Cher is an icon, with hits spanning an unbelievable SEVEN decades. So kick back as we laud the singer/actress/legend.
AI Summary
# Stuff You Should Know: Cher
This episode dives into the fascinating life and career of Cher, the legendary performer and cultural icon who's had an outsized impact on entertainment and pop culture. From her early days as a backup singer for Phil Spector to her groundbreaking partnership with Sonny Bono and her evolution into a serious actress, hosts Josh and Chuck explore how Cher became a trailblazer in music, fashion, and film. Along the way they cover her iconic collaborations with designer Bob Mackie, her high-profile relationships, and her important role as an advocate for the LGBTQ+ and trans communities, all while highlighting some truly wild stories from a life lived very much in the public eye.
Movies Discussed
Back to the Future
"he was the original Marty McFly in Back to the Future, did you know that? — Josh mentions Eric Stoltz was originally cast as Marty McFly before Michael J. Fox took over."
— Josh
Chastity
"in 69, he financed a movie called Chastity, putting most of their money into it for Cher to star in her first movie vehicle — Josh explains how Sonny Bono financed Cher's first film Chastity, which was a financial flop."
— Josh
Chinatown
"the Cher Show is essentially being supported by the gay community too, that it's not super good. Yeah, I haven't heard that. — During discussion of The Cher Show on Broadway, they reference the Scandal podcast where similar points were made."
— Chuck
Cocoon
"Don Amici, who would win. Who won? Don Amici, he won for Cocoon. — Chuck mentions the Best Supporting Actor winner at the Oscars in the year Mask was nominated."
— Chuck
Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
"Robert Altman did a Broadway version of Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, and a movie. She was in the movie — Josh discusses Cher's film debut in a Robert Altman production that also had a Broadway version."
— Josh
Diagnosis: Murder
"the head of CBS programming, Fred Silverman, who would go on to executive produce diagnosis murder — Josh mentions that Fred Silverman, who gave Sonny and Cher their first TV show, later executive produced Diagnosis: Murder."
— Josh
Dumbo
"She saw Dumbo and was like, I'm going to be a performer like Dumbo. — Josh mentions that young Cher saw Dumbo and was inspired to become a performer."
— Josh
Martin Scorsese Directs
"In 1975, she got her own variety show just called Cher. And it was sort of like the rest of them. It was not as popular. — Josh explains that Cher's solo variety show in 1975 was less successful than her show with Sonny."
— Josh
Mask
"And then she starred in Mask. Very, I mean, she was amazing in Mask. That movie was so good. — Josh discusses Cher's acclaimed performance in Mask alongside Eric Stoltz."
— Josh
Mermaids
"her upbringing was a lot like Winona Ryder's upbringing in Mermaids. Which is a movie Cher was in — Josh compares Cher's childhood to Winona Ryder's character in Mermaids, a film Cher appeared in."
— Josh
Moonstruck
"she would win the next year for Moonstruck, which is one of my favorite movies. — Josh mentions Cher won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role in Moonstruck."
— Josh
Silkwood
"the next year played, um, the lesbian roommate of Meryl Streep, or well, Meryl Streep's character in Silkwood — Josh discusses Cher's role in Silkwood as the turning point for gaining gay community support."
— Josh
The Carol Burnett Show
"They were guest stars on Carol Burnett back in 1967. — Josh mentions Sonny and Cher made early TV appearances on The Carol Burnett Show."
— Josh
The Color Purple
"That was also the same year of The Color Purple, so I think there were three or four actresses nominated — Josh notes that The Color Purple was released in the same year as Mask, competing in Oscar categories."
— Josh
The Mask
"She also wore it the next year on the cover of Time... What is Masked? There is no such thing. — Chuck confuses the movie title 'Mask' with 'The Mask' during discussion about Cher's film career."
— Chuck
The Merv Griffin Show
"They guest hosted some Merv Griffin show episodes. — Josh notes that Sonny and Cher guest hosted episodes of the Merv Griffin Show."
— Josh
The Simpsons
"Any time I hear about the Sonny and Cher show too, I'm reminded of that Simpsons little bit where they talk about a man who woke up from a coma — Chuck references a Simpsons joke about someone waking from a coma and asking about the Sonny and Cher show."
— Chuck
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
"It was called the Sunny and Cher Comedy Hour, and it was just, there were a lot of these great shows back then — Josh discusses the variety show that made Sonny and Cher famous with 30 million viewers weekly."
— Josh
The Sonny and Cher Show
"And so they would bring back the show, this time not as the comedy hour, but just the Sonny and Cher show. — Josh discusses the second iteration of the Sonny and Cher show that premiered in 1976."
— Josh
Tulsa King
"At age 11, she put on a production of Oklahoma and apparently could only get other girls to be in the show — Josh discusses Cher's childhood theatrical production where she played all the male roles."
— Josh
Will & Grace
"I saw Jack do it on Will and Grace when she did a cameo on it and he thought she was like a drag queen — Josh references a Will and Grace episode where Sean Hayes's character Jack meets Cher in a cameo."
— Josh
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