variety show

/vəˌraɪədi ʃoʊ/

/vəˈraɪɛti ʃəʊ/

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

1. noun

   a show consisting of a series of short unrelated performances
   synonyms: variety

   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