The Variety Show (with Tom and Rob)

Studio:Channel84
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Comedy
  • Updated Biweekly

The Variety Show Podcast from Studio:Channel84 Running since 2021, hosted by Rob and TJ, The Variety Show is a comedy podcast that mixes pop culture, films, TV, gaming, music, nostalgia, parenting, strange news, quizzes, taste tests and whatever else grabs our attention that week. One minute we're debating classic movies or reviewing the latest cinema releases. The next we're arguing over ridiculous snacks, reliving growing up in the 80s and 90s, or trying to make each other laugh with bizarre games and challenges. Nothing is off the table for long. Expect honest opinions, plenty of laughs, questionable decisions and the occasional tangent that somehow becomes the best part of the episode. If you enjoy conversations that feel like sitting in the pub with two mates—funny, unfiltered and never taking themselves too seriously—you'll fit right in. New episodes are released every other Monday. Formerly The Channel 84 Variety Show. Same hosts. Same chaos. New name. Any other Variety Shows are impersonators!

  1. 4d ago

    Microwave Chips, Movie Swearing and a Weaponised Fart

    Episode 89 begins with a simple question: what happens when tap to pay stops working and you’ve left your wallet at home? After a £99.98 Lidl close call, Tom takes aim at Sky Mobile’s Roy Keane advert, Rob reveals that he had no idea who Roy Keane was, and the pair establish that repeatedly smashing a phone against a card reader is not a convincing demonstration of modern technology. Then it’s time to decide how much swearing belongs in a PG film. Inspired by Star Trek IV, Coyote vs Acme and the BBFC’s wonderfully vague definition of “mild bad language”, Tom and Rob work through the acceptable uses of bloody, bugger, piss, bitch and several other words you probably weren’t expecting to hear during a discussion about children’s films. Gaming brings the arrival of Nintendo’s new Zelda remake, a rare pre-order from Tom, an Ocarina pin badge and another furious encounter with online scalpers. With consoles appearing on eBay before anyone has received them, the proposed solution involves Nintendo accounts, activation restrictions and considerably more common sense. The Snack Sack returns with a microwave chip showdown. McCain’s Quick Chips — formerly the far better-named Microchips — face Birds Eye Express Fries. One is soggy yet somehow dry; the other resembles day-old McDonald’s chips and provides an unexpected jaw workout. The salt does most of the work, Fries to Go remain missing, and the air fryer wins by default. There’s also unfinished business from the Foley challenge. Trains, whales and warp-speed spacecraft are recreated using plates, mouths, audio effects and one heavily manipulated fart. Rob misunderstands the assignment, Tom’s wife unknowingly votes for the fart, and dignity quietly leaves the studio. Finally, a movie-franchise quiz makes everyone feel ancient as The Hunger Games, Cars, Shrek, Pokémon, Jurassic Park, Terminator, Alien, Star Trek, James Bond and Quatermass are placed in order. Then Pretty Green Eyes battles Stop the Rock in a sweat-soaked burst of 90s club nostalgia. Main website: www.thevarietyshow.co.uk Studio: www.channel84.co.uk E-mail your questions: tj@thevarietyshow.co.uk #TheVarietyShow #UKComedyPodcast #MoviePodcast #GamingPodcast #90sNostalgia

    Microwave Chips, Movie Swearing and a Weaponised Fart

  2. Aug 30

    Amazon, Adverts and 90s Dance Anthems

    Rob wins £750 and immediately assumes he's being scammed. Surprisingly, he isn't. Unfortunately, that's where things start going wrong. This week, Rob & Tom return with an Amazon delivery nightmare involving a Nintendo Switch 2, a missing parcel, Evri, endless AI customer-service loops and an A-to-Z refund process that takes two weeks to escape. Eventually, Rob gets his Switch 2 — but not before having to use AI to help him argue with AI. Welcome to the future. Tom, meanwhile, has achieved perhaps his greatest Dad Win yet. A treasured 3D-printed dragon suffers a catastrophic tail injury, and somehow a questionable purchase from the middle aisle of Lidl saves the day. Turns out buying tools you don't need really can pay off eventually. Then we're heading back into classic British TV advertising for a new quiz. Tom plays the original songs behind ten famous advert parodies, while Rob has to work out which products stole the tunes and rewrote the lyrics. Expect forgotten jingles, questionable memories and the disturbing realisation that advertising from thirty years ago is still occupying valuable space in our brains. Finally, Was It Best Left in the Nineties returns with two huge but very different 90s dance tracks fighting for survival. One gets another chance. One gets sent back to the decade it came from. Naturally, Rob and Tom completely disagree, leading to old arguments resurfacing, The Poddington Peas entering proceedings and Pokémon itself ending up on trial. Plus Nintendo nostalgia, microwave chips, Cornetto memories, old-school UK adverts and the usual collection of completely unnecessary tangents. The Variety Show with Tom & Rob from Studio. Rude. Fun. Unfiltered. #TheVarietyShow #90sNostalgia #NintendoSwitch2 #90sMusic #UKPodcast

    Amazon, Adverts and 90s Dance Anthems

  3. Aug 16

    The One Where the Fire Marshal Started a Fire

    This week, The Variety Show is doing things a little differently. Rob and Tom aren't even in the same room, the audio has had a few adventures of its own, and instead of the usual games, taste tests and nostalgia, they're answering five questions designed to reveal far more than anyone really needed to know. What food deserves to be permanently wiped from existence? Which country would we pack our bags for tomorrow? And, from decades of British comedy, which show could we happily sit down and watch again and again? Those fairly innocent questions lead to arguments about offensive condiments, questionable genetics, time travel, retro gaming, dream holidays and an enormous wander through British comedy. Red Dwarf, Fawlty Towers, Dad's Army, The IT Crowd, Bottom, The Young Ones, Shooting Stars, The League of Gentlemen, Friday Night Dinner, Derry Girls and plenty more get dragged into the conversation. Then things get considerably more personal when we ask for the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to us at work. Rob's answer somehow involves a hospital, surgery, a student nurse and an extremely unfortunate interruption. Tom, meanwhile, recalls the day he arrived at a business as the professional responsible for teaching everyone about fire safety. The actual fire brigade subsequently turned up. We'll let you work out how well the training went. Finally, after more than 86 episodes, countless quizzes, questionable snacks, Christmas specials, nostalgia, Melody Pops, murder walks, prison pigeons and all manner of other nonsense, there's one deceptively difficult question left: what's the best thing we've ever done on The Variety Show? For once, things even get a little bit wholesome. Five questions. Two separate recordings. Several stories that probably shouldn't have been told. And one fire marshal who will forever have to live with the fact that the fire brigade turned up to his fire safety course. Pretty standard, really. #TheVarietyShow #UKPodcast #ComedyPodcast #BritishComedy #StudioChannel84 Find out more at the website: https://thevarietyshow.co.uk

    The One Where the Fire Marshal Started a Fire

  4. Aug 2

    It Wasn't Moby

    It wasn’t Moby. That much we can tell you. Episode 86 begins with Tom and Rob discussing the show’s new searchable name, audio experiments and whether a broken Dell laptop can be fixed by punching it. Naturally, this leads to neighbour disputes, hosepipe bans, major water leaks and sewage-filled rivers. Nice and cheerful, then. Next, familiar songs are stripped of their melody, rhythm and dignity in Guess the Song from the Speed-Read Lyrics. Inspired partly by William Shatner’s unique approach to music, Rob must identify well-known tracks from a completely monotonous reading. Play along and see if you fare any better. Snack Sack returns with crispy chicken skin, Aldi vindaloo-flavoured crunchy sticks and onion bhaji-flavoured rings. Expect pet-shop aromas, questionable textures, curry debates and a surprisingly detailed discussion about what makes the perfect chipstick. No scores spoiled here. Finally, Was It Best Left in the 90s? It’s a battle of massive power ballads, movie soundtracks and musical nostalgia—but only one can survive. Rude. Fun. Unfiltered. It’s The Variety Show with Tom and Rob. Pictures can be found here plus results from other episodes: https://thevarietyshow.co.uk/episode/s4e86 #TheVarietyShow #UKComedyPodcast #MusicQuiz #SnackReview #90sMusic

    It Wasn't Moby

  5. Jul 19

    The Summer Crime Walkabout

    What happens when you mix a true crime documentary, a walking tour, local history and two middle-aged idiots who can’t stay on topic? You get The Summer Crime Walkabout. For this special episode of The Variety Show from Studio:Channel84, Rob and Tom head out into the streets of St Albans to investigate five notorious crimes connected to the city. At every location, a professionally narrated story reveals a shocking murder, an infamous criminal or an unsolved mystery. There’s just one catch: one of the stories is completely fake. Can you work it out before Rob does? The walk takes in St Albans Hospital, St Peter Street, London Road Station, Sopwell Allotments and St Albans Cathedral, exploring the disturbing story of poisoner Graham Young, the failed IRA bombing that nearly became one of Britain’s worst terrorist attacks, historic murders, cold cases and eerie local legends that have survived for generations. Alongside the crime stories you’ll also hear Rob and Tom’s memories of growing up in Hertfordshire, childhood adventures, beer festivals, haunted cathedrals, ghost stories, embarrassing hospital experiences and the sort of conversations that could only happen on The Variety Show. Then, because podcast listeners deserve a little something extra, the episode continues after the video ends with an exclusive bonus section. There’s another edition of the Taste Test, featuring Fanta Dark Cherry, Mountain Dew Dragon Fruit and Pepsi Refresh Shot, complete with completely unnecessary scoring, arguments about fizzy drinks and whether modern Pepsi still tastes like it used to. Finally, the conversation turns unexpectedly creepy as the dads discuss children seeing ghosts, unexplained encounters, haunted manor houses, imaginary friends, unsettling things kids say and whether there might actually be something to those spooky stories after all. Whether you’re here for true crime, British history, St Albans, unsolved mysteries, urban legends, ghost stories, food and drink reviews, parenting chat, or just Rob and Tom making each other laugh, this episode has a bit of everything. #TrueCrime #StAlbans #BritishHistory #GhostStories #TheVarietyShow

    The Summer Crime Walkabout

  6. Jul 7 ·  Bonus

    Tea Break : Summer Aesthetic

    Welcome to Tea Break. These small bonus downloads are the place to find all our random brain farts and other improv moments. Brought to you by our management company, Business Incorporated. This time Tom is looking for his Summer Aesthetic. All recorded on our phones, so sorry for the quality. Find out more about all the shows at https://channel84.co.uk.

    Tea Break : Summer Aesthetic

  7. Jul 5

    We Tried Recreating Movie Themes With Melody Pops

    The Variety Show Podcast returns with one of our most ridiculous episodes yet as Rob and Tom tackle everything from podcast SEO frustrations to Melody Pops musical disasters. We kick things off with a rant about another podcast using a confusingly similar name, why discoverability matters, and the realities of building an independent podcast in 2026. Then Tom shares his spoiler-free thoughts on Supergirl, why social media reviews can’t always be trusted, and why sometimes you simply have to make your own mind up. The return of Guess The Link puts Rob to the test with five seemingly unrelated questions. Can you work out the connection before he does? Next comes one of our favourite listener challenges yet. The Chipmunk and Beaver have challenged us to become Foley artists, recreating everything from a whale underwater and a heartbeat through a stethoscope to train tracks, warp drive and even… a fart in space. Then everything descends into complete chaos. Armed with classic Chupa Chups Melody Pops, we attempt to recreate famous movie and TV theme tunes using nothing but whistle-shaped lollipops. Expect Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, classic television themes, plenty of laughter, and two grown men questioning every life decision that brought them to this moment. Finally, Was It Best Left In The 90s? returns with a battle between Cartoons’ Witch Doctor and Hanson’s MMMBop. Which deserves another chance, and which should stay firmly in the decade that created it? If you enjoy comedy podcasts, movie discussions, nostalgic games, quizzes, pop culture debates, ridiculous challenges and two mates making each other laugh, this episode is packed with exactly that. #ComedyPodcast #MoviePodcast #GuessTheLink #MelodyPops #90sNostalgia

    We Tried Recreating Movie Themes With Melody Pops

  8. Jun 30 ·  Bonus

    Tea Break : James Gunn’s Supergirl Review | Is Social Media Getting It Wrong?

    James Gunn’s Supergirl Review | Is Social Media Getting It Wrong? In this bonus episode of The Variety Show from Studio:Channel84, Tom heads straight from the cinema to give his immediate, spoiler-light thoughts on James Gunn’s Supergirl and asks one big question: have online film reviews become more harmful than helpful? After seeing the latest DC Studios release, Tom shares why he believes Supergirl deserves far more credit than it’s receiving across social media. From the negativity surrounding the casting of Milly Alcock to endless online arguments about Krypto the Superdog, this is an honest, passionate review from someone who simply wants people to make up their own minds. The episode explores why review culture can damage films before audiences even get a chance to experience them. Using examples such as Ghostbusters (2016), Tom discusses how internet outrage, YouTube reviewers and social media echo chambers can influence opinions long before release day. There’s also plenty to discuss about James Gunn’s DC Universe, including the film’s world-building, visual effects, practical creature design, action scenes, Jason Momoa’s debut as Lobo, connections to Superman, and why Gunn’s approach to comic book movies feels fresh compared with traditional superhero films. Without revealing the biggest plot twists, Tom explains what worked, what surprised him, and why he believes Supergirl succeeds as a character-driven adventure rather than simply trying to recreate another Superman story. If you’re wondering whether the latest DC movie is worth your time, this review gives you an honest perspective without telling you what to think. Whether you’re a lifelong DC Comics fan, a James Gunn supporter, a superhero movie enthusiast, or simply curious about the latest blockbuster, this bonus episode is for you. #Supergirl #JamesGunn #DCStudios #MovieReview #Podcast

    Tea Break : James Gunn’s Supergirl Review | Is Social Media Getting It Wrong?
See All (158)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Variety Show Podcast from Studio:Channel84 Running since 2021, hosted by Rob and TJ, The Variety Show is a comedy podcast that mixes pop culture, films, TV, gaming, music, nostalgia, parenting, strange news, quizzes, taste tests and whatever else grabs our attention that week. One minute we're debating classic movies or reviewing the latest cinema releases. The next we're arguing over ridiculous snacks, reliving growing up in the 80s and 90s, or trying to make each other laugh with bizarre games and challenges. Nothing is off the table for long. Expect honest opinions, plenty of laughs, questionable decisions and the occasional tangent that somehow becomes the best part of the episode. If you enjoy conversations that feel like sitting in the pub with two mates—funny, unfiltered and never taking themselves too seriously—you'll fit right in. New episodes are released every other Monday. Formerly The Channel 84 Variety Show. Same hosts. Same chaos. New name. Any other Variety Shows are impersonators!

Information