When I was young The Ed Sullivan Show was the #1 show on television. Ed was endlessly imitated and kidded for his stiff manner -- he would never be a show host today -- but he was a savvy promoter and showman. Ed had a great talent for booking acts that America loved -- not just the Beatles, but also the Rolling Stones, along with vaudevillians, comedians, dancers, and novelty acts. There was something that appealed to everyone in the family, and families watched Ed togther.
The #1 show in America today is American Idol. American Idol brought competition to the variety format, and has been followed by a host of imitators: America's Got Talent, Dancing With the Stars, and very soon, the new Simon Cowell show, the X Factor.
I recently watched the American Idol results show. It did feature some competition elements: they told us who was safe, who was in the bottom three, and who was going home at the end. In between those moments, it looked like a variety show. Popular singers performed, Ryan made some jokes, and the ensemble sang a number. Would a variety show without a competition element succeed in primetime? The networks wouldnn't produce one -- variety shows are dead. Yet competitive variety shows have never been more popular.
What does that mean for you? As a content producer, look for ideas that worked in the past, and aren't on television today. Think about them: Can you give a classic idea a modern twist? If you can, you might have a hit on your hands. Just don't call it a variety show.
