Variety Shows & Old Talk/Late Night
Old shows with old stars
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- StarsJack LescoulieThe June Taylor DancersRay BlochLive variety show with Jackie Gleason.
- StarsJerry LewisEd McMahonJack JacobsonThe MDA Labor Day Telethon was an annual telethon held on Labor Day in the United States to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), which was founded in 1950 with hopes of gaining the American public's interest.
- StarsEd SullivanThe Ray Bloch OrchestraRay BlochThe classic prime time variety show most famous for its vaudeville acts and rock music performances.
- CreatorMarcel MarceauStarsRed SkeltonDavid Rose and His OrchestraArt GilmoreA comedy-themed variety show, hosted by the popular comedian Red Skelton. It run with no interruption from 1951 to 1971. From 1956 to 1962, the show's head writer was Sherwood Schwartz, who had previous experience as a comedy writer for Bob Hope's radio show. During the 1960s, the show had its own regular cast of singers and dancers. Guests of the show included then-popular bands, such as the Beach Boys (in their network television debut), The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Supremes. By the early 1970s, the program was thought to appeal primarily to older audiences and to residents of rural regions. It was canceled, as the network wanted something that would attract an urban audience.
- StarsDanny ThomasHans ConriedVan JohnsonThomas starred in the musical-variety and comedy episodes (many drawn from his earlier Make Room for Daddy (1953)) and hosted the more dramatic offerings.
- StarsJerry LewisBill RichmondHenry CordenJerry Lewis hosted the variety show that primarily consisted of skits often featuring characters he made known in his movies. Occasionally guests like the Osmond Brothers worked musical numbers into the show's stories.
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsPat BooneFabianDorothy Provine
- StarsBob HopeLes BrownLes Brown and His Band of RenownThe Bob Hope Show hosted by Bob Hope.
- StarsBruce ForsythTommy TrinderNorman VaughanA revival of the British variety show Tonight at the London Palladium, it ran from 28 October 1973 to 28 October 1974.
- StarsPerry ComoMitchell Ayres OrchestraThe Ray Charles SingersPerry Como was an American Singer, who got his start on NBC Radio. In 1948, Because of his popularity, The cameras were simply brought into the radio studio to televise the radio broadcast and named it The Supper Club. In 1950 Como and his Sponsors moved to CBS and named this The Perry Como Chesterfield Show.
- StarsGarry MooreThe George Becker SingersThe Ernie Flatt DancersVariety show hosted by Garry Moore with famous guests.
- StarsDean MartinThe Dingaling SistersKen LaneDean Martin hosts, with several celebrities as guests. There are musical acts and comedy sketches that break down comedy, racial, and sexual barriers all at the same time.
- StarsSteve AllenGene RayburnLouis NyeThe Steve Allen Show was an American variety show hosted by Steve Allen.
- CreatorDigby WolfeStarsDan RowanDick MartinGary OwensThe original rapid fire sketch comedy show.
- StarsJackie GleasonThe June Taylor DancersJohnny OlsonJackie Gleason returns to the variety show format with his "American Scene Magazine". The official title of the show was, again, "The Jackie Gleason Show". Initially taped in New York City, after two seasons in 1964 moved to Miami Beach.
- StarsArt LinkletterJack SlatteryEdith HeadDaytime variety show starring Art Linkletter.
- StarsCarl Hoff OrchestraThe Beatrice Kraft DancersFrank WaldeckerDuring the first year, the theme of this variety show as to interview people who were related to famous celebrities without divulging who the celebrity was. After a period of time, the celebrity was brought out and entertained the audience. Starting in the second year, the show theme switched from music to comedy keeping the same format.
- StarsSammy Spear and His OrchestraJackie GleasonJack LescoulieAn hour of live variety, in the classic sense of television's Golden Age.
- StarsCesar RomeroFrank WaldeckerMorey AmsterdamMusic and comedy performed by various guest artists.
- StarsDorothy CollinsSnooky LansonRaymond ScottThe format was to sing the seven top rated popular songs for the week; the songs were sung by the regular cast of vocalists. An attempt was made to revive the show in 1974 with songs from selected broadcasts of songs from the 1940s and 1950s.
- StarsSherman BillingsleyMary HealyPeter Lind HayesThe Stork Club was televised live from a specially-constructed room at the Manhattan club. Celebrity guests would perform and be interviewed at tables. It was broadcast on a UHF channel.
- StarsFrankie LaineJack E. LeonardTony MarvinSummer replacement show for "Arthur Godfrey and His Friends". It was a variety series. Frankie Laine sang songs, and had a wide range of guest performers.
- StarsArthur GodfreyTony MarvinJanette DavisArthur Godfrey and his Friends entertained the audience with many skits and Musical numbers. The show was live, and Godfrey often did away with the script and improvised. He refused to participate in commercials for products he did not believe in.
- DirectorJack Haley Jr.StarsBob HopeLucille BallNeil Simon
- StarsJohnny CarsonJill CoreyJack PrinceComedy routines, featuring Johnny Carson and guests, and singing were the theme of this program.
- StarsLucille BallDesi ArnazVivian VanceFollow-up to I Love Lucy (1951), Lucy Ricardo continues her wacky schemes as she travels with her husband, Ricky and their friends Ethel and Fred to various locations and meeting celebrities.
- DirectorLouis LewynStarsRichard ArlenTallulah BankheadLew CodyA promotional film featuring movie stars at play.
- StarsJimmy DuranteEddie JacksonJack RothThis early comedy program started off with a rotating cast of four famous comedians, each of whom would take turns hosting the show. The program format was similar to that of a Vaudeville show or stage revue, with the prestige of the hosts enabling the show to bring in equally well-known talent for individual performances. As more hosts were added to the program's roster, the name was changed to "All Star Revue".
- StarsMartha RayeRocky GrazianoCesar RomeroHour-long comedy/variety show which aired live on NBC. It actually began in 1951,under the umbrella title All-Star Revue. Raye began as a monthly replacement for its Host Sid Caesar. Hosted by Martha Raye.
- StarsWilliam LundiganJack BennyArt GilmoreA CBS variety show that ran monthly from 1954-1958, broadcast in color. Stars appearing included Betty Grable, Mario Lanza, Jack Benny, Basil Rathbone, Fredric March, Shirley MacLaine, and Ed Wynn. Lanza and Grable appeared in an amusing episode with Fred Clark, featuring Grable as the unlikely replacement for Lanza in a show.
- StarsGeorge GobelJeff DonnellJohn Scott TrotterFor Gobel's half-hour series, he used a successful comedy format of a monologue segment, followed by a story set up segment, then a musical interlude with the show's girl singer, then the main skit with the guest performers.
- StarsWilliam H. VauxKathryn MurrayArthur MurrayBallroom dancing, plus comedy, songs and dance contests on one of the few programs to air over all four major commercial networks. ABC premiered it on July 20, 1950 and it closed on NBC on September 6, 1960. It varied between a half-hour and one hour in length.
- StarsMike NicholsBarbara BrittonElaine MayShort lived variety show, sponsored by Revlon, with a different host each week. The premise had the guest host entertaining various celebrities in their penthouse, hotel suite, etc. This show alternated with "Playhouse 90" in it's Thursday time slot.
- StarsHugh DownsJose MelisJack PaarOriginally airing during late-night, Tonight Starring Jack Paar was an American talk show hosted by Jack Paar under the Tonight Show franchise from 1957 to 1962. After 1959, it was officially known as The Jack Paar Show.
- StarsMike DouglasEllie FrankelEllie Frankel SextetMike Douglas, aided by a different celebrity co-host every week, interviews a variety of figures from the world of entertainment.
- StarsEli WallachGarry MooreTony RandallFundraising TV special for WNDT (now WNET), then located in Newark, New Jersey.
- StarsAndy WilliamsThe OsmondsJay OsmondHaving hosted summer programs for three seasons before this, Andy Williams' program finally became a regular, year-round show. In addition to Andy, the program also featured numbers by a wide variety of performers, though still avoiding rock or other 'youth' genres. Many new performers were introduced on this show, including a singing family from Utah, The Osmonds.
- StarsTom SmothersDick SmothersPat PaulsenThe Smothers Brothers host a comedy variety show that became notorious for its topical satirical humor.
- StarsMerv GriffinMort LindseyMort Lindsey OrchestraMerv Griffin invites a series of actors, actresses, writers, and directors to discuss the progressive work they have done and current culture, arts, and entertainment surrounding the numerous projects.
- StarsJohnny CarsonEd McMahonDoc SeverinsenHost Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.
- StarsCyril RitchardClaire BloomMary MartinThis program aired once every fourth week, and was one of the most costly live shows of the 1950s. Many stars appeared on this show.
- StarsDinah ShoreJoel AldredJanet BlairDinah hosted this hour-long weekly for seven years. It featured Dinah and guest stars in a variety of songs, skits, production numbers. Also featured: her "See the USA in your Chevrolet" song and her warm kiss to all in conclusion.
- CreatorSheldon EppsStarsScott YooJulie AndrewsPlácido DomingoFilmed and televised versions of theater productions, such as plays, musicals, operas, ballets, and concerts from around the world.
- StarsSkitch HendersonHugh DownsEd HerlihyInterim version of the talk show that aired between the departure of Jack Paar and the arrival of Johnny Carson.
- StarsThe Bell Telephone OrchestraMel BrandtDonald VoorheesThe long-running television version of the long-running NBC radio series devoted to classical music as well as Broadway composers.
- StarsHugh DownsFrank BlairPeter UstinovA talk show with news, interviews, and entertainment aimed at the older viewer.
- StarsDes O'ConnorJim DavidsonFreddie StarrMusic, comedy and celebrity interviews with singer and host Des O'Connor.
- StarsCherry WainerThe Vernons GirlsRed PriceTop musicians of the time perform on this 1950s variety show.
- StarsThe LadybirdsPan's PeopleJimmy SavileA rundown of the latest chart hits, featuring in-studio performances from popular music artists.
- StarsAlan YoungPolly BergenTom MahoneyA dynamic combination of comedy vignettes and visually attractive musical numbers, hosted by Alan Young.
- CreatorFred HamiltonStarsDean MartinJerry LewisAl GoodmanThis was a Colgate-sponsored comedy hour that featured many notable comedians and entertainers of the era as guest stars.
- StarsJack BennyEddie 'Rochester' AndersonDon WilsonThe comic misadventures of the "skinflint" comedian and his friends.
- StarsJohnny CashCarl PerkinsThe Statler BrothersJohnny Cash and his wife, June Carter Cash, were hosts of this Country and Western themed variety show. Comedians Hope, Crosby, Minnie Pearl, and others perform skits. Musical acts as diverse as Louis Armstrong to The Monkees perform.
- StarsEddie CondonCarl ReinerBilly ButterfieldWeekly jazz music show, hosted by guitarist Eddie Condon, with guest jazz artists.
- StarsKen MurrayJane BergmeierDarla HoodA 1950s variety show sponsored by Anheuser-Busch. The host was Ken Murray, who had previously hosted variety theatrical shows and variety radio programs. The show had a large regular cast of singers and female dancers, but also featured guests. Former child actress Darla Hood was part of the regular cast from 1950 to 1951. The show was canceled when its sponsor withdrew its funding.
- DirectorCharles S. DubinStarsKirk DouglasJune AllysonDon AmecheA celebration and contemplation on the theme of "The Pursuit of Happiness," hosted by Kirk Douglas and Ernest Borgnine, including drama, comedy and music. Highlights included: Pat Boone singing "Where Are You?" in a Mardi Gras scene in a skit called "The Sad Lover." A comedy sketch called "Poor Charlie: the Book Store," with Eddie Bracken and Hans Conried, including Alice Ghostley as "Ethel" and Dennis Joel as "Andy." Dan Dailey, Carol Burnett, Steve Lawrence and Chita Rivera in a comedy song and dance sketch titled, "Past and Future." "Mr. Boland's Afternoon"--a dramatic sketch with Don Ameche and Peg Lynch. "Firsts," a comedy sketch with Claudette Colbert and Kent Smith. "The Bridge," a dramatic musical endeavor with Cyril Ritchard and Claudia Crawford singing "Mutual Admiration Society." And Howard Keel, Dinah Shore, Dan Dailey and Doretta Morrow in a potpourri of songs about love, featuring the dancing of Bambi Lynn.
- StarsDon RicklesPat McCormickThe Vic Mizzy OrchestraComedy-variety featuring "insult humorist" Don Rickles.