Classic Variety Shows

1 / 15

Test your knowledge of the great TV variety shows!

15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓

Which host famously introduced acts on his variety show by saying 'a really big show'?

PrintPrint with Answers

About Classic Variety Shows

Classic Variety Shows is a free nostalgia trivia quiz with 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 5 easy, 5 medium, 5 hard questions. Test your knowledge of the great TV variety shows! A typical run takes about 7 minutes, hints are always one tap away, and your streak ticks up the first time you finish a game on a given day.

A few sample questions

  1. 1. Which host famously introduced acts on his variety show by saying 'a really big show'?

    Answer: Ed Sullivan

    Ed Sullivan was famous for his introduction 'We've got a really big show tonight!' The Ed Sullivan Show ran from 1948 to 1971 and featured everything from The Beatles to plate spinners.

  2. 2. What was the name of Carol Burnett's signature closing gesture on her variety show?

    Answer: Pulling her ear

    Carol Burnett always tugged her ear at the end of every show as a secret signal to her grandmother who had raised her. The Carol Burnett Show ran from 1967 to 1978.

  3. 3. Which comedian was known as 'Mr. Television' and hosted one of the first major TV variety shows?

    Answer: Milton Berle

    Milton Berle earned the nickname 'Mr. Television' for his wildly popular Texaco Star Theater, which premiered in 1948 and is credited with driving early television set sales.

  4. 4. On which variety show did The Beatles make their famous American TV debut in 1964?

    Answer: The Ed Sullivan Show

    The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, drawing an estimated 73 million viewers — the largest TV audience at that time.

  5. 5. Which variety show featured the comedy team of Dan Rowan and Dick Martin?

    Answer: Laugh-In

    Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In aired from 1968 to 1973 on NBC. It was revolutionary for its fast-paced comedy style and launched careers of Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin.

Things you'll learn along the way

  • Tim Conway played multiple beloved recurring characters on The Carol Burnett Show, including Mr. Tudball, The Oldest Man, and Ed the horse. He was famous for making Harvey Korman break character laughing.
  • The Dean Martin Show ran on NBC from 1965 to 1974. Dean was famous for his relaxed, seemingly tipsy persona on the show, though much of it was an act.
  • Hee Haw premiered in 1969 on CBS and was hosted by Buck Owens and Roy Clark. After CBS cancelled it in 1971, it continued in syndication until 1993, becoming one of the longest-running variety shows.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are in Classic Variety Shows?

Classic Variety Shows has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.

Is Classic Variety Shows free to play?

Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Classic Variety Shows — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.

How long does Classic Variety Shows take?

Most players finish Classic Variety Shows in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.

What's a good follow-up after Classic Variety Shows?

If you enjoyed this nostalgia trivia quiz, try the Daily Challenge — five rotating questions, refreshed every 24 hours, that count toward your streak. You can also use the Surprise Me button on the homepage to land on a different game type for variety.

More Nostalgia Trivia

1960s Variety Show Acts

Remember the dazzling performers and unforgettable acts that graced 1960s variety shows?

Ed Sullivan's Really Big Show: The Quiz

Every Sunday night for 23 years, Ed Sullivan invited the whole world into America's living room — from plate-spinners to the Beatles, his show defined an era. How well do you remember television's greatest variety hour?

The Andy Griffith Show Trivia

Take a trip back to Mayberry! How well do you remember Andy, Barney, Opie, and the rest of the beloved townsfolk?

Classic Detective Shows

Test your knowledge of classic TV detective and mystery shows!

Classic Game Show Hosts

Famous TV game show hosts and their shows

Try Memory Games

Famous TV Shows Quiz

How well do you remember classic and iconic television shows?

Try Word Games

1930s Depression Era Slang

Explore the gritty language born from the Great Depression and its hard times

From our guides

Trivia Games for Seniors

The best trivia formats for older adults, and why they work.