TCA: CBS Piloting John Mayer Variety Show

Nina Tassler says it could become a series of specials or full series

By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/13/2009 7:05:00 PM

TCA ’09: Complete Coverage from Broadcasting & Cable

Musician John Mayer is shooting a variety show pilot for CBS, network entertainment president Nina Tassler said at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Los Angeles Wednesday. Tassler said the pilot could end up becoming a series of specials or a full series.
Mayer has hosted his own show before. The short lived John Mayer Has a TV Show aired one episode on VH1 in 2004.
Variety shows are suddenly in vogue on the broadcast networks, though not always with the success they would probably like.

NBC aired a live variety show during the holidays hosted by comedian Rosie O’Donnell

. It did poorly in the ratings and future installments were nixed. F

ox is preparing to launch a variety show hosted by the musically inclined Osbourne

family later this year.
Melissa Grego contributed to this report.

Talkback

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• Great News! Now bring back \"Sullivan\"- type show, Sundays at 8, with latest hip groups plus all the rest (pop, B\'way, comics, dancing bears, etc.) Justin Timberlake as host. Then find a 21st century Carol Burnett -- or just given Ellen a variety show and watch her soar. Reclaim CBS\' Golden Era... how many CSI-JAG-NCIS clones can the audience stomach?

  '>
  

  Great News! Now bring back "Sullivan"- type show, Sundays at 8, with latest hip groups plus all the rest (pop, B'way, comics, dancing bears, etc.) Justin Timberlake as host. Then find a 21st century Carol Burnett -- or just given Ellen a variety show and watch her soar. Reclaim CBS' Golden Era... how many CSI-JAG-NCIS clones can the audience stomach?

  
  

  
  Frank Stanton's ghost - 1/14/2009 2:14:00 PM EST
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