1. Dean Martin’s “Drunk” Comedy Routine
Back in the heyday of TV variety shows, stars got away with antics that would never survive modern TV. Dean Martin’s signature slurred speech and ever-present martini glass made his “drunk” comedy routine iconic. He’d stumble onstage, joke about his glass, and wink at the audience like it was all in good fun. Today, though, it might seem like promoting drinking culture. Dean later admitted it was mostly apple juice, not whiskey, but the image stuck. It was funny then, but now, producers would likely pour that act right down the drain.
2. The Jackie Gleason Show’s Blackface Skits
When you look back at old TV, some moments make you wince. The Jackie Gleason Show featured blackface bits that were considered comedy at the time. It was all “entertainment,” but through today’s eyes, it’s deeply offensive. The laughter those sketches once got feels uncomfortable now. Gleason’s talent was undeniable, but this part of his legacy hasn’t aged well. In an era where racial sensitivity matters more than ever, such scenes would never make it past the pitch meeting, let alone onto network television. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go.
3. Johnny Carson’s “Hot Seat” Gags
Johnny Carson was the king of late-night charm, but not every sketch aged gracefully. His “Hot Seat” bits, where he’d put female guests through suggestive riddles and flirty jokes, drew laughs in the 70s. Today, they’d draw complaints. It wasn’t cruel, but the tone felt off by modern standards. Carson knew how to tease without crossing too far, but what counted as playful humor back then might feel uncomfortable now. Even so, his quick wit and timing still shine as a reminder that comedy evolves, and what once made millions chuckle would now make censors raise eyebrows.
4. Benny Hill’s Chase Scenes
If you grew up on reruns of The Benny Hill Show, you probably remember the chase scenes. That zany “Yakety Sax” music played while Benny ran after women in bikinis or dressed as nurses. It was pure slapstick, and people laughed because it was absurd. But today, those same scenes would be viewed as sexist and outdated. Hill’s humor relied on cheeky chaos, but times changed. The same joke that once made people giggle now makes them squirm. Comedy is still about timing, but these days, it’s also about respect. Benny Hill’s legacy is proof of that shift.
5. Don Rickles’ Insult Roasts
Don Rickles was sharp, fearless, and downright hilarious. He roasted everyone with equal vigor, tossing insults like confetti. Celebrities loved it because no one was safe, and that was the fun. But today, his brand of comedy would spark outrage. What was once seen as sharp wit might now be labeled offensive. Rickles always said he never meant harm, that it was all love through laughter. Audiences then understood the difference. Now, we live in a world that prefers careful humor to cutting jokes. His roasts remind us that intent and impact don’t always laugh together.
6. The Gong Show’s Wild Stunts
The Gong Show was never afraid to get weird, but sometimes it went way too far. In one infamous episode, a contestant dropped his pants live on stage. The crowd gasped, the host panicked, and television history got a new “did that just happen?” moment. Today, the network would cut to black instantly. Back then, it became water-cooler gossip. The show was built on shock and surprise, but even that had limits. What once earned nervous laughter would now cause an online meltdown. It’s proof that live TV’s chaos used to be part of its strange charm.
7. Carol Burnett’s Risqué Parodies
Carol Burnett is still a legend, and for good reason. Her show was pure comedic gold, full of clever spoofs and smart sketches. But even she had moments that wouldn’t air now. Some jokes about women’s roles and social stereotypes feel outdated today. Carol always said they reflected their time, and she wasn’t wrong. The humor came from exaggeration, not cruelty. Still, watching those bits now feels like peeking into another era. Audiences then laughed with recognition. Today, we laugh with nostalgia and maybe a little discomfort at how much culture has changed since.
8. Richard Pryor’s Censored Sketches
Richard Pryor’s variety show burned bright and brief, but his honesty made it unforgettable. He talked about race, politics, and pain in a way television wasn’t ready for. One sketch about racial slurs almost got banned before airing. Pryor refused to soften his truth, saying TV was “too afraid of real people.” His comedy wasn’t about pleasing everyone, it was about making them think. Today, streaming platforms might embrace his raw genius, but prime-time networks still wouldn’t take that risk. Pryor’s defiance changed how comedy could sound, proving real humor doesn’t always come wrapped in safety.
9. Laugh-In’s Sharp Political Jabs
Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In was fast, flashy, and full of punchy jokes. It poked fun at everyone, from politicians to hippies to the audience itself. But some of its humor about race, women, and war would be too edgy for modern TV. The show’s satire was wild and sometimes unfiltered, but that’s what made it special. It gave people permission to laugh at serious things. Today, political humor is still alive, but it’s more cautious. Laugh-In ran so that shows like Saturday Night Live could sprint, even if it sometimes stumbled along the way.
10. Andy Kaufman’s Wrestling Antics
Andy Kaufman was a comedy rebel, the kind who lived for confusion. When he appeared on variety shows wrestling women, people didn’t know what to think. Was it real? Was it art? He called himself the “Inter-Gender Champion” and fueled chaos wherever he went. Today, audiences would likely find that act offensive and inappropriate. But Kaufman was ahead of his time, turning discomfort into performance. Whether you laughed or cringed, you remembered him. That’s the strange magic of Andy Kaufman, his comedy made you feel something, even if you couldn’t name what it was.
11. Sonny and Cher’s On-Air Spats
Sonny and Cher had chemistry that lit up screens, but sometimes their banter got personal. Their variety show mixed music, humor, and subtle jabs that hinted at their real-life troubles. Audiences found it relatable, but looking back, some moments feel uncomfortable. Cher later said they were “working out our problems on TV.” It was funny and raw, but modern viewers might see it as too revealing. Reality TV wasn’t a thing yet, so this felt new. Their love story and breakup played out under the spotlight, turning private pain into public entertainment.
12. The Smothers Brothers’ Rebellious Sketches
The Smothers Brothers weren’t afraid to challenge authority. Their variety show became a stage for anti-war messages and political protest. They cracked jokes about presidents and played songs that questioned power. CBS didn’t like it and pulled the plug. The brothers called it censorship, and fans called it bravery. Today, that kind of rebellion might go viral instead of getting banned. Their humor wasn’t cruel, it was conscience-driven. They proved comedy could have a backbone, even when it got them in trouble. That courage paved the way for sharper voices in entertainment.
13. The Ed Sullivan Show’s Risky Performers
Even the famously proper Ed Sullivan Show had its edgy moments. From Elvis’ hip shaking to risque novelty acts, it flirted with controversy under the guise of family entertainment. Ed himself often said they “walked a fine line” to keep audiences entertained without crossing moral limits. Today, those same moments might seem tame, but back then, they caused real outrage. Variety TV was always about pushing boundaries, seeing how close it could get to the edge. And in doing so, it showed how culture, like television, never stops changing its tune.
This story 13 Outrageous Variety-Show Bits That Couldn’t Air Today was first published on Daily FETCH
