When Variety Was King

An anecdote-filled recollection of a bygone golden age

He created Hee Haw, the number-one show on TV. He wrote and produced variety shows for Jackie Gleason, Andy Williams, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews, Sonny and Cher, and Perry Como. He invented the rock TV show Hullabaloo. He was the most popular producer of his time — a time when variety television was king. With his writing/producing partner John Aylesworth, Frank Peppiatt developed dozens of TV shows but their career began on air in the initial days of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, alongside other talented newcomers like Norman Jewison and Arthur Hiller. Then came a call from New York to write for the Eydie Gorme/Steve Lawrence show in 1958, and quickly “A & P” became the most in-demand writing and producing team around.

Peppiatt, a man who spent his life behind the scenes writing comedy and turning entertainers into household names, now recounts his own remarkable life story: a humble Canadian boy who grew up to create iconic American TV shows amid a cast of Hollywood celebrities. When Variety Was King captures the early days of TV with humour and spice.

"Hilarious and Entertaining. Frank Peppiatt has written a fascinating book about the golden age of television." — Norman Jewison, television/film director

“When Variety Was King is full of Frank’s sly wit and humorous warmth as he described a career with his partner John Aylesworth that went from the two of them writing copy for Maclaren advertising in Toronto to TV specials with Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, and culminating in the 25 year success of bringing country music and humour to network television, sometimes in the number one spot in the ratings. . . . The book is full of Frank’s comedic flair, including a hysterically funny portrait of a self-indulgent Jackie Gleason. I put the book down only to take it up again, and revel in the gigantic talent of my old pal, Frank Peppiatt.”— Don Harron, comedian and actor