WISE Score
A glittery 1970s time capsule of deadpan banter, Bob Mackie gowns, and the undeniable star power of a young Cher.
If your kid is a theater geek or a fashion obsessive, this is a required look at the roots of modern celebrity branding. Cher is a force of nature here, and her deadpan delivery still lands.
However, for the average kid used to the rapid-fire editing of TikTok or modern animation, this will feel like watching paint dry in a sequined jumpsuit. It’s a great 'watch a few clips' show rather than a 'binge the whole season' experience.
Best for ages 10 and up. Younger kids will likely be bored to tears by the 70s pacing and the specific cultural references, but older kids with an interest in fashion, music, or theater history will find plenty to appreciate.
The show is built on the 'loving insult' dynamic between Sonny and Cher, which is mostly charming but occasionally leans into 1970s gender tropes that feel a bit dusty now.
Bob Mackie's legendary costume design and the surreal, often psychedelic sketch transitions were visual pioneers for the variety format.
This was the definition of family-hour CBS programming. Beyond some mild double entendres in the banter, it's incredibly clean.
It's a fantastic primer on 70s pop culture and music history, though the variety format itself doesn't offer much in the way of modern skill-building.
In 1971, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour was the peak of cool. It saved the couple's career and turned Cher into a household name. Looking at it from 2026, it's a fascinating artifact of a time when the whole family sat down to watch the same thing at the same time.
You cannot talk about this show without talking about the clothes. Bob Mackie’s designs for Cher were provocative, expensive, and genuinely imaginative. For a kid interested in design or visual arts, these segments are essentially a masterclass in stage presence and costume as character.
The real hurdle for modern families is the structure. Variety shows are a lost art for a reason—they're a bit of everything and a lot of nothing. You'll get a great song, followed by a five-minute sketch that feels like it should have been ninety seconds. If you're going to show this to your kids, I'd recommend finding a 'best of' compilation or picking specific musical numbers. Watching a full episode start-to-finish is a test of patience that most 2026 middle-schoolers aren't equipped to pass.
It's also worth noting the 'Vamp' sketches and other recurring bits. They are campy and theatrical, but they also rely on broad stereotypes that were standard for 70s network TV. It’s not malicious, but it's a very different vibe than the intentionality we see in media today. Use it as a point of comparison for how much TV has changed.
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