TOP 10: Comedy/Variety Series

From the beginning of TV through the early 80's, the Comedy/Variety format was a main staple in network programming. There were as many variety programs on TV then, as there are crime dramas now. At one point in the 1970's Just about everyone had a comedy variety series. Even THE BRADYS!

Here is my list of the top 10 comedy/variety series of all time. The list spans across decades and generations. From 1950 to today.

10) MILTON BERLE (1948 - 56):
Officially TV first #1 program, in 1950-51, the TEXACO STAR THEATER/MILTON BERLE SHOW was THE comedy variety series of the early to mid 1950's The series was a top 10 show until it's final season, in 1955-56. Plus, it has Uncle Miltie.

9) SCTV (1976 - 84):
Starting out on Canadian networks for the first four years, SCTV hit the American airwaves in 1981. Presented as a TV network of itself and the sketches were the different programs on the network, plus some behind the scene sketches to tie things together. The cast rivaled the original SNL cast. John Candy, Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short and Dave Thomas. Unfortunately it was the success of the show that killed the show. All these comedy legends were getting movie deals and the second wave of cast members just could keep it going.

8) THE MUPPET SHOW (1976 - 1981):
Jim Henson gives us what would be the great Muppet characters of all time. Joining established Kermit The Frog were new characters, Fozzy Bear, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Animal, Statler and Waldorf and many more. Like SCTV, we got on stage sketches and behind the curtain chaos sequences. THE MUPPET SHOW is one series that needs to be rebooted, but not deviated far from this original.

7) ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN (1967 - 73):
Just the second comedy/variety series to be a #1 program of a season, and it it did it for two straight years. LAUGH-IN was as big in the 60's as MILTON BERLE was in the 1950's. It was edgy, for the time, and embraced pop-culture. Unfortunately, not all the humor makes it, 45+ years later. But, it was a good time and if you were a name, in Hollywood, you probably found a way to get a "Sock it To Me" cameo in one episode of LAUGH-IN.

6) RED SKELTON (1951 - 1971):
The longest running primetime comedy/variety series of all time, THE RED SKELTON SHOW ran for twenty seasons between NBC and CBS. Red Skelton was one of the great comedieans. His iconic hobo character Freddie the Freeloader is still recognized by people today. The series was a top ten hit for nine seasons. It's demize was releated to the CBS "Rual Ourge" at the end of the 1970 season. It did run one more season on NBC, but it was just not the same show it was before.

5) IN LIVING COLOR (1990 - 94):
Perhaps one of the great sketch comedy casts since the original SNL line up. You have Keenen Ivory Wayans, Damon Wayans, Jim Carey, David Alan Grier, and Jamie Foxx. It is the show that pushed the NFL to give us series Halftime Shows. IN LIVING COLOR was both edgy and hilarious. It was network politics that killed the series before it's time.

4) THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW (1965 - 74):
If you have seen clips of this series, you know it was all about having fun. Most of the time, Dean and company are cracking themselves up during the sketches. Infact, Dean Martin only had to show up for tapings. No rehearsals.  Plus, you always had the crooning voice of Dean singing a song or two. THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW was a top 25 hit for five of it's first six seasons. Do you self a favor and Google THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW and watch a couple hours of this comedy classic.

3) YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS (1950 - 54):
One of TV Guide's top 50 shows of all time, YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS is considered by some to be the best comedy variety series of all time, despite just a four year life span. The series stared comedy greats Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, and Carl Reiner. It's may have had a short life, but it specialized in quality, not quantity.

2) SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (1975 - Present):
The longest running sketch comedy/variety series on TV, SNL has had it's highs and lows. From the great characters of The Blues Brothers, The Coneheads, Waynes World, Mr. Robinsons Neighborhood, SNL Update and many, many more. SNL is approaching it's 40th anniversary and has hit a stride that can only be compared to when Carson starred on THE TONIGHT SHOW. This series could go 40 more years.

1) THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW (1967 - 78):
In my opinion, the best sketch comedy programs of all time. A great core cast of Harvey Korman, Vicky Lawrence and Tim Conway. Classic characters, including "Mama's Family." There is nothing funnier than watching Tim Conway and Harvey Korman in a scene together and trying to hold hold it together and not bust out laughing. It also has one of the best out-takes of all time.