variety show
Singers, comedians, jugglers
A variety show is an entertainment program featuring a mix of different acts—comedy sketches, musical performances, dance numbers, magic, acrobatics—rather than a single continuous narrative.
The format dominated early television with shows like Ed Sullivan's, where a comedian might follow an opera singer.
The talent show had a variety-show feel, with acts ranging from juggling to poetry.
Variety show performer
- music hallVenue for live entertainment
- revueMusical variety entertainment
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
- headlinerTop-billed performer
hoofer · soft-shoe · tapdance · ventriloquism · quick-change · bill · novelty act · showstopper
One receiving guests
- segmentDistinct part of whole
- actDeed or performance
- guestWelcomed visitor
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
live audience · applause · announcer · opening number · finale · credits · episode · ratings
Evening entertainment venue
- torch songSentimental song of longing
- chanteuseFemale nightclub singer
- croonerSoft-voiced romantic vocalist
- emceeCeremony host
piano bar · intimate venue · supper club · lounge act · showgirl · sequins · feather boa · cigarette holder
Brief comic performance
- comedy bitShort performed joke
- parodySatirical imitation
- impersonationPretending to be another
- satireMockery exposing vice
spoof · blackout · punchline · straight man · foil · ensemble · recurring character · catchphrase
Competition participant
- auditionTrial performance for selection
- judgesLegal proceeding overseers
- buzzerElectric signaling device
- golden buzzerTalent show override button
Simon Cowell · elimination · vote · showcase · discovery · amateur · winner · finals
vaudevillian
Variety show performer
- music hallVenue for live entertainment
- revueMusical variety entertainment
- circuitClosed electrical pathway
headliner · hoofer · soft-shoe · tapdance · ventriloquism · quick-change · bill · novelty act · showstopper · encore
host
One receiving guests
broadcast · live audience · applause · announcer · opening number · finale · credits · episode · ratings · primetime
nightclub
Evening entertainment venue
- torch songSentimental song of longing
- chanteuseFemale nightclub singer
- croonerSoft-voiced romantic vocalist
emcee · piano bar · intimate venue · supper club · lounge act · showgirl · sequins · feather boa · cigarette holder · Weimar
skit
Brief comic performance
- comedy bitShort performed joke
- parodySatirical imitation
- impersonationPretending to be another
satire · spoof · blackout · punchline · straight man · foil · ensemble · recurring character · catchphrase · physical comedy
contestant
Competition participant
- auditionTrial performance for selection
- judgesLegal proceeding overseers
- buzzerElectric signaling device
Simon Cowell · golden buzzer · elimination · vote · showcase · discovery · amateur · winner · finals · callback
- genresaction, comedy, detective fiction, fantasy, horror
- Filipino Mediadrama series, talk shows, game shows, reality TV, talent shows
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- eventsevent, events, party, parties, wedding
- performing artsacting, dance, music, drama, theater
- televisionTV, television, broadcast, TV shows, TV series
variety showfeature film
Standard-length theatrical release
one-man show · monologue · serialized drama · dramatic series · dramatic play
variety showstand-up special
Recorded solo comedy performance
straight play · recital · dramatic monologue · anthology series
variety showdrama
Theatrical art or turmoil
soap opera · miniseries · theatrical play · tragedy · epic
show, variety, diverse, varied, diversity, invariably, invariable, varieties, unvaried