Pop stars Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey for some reason host this deeply Sonny and Cher-reminiscent old-school variety show, without the glorious absurdity of Steve Martin or Telly Savales' giant creepy head. There's bygone-era musical guests, hackneyed comedy sketches and more duets than you would ever need or want! Variety has never been more various! We were divided quite harshly on this one: was it bad TV? Was it knowingly and ironically tongue-in-cheek? Was it bad but still ironic? Why all the mentioning of pole vaulting? We couldn't decide but, in fairness, neither could the show.   <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408034/">IMDB - The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour</a> Reviewers: James Ferris, Fabian Lapham, Lisa Dib, David Shaw Soundboard: Andrew Cherry

221 - Battletoads

We're all familiar with the idea of a pilot episode, the one-off test run of a series to see whether or not it could ever work as a television show. But what happens to the shows that never make it past that stage? Usually they're cast aside and disappear from the public eye forever, doomed to fade into obscurity.

But Melbourne comedy troupe The Consumption say "No more!" We are reaching deep into the bowels of television history to bring you back hot, steaming piles of TV's many bizarre miscarriages. All while mixing the most disgusting metaphors possible.

We'll seek out and expose ourselves to the worst television pilots ever made so you don't have to. Each episode will see us dissect and discuss another horrible failed pilot for our amusement. Join us in our schadenfreude as we talk about wrestlers solving crimes, invisible monsters, kung-fu ravers, talking dogs solving crimes, teleporting stand-up comedians, cross dressing misogynists, magicians solving crimes and a whole bunch of other terrible ideas, most of which involve crimes being solved.

Welcome to Failure to Launch! The only TV podcast about shows that don't exist.