How The Variety Show Scene Has Been Changing In Recent Times

A new wave of change has hit the variety show scene.

Though real variety programs once dominated the variety show industry, current programs are making their viewers laugh with their diverse content and formats. From food, travel, film, observational, sports, and more, the topics and themes continue to expand and a whole new world of variety shows has been produced. To put it simply, there are no limits to variety shows. From diverse platforms to channels, viewers can tune in anytime and anywhere. With this diversity, variety shows have been hit with a new wave of change.

The biggest change to the variety show programming is the season format. From “Superstar K” to shows like “Produce 101,” “Crime Scene,” “New Journey to the West,” “Grandpas Over Flowers,” “Hidden Singer,” and more, the season format has become more common. However, this format has mostly been seen in cable channels as opposed to terrestrial public broadcasting stations. The closest it had ventured is MBC’s statement that it would begin to plan the production of a season-format variety show at the beginning of this year.

One implication of the season format becoming popular means that just because a program concludes, doesn’t mean that it has ended for good. Through the season format, shows that have seen the end of its run may be revived in the future, and the show may even improve. When programs run out of topics to cover, rather than concluding it completely, the production staff are given the opportunity to end the season, have time to prepare for a better program, and return. Prime examples are JTBC’s “Crime Scene” and “Hidden Singer.” For instance, “Hidden Singer” has returned for a fifth season after three years since it previous season.

With cable channels following this trend, public broadcasting stations have also chosen to do the same. MBC recently concluded the season of well-loved variety show “Infinite Challenge” which aired for 13 years. As it was the conclusion of a season and not the show itself, there is still a possibility that it may return. KBS’s “Mr. House Husband” and “Unni’s Slam Dunk” are examples of successful season-formatted variety shows. SBS has also ventured into the season format with “Baek Jong Won’s Three Emperors,” “Baek Jong Won’s Food Truck,” “Baek Jong Won’s Food Alley,” and “Same Bed Different Dreams.”

The second notable change to variety show programming is pre-production. The most notable example is Netflix’s original variety show “Busted.” Prior to its broadcast, it had finished filming and editing, and released episodes each week. In addition to its pre-production, “Busted” has also broken down barriers to traditional variety show entertainment as it included a drama-like element to it as well as streaming access.

Viewers praised “Busted” for its ability to get more and more funny as episodes continued, and the show has already been confirmed for its second season. The show has pioneered the way for pre-produced variety shows as it has proven that it is not only pre-produced dramas that are successful. It also received praise for integrating variety show elements with drama.

Another example is MBC’s “Dunia.” The variety show added gaming-like elements and allowed for viewers to have the ultimate choice. This is another stab at variety shows made with viewers, headed by producing-director Park Jin Kyung, who also created “My Little Television.” Through these changes, variety show programming format and contents continue to advance.

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