In 1971, while Fred Silverman was still working for CBS, he spotted singing duo Sonny & Cher doing a stand-up concert and decided to turn it into a weekly variety show. In addition to some entertaining stand-up banter between the husband and wife, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour would also have skits and music (mostly sung by Cher).
In 1971, Fred Silverman, who was still employed at CBS, encountered a stand-up comedy performance by Sonny & Cher and decided to convert it into a regular weekly entertainment program. The show would include comedic exchanges between the couple as well as musical performances, primarily sung by Cher.