legacy lives on through the careers they launched, including Steve Martin, Pat Paulson, and Super Dave Osborne. Their influence continues to echo through modern political satirists like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, proving that The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour wasn’t just pushing boundaries, it was redefining them for generations to come.
10. The Flip Wilson Show (1970-1974)
The Flip Wilson Show made history as one of the first U.S. television programs hosted by a Black artist, Flip Wilson—a significant milestone in the 1970s. This hour-long variety show achieved remarkable success with viewers and showcased a diverse range of hilarious skits. It was groundbreaking for its “theater-in-the-round” stage format, where the audience sat on all sides of the performance area.
The show featured talented performers and a dazzling array of celebrities, becoming especially famous for Wilson’s unforgettable characters like the sassy Geraldine. His catchphrases were popularized in pop culture and helped the show transcend racial barriers, drawing viewers from all backgrounds to their screens. Despite its enormous success and Wilson’s undeniable comedic genius, mounting production costs and salary negotiations eventually brought the curtain down on this pioneering program.