TicketSince no one has done an extensive survey of Cher’s televisions shows, I’ve decided to work on a catalog of each episode of the 1970s variety TV shows and specials.

When these shows first aired, I thought they were God’s gift to television. When I re-watched them years later on TV Land, I thought they were pretty bad. Then I started watching them all again in my 40s looking for aspects of culture relevance and forward thinking. I found a lot.

The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (1971-1974)

Cher (1975-1976)

The Sonny & Cher Show (1976-1977)

The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sonny_%26_Cher_Comedy_Hour

Producers: Chris Bearde & Allan Blye
Director: Art Fisher (dating Sally Struthers from All in the Family at the time)
Filmed at CBS, Television City

Cast:

Writers

  • Jack Hanrahan (1971)
  • Bob Arnott (1971-1974)
  • George Burditt (1971-1974)
  • Phil Hahn (1971-1974)
  • Coslough Johnson (1971-1974) – brother of Arte Johnson from Laugh In
  • Paul Wayne (1971-1974)
  • Bob Einstein (1971-1974) – went on to become Super Dave Osbourne and appear on Curb Your Enthusiasm
  • Steve Martin (1971-1973) – see above
  • Jim Mulligan (1971-1974)
  • Earl Brown (1971-1972)
  • Allan Blye (1971-1974)
  • Chris Bearde (1971-1974)

Wikipedia production notes: “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour taped its opening and closing segments in front of a live studio audience. The Sonny & Cher “concert” segment was also taped in front of the same audience, as were some of the segments featuring musical guest stars—as these typically were taped after the closing segment was completed. Due to blocking, costuming, and other staging and production requirements, most of the comedy segments were taped without an audience, with a laugh track added later.”

Art Fisher was the first television director to use chroma key (a.k.a. green screen) technology according to IMDB.

Emmy nominations:

  1. Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction of a Variety, Musical or Dramatic Program (James E. Dale) (1972)
  2. Outstanding Achievement In Costume Design (Bob Mackie, Ret Turner) (1972)
  3. Outstanding Variety Series – Musical (1972)
  4. Outstanding New Series  (1972)
  5. Outstanding Writing Achievement In Variety Or Music (Bob Arnott, Chris Bearde, Allan Blye, George Burditt, Bob Einstein, Phil Hahn, Coslough Johnson, Steve Martin, Paul Wayne) (1972)
  6. Outstanding Achievement in Music, Lyrics and Special Material (Earl Brown) (1973)
  7. Outstanding Achievement In Lighting Direction (John R. Beam) (1973)
  8. Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction and Electronic Camerawork (Gorman Erickson, Charles Franklin, Jack Jennings, Tom McConnell, Barney Neeley, Richard Nelson) (1973)
  9. Outstanding Variety Musical Series (1973)
  10. Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction of a Variety, Musical or Dramatic Program (Art Fisher) (1973)
  11. Outstanding Music-Variety Series (1974)

Emmy wins:

  1. Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy, Variety or Music (Art Fisher) (1972)

Source

Shows were cut and rearranged on re-airing and so these listings are not the original or in a definitive order.

Season 1  (6 episodes)Send this to mary ladd

Writers: Bob Arnott, George Burdett, Paul Wayne, Chris Bearde, Allan Blye
Associate Producer: Joe DeCarlo (Sonny & Cher’s manager)
Musical Director: Jimmy Dale
Choreographer: Tony Mordente
Animation: John Wilson
Makeup: Louis Phillippi
Cher’s Hair: Garry Chowen
Cher’s Gowns: Bob Mackie
Costumes: Ret Turner
Sesion 1 Cast: Ted Ziegler, Peter Cullen, Freeman King, Murray Langston

  • Episode 1 – Jimmy Durante (August 7, 1971)
  • Episode 2 – Ken Berry (August 8, 1971)
  • Episode 3 – Glen Campbell and Gideon & Power (August 15, 1971)
  • Episode 4 – Merv Griffin (August 22, 1971)
  • Episode 5 – Phyllis Diller, Fanny (August 29, 1971)
  • Episode 6 – The Grass Roots (September 5, 1971

Date Range: August 7, 1971 – September 5, 1971

Highlights: A lot of the first season’s banter is meta-performance on how bad Sonny is at performing, missing cues or how they’re not doing the act right, how they’re not on the same page. Some of the best musical performances are in this season. It’s also a look at the humble beginnings of the Fortune Teller, Sadie Thompson, Cher singing VAMP, and Cliff House. The show is also tackling racial issues with Freeman King and showcasing Cher in a few ethnic looks, which at that time in television history seemed more inclusive than appropriating. This is a small summer replacement season and the budget is low for sets and costumes. It’s like a mini-me version of the show.

Season 2  (13 episodes)

Writers: Bob Arnott, George Burdett, Paul Wayne, Coslough Johnson, Phil Hahn, Steve Martin, Bob Einsten, Chris Bearde, Allan Blye
Jimmy Dale Orchestra
Bob Mackie (Cher’s Gowns)
Ret Turner (Costumes)
Tony Mordente (Choreography)
Louis Phillippi (Makeup)
Rena (Hair) – She’s NEW!
Season 2 Cast: Ted Zeigler, Murry Langston, Peter Cullen (announcer), Freeman King, Steve Martin, Teri Garr, Billy Van, Ralph Morrow

  • Episode 7– Harvey Korman, Robert Merrill, Carol O’Connor (December 27, 1971)
  • Episode 8– Tony Curtis, Dinah Shore, cameo appearances by George Burns, Glen Campbell & Carol Burnett (January 3, 1972)
  • Episode 9– Carol O’Connor, Jean Stapleton (January 10, 1972)
  • Episode 10– Kate Smith (January 17, 1972)
  • Episode 11– Lorne Greene and Chad Everett (January 24, 1972)
  • Episode 12– Tony Randall and Honey Cone (January 31, 1972)
  • Episode 13– Jean Stapleton, Mike Connors (February 7, 1972)
  • Episode 14– Burt Reynolds (February 14, 1972)
  • Episode 15– Art Carney (February 21, 1972)
  • Episode 16– Ken Berry, Ralph Edwards, Carol Burnett (February 28, 1972)
  • Episode 17– Sandy Duncan, Burt Reynolds cameo (March 6, 1972)
  • Episode 18– George Burns, David Clayton Thomas of Blood Sweat & Tears (March 13, 1972)
  • Episode 19– Merv Griffin, Miss Universe (March 30, 1972)

Date Range: December 27, 1971 – March 20, 1972

Highlights: The show is getting slicker. Many fewer empty stage sketches this season. Cher’s look is getting more glamorous although the dresses are still thrifty. The monologues have a different setup: Sonny brags, Cher undercuts. There are more Indian and nose jokes, less bad-singing jokes, but those are still there. Cher’s hair is much better, especially when worn straight and long. The show’s lighting is better. But you can see (and Cher has reported) that the makeup is taking its toll on her skin. The budget still isn’t allowing Cher to become a glamazon but she’s still looking groovy here. The last episode with meta The Sonny & Cher stomp (they’re not even a year into it) hints at the phenom they were becoming and they give a self-knowing wink at that. But the show has the formula down and is starting to explore special effects like double exposures.

There were not as many Vamp segments as I assumed there were. Not every episode has one. Of 13 episodes, there was only 1 poem (awww), 3 Headlines in the Papers, 3 S&C creation myths or reality videos, 3 John Wilson cartoons, 5 fortune tellers, 8 Vamps, and 9 operas.

1971-72 Ratings: An estimated 12.5 million viewers per episode (a 20.2 share), ranking at #27 for the year. All in the Family is #1 with an estimated 21 million. See my blog piece about TV Share Through Time.
Sources: TV Ratings Guide, Classic TV Database, Wikipedia

Season 3  (24 episodes)

Writers: Bob Arnott, George Burdett, Paul Wayne, Coslough Johnson, Phil Hahn, Steve Martin, Bob Einsten, Chris Bearde, Allan Blye.
Around episode #20 is where Chris Bearde’s name starts showing up as Chrisbearde in the credits. Episode #30 is the last episode credited with Steve Martin.
Jimmy Dale Orchestra
Bob Mackie (Cher’s Gowns)
Ret Turner (Costumes)
Tony Mordente (Choreography)
Louis Phillippi (Makeup)
Rena (Hair)
Season 3 Cast: Ted Zeigler, Murry Langston, Peter Cullen (announcer), Freeman King, Steve Martin, Teri Garr, Clark Carr. Laura Lacey is also sometimes credited.

  • Episode 20 – The Jackson Five, Larry Storch, California Governor Ronald Reagan (September 15, 1972)
  • Episode 21 – Jerry Lewis, The Supremes w/o Diana Ross (September 22, 1972)
  • Episode 22 – Chad Everett, Bobby Sherman (September 29, 1972)
  • Episode 23 – Tony Cutris, Barbara McNair (October 6, 1972)
  • Episode 24 – Jimmy Durante, Gilbert O’Sullivan (October 13, 1972)
  • Episode 25 – Robert Goulet, The Temptations (October 20, 1972)
  • Episode 26 – William Conrad, Rick Springfield (October 27, 1972)
  • Episode 27 – Lorne Greene, Williams Brothers (November 3, 1972)
  • Episode 28 – Bobby Darin (November 11, 1972)
  • Episode 29 – Ken Berry, The New Seekers (November 17, 1972)
  • Episode 30 – Bobby Vinton, Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns (November 24, 1972)
  • Episode 31 – Andy Griffith (December 1, 1972)
  •  Episode 32 – William Conrad, Chastity (December 20, 1972) – Christmas episode
  • Episode 33 – Jean Stapleton, Lyle Waggoner (January 3, 1973)
  • Episode 34 – Mark Spitz (January 10, 1973)
  • Episode 35 – Mike Connors (January 24, 1973)
  • Episode 36 – Larry Storch, Mike Curb Congregation, Merv Griffin (January 31, 1973)
  • Episode 37 – Jim Nabors (February 7, 1973)
  • Episode 38 – Joe Namath, the Playboy Playmates (February 14, 1973)
  • Episode 39 – Danny Thomas, Miss Universe (February 21, 1973)
  • Episode 40 – Don Adams (February 28, 1973)
  • Episode 41 – John Byner (March 7, 1973)
  • Episode 42 – Tennessee Ernie Ford (March 14, 1973)
  • Episode 43 – Lyle Waggoner, Chad Everett, William Conrad, Jean Stapleton, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Carol Burnett (March 21, 1973)

Date Range: September 15, 1972 – March 21, 1973

Highlights: This is the season where the wheels fell off. Maybe you can tell when they start their ritual of shaking hands after the first song ends. Around the holidays Sonny looks sad and Cher seems more lose and free. By the spring Sonny has bounced back. The writers are slipping in more content about unity and good marriage. Maybe they’re all worried about their jobs. But all this is subtle and just so much guesswork. Sonny & Cher are consummate professions, as they say, and better actors than they are given credit for being. Many jokes and references to ethnicity (some questionable and appropriating but many are attempts to be inclusive and multicultural). They’ve started to end skits with the “Sonny stare.” They Vamps are getting more obscure but Cher’s femme fetales (with all their sexual agency) always win out. Some great work by John Wilson and Cher is starting to come out of her shell and act like a rock star. The first Cliff House and Sonny’s Pizza episodes. Early Cher man-drag in the Mr. And Mrs. sketches. Tons of irony in scenes with Chastity and her parent’s attempts to envision her as a little princess.

1972-73 ratings: They ranked #35th this year. Sources: TV Ratings Guide, Wikipedia

Season 4  (24 episodes)

Writers: Paul Wayne, George Burditt, Coslough Johnson, Bob Arnott, Bob Einstein, Allan Blye, Chrisbearde, Phil Hahn, Jim Mulligan
Musical Director: Marty Paich
Jimmy Dale Orchestra
Bob Mackie (Cher’s Gowns)
Ret Turner (Costumes)
Jamie Rogers (Choreography)
Louis Phillippi (Makeup)
Rena (Hair)
Season 3 Cast: Teri Garr, Ted Zeigler, Murry Langston, Peter Cullen (announcer), Freeman King, Billy Van, Bob Einsten

  • Episode 44 – Howard Cosell, Chuck Connors, Miss Universe & Mis U.S.A., Ed McMahon (September 12, 1973)
  • Episode 45 – Danny Thomas, Telly Sevalas (September 19, 1973)
  • Episode 46 – Dick Clark, Edd Byrnes, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Bobby Vinton, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons ( September 26, 1973)
  • Episode 47 – John Davidson, Truman Capote (October 3, 1973)
  • Episode 48 – Ed McMahon and Jack Palance (October 10, 1973)
  • Episode 49 – Dennis Weaver & Sally Struthers (October 17, 1973)
  • Episode 50 – Jim Nabors, Telly Savalas, Lassie (October 24, 1973)
  • Episode 51 – Jerry Lewis (October 31, 1973)
  • Episode 52 – Andy Griffith, Billy Jean King, The Penthouse Pets (November 7, 1973)
  • Episode 53 – Kris Krisofferson, Rita Coolidge, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (November 14, 1973)
  • Episode 54 – Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka, Peter Noone, The Coasters, Wolfman Jack (November 28, 1973)
  • Episode 55 – Vincent Price, The Temptations (December 5, 1973)
  • Episode 56 – Ken Berry, George Foreman, Miss Teenage America (December 12, 1973)
  • Episode 57 – William Conrad (December 19, 1973) – Christmas episode
  • Episode 58 – Tennessee Ernie Ford, Lyle Waggoner (January 2, 1974)
  • Episode 59 – OJ Simpson, Ted Neely, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Charles Nelson Reilly, Jack Palance (January 9, 1974)
  • Episode 60 – Danny Thomas, George Foreman, Ken Berry (January 16, 1974)
  • Episode 61 – The Supremes, Merv Griffin, 1973 Miss World (Marjorie Wallace), Carol Lawrence (January 23, 1974)
  • Episode 62 – The Jackson 5, Sally Struthers, Tennessee Ernie Ford (January 30, 1974)
  • Episode 63 – Jim Nabors, Danny Thomas, Larry Csonka (February 6, 1974)
  • Episode 64 – Jeanette Noland, Ricardo Montelban, The DeFranco Family (February 13, 1974)
  • Episode 65 – Joe Namath, The Righteous Brothers (February 20, 1974)
  • Episode 66 – Joel Grey (February 27, 1974)
  • Episode 67 – Merv Griffin, Jim Neighbors, Joe Namath, Jeanette Noland, Sally Struthers, Ricardo Montalban (March 6, 1974)

Date Range: September 12, 1973- March 6, 1974

Highlights:

1973-74 ratings: An estimated 15.4 million viewers a week (a 23.3 share), ranking at #7 for the year (tied with Kojak). The top show was All in the Family with an estimated audience of 20.6 million. See my blog piece about TV Share Through Time.
Sources: TV Ratings Guide, Classic TV Database, Wikipedia

ChCher-show-ader

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cher_(TV_series)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072485/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

Producers: George Schlatter
Directors: Bill Davis, Art Fisher, George Schlatter
Filmed at CBS, Television City

Writers

Musical Director: Jimmy Dale, Jack Eskew
Choreographer:  Anita Mann, Dee Dee Wood, Tony Charmoli
Set: Robert Kelly
Makeup: Jeffrey Hamilton, Ben Nye III
Cher’s Hair: Rena Horten
Cher’s Gowns: Bob Mackie
Costumes: Ret Turner
Cast: Jack Harrell, Gailard Sartain (2nd season)

Shows were cut and rearranged on re-airing and so these listings are not the original or in a definitive order.

Also details are sketchy for this series and multiple people filled multiple roles. Below is a sketch of the main people.

Cher-show-ad

Season 1  (14 episodes)

  • Episode 1 – Flip Wilson, Elton John, Bette Midler (February 9, 1975)
  • Episode 2 – Tatum O’Neal, Wayne Rogers, Raquel Welch (February 16, 1975)
  • Episode 3 – The Osmonds, Nancy Walker, Jerry Lewis (February 23, 1975)
  • Episode 4 – Cloris Leachman and Jack Albertson (March 2, 1975)
  • Episode 5 – Teri Garr, Freddie Prinze, The Pointer Sisters (March 9, 1975)
  • Episode 6 – The Jackson 5, Lily Tomlin, David Groh (March 16, 1975)
  • Episode 7 – Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Jimmie Walker (March 23, 1975)
  • Episode 8 – Ted Knight, Redd Fox, Labelle (April 6, 1975)
  • Episode 9 – Jean Stapleton, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Billy Swan (April 13, 1975)
  • Episode 10 – Linda Ronstadt, Nancy Walker, Liberace (April 20, 1975)
  • Episode 11 – Kate Smith, Ike & Tina Turner, Tim Conway, Chastity Bono (April 27, 1975)
  • Episode 12 – Art Garfunkel, Jimmy Webb, Charo, McLean Stevenson, Chastity (May 4, 1975)
  • Episode 13 – Gregg Allman, Dennis Weaver, Carol Burnett (May 11, 1975)
  • Episode 14 – Art Carney, Teri Garr, The Hudson Brothers, Chastity (May 18, 1975)

Date Range: February 16, 1975  – May 18, 1975

Season 2  (15 episodes)

  • Episode 15 – Bill Cosby, The Smothers Brothers, Jim Henson’s Muppets (September 7, 1975)
  • Episode 16 – Ed Asner, Redd Foxx, The Pointer Sisters, Pat Morita (September 14, 1975)
  • Episode 17 – Wayne Rogers, Nancy Walker (September 21, 1975)
  • Episode 18 – The Hudson Brothers, Captain Kangaroo, Mark Wilson, Chastity (September 28, 1975)
  • Episode 19 – Labelle, Mac Davis (October 5, 1975)
  • Episode 20 – Anthony Newley, The Ike and Tina Turner Review (October 12, 1975)
  • Episode 21 – The Smothers Brothers, Ted Knight, Steve Martin (October 26, 1975)
  • Episode 22 – Teri Garr, Martin Mull, George Burns (November 2, 1975)
  • Episode 23 – Steve Martin, Wayne Newton, The Spinners (November 9, 1975)
  • Episode 24 – Ray Charles, The Muppets, Chastity (November 16, 1975)
  • Episode 25 – Tony Randall, David Bowie, Steve Martin (November 23, 1975)
  • Episode 26 – Jerry Lewis, David Essex (November 30, 1975)
  • Episode 27 – Pat Boone, Frankie Valli, Frankie Avalon, Dion (December 7, 1975)
  • Episode 28 – The Hudson Brothers, The Lennon Sisters, Redd Foxx, Chastity ( December 21, 1975) – Christmas episode
  • Episode 29 – Glen Campbell, Ruth Buzzi (January 4, 1976)

Date Range: February 23, 1975  – May 18, 1975

Show Highlights:

The glamour has been ramped up. Cher made an effort to cultivate good musical guests. Some good girl-power between Cher and her female guests.

1975-76 ratings: As estimated 14.5 million viewers a week, tied at #22 for the year with The Streets of San Francisco and The NBC Sunday Mystery Movie. The top show was still All in the Family.  Source: TV Ratings Guide, Classic TV Database,  Wikipedia

Emmy nominations:

  1. Outstanding Achievement in Choreography, Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series (Dee Dee Wood) (1975)
  2. Outstanding Directing In A Comedy-Variety Or Music Series (Art Fisher) (1975)
  3. Outstanding Writing In A Comedy-Variety Or Music Series (Nick Arnold, John Boni, Alan Katz, David Panich, Ronny Pearlman, Iris Rainer, Don Reo, George Schlatter, Ray Taylor, Digby Wolfe) (1975)
  4. Outstanding Achievement In Special Musical Material (Billy Barnes, Earl Brown) (1975)
  5. Outstanding Achievement In Costume Design (Bob Mackie) (1975)
  6. Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for Music-Variety (Bob Mackie, Ret Turner) (1976)

Emmy wins:

  1. Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in Variety or Music (Jack Albertson) (1975)
  2. Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music (Cloris Leachman) (1975)
  3. Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction or Scenic Design – For a Single Episode of a Comedy-Variety or Music Series or a Comedy-Variety or Music Special (Robert Checchi, Robert Kelly) (1975)
  4. Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction or Scenic Design – Single Episode of a Comedy-Variety or Music Series or a Comedy-Variety or Music Special (Robert Checchi, Raymond Klausen) (1976)

Sources: Emmys

TSonnychershowadhe Sonny & Cher Show

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074058/

Producers: Nick Vanoff
Director: Tim Kiley  
Filmed at CBS, Television City

Writers

Musical Director: Harold Battiste Jr.
Choreographer:  Jamie Rogers
Set: Donald J. Remacle
Makeup: Jeffrey Hamilton,
Cher’s Hair: Rena Horten
Cher’s Gowns: Bob Mackie
Costumes: Ret Turner
Cast: Ted Zeigler, Robert Shields, Lorene Yarnell, Gailard Sartain, Billy Van, Richard Lewis (uncredited)

Season 1  (11 episodes)

  • Episode 1 – Rona Barrett, Carol Burnett, Jerry Lewis, Freddie Prinze, Tony Orlando, Jim Neighbors, Richard Thomas, Paul Michael Glaser, Richard Lewis (uncredited) (February 1, 1976)
  • Episode 2 – Raymond Burr (February 8, 1976)
  • Episode 3 – Neil Sedaka, Evil Knievel (February 15, 1976)
  • Episode 4 – Jim Nabors (February 22, 1976)
  • Episode 5 – Don Knotts (February 29, 1976)
  • Episode 6 – McLean Stevenson (March 7, 1976)
  • Episode 7 – Gabe Kaplan and Frankie Avalon (March 21, 1976)
  • Episode 8 – Debbie Reynolds, The Smothers Brothers (March 28, 1976)
  • Episode 9 – Diahann Carroll and Tony Randall (April 4, 1976)
  • Episode 10 – George Gobel and Sherman Hemsley (April 11, 1976)
  • Episode 11 – Andy Griffith and Sherman Hemsley (April 18, 1976)

Date Range: February 1, 1976  – April 11, 1976

Season 2  (22 episodes)

  • Episode 12 – Rona Barrett, Ruth Buzzi, Charo, Barbara Eden, George Gobel, Bob Hope, Don Knotts, Wayne Rogers, Shields & Yarnell, The Smothers Brothers (September 26, 1976)
  • Episode 13 – Barbara Eden and The Smothers Brothers (October 3, 1976)
  • Episode 14 – Bob Hope, Jim Nabors, Bernadette Peters, Dinah Shore, The Jacksons (October 10, 1976)
  •  Episode 15 – Charo, Wayne Rogers, Carol Burnett ( October 17, 1976)
  • Episode 16 – Donny & Marie Osmond, Ruth Buzzi, Alex Karras (October 24, 1976)
  • Episode 17 – Jim Nabors, The Hudson Brothers, Shields & Yarnell (October 31, 1976)
  • Episode 18 – Ed McMahon, Betty White, The Sylvers (November 7, 1976)
  • Episode 19 – Jim Nabors, Jack Albertson, Steve Lawrence (November 14, 1976)
  • Episode 20 – Redd Foxx, Tom Jones, Shields & Yarnell (November 21, 1976)
  • Episode 21 – Andy Griffith, Twiggy (December 5, 1976)
  • Episode 22 – Bob Keeshan, Bernadette Peters, Shields & Yarnell, Chastity, Elijah Blue Allman (December 12, 1976) – Christmas episode
  • Episode 23 – Joey Heatherton, Don Knotts (December 26, 1976)
  • Episode 24 – John Davidson, Karen Valentine (January 2, 1977)
  • Episode 25 – Jim Nabors, Don Knotts, Debbie Reynolds, Farrah Fawcett Majors (January 14, 1977)
  • Episode 26 – Ken Berry, Betty White, Flip Wilson (January 21, 1977)
  • Episode 27 – William Conrad, Engelbert Humperdinck, Barbi Benton, Ruth Buzzi (January 28, 1977)
  • Episode 28 – Don Knotts, Farrah Fawcett Majors, Glen Campbell (February 4, 1977)
  • Episode 29 – Jim Nabors, Debbie Reynolds (February 11, 1977)
  • Episode 30 – Lyle Waggoner, Muhammed Ali, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. (February 18, 1977)
  • Episode 31 – Anne Meara, Peter Graves, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Shields & Yarnell (February 25, 1977)
  • Episode 32 – Charo, George Gobel (March 4, 1977)
  • Episode 33 – Tina Turner, David Steinberg, Shields & Yarnell (March 11, 1977)
  • Episode 34 – No Guests (March 18, 1977)

Date Range: September 26, 1976  – March 11, 1977

Show Hightlights:

Better writing than their first show.

1976-77 ratings: #23 for the year. The top show was still All in the Family.

It’s interesting to note that in the 1976-77 season, Sonny & Cher would fall off the list entirely and All In the Family would drop for the first season from #1 to #12. And although the first episode was allegedly one of the most watched televisions episodes in history up to that time, the ratings did not average well for the remaining episodes. They don’t score in the top Nielsen lists for 1976 or 1977.

They ranked #22 for the 1975-76 season in a tie with Barreta. Source: The Ratings Guide, Classic TV Database, Wikipedia

Emmy nominations:

  1. Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series (Bob Arnott, John Aylesworth, Jeanine Burnier, Stuart Gillard, Phil Hahn, Coslough Johnson, Frank Peppiatt, Iris Rainer, Ted Zeigler) (1976)
  2. Outstanding Directing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series (Tim Kiley) (1976)

Sources: Emmys