The Cher Show

The premiere episode of Cher, promoted as a TV special, aired on February 9, 1975, introducing the solo variety show with guests Elton John, Bette Midler, and Flip Wilson. Opening with a dazzling performance of “Let Me Entertain You,” Cher set the stage for a glamorous and star-studded evening, despite her admitted discomfort in hosting alone. The episode featured a mix of comedy and music, including Elton John’s energetic “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and a playful duet of “Bennie and the Jets” with Cher. Flip Wilson’s Geraldine and Cher’s Laverne reunited for a high school reunion skit filled with sharp humor, while Cher and Bette Midler delivered a lively “Trashy Ladies” medley in full campy splendor. The variety continued with Cher’s torch song rendition of “All Is Fair in Love,” a tongue-in-cheek “Brick-o-Matic” commercial spoof, and the recurring “Saturday Night” sketch that attempted to ground Cher’s on-screen persona in relatable, post-divorce normalcy. In a standout comedic moment, the four stars imagined themselves aging together in a retirement home for performers, with Elton John rolling in on a rhinestone-covered wheelchair. The grand finale—one of the most extravagant in ’70s television—saw all four stars belting out a high-energy medley of “Mockingbird,” “Proud Mary,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” concluding in a jubilant group hug. Despite Cher’s early struggles with solo hosting, the episode showcased her resilience and ability to attract top-tier talent, setting the tone for a visually stunning, music-heavy variety show that would earn multiple Emmy nominations.