Wednesday's Best Bets on TV

“The 2008 World Magic Awards” (8 p.m., MyNetworkTV): Neil Patrick Harris is not only the star of the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” he is also a magic enthusiast. Now he’s hosting “The 2008 World Magic Awards.” Awards will be given in 13 categories including best escape artist, best classic magic, best contemporary magic, best teen magician and magician of the year.

In addition, there’ll be appearances by magicians Hans Klok, Lance Burton, The Amazing Johnathan and others in the two-hour special. Presenters include Ernie Hudson, Traci Bingham, Corbin Bernsen and John Schneider.

“Rosie Live” (8 p.m., NBC): Here’s a novel idea: a live variety show. Sort of like “The Ed Sullivan Show,” which crushed its network competition every Sunday night for decades. Live variety shows are the kind of TV they don’t make anymore. Conventional wisdom says they went out with black-and-white sets and gas at 30 cents a gallon.

But Rosie O’Donnell clearly begs to differ. Her variety special, “Rosie Live,” will air tonight on NBC at 8 p.m. — live! — from New York’s Little Schubert Theatre, just a few blocks south of where Sullivan reigned and where CBS’ “Late Show with David Letterman” resides. (But “Late Show” isn’t a variety show. And it isn’t live.)

These days, awards or tribute specials are about the only time when prime-time TV gives the audience what might be called variety: a grab bag of talent and performances, with the anything-might-happen crackle of live-ness.

Now Rosie, who has an unabashed affection for broadcasting, is dusting off the past with a variety of stars. The bill initially announced includes Alec Baldwin and Jane Krakowski of “30 Rock,” recording artists Ne-Yo and Alanis Morissette, comedian Kathy Griffin, plus the legendary-and-then-some Liza Minnelli.

The show will also feature a topical monologue, musical production numbers and comedy sketches. “Brand-new elements” are promised for “a new generation of fans.”