"Viva Variety" (1997) TV series 1997-1999

Creators:

Michael Ian Black
Robert Ben Garant
Thomas Lennon

Seasons:

1 | unknown

Plot:

Pseudo-European variety show with all the trimmings. Mr. and (the former) Mrs. Laupin and their dimwitted...

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Thomas Lennon	...	Meredith Laupin (16 episodes, 1997)
Kerri Kenney	...	Agatha Laupin (16 episodes, 1997)
Michael Ian Black	...	Johnny Blue Jeans (16 episodes, 1997)
Betsy Chang	...	Swimsuit Squad / ... (13 episodes, 1997)
Jill Nicklaus	...	Swimsuit Squad / ... (13 episodes, 1997)
Kerri Quinn	...	Swimsuit Squad / ... (13 episodes, 1997)
Mira Tzur	...	Swimsuit Squad (13 episodes, 1997)

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English | Spanish | Italian | French

Color:

Color

Movie Connections:

Spin off from "The State" (1993)

Quirky, funny show

I came across a film clip from this show at a web site that specializes in strange media. The mustachioed host introduced a pair of pianists who walked on stage, stood behind a piano, dropped their pants, raised their arms over their heads, and played a medley of songs with their units. It was goofy and silly, and vaguely familiar.

I recognized the host, but couldn't recall much of anything else. Some creative searching at Google helped me nail the title of the show, and when I looked up "Viva Variety" on IMDb, it all came flooding back to me. How could I have forgotten Johnny Bluejeans and the Laupins? Shame on me!

This show was funny and original. It's too bad that the variety format seems dead in America. I would have liked to see more of it. If you happen to catch any of these episodes in the great cable wasteland, it's a refreshing change of pace from the banality of current offerings on TV.