Shows Like The Red Skelton Show
The Red Skelton Show is an American variety show that was a television staple for two decades, from 1951 to 1971. It was second to Gunsmoke and third to The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings during that time. Skelton, who had previously been a radio star, had appeared in several motion pictures as well. Although his television series is largely associated with CBS, where it appeared for more than fifteen years, it actually began and ended on NBC. During its run, the program received three Emmy Awards, for Skelton as best comedian and the program as best comedy show during its initial season, and an award for comedy writing in 1961.
Ranked by shared creators, cast, themes, genre, and network — not just generic recommendations.
The Ed Sullivan Show
Contemporaneous CBS variety show that aired alongside Skelton and shared the same audience, format, and era.
The Carol Burnett Show
Classic CBS variety/sketch show with recurring characters and pantomime, the closest spiritual heir to Skelton's format.
The Two Ronnies
Long-running variety sketch show built around star comedians performing recurring characters, mirroring Skelton's structure.
French & Saunders
Star-driven sketch and parody variety show in the same lineage of performer-led comedy hours.
Key & Peele
Modern sketch comedy showcase built around two performers playing recurring characters, like Skelton's character bits.
All That
Family-friendly sketch comedy variety show, similar broad-audience tone but aimed at kids.
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Variety/talk parody with recurring character bits, shares the absurd character-driven comedy DNA.
Late Show with David Letterman
Variety-tinged late-night show with recurring comedy bits descended from the variety-show tradition.
America's Funniest Home Videos
Family-friendly broad-comedy clip variety show in the same wholesome primetime mold.
MAD
Sketch/parody comedy in animated form, shares the variety-sketch structure but skews younger.
Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out
Sketch and improv variety comedy with celebrity guests, distant descendant of the variety format.
Comedy Bang! Bang!
Talk-show parody with absurd sketches and characters; shares variety-show bones in a niche modern voice.
Good Mythical Morning
Two-host variety show with recurring bits and broad family-friendly comedy, distant kin in modern web form.
The Dean Martin Show
Classic celebrity-led variety hour from the same golden era of TV variety.
The Jack Benny Program
Contemporary star comedian variety/sketch show, exact peer to Skelton in era and audience.
How Good Is The Red Skelton Show?
Ratings across IMDb and TMDB, plus our verdict.
Where to Watch The Red Skelton Show
Streaming, rental, and purchase options across 40+ countries.
United States
USStream
2
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsFree with Ads
6
Xumo Play
Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads
The Roku Channel
Pluto TV
Shout! Factory TV
Tubi TVBuy
1
Amazon VideoAvailable in 3 countries