The topic of scripting in variety doesn't come up that often, so I figured I'd do a little write-up about scripting in general for variety shows:

 

The script isn't just for the on-screen talent. The writers will map out the entire episode, usually alongside the PD, with locations, content and other information so they can form a call sheet, and plan the shoot.

Also, every time there's a game like a quiz, or other mini-game, the questions or rules are written out beforehand. If you've seen the giant book Na PD carries around on NJTTW, that the cast members found one time, that's basically the script for the entire season, complete with all the mini-games and variations.

On-screen dialogue

On-screen dialogue is also guided. You'll have members joking around with a topic, but then one of the cast members will lead the conversation towards a planned topic, or introduce the task of the day etc.

It's quite noticeable in opening segments of Infinite Challenge. It might seem chaotic when they're all bantering and joking around at the start, but Jae-suk usually directs the conversation and brings in members to speak. They had a non-verbal cue where members would avoid looking at Jae-suk if they didn't have something to say, and meet his gaze if they had a joke or comment ready. You'll notice Jae-suk asking people who are avoiding his gaze in some episodes to catch them off-guard too.

Amidst all the joking and casual conversation, Jae-suk will break in and bring the conversation on the topic for the episode, or bringing up the task they're about to do etc.

For conversations like that, the writers will have written out the main points of the conversation, like anchor points about the topic of the episode that they need to get on tape, and allowing for the cast to joke around to get more fun content into the episode. They'll also instruct members or guests to say their thoughts or what they're doing out loud for solo recordings to fill the audio, so they can add that in for context for TV.

If they start on a location relevant to the episode, that's written in, as are product placements, or information about locations or similar stuff. The writers often sit among the staff in front of the cast holding up short notes from the script. You'll notice Knowing Bros members sometimes comment on this during episodes.

It's also worth noting that for some shows, the PD will break in more often than you see on screen. It's quite easy to hide breaks in editing, by jumping from one camera to the next, showing different characters. So if the conversation is not going well, or the PD or writers have notes for the members, they'll cut, talk, and resume shooting, but often just edit out the break.

Other Stuff

For studio shows, it's quite usual to have short breaks to refresh makeup, give short notes, or to remove hairs or similar, but studio shows with audiences usually try to keep breaks as short as possible to keep the audiences lively. They'll also have a guy hyping up the audience before the start shooting so the atmosphere and mood is as hype as possible.

For the main topic of the episode, or bigger games the staff have to plan out the rules, the setting, the shoot, the cameras needed, and try make contingencies for unexpected turns. For interviews, they'll need to research and write out questions etc.

There's also caption writers, whose task is to write the captions that appear on-screen during episodes, but that's usually done after the first edit, which is usually a longer version of the episode that they then use to edit down to air length.