Sonny and Cher

1974, the Sonny and Cher  Comedy Hour featuring the J5 airs. You can already find plenty of pictures in our gallery here. They only performed one song, Dancing Machine, and did some skits. Here’s a video of the performance of Dancing Machine, I’ve never seen any videos of the skits though, a real shame!



Spec Magazine (July 1974) had a two-page Photo spread about this TV show:

J5 Black Magic! Behind the scenes on the Sonny & Cher show
Although the marriage of the TV-singing stars Sonny and Cher is well over – and their erstwhile top-rated TV show is also biting the dust – they did have some blockbuster shows during their few years on the air. In one of them, the multitalented Jackson 5 brought some of their very special Black Magic to the show – here are some backstage and on-stage scenes from that very exciting show of shows!

Believe it or not, one of  the very first tasks the cast must tackle is making a commercial for the show! Everyone – stars and guests – gets dressed in the costumes they’ll be performing in and when the director snaps the cue card, cast members recite their lines! For this show, the J5 wore specially-designed glitter-tuxs’, while Sonny, Cher and guest Sally Struthers wore ‘Raggedy Ann and Andy” outfits! This commercial was shown on CBS stations all during the week prior to the show’s actual airing!

Wardrobe people and hair-stylists are always on hand making sure the guests are properly primped. Here, Michael gets a quick styling just before taping.

In a tender moment during rehearsal, Jermaine swoops up lil’ brother Randy – who’s still new enough to show business to be nervous – and soothes him with a few encouraging words.

Then the Jacksons got it together and – under a golden arc- performed their then-hit single, Get It Together. Each brother wore a different colored tuxedo and they looked as smashing as they sounded.

Mike really got into the song – with every movement of his sexy body, he showed the world what a total pro he is!

But it wasn’t all song ‘n dance for the J5 – they also participated in some very funny skits. Here they dressed up as Arabian sheiks – Randy looks so cute, he couldn’t get over all the jewelry he was given to wear!

Another skit the J5 were in called for old-western style costumes. While the stage was being set for this segment of the show, brother Jackie relaxed in the audience to watch the proceedings.

Soon, he’s joined by Jermaine and the two brothers move up to their “director’s” chairs, which are imprinted with their names. Jermaine shares a joke with Jackie, who’s only slightly amused.

Time for the “take” – set in an old style general store, each cast member has one-liners to say and all sing the “Window on the world’ theme for this bit.

The J-5 really dug doing the Sonny & Cher Show – and since right about now is re-run time, you just may be able to catch this very show again! Check your local listings for the exact time and be sure ’n check out those black ‘n beautiful magical-musical masters of soul – the Jackson 5!