According to TMZ, John Mayer is in the process of signing a deal with CBS for his own variety and sketch show. I didn’t think networks still did those – at least not successfully. But it sounds like he deal is almost sealed.

OK, it’s true he had a big career before “hosting” TMZ, but it’s no coincidence that months after John Mayer hijacked TMZ TV, he landed a network TV series.

We’ve learned Mayer will host a weekly variety show for CBS. And here’s the deal. We know CBS would like to run the show as soon as possible — the goal is the first quarter of 2009.

It will be a music, variety and sketch show in the ’60s mold. Ken Ehrlich (who produces the Emmys and Grammys) will produce the show with Mayer.

But here’s the best part. CBS execs saw Mayer’s big appearance on TMZ and were impressed, so we’re taking credit — but only if it works.

[From TMZ]

TMZ has a pretty funny video of John walking around Manhattan trying to see if people recognize him. Even though I tend to dislike his man-whoring/fame-whoring ways, I have to admit that when I watched the video it definitely made me like him more – at least for about three minutes. He’s willing to make fun of himself, and that’s sort of endearing.

John’s denied that he’s darker lately, and says he’s just less engaged with the paparazzi. He did used to really ham it up for the cameras, even on a simple walk to the car. Somehow a variety show seems odd when connected to Mayer, but he’s got a rather gregarious personality and it could work out well in the end.