The Greatest VARIETY SHOWS of All Time

LAUGHS, MUSIC AND EXCITING GUESTS MADE THESE SERIES SPECIAL

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10. YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS

Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca and Carl Reiner anchored this live 90-minute variety series, which debuted in 1950 and boasted Mel Brooks and Neil Simon as two of its writers. "They did sketches that really were characterdriven and not dependent on a pie in the face," says David Inman, author of Television Variety Shows: Histories and Episode Guides to 57 Programs.
"The work really stands up today."

9 HEE HAW

Set in fictional Kornfield Kounty, the series hosted by Buck Owens and Roy Clark brought country to the masses.

"Country music had not been given a big spot on network TV before," notes Inman of the series that bowed in 1969.

"It showcased a lot of great performers." Frequent guests included Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Charley Pride.

8 THE THE MUPPET SHOW

"One of the great episodes featured Kermit tap-dancing with Gene Kelly," says Inman of The Muppet Show, which ran from 1976 to 1981. "It was a true family show with sweetness in its heart. It's also timeless. You can watch it now and it's still as good as you remembered."

7 THE FLIP WILSON SHOW