I keep seeing those infomercials for The Dean Martin Show and then I wonder who will be the host of the next great variety show. From my calculations I think you’d need to have someone who can sing, has decent comedic timing, and can dance (in that order). Of course this person also needs to be appealing to the masses. So, I’m thinking it would have to be someone in TV or the movies who also works on Broadway on occasion. The best fit to that description that I can come up with is Neil Patrick Harris. What are your thoughts?I guess he's thinking of someone a la Carol Burnett and in that case Neil Patrick Harris would be a great choice. He's got comic chops, he can sing and dance and he's done Broadway. (Of course, that also applies to Tony Danza.) But an actual variety show -- a la Ed Sullivan -- doesn't need a host who can perform, just someone with great taste who can introduce the acts. This cabaret/theater producer profiled today in the NYTImes would be good for a more limited cabaret show on Bravo or something. But if you want a host who can draw in pop and rock and country and jazz and Broadway performers, who loves world music and cabaret and punk, someone who could keep an eye on interesting comics and offbeat acts from the subway to Prague, why the only possible choice is...ME! Yes, I've YEARNED to launch an Ed Sullivan variety show for years. I know a producer at David Letterman who has a very demanding and wonderful day job who also dreams of a variety show. American Idol is often described as a variety show and while it certainly fills that need, it's not what we typically mean. I'd love a half hour a week on cable, with a rundown Broadway house filled with junk as if it's been vacant for years and I've never been sure if it should have a tiny audience or no audience at all, but it would have the aura of vaudeville. But if you want a performer for a sketch variety show, Harris is a great choice. (I wonder if he's ever guested on SNL?) Any other ideas?
Friday, January 19, 2007
Who Would Be The Perfect Star Of A Variety Series?
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7 comments:
Hey pallie, never was, never will be anyone as cool as the King of Cool. What made the Dinoshow so Dinogreat was of course DINO!!! Oh, to return to the days when Dino walked the earth!!!
I'd love to see Reba McEntyre take a shot at a variety show...she can do it all
Yeah pal, the person you talk about would have to my like Dino Martin! He was the best ever and noone can ever entertain us like he did. Watching him and trying to be like him is the best way for all of them to get better! :-)
While watching The Muppet Show episode with Ben Vereen this weekend, I thought that Usher might be a good fit for a variety show as well. I know he's acted a little and abviously can sing and dance, but I'm just not sure if he has comedic timing or if he has a large enough public appeal.
Two performers who are very different: Beyonce - I thought she did a good job with the Austin Powers comedy, and can act and sing and brings glamour. Hugh Jackman, he funny and attractive and has hosted the Tony's.
Ah, the days of the variety show. NPH would make a great host. I was thinking even George Clooney would do one. But he can't sing, and I don't think he can dance. But he would come out with these beautiful dancers at the beg. of his show and then do his schtick.
Another choice as a host could be Zach Braff. He obviously has the comedic timing, can do some great physical comedy and while he won't sell multi-platinum albums, the Scrubs Musical episode shows that he can sing (and that he enjoys Guy Love).
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