For about half a century between 1881 and the 1930`s, Vaudeville was one of the most popular forms of American entetainment. A successor to earlier, working-class variety shows, Vaudeville strove to entertain the middle classes. Its name is of uncertain origin, but its faux-French sound lent a certain aura to the shows, which distinguished themselves from their predecessors by eliminating bawdy material and now serving alcohol during performances.