A TV variety show is a show with a variety1 of acts, such as music and comedy sketches.2 Viewers love variety shows because they are usually very fun to watch. 電視綜藝節目包括許多單元，像是音樂和短劇。觀眾喜歡看綜藝節目，因為他們多半很有趣。
In America, NBC's Saturday Night Live (SNL) is one of the most popular variety shows. Since its debut3 in 1975, SNL has run on TV for more than 30 years. Now, viewers can even watch the reruns4 of SNL on Cable TV. Many cast5 members from the show became super stars later. For example, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, and Mike Myers are all former members of SNL.
在美國，NBC的周末夜現場是最受歡迎綜藝節目之一。自從一九七五年首度播出以來，至今已超過三十個年頭了。如今，觀眾還可以在有線電視看到重播；許多周末夜現場的卡司，後來都成了超級巨星；比方說艾迪墨菲、亞當山德勒和邁可邁爾都曾是周末夜現場的演員。
In Taiwan, the audiences love variety shows very much. Variety Big Brother is probably the most famous show. This show is hosted by Chang Fei. This show is composed of skits,6 songs, performances and jokes.
在台灣，觀眾非常喜歡看綜藝節目。綜藝大哥大可能是最出名的節目，主持人是張菲。這個節目裡有短劇、歌唱、表演和笑話等。
Unlike SNL, Variety Big Brother's sketches are usually improvised7. Secondly, this show uses a laugh track8 when the audience is quiet
.和周末夜現場不同的是，綜藝大哥大的短劇通常是即興演出。另外，當觀眾安靜時，這個節目會使用罐頭笑聲。
After working for all day, many people prefer watch variety shows to TV news programs. They say that to watch TV news makes them upset,9 because there is no good news on TV. On the contrary, watching variety shows makes them laugh. This can explain why variety shows are still many viewers' favorite10 TV shows.
在工作一整天後，許多人喜歡看綜藝節目而不是電視新聞。他們說看電視新聞令他們沮喪，因為電視上沒有好消息。相反地，看綜藝節目則令他們歡笑。這說明了為何綜藝節目仍是許多人的最愛。
單字精解
1.variety 多樣性，綜藝節目
2.sketch 短劇
3.debut 首次演出
4.rerun 重播
5.cast 演員陣容
6.skit 短劇
7.improvise 即興演出
8.laugh track 罐頭笑聲
9.upset 煩惱、沮喪
10.favorite 最愛的