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The Greatest TV Variety Shows of All Time! From ‘Carol Burnett’ to ‘Sonny and Cher’

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Dec 25, 2024 8:00 am·

By LOUISE A. BARILE

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Laughs, music and exciting guests made these series special. David Inman, author of Television Variety Shows: Histories and Episode Guides to 57 Programs, exclusively tells Closer why these variety shows were the best of all time.

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10). ‘Your Show of Shows’

Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca and Carl Reiner anchored this live 90-minute variety series, which debuted in 1950 and boasted Mel Brooks and Neil Simon as two of its writers. “They did sketches that really were character-driven and not dependent on a pie in the face,” says David Inman, author of Television Variety Shows: Histories and Episode Guides to 57 Programs. “The work really stands up today.”

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9). ‘Hee Haw’

Set in fictional Kornfield Kounty, the series hosted by Buck Owens and Roy Clark brought country to the masses. “Country music had not been given a big spot on network TV before,” notes Inman of the series that bowed in 1969. “It showcased a lot of great performers.” Frequent guests included Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Charley Pride.

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8). ‘The Muppet Show’

One of the great episodes featured Kermit tap-dancing with Gene Kelly,” says Inman of The Muppet Show, which ran from 1976 to 1981. “It was a true family show with sweetness in its heart. It’s also timeless. You can watch it now and it’s still as good as you remembered.”

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7). ‘The Flip Wilson Show’

Bowing in 1970, Flip’s show became the first successful network variety series starring a Black performer. “Flip had his own catchphrases like ‘The devil made me do it,’” recalls Inman. “His comedy introduced the Black experience to a lot of people.” Viewers loved recurring sketches starring sassy Geraldine Jones (played by Flip in a wig) and performances by guest stars including Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne and Johnny Cash.

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6). ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour’

Both of the Smothers Brothers were very socially conscious and upset about the war in Vietnam,” says Inman of the series that ran from 1967 to 1969. Hosts Dick and Tom Smothers dished up socially relevant humor and presented performances by hip guests like Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel and Ike & Tina Turner.

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5). ‘The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour’

Sonny Bono and Cher created a series, premiering in 1971, anchored by their easy comic banter. Episodes always ended with an affectionate performance of “I Got You Babe.” “They split up during the run of the show and returned with The Sonny & Cher Show,” notes Inman. “It became a demonstration that divorced people don’t have to be at each other’s throats.

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4). ‘The Dean Martin Show’

“Dean could sing, dance, and he had a background in comedy,” notes Inman. “He brought that Vegas nightclub glamour to TV and made it acceptable without being threatening. He also surrounded himself with really talented people.” The series aired from 1965 to 1974 and included guest appearances by everyone from Lucille Ball and Carol Channing to Jimmy Stewart and football great Joe Namath.

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3). ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In’

In 1968, “You bet your bippy” became an American catchphrase thanks to Laugh-In. “Culturally, it really started to push the envelope,” says Inman. “There were jokes about adultery. It was also a breeding ground for people like Goldie Hawn and Arte Johnson, who came to dominate the late ’60s and early ’70s comedy scene.”

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2). ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’

“Ed Sullivan was America’s gatekeeper,” says Inman of the host of the series that ran from 1948 to 1971 and introduced the Beatles, Richard Pryor and Elvis Presley to America. “He had a really great sense of what people wanted to see. He would also take time to talk to the parents of America who were watching. He would say, ‘These guys are nice.’ He helped put them at ease.”

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1). ‘The Carol Burnett Show’

Airing from 1967 to 1978, The Carol Burnett Show became “the gold standard,” says Inman. “It was comedy, music and dancing — Carol could do it all.” The ensemble cast of Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Vicki Lawrence and more “also worked really well together.” Sketches included parodies of beloved movies and memorable characters like Eunice and Mama. “They were funny,” he says, “but also surprisingly serious as bickering family members.”

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