Variety Vivas On
Yesterday we linked you to this article on the death of the sitcom, and today, this New York Times piece further solidifies one of my fears. As various networks move forward with variety programming, is television shifting to a stupider place?
“Rosie Live,” the one-hour special to be shown by NBC on Wednesday night, is an audition.
The Thanksgiving-eve audience
will see an attempted revival of the variety show format, a staple of
television in the 1960s and ‚Äô70s… [T]he show will serve up Broadway dancers, celebrity appearances, musical acts and comedy sketches. Rosie O‚ÄôDonnell, an executive producer and the host, sees a template for a weekly series.
I realize many sitcoms and most scripted television fare was never Shakespeare (most of them aren't even Garry Marshall, which is sad), but for the past few years, network TV writing has slowly inched forward towards increasingly sophisticated structures and styles. Currently, 30 Rock and The Office have been attempting different approaches to the sitcom, but they aren't exactly rating's busters and they haven't inspired a great deal of imitators.
But if these variety programs do well, they will inspire imitators. Much like reality TV and contest based shows (American Idol), these formats are easily reproduced. The Osbournes have an upcoming variety show on Fox. John Mayer might host one for CBS. God knows ABC is working on one as I type.
Will these upcoming variety shows kill the sitcom? No, of course not. I am stupid for asking such a dumb question, but I am smart for immediately reprimanding myself for it.
What it will do is create more competition for slots, driving a few more comedic storytellers to work on tween sitcom programming for Disney and Nick, and making it harder for newcomers to break in. At least these variety programs will have comedic skits. Here's hoping that will provide a few jobs, but I'm going to go out on a limb and assume they won't be the focus of these shows.
If you think I'm being a dumbass, after the jump I prove how easy it is to produce these variety programs.
The Variety Show Recipe:
1. Take one celebrity you haven't thought about in at least five years.
2. Mix with Broadway choreographer from most recently defunct musical.
3. Add D-list guests trying to climb their way up to their own reality TV series.
4. Hire an obnoxious comedian from the 80's to star in sketches.
5. Drain out any evidence of skilled writing.
6. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer.
The only good variety show ever was The Muppet Show. Duh! Stop trying now please!
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