10 FAVORITES (41) - Variety: The Spice of Life!

10 FAVORITES returns this week with one of my most anticipated topics: Variety Shows!  While I love the laughs a great sitcom gives me and I enjoy the emotional pull of fantastically written drama series, the Television genre I can truly lose myself in is that of the Variety Series.  It is the genre that most easily transitioned from radio onto to TV when the medium first became the rage.  And for a time, in the 1960s and 1970s, it seemed that Variety shows were what Reality shows are today.  It seemed everyone from Cher to Glen Campbell to Donny and Marie had a Variety show.  So, today I want to look back with great fondness on the shows that defined the Variety genre and talk about my absolute favorites.  Here are: 

THE 10 GREATEST

TELEVISION VARIETY SHOWS

OF ALL-TIME

VARIETY SERIES #10

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart is one of the funniest, smartest and most honest men in Television, so there is ample reason why the Comedy Central News-parody series is always top-rated.  With his biting wit and his killer writing staff, Stewart and Company (a Company that included people like Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert and host of others that are too many to list!) make audiences feel comfortable having a laugh in times when economic uncertainty and world unrest can bring even the happiest person down.  It is no wonder the show has won the Emmy Award for Best Variety Series for the past eight years (and it is poised to win a ninth time come this September!).

VARIETY SERIES #9

The Texaco Star Theater

A list about the Best Television Variety Shows would be absolutely incomplete without acknowledging the contribution of "Uncle Miltie."  Milton Berle was one of the biggest stars of Television in its very early days.  He was such a star that he is considered the reason many people even bought Television sets.  Always funny and never willing to back down from shaking things up (see Elvis below!), Berle became known as "Mr. Television."

VARIETY SERIES #8
The Ed Sullivan Show
This show was another staple show for people's households.  Every Sunday night at 7PM, people would sit down together and watch the master showman himself, Ed Sullivan, and his "really great shoe!" (No, that's not a misprint! That is really how he pronounced the word "show.")  So many careers were started on The Ed Sullivan Show from comedians to magicians to puppeteers to dancers to Broadway stars.  And who could forget the countless Pop music acts that became known thanks to their appearances on Ed Sullivan.  From The Beatles (below) to The Supremes to The Rolling Stones to The Beach Boys to many many others, you were a nobody in showbiz unless you did the Sullivan show back then.

VARIETY SERIES #7
The Sid Caesar Shows (Your Show of Shows & Caesar's Hour)
These two shows run together in my mind because of the brilliance that was Sid Caesar.  He was a master character comedian.  He could literally play anybody.  In the hands of his crack writing team, Caesar was given free range to do all he could do.  And what a crack team!  At one point or another, his writing team included the likes of Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, Larry Gelbart and Woody Allen.  And looking at the work each of them did since, it is clear the impact Caesar had on their lives and careers.

VARIETY SERIES #6
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Growing up in the 1980's, Johnny Carson was the King of Late Night.  There was no one like him in terms of delivery and in terms of personality.  His reign on The Tonight Show lasted from 1963 (taking over for Jack Paar) to 1992 (when Jay Leno assumed his throne).  And in those almost 30 years, Carson defined the Late Night Talk Show like no other.  Whether he was doing his famous "swami" bit or entertaining an animal from the San Diego Zoo or just chatting with a famous celebrity, Carson worked hard to make it look easy and we just loved him for it.

VARIETY SERIES #5
The Carol Burnett Show
If Carson was the King of Late Night, then Carol Burnett was the Queen of Sketch Comedy.  Her weekly "live" shows were some of funniest things to watch on Television in the 1960s and 1970s.  Burnett and Company (which included Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway and the late Harvey Korman) delivered notable scenes highlighted by their genuine laughter at their own antics.  Each week, audiences would watch just to watch them crack up!  Plus, who could forget Ms. Burnett's infamous Bob Mackie gowns?!?

VARIETY SERIES #4
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Out of the explosive late 1960s came one of the most enduring and influential Variety shows of all-time.  Comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin hosted an array of talented comic actors (which included Ruth Buzzi, Joanne Worley, Goldie Hawn, Arte Johnson and Lily Tomlin) who were just as wild as the Counterculture Movement was.  From the Party scenes to the "Quickies" to the "Sock It To Me!" to infamous wall-with-doors, Laugh-In was the powerhouse fun that the late 1960s needed.

VARIETY SERIES #3

Monty Python's Flying Circus
Britain's legendary series inspired so many on both sides of the Atlantic.  The amazing writing and performing team that consisted of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin had some of the best and most memorable comic sequences.  Who can forget the notorious "Parrot Sketch" or the hilarious "Self-Defense Class" (below) or the famed "Spam" sequence?  Plus, no one expects "the Spanish Inquisition!"

VARIETY SERIES #2

Saturday Night Live

What can I say about SNL?  It is still running after 35 years and going strong.  From it's early days with its original "Not Ready for Primetime Players" (pictured below, sorry no video!) to its days with Eddie Murphy or Mike Myers or Will Ferrell or Tina Fey or--I better stop or this post will be way too long, SNL has become the definition of Variety Series.  It is a master class for the up-and-coming Comedy star.  And you're probably saying to yourself: "If this isn't #1, then what is?!?"  Well, look below...

AND...
VARIETY SERIES #1
The Muppet Show
Those of you who read 10 FAVORITES a couple months ago are not really surprised that this series could beat SNL to #1.  My father said that at times it almost seemed like a parody of Variety shows.  But when you think about it, what other genre could The Muppets have fit into so easily.  A sitcom would have seemed forced and they don't lend themselves to drama as well (That's a Creature Shop thing!).  Variety was such a perfect fit for them.  There was no one like Jim Henson and his stellar crew (including Frank Oz!) and we will never forget Kermit the Frog or Miss Piggy or Fozzie Bear or The Great Gonzo or The Electric Mayhem.  We loved them all and would sing-a-long with the famed theme song (below) every week.

These were (and are!) best Variety shows TV ever had to offer and they truly are great representations of what the genre is all about.  In the weeks to come, more 10 FAVORITES and keep looking for our new column GOLDEN PLACES, which will rotate with 10 FAVORITES.

10 FAVORITES (27) - Stand-Up Comics

Happy April Fool's Day all! Today's 10 FAVORITES will be all about the funny!  We all love to laugh and there are certain people in this world who can make us laugh to complete satisfaction.  This week's 10 FAVORITES is devoted to the stand-ups who have done that for me.  I won't be saying a lot this week as I want to let the videos speak for themselves.

VIDEO DISCLAIMER: The videos below are solely for entertainment purposes only.  Some of them contain some very graphic language and material that may be too offensive for some readers.  No offense is intended by sharing the videos and discretion is strongly advised.

THE 10 BEST STAND-UP COMICS

COMIC #10

George Lopez
The stand-up comic turned sitcom star turned late night host has gotten in some trouble recently for comments he made about the new Dancing With the Stars cast, but his comedy has always made me laugh.  Anytime he's talking about the cultural differences in our society or imitating his tough relatives or talking about his passion for golf, Lopez knows exactly how to entertain his fans.

COMIC #9

Billy Crystal
He will ALWAYS be my favorite Oscars host and, after the debacle that was this year's choices, that fact has never become more prevalent.  His comedy, like Lopez', centered in ethnic diversities and the many cultural differences he grew up around in New York City.  But coming from that endearing face and that sincere smile, you couldn't help but laugh.

COMIC #8

Whoopi Goldberg
She is original, unapologetic, controversial and the only woman on this list (sorry ladies, Ellen didn't make it!).  Though now she is known for her outrageous Viewpoints (sorry folks, I couldn't resist!), her comedy is the thing I've admired most about her.  The best thing about stand-up is her delivery and her timing.  It seems so natural to her and so Whoopi!  Those qualities have probably aided her in her Oscar-winning acting career as well (like in Ghost or The Color Purple or as Guinan on Star Trek: The Next Generation).

COMIC #7

Jerry Seinfeld
His sitcom probably helped to define my generation and his delivery is unlike any other (some would liken it to  a whinier Woody Allen!).  Jerry Seinfeld was at his best when he was talking about anything and nothing (much like the premise of his sitcom!).  He, much like several comics of his time, would kill the audiences just musing about everyday things.

COMIC #6

Steve Martin
I first saw Steve Martin in The Muppet Movie and then his guest appearance on The Muppet Show.  Both that cameo and that episode were two of the funniest things ever involving the Muppets (whom I adore!), and I figured it had to be their common theme: Steve Martin!  Later, my brother introduced me to some of his stand-up and his performances in hilarious films like The Jerk, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Parenthood.  He is truly a "Wild and Crazy Guy" with no boundaries and we love him for it.

COMIC #5

Richard Pryor
So many of today's comics point to the late Richard Pryor as their biggest influence and for several reasons.  But the first reason that always comes up is that he would say anything.  Nothing was off-limits with Pryor.  Not race, not his drug use, not his many brushes with death and not even his sex life were left out of his hilarious routines.  And we are all the better for him.

COMIC #4

Bill Cosby
His sitcom was my favorite sitcom growing up and I adored his Fat Albert tales (and the animated series had some of the coolest music EVER!).  Cosby knew how to make his family universal while sharing their funny quirks.  When he talks about his parents becoming grandparents and the problems that arise, my parents completely identified with that.

COMIC #3

Robin Williams
Zany, outrageous, mile-a-minute and flamboyant are just a few of the adjectives that can be applied to Robin Williams.  The first time I saw him was on the successful TV series Mork and Mindy where he played an alien from the planet Ork.  That should tell you a little bit about Williams' out-there personality.  He is one of the few comics who as also managed to be one of the most respected actors.  After all, "Dying Is Easy, Comedy Is Hard!"

COMIC #2

George Carlin
The late George Carlin seemed to step right out of the hippy-era 1960's laughing.  Carlin was my father's favorite comic and when it came to groundbreaking, there was no one like him.  Just watch his notorious "7 Dirty Words" talk below (Parents read the DISCLAIMER above!).

AND...

COMIC #1

Eddie Murphy
There is NO ONE better than Eddie Murphy for me.  He is quite frankly the best stand-up comic from my childhood!  He is the best and funniest parts of Disney's Mulan and Dreamworks' Shrek series.  And Beverly Hills Cop and Trading Places are two of the funniest films of the 1980's.  There's really not much more I can say, so watch him talk about ice cream.

So I hoped you enjoyed this tribute to stand-up comedy on this hilarious April Fool's Day!  Next week, we'll take a look at some of TV sitcom's best lovers! Isn't that the way? One week: We're funny and the next week: We're sexy!  We're all over the place!