Viva Variety 

Pseudo-European variety show with all the trimmings. Mr. and (the former) Mrs. Laupin and their dimwitted more-American-than-American sidekick Johnny Blue-jeans team up to bring their "... See full summary »

Creators:

Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon

Stars:

Thomas Lennon, Kerri Kenney, Michael Ian Black

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
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

Storyline

Pseudo-European variety show with all the trimmings. Mr. and (the former) Mrs. Laupin and their dimwitted more-American-than-American sidekick Johnny Blue-jeans team up to bring their "European" show to an American audience with hilarious results. As they say "Viva Variety is as American as French Fries... with mayonnaise and vinegar."

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Plot Keywords:

variety show | showbiz | monologue | tv | tv program | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English Spanish Italian French

Release Date:

1 April 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Mr. and Former Mrs. Laupin Variety Program

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

22 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Tosh.0: Angry Black Preacher (2010)

User Reviews

A Bright And "Sonny" Show To "Cher"

Viva Variety was a unique hybrid program that was both a parody of and a tribute to the programs it represented.

It was most directly a mock up of the classic 1970s favorite, "The Sonny & Cher Show," With Thomas Lennon and Kerri Kenney playing a divorced show biz couple who were somehow forced to host this program together, the female of the pair towering over the male, and the constant barrage of "insult humor" the couple tossed at each other, plus sketch comedy bits and performances from what are most kindly described as "specialty" acts!

The "hybrid" was the mix of fact and fantasy. Of course, there was no "Mr. and Former Mrs. Laupin," and the program's announcer, Johnny Bluejeans, was likewise equally fictional. But all the acts that performed were certainly real, and some were even entertaining! But there were also some acts that would have clearly been better suited for the old Chuck Barris "Gong Show."

The show itself was really more like an extended sketch from "SCTV" (it was borne from the MTV series, "The State," after all), and some would suggest that it would have been better as a five minute bit in the mix of a program like that one, rather than a stand alone series. But "Viva Variety" certainly should get high marks for original concepts, and even though it was often more odd than funny, it was certainly worthwhile, especially when they road tripped to Las Vegas and brought in even glitzier acts to perform. It's unlikely we'll ever see anything like this on television again.