"The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour" (1971) TV series 1971-1974

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Writer:

Jack Hanrahan (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

1 August 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Plot Keywords:

Variety | Singer Acting | Sketch Comedy | Married Couple | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 22 nominations

Cast

Sonny Bono	...	Himself / ... (63 episodes, 1971-1974)
Cher	...	Herself / ... (59 episodes, 1971-1974)
Ted Zeigler	...	Various Characters / ... (59 episodes, 1971-1974)
Peter Cullen	...	Various Characters / ... (59 episodes, 1971-1974)
Freeman King	...	Various Characters / ... (59 episodes, 1971-1974)
Murray Langston	...	Various Characters / ... (59 episodes, 1971-1974)
Teri Garr	...	Various Characters / ... (58 episodes, 1971-1974)
Jimmy Dale	...	Himself - Bandleader (41 episodes, 1971-1973)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (1971-1974)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Company:

Blye-Bearde Productions

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "American Masters: Carol Burnett: A Woman of Character" (2007)

Soundtrack:

Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour Theme

Great show

Sonny and Cher were already well known for their music and comedy from Ed Sullivan and other appearances.

Originally, Sonny intended to act as Cher's manager as she pursued a solo singing career. Unfortunately, Cher was terrified of singing in public, and not comfy in a recording studio. So, Sonny decided to join in the act, despite his lack of singing talent.

Sonny and Cher toured small clubs (under the names "Ceasar and Cleo") as a straight singing act. However, no one was interested in their music at the time. In an effort to save their act, Sonny and Cher made a couple of impromptu exchanges, and suddenly the audience loved them.

"Sonny and Cher" now knew what direction to go.

The dialog in the beginning Sonny and Cher show was a combination of scripted jokes and spontaneous banter between the couple, and singing their own hits.

Chastity was sometimes brought on at the end of the show as the couple sang their signature song "I've Got You Babe". The moments with Chastity were also spontaneous. One funny moment was when a trap door was on the stage, and Chastity wanted to pull the cord to make her Daddy fall through (As Cher did at the top of the show). Sonny egged Chastity on, teasing that she was a "bad girl" if she pulled the cord, and of course she pulled it.

Despite the fun Sonny and Cher had on the show, their personal lives suffered, and in '74, Sonny and Cher called it quits. They would return on TV 2 years later.