Cher

1 9 7 5 – 1 9 7 6 (USA)
27 x 60 minute episodes

Following their divorce in 1974, pop singers Sonny and Cher, who had formerly starred together on The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, each hosted a series of their own.

His was The Sonny Comedy Revue – a short-lived variety series on ABC in 1974 and hers was Cher, a musical variety hour with guest stars that premiered on CBS on 16 February 1975.

In addition to singing, Cher appeared in comedy sketches including “Life with Laverne”, featuring Cher as Laverne Selinsky, an obnoxious housewife who aired her views on life; and “The TV Saleswoman” with Cher as Southern Belle Donna Jean Brodine in a spoof of television commercials.

Other sketches co-starred many famous guests, including Lily Tomlin, Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Jerry Lewis, Raquel Welch, Steve Martin, Redd Foxx, Ted Knight, Wayne Rogers, Flip Wilson, Nancy Walker, Tatum O’Neal, Jimmy Durante and Teri Garr.

Sonny and Cher’s young daughter Chastity also appeared regularly.

Musical guests on the show – many of whom sang duets with Cher – included David Bowie, The Jackson 5, Elton John, Tina Turner, The Pointer Sisters, Bette Midler, Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson, Linda Ronstadt, Frankie Avalon, Marianne Faithfull and Ray Charles.

The magic Sonny and Cher had had together did not survive the transition to singles and Cher’s solo venture limped along on CBS for almost a year, with a new dance group and orchestra in 1975, by which time she and Sonny decided to try it again as a team, at least professionally.

One month after Cher left the air, The Sonny and Cher Show reappeared in the time slot that this show had vacated.

Cher Bono
The Tony Charmoli Dancers
The Anita Mann Dancers
The Jimmy Dale Orchestra
The Jack Eskew Orchestra