But it was just a bit too clever for viewers who couldn't climb aboard the meta machinations of the show-within-a-show format.
We literally watched emotions flit across Valerie's face as if everything were happening in real time -- that's an obvious credit to the reality-show-within-a-show format, but it takes the most masterful of performers to pull it off with as much nuance as Kudrow.
In recent years the artist has sometimes been selected internally by RTÉ, with the song being chosen by the public, and previously a talent show format, You're a Star, was used between the years 2003 and 2005.
Having disqualified gayness as the central theme for her comeback, the question became, in DeGeneres's words, "What do we do with me?" First she tried a variety show format, like Carol Burnett's -- a concept nixed after one taping.
Misha Nonoo, for instance, decided to forego a traditional show format and instead turned to Snapchat to release what she called a "live lookbook" in partnership with Refinery29.
In a "talk show" format, several characters might be featured at once.
C is for celebreality -- a TV show format in which one or more celebrities participate in real-life situations.
The monthly residency follows a variety show format and has included guest spots by people like Benmont Tench, Greg Leisz, Ethan Johns, Jon Brion and Tim O'Brien.
The skit should be a talk show format in which both the parent and child (both parents if appropriate) are interviewed about the impact of fame on their lives and relationships.
This is similar to the move that Chelsea Handler made after leaving E!, joining up with Netflix for a talk show format to be named later (and still not really named).
