Before Stand-Up Specials Took Over TV
The 1970s were a golden age for variety shows. Every week, millions of Americans tuned in to watch comedy sketches, musical performances, celebrity guests, and comedians who could bring down the house with just a few lines. Some became superstars, while others quietly slipped into television history. If you were watching TV back then, these faces probably had you laughing before the commercial break.
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#25. Billy Van
Canadian comedian Billy Van became a familiar face on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and numerous television specials. Whether he was wearing an outrageous costume or delivering a perfectly timed punchline, he had a knack for making even the shortest sketch unforgettable.
Screenshot from The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, CBS (1971)
#24. Totie Fields
Totie Fields lit up variety shows including The Dean Martin Show, The Mike Douglas Show, and The Merv Griffin Show. Her self-deprecating humor and lightning-fast delivery guaranteed audiences were laughing almost as soon as she walked on stage.
Screenshot from The Merv Griffin Show, CBS (1962–1986)
#23. Slappy White
Slappy White became a favorite guest on The Flip Wilson Show, The Dean Martin Show, and many celebrity roasts. His relaxed delivery made every joke sound effortless, even though his timing was anything but accidental.
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#22. Dick Shawn
Few comedians embraced complete chaos like Dick Shawn. Whether appearing on The Dean Martin Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, or television comedy specials, his unpredictable performances kept both audiences and fellow performers guessing.
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#21. Foster Brooks
One of television's most recognizable comedy characters, Foster Brooks became famous for portraying a lovable drunk on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, The Dean Martin Show, and countless variety specials. The routine never failed to get a laugh.
Screenshot from The Merv Griffin Show, NBC (1965–1974)
#20. Marty Allen
With his wild eyes and unmistakable laugh, Marty Allen hardly needed to say a word before audiences started smiling. He appeared regularly on The Hollywood Palace, The Dean Martin Show, The Love Boat specials, and countless variety programs throughout the decade.
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#19. Nipsey Russell
Known as the "Poet Laureate of Television," Nipsey Russell delighted audiences with quick one-liners and clever rhyming jokes. He became a regular on The Dean Martin Show, The Tonight Show, The Flip Wilson Show, and game shows that loved his quick wit.
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#18. George Gobel
George Gobel mastered quiet comedy long before understated humor became fashionable. Frequent appearances on The Dean Martin Show, The Hollywood Palace, and television specials reminded viewers that you didn't need to shout to steal a scene.
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#17. Rich Little
America's favorite impressionist became a fixture on The Dean Martin Show, The Julie Andrews Hour, The Carol Burnett Show, and countless award specials. Watching him switch from one celebrity voice to another never got old.
#16. Charlie Callas
Charlie Callas barely had to speak before audiences burst into laughter. His unforgettable facial expressions and hilarious sound effects turned him into a regular guest on The Dean Martin Show, The Flip Wilson Show, and The Carol Burnett Show.
Screenshot from The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast, NBC (1974–1984)
#15. Arte Johnson
After becoming famous on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, Arte Johnson remained a popular guest on 1970s variety television. His quirky characters popped up on The Dean Martin Show, The Love Boat specials, and numerous comedy specials throughout the decade.
#14. Freddie Prinze
Before his tragic death in 1977, Freddie Prinze became one of television's fastest-rising comedy stars. Besides starring in Chico and the Man, he made memorable appearances on The Dean Martin Show, The Tonight Show, and celebrity variety specials.
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#13. Paul Lynde
Paul Lynde's sarcastic one-liners became television gold. Whether appearing on The Dean Martin Show, The Hollywood Squares Hour, Donny & Marie, or his own specials, he rarely needed more than one sentence to get the biggest laugh.
#12. Ruth Buzzi
Ruth Buzzi's unforgettable characters made her a favorite guest across The Carol Burnett Show, The Dean Martin Show, The Flip Wilson Show, and countless variety specials. She could steal an entire sketch without saying much at all.
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#11. Dom DeLuise
Dom DeLuise practically bounced onto every stage he visited. His appearances on The Dean Martin Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, and Bob Hope specials usually ended with everyone—including the cast—trying not to laugh.
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#10. Jo Anne Worley
Jo Anne Worley's booming voice and fearless energy made her impossible to ignore. Whether appearing on The Carol Burnett Show, The Dean Martin Show, Match Game, or The Muppet Show, she made every entrance feel like an event.
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#9. Jonathan Winters
Jonathan Winters could invent an entirely new character halfway through a sketch without missing a beat. Variety shows such as The Dean Martin Show, The Carol Burnett Show, and numerous television specials gave him the perfect playground for his improvisational genius.
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#8. Avery Schreiber
Avery Schreiber's expressive face made him one of television's funniest supporting comedians. He appeared on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, The Carol Burnett Show, The Dean Martin Show, and countless commercials that were almost as funny as the shows themselves.
#7. Steve Martin
Long before blockbuster movies, Steve Martin became a breakout star through appearances on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, and numerous variety specials. Even holding an arrow through his head somehow became comedy history.
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#6. Tim Conway
Tim Conway never seemed interested in following the script—and that's exactly why audiences loved him. His unforgettable sketches on The Carol Burnett Show often left the rest of the cast laughing so hard they could barely finish the scene.
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#5. Harvey Korman
Harvey Korman's ability to keep a straight face while everyone else fell apart became legendary. Whether playing pompous aristocrats or clueless husbands on The Carol Burnett Show, he somehow made every character hilarious.
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#4. Flip Wilson
Flip Wilson became one of the biggest stars of the decade thanks to The Flip Wilson Show. His unforgettable characters, especially Geraldine, helped make him one of television's most beloved comedians.
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#3. Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett wasn't just the host—she was often the funniest person in every sketch. Week after week, she effortlessly switched between outrageous characters, proving why her variety show became one of television's greatest comedy showcases.
NBC photo by Elmer Holloway-stamp is faint., Wikimedia Commons
#2. Don Rickles
Don Rickles could walk onto a variety show stage, insult every celebrity in sight, and somehow leave everyone smiling. His appearances on The Dean Martin Show, celebrity roasts, The Tonight Show, and countless specials became must-see television.
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#1. Harvey Korman and Tim Conway
No comedy partnership stole more scenes during the 1970s than Harvey Korman and Tim Conway. Their legendary sketches on The Carol Burnett Show became famous because Korman could rarely keep a straight face while Conway improvised. Even today, watching them try not to laugh is just as funny as the jokes themselves.
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Final Thoughts
The golden age of variety television introduced audiences to comedians who didn't need elaborate sets or long monologues to earn huge laughs. Sometimes all it took was one funny expression, one perfectly timed line, or one unforgettable sketch. For baby boomers, these performers remain some of television's greatest entertainers—even if younger audiences barely recognize their names today.
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