The origins of the variety genre are traced, from Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town and Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater, to The Carol Burnett Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and Laugh-In, among others. Tim Conway and Jonathan Winters tell hilarious stories about their experiences as variety players, and Tommy Smothers shares the compelling behind-the-scenes story of his landmark show. Interviews featured: Carol Burnett, Pat Boone, Tony Orlando, Sid Caesar, Florence Henderson, Jim Nabors, Jerry Stiller, Andy Williams, Red Skelton and Milton Berle.