Variety Shows' Big Return

Three top U.S. comedians next week will bring variety shows to television and one, Rosie O'Donnell, believes the format could stage a comeback amid the slumping economy if families start gathering around TVs for cheap entertainment.

Specials from O'Donnell, Ellen DeGeneres and Stephen Colbert, are each scheduled as one-time events, but if successful they highlight what could be a return to a program format largely absent from U.S. TV for more than 20 years.

"Rosie Live," features Broadway-style singing and dancing from stars such as Gloria Estefan and Harry Connick Jr. O'Donnell and NBC, which airs the show November 26, said it could return as a regularly appearing program.

"The timing is right, I think the economy has made it so people are staying home more and sadly unable to go out," said O'Donnell, 46. "One hour to get around the TV with everyone in your family and laugh, that to me I think is needed now."

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Comments

[JScott]

I dunno why the network is trupeting Rosie's show as live, c'mon networks viewers aren't that stupid, we know it's only live on the east coast, the west sees it 4 hrs. later on tape, just like SNL.

[klandish]

That picture is hilarious. Mae West retro fifties look.

[Ron1951]

I'm amazed that Rosie is getting a shot at even one hour of programming. Oh well, there are good movies to rent on DVD.

[EuroHuffPoFan]

.
Is she wearing fur ?
.

[TakLoufer]

probably a fake fur; she's trying to emulate Marilyn in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in that shot.

[rattlesnk]

im a democrate i support gay marriage i do not discrimate against anyone but rosie odonnell is such a pain in my butt eveytime shes on the t.v. i turn the channel like her counter part on the view elisabeth hassleback each side of the spectrum with those 2 just cant handle them i watch NBC all the time but i will not b watching this varitey show. she just needs to go away.

[harriettubman]

If Rosie's show doesn't work she'll blame it on Barbara Walters. LOL. If it really doesn't work she'll be blabbing on her site and on TV somewhere angrily blaming somebody.

[Eric8869]

Why do you post hateful stuff on every gay related story? Won't you go away already.

[klandish]

Ironic that she uses an historical freedom fighter for her screen name. I guess she thinks it's only racial equality worth fighting for.

[Clare53]

Donald Trump.

[happycat]

She probably would. I thought that the Rosie, Trump feud was hysterically funny!

[3fingerbrown]

The nice thing about Rosie doing a variety show is that it gives her the opportunity to be untalented in several different ways.

[bmwracer]

LMFAO.

[hypnotoad72]

LOL!

[Eric8869]

How many emmys do YOU have? How many starring roles in Broadway shows? ... That's what I thought.

[Clare53]

Eric - okay, we get it. You like Rosie. But why are you stalking Harriettubman?

[TakLoufer]

Oh, I'm definitely going to see Rosie & Ellen's shows. I miss great variety shows like Carol Burnett, and am especially ticked that all of those great production numbers from her old shows were chucked from Carol & Friends in favor of the many overplayed, unfunny Tim Conway gags.

Incidentally, there was an old time radio show on in the early 50's called The Big Show, hosted by Tallulah Bankhead. Archive.org has most of the episodes . The 90 minute shows are packed with A-listers of the day and are still very entertaining. I especially recommend the episodes with Groucho Marx, Bob Hope, George Sanders (the one he co-hosts from London features Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh performing a scene from Caesar and Cleopatra), and Jimmy Durante. The acid repartee between those guys and Bankhead is hilarious. Ironically the show tanked against it's main competition -- the equally fine Jack Benny Program (also on Archive) -- despite the starpower, so Rosie and Ellen may well face the same fate.

[peachesmahoney]

I think it sounds awesome! Rosie, Ellen, Colbert- bring it on! With scripted shows going down the toilet and reality shows wearing out their welcome, variety could come back big time.

[jaymcb]

No one will be able to capture the likes of Carol Burnett in the Variety Show genre.

[texrednface]

Carol Burnett, Sid Ceasar, Dean Martin, Jackie Gleason, (and with the exception of Ed Sullivan); all these Variety show hosts had TALENT. Rosie O'Donnell does not. Knowing what we know about Rosie , the show will be ABOUT HER and is doomed to be a failure. Audience will have to endure her singing with the guests, her greasy self...it will be boring. Put lipstick on the porcine Rosie and you have...,well a porcine Rosie.

[claptrapa]

Give Rosie a chance.

[Clare53]

Uh, didn't Rosie have several chances?

[happycat]

I grew up watching the Carol Burnett show, and always wanted to be her when I grew up. She was funny, talented and personable. That said, I am willing to give Rosie a chance, not because she is a great talent, but because she is bright and funny and she surrounds herself with incredibly talented people.

[terkid]

I've been crying for a variety show renaissance for years. Before Ellen decided to plunk
herself down in a chat-seat, I thought she'd perfect to pick up the Carol Burnett torch.
But, asla.

If you cruise YouTube and search for Dean Martin show or Andy Williams, Dinah Shore, etc
you will get to view some of the great musical performances by incredible artists. The venue
is cost-efficient (compared to mounting hourly weekly dramas), provides a venue for our
current-day musical artists as well as a chance for them to act in skits, etc.

Too bad it took an economic downturn to spawn the revival of this classic and
entertaining TV venue. I wish Rosie all the best - and hope she has some great
writers and producers to show "putting on a show" can work and thrive again!

It's time for shows where we're actually "so glad to have this time together!"

[marymansour]

Those used to be a lot of fun to watch. I remember watching with my dad and later husband and children. A good variety show is a great source of entertainment.

[heretical eggs]

I miss variety shows. Red Skelton and Carol Burnett were the deal in their day. God, the Sonny and Cher Show...and then CHER! So many now all gone. Glad to see interest in the genre again.