Variety show

A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is entertainment made up of a variety of acts (hence the name), especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and is normally introduced by a compère (master of ceremonies) or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling and ventriloquism. The variety format made its way from Victorian era stage to radio to television. Variety shows were a staple of anglophone television from its early days (late 1940's) into the 1970s, and lasted into the 1980s (and even further, when considering Saturday Night Live for example, which is still currently active). In several parts of the world, variety TV remains popular and widespread.