Types of Variety Show

張貼日期：Jun 24, 2020 12:11:47 PM

Miranda Chen

For me or maybe for most people, watching variety shows is a kind of relaxation after doing tons of school assignments or work. Variety show is a type of light program and it often includes many shows with different elements and characters, like music performances and funny shows. And I think that variety show can be divided into three main types－ the game shows, the travel programs and the talk shows, which are also the popular types among audiences.

First, the game shows are the programs with the theme of recreation and the games are often conducted in the unit of an individual or a group. Also, to have the wonderful program effect, the shows are often with the nature of competition and the party who loses the game may receive some punishments while the winner party may get some rewards. Take Running Man for example. It is a Korean game show that is composed of eight members. Sometimes the show may invite some guests like famous singers, actors or idol groups to play interesting games with the members and the show may divide the members and guests into groups to play the games. I think the most attracting part of the show is that the games are original and creative in every episode and the ways of punishments are also interesting.

Second, the travel programs are often about introducing the tourist attractions or some local cuisines. The features of travel programs are that there are only about one to three hosts on the show because if there are too many people on the scene, audiences may think it is confusing and distracting. There are programs in which the themes focus on Taiwan or only on foreign countries or on both, which can make people look deeper into Taiwan or know more about other countries. Take Super Taste for example. It is a program that has different groups of hosts consisting of two to three people and certain groups of hosts may introduce the domestic tourist spots and the others may introduce foreign attractions. I think what makes the program special is that the hosts may be designated to do some tasks or play the games for the chance to taste the cuisines.

Third, the talk shows are the programs that have a host and some guests invited to have discussion on some specific themes. During the shows, the host may ask the guests about their life or something the audiences may be curious about; while some shows may focus on fashion or makeups. And some stylists or cosmetologists will be invited to the shows to teach audiences and guests some particular craft or skill. In some cases, if the actors or singers are invited to the show, they often promote their new albums, dramas or movies. And according to my observation, most guests on the talk shows are the “announcement artists” in that they just attend the shows and they may not be really good at singing or acting or as popular as the idols. But the thing is that those announcement artists are good at amusing audiences and that can make people relax a lot. Take a popular talk show Kangsi Coming for example. It is a really classical show that almost all Taiwanese know. Their unreasonable, humorous and lively talking style and their interactions with the guests are the reason that makes the show so interesting and funny.

Among the three kinds of variety shows mentioned above, the game shows often have some kind of competition with awards or penalties accordingly; the travel shows are about introducing some great attractions or delicacies worldwide or in Taiwan; the talk shows are diverse and the themes discussed in the programs can be guests’ life or fashion and makeups, and the hosting skills of the hosts are the important point to see if the shows are funny enough. In my daily life, I watch variety shows the most because I would like to watch them instead of some serious types of program to relax myself after doing numerous school work.