Aug 24 2008
Popcultured Blast from the Past: Sonny and Cher
Sonny Bono and his wife Cher started their husband/wife singing act in the 1960’s, when they toured small clubs as the duo “Ceasar and Cleo”. They were popular on the club circuit and after making appearances on some national television shows, they nabbed their own TV deal.
“The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour” debuted in 1971 and ran until 1974. It was formula variety show at its best. The show was known for its opening segment (singing and chitchatting—Cher often poked fun at Sonny, which the audience loved) and the sketch comedy it featured. Some of the supporting cast featured Freeman King and Teri Garr. Just about every popular celebrity of the time appeared on “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour”, including Merv Griffin, Joe Namath, The Jackson 5, Jerry Lewis, Carol Burnett and Burt Reynolds .
The ending segment always featured the couple singing their hit song “I Got You Babe” and they would sometimes bring their adorable daughter, Chastity (just a toddler at the time), out on the stage at the end of the show.
After the couple divorced in 1974(Cher married rocker Greg Allman), the duo reunited for “The Sonny and Cher Show” in 1976. But sadly, it just wasn’t the same.
Photo Credit: Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour/CBS
