variety shows
Vaudeville-style television programs
Variety shows are entertainment programs featuring a mix of acts—comedy sketches, musical performances, dance numbers, and celebrity guests—typically hosted by a single personality.
The format dominated early television with shows like Ed Sullivan's, where audiences might see a rock band followed by a juggler followed by a Broadway star.
The term also applies to similar stage revues.
Rough, quick drawings
- satireMockery exposing vice
- parodySatirical imitation
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
- stand-upSolo comedic performance
improv · gags · jokes · comedian · banter · monologue · blackout · running gag
Raised performance platform
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
- liveTo exist or dwell
- actsDeeds or play sections
host · emcee · curtain · spotlight · microphone · ensemble · costumes · choreography
Musical variety entertainment
- music hallVenue for live entertainment
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
- folliesUnwise acts or fanciful structures
- extravaganzaLavish, elaborate entertainment
Television's highest-viewership period
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
- ratingsEvaluative scores assigned
- networksInterconnected groups or channels
- episodesDistinct parts of a series
seasons · syndication · late-night · talk shows · game shows · hosts · Ed Sullivan · Carol Burnett
Vocal music-making
- magicSupernatural or illusory power
- jugglingSequential toss-and-catch performance
- acrobaticsSkilled physical feats
- danceRhythmic bodily movement
ventriloquism · contortionist · impressionist · mime · aerialist · tumbling · comedian · novelty act
Theatrical circus entertainment company
- EurovisionEuropean song competition
- HogmanayScottish year-end celebration
- palladiumElement forty-six, catalytic metal
- music hallVenue for live entertainment
sketches
Rough, quick drawings
stand-up · improv · gags · jokes · comedian · banter · monologue · blackout · running gag · comic timing
stage
Raised performance platform
acts · host · emcee · curtain · spotlight · microphone · ensemble · costumes · choreography · orchestra
revue
Musical variety entertainment
- music hallVenue for live entertainment
- burlesqueExaggerated mockery or risqué variety
- folliesUnwise acts or fanciful structures
extravaganza · spectacle · showcase · gala · review
primetime
Television's highest-viewership period
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
- ratingsEvaluative scores assigned
- networksInterconnected groups or channels
episodes · seasons · syndication · late-night · talk shows · game shows · hosts · Ed Sullivan · Carol Burnett · Saturday Night Live
singing
Vocal music-making
- magicSupernatural or illusory power
- jugglingSequential toss-and-catch performance
- acrobaticsSkilled physical feats
dance · ventriloquism · contortionist · impressionist · mime · aerialist · tumbling · comedian · novelty act · plate spinning
Cirque du Soleil
Theatrical circus entertainment company
- EurovisionEuropean song competition
- HogmanayScottish year-end celebration
- palladiumElement forty-six, catalytic metal
- TV specialsspecials, Christmas special, holiday special, Halloween specials, Thanksgiving special
- comedy formatsstand-up specials, blooper reels, comedic monologues, comedic plays
- comedycomedy, jokes, humor, puns, sarcasm
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- pastimeshobbies, amusement, puzzles, cards, crafting
- TVcomedy series, drama series, talk shows, game shows, reality TV
variety showsstand-up specials
Filmed solo comedy performances
solo concerts · sitcoms · drama series · dramatic series · talk shows
variety showssoap operas
Serialized melodramatic television programs
feature films · miniseries · theatrical plays · operas · ballets
show, variety, vary, varied, variation, variable, varying, variant, invariably