The TV Zone

Remember "The Superstars"?

ABC's Sunday-afternoon '70s "sports" show virtually invented the genre of "trash sports," not to mention "Battle of the Network Stars" and every other celeb/jock/reality show since. On it, pro athletes of the day competed with each other in sports to which they might not be naturally suited. (Commentators included Reggie Jackson and O.J. Simpson.)

The point of this nostalgic digression is that ABC has just announced it will bring back a brand- spankin'-new 2009 version of the show this summer. The network didn't say which athletes will be there, so we'll have to hold our collective breath until they do. Who would you

Continue reading "'The Superstars' Coming Back" »

Rosie O'Donnell will attempt to revive one of TV's greatest genres next Wednesday, when she hosts "Rosie Live," a variety special on NBC.

We applaud Rosie's attempt, but doubt that she's going to get very far.

Nevertheless, Rosie's show puts us in mind of the 1970s, the last Golden Age of the Variety Show. It seemed back then nearly anyone who wanted was given a variety show by the networks, desperate to emulate the success of "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour." The list is so long, if I had to put it here, it would probably crash the computer.

If you want to get a taste of the '70s variety show yourself, check out this great clip from "Tony Orlando & Dawn," which CBS originally developed as the summer replacement for "Sonny and Cher" in 1974.