Variety show facts for kids

A variety show is a type of entertainment program that features many different kinds of acts. Imagine a show with singers, dancers, comedians, magicians, and even acrobats all performing one after another! That's a variety show.

These shows were very popular, especially on television, for many years. They were a great way for new performers to become famous and for well-known artists to connect with their fans regularly.

What is a Variety Show?

A variety show brings together a mix of performers. You might see a musician sing a song, followed by a comedian telling jokes, and then a magician performing tricks. Other acts could include actors, jugglers, animal trainers, or puppeteers. The idea is to offer something for everyone, keeping the audience entertained with different kinds of talent.

Famous Variety Shows

Many famous people hosted their own variety shows. One of the most well-known was hosted by Ed Sullivan on CBS. His show ran for a very long time, from the 1940s into the early 1970s. It was a huge hit!

Later, in the late 1960s, The Smothers Brothers had a popular comedy and variety show. Over the years, many other performers also hosted successful variety shows. These shows were important because they helped new artists get noticed. They also gave steady work and a regular audience to performers who were already famous.

The Change in Variety Shows

In the United States, variety shows became less popular during the 1970s. Even when Dolly Parton tried to start a new one in the 1980s, it did not last very long.

Instead, new types of performance competition shows became popular. Shows like The Gong Show and Star Search gave new performers a chance to shine. Today, shows like American Idol continue this tradition, helping new singers become stars.

Even though traditional variety shows are not as common today, their spirit lives on. Some comedy programs still have a mix of different acts. Also, many television talk shows feature a variety of entertainers, much like the old variety shows did.

Images for kids

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  First performed in 1912, the Royal Variety Performance was first held at the London Palladium in 1941. Performed in front of members of the Royal Family, many famous acts have performed over the century.

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  Singers perform on the Chinese variety TV show Happy Camp.