Variety Show - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT variety show /vəˌraɪədi ʃoʊ/ /vəˈraɪɛti ʃəʊ/ IPA guide

Other forms: variety shows

A TV or theater production that features many different types of entertainment is a variety show. You might put on a variety show with some talented friends who can juggle, sing, dance, and tell jokes. Bravo!

The earliest variety shows were performed on stages and radio. In the U.S., the first popular variety shows involved the comedy and music of vaudeville. Their format varied, but the key was the word variety — any variety show included an assortment of diverse entertainment all mixed together. The invention of television spurred dozens of popular variety shows, from The Ed Sullivan Show in the 1940s and 50s to The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour in the 1970s.

Definitions of variety show

noun a show consisting of a series of short unrelated performances synonyms: variety see moresee less types: show 4 types... hide 4 types... minstrel show a variety show in which the performers are made up in blackface review, revue a variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians music hall, vaudeville a variety show with songs and comic acts etc. follies a revue with elaborate costuming type of: show a social event involving a public performance or entertainment

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘variety show'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family 2 million people are mastering new words. Master a word

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