Cher (1998–99 TV special)
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| Cher (1998–99 TV special) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Cher (1998–99 TV special) |
| Caption | Promotional image for the ABC broadcast |
| Presenter | Cher |
| Starring | Cher |
| Network | ABC |
| Released | 1998–1999 |
Cher (1998–99 TV special) was a televised variety special starring Cher that aired during the 1998–1999 television season on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The special combined music, comedy, and visual spectacle and featured guest appearances from performers across music and television, drawing on Cher's career in pop music, film, and television variety shows. Critics compared its production values and format to earlier specials associated with entertainers such as Elvis Presley and Barbra Streisand, while industry coverage referenced trade publications like Variety (magazine) and The Hollywood Reporter.
Overview
The special showcased Cher in a format reminiscent of television events like the Grammy Awards and the Academy Awards, blending live performance with pre-recorded segments. It highlighted songs from Cher's contemporary catalog alongside reinterpretations of standards tied to artists such as Dusty Springfield, Frank Sinatra, Donna Summer, and David Bowie. Production elements invoked designers and creators from the worlds of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bob Mackie, and Jean-Paul Gaultier; staging and choreography echoed work seen in productions by Bob Fosse and Twyla Tharp. Media coverage connected the special to Cher's history with television series like The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and films including Moonstruck and Mermaids.
Production
The special was developed by executives at ABC in coordination with Cher's management and production teams associated with Geffen Records, Warner Bros. Records, and independent production companies. Directors, producers, and costume designers drew on talent who had worked with Lester Wilson, Michael Peters, Bob Mackie, and creative directors who collaborated with Cher on previous tours and television appearances. Lighting and set construction referenced industry firms that worked on Blond Ambition and Dangerous Tour scale shows; technicians from companies that serviced venues like the Madison Square Garden and the Staples Center were credited. Choreography teams included stage veterans who had credits with Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and VH1. The production also involved television crews experienced in producing specials for networks such as NBC and CBS.
Broadcast and Reception
ABC scheduled the special as a prime-time event in the 1998–1999 season, positioning it against ratings competitors including NBC's programming, CBS's drama lineup, and cable offerings on MTV and VH1. Nielsen viewership estimates compared performance to broadcasts like the Super Bowl halftime shows and other celebrity specials. Critical response appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly; reviewers referenced Cher's past accolades such as the Academy Award for Best Actress, the Golden Globe Award, and Grammy Awards nominations. Trade analysis in Billboard (magazine) discussed cross-promotion with Cher's recording activity and touring schedule, while international broadcasters in markets like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan acquired rights for delayed airings.
Performances and Setlist
The program's setlist juxtaposed contemporary pop material with reinterpretations of standards associated with Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Janis Joplin, and Joni Mitchell. Choreographed numbers referenced the stagecraft of Bob Fosse and visual motifs similar to productions by Ken Russel and Baz Luhrmann. Musical arrangements enlisted session musicians who had worked with Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Prince. Guest performers included artists whose careers intersected with Cher's era, invoking names such as Sonny Bono, Dionne Warwick, Annie Lennox, Sheryl Crow, and Bono. The special incorporated medleys and costume changes reminiscent of concerts by Madonna and television specials by Barbra Streisand.
Personnel
Key personnel for the television production included directors and producers with credits on specials for NBC, Fox, and PBS; costume designers linked to Bob Mackie and fashion houses like Givenchy and Versace; and musical directors who had worked with Quincy Jones and David Foster. The crew roster featured lighting designers, set builders, and camera operators experienced on projects for venues including the Hollywood Bowl and the Royal Albert Hall. Management and representation included agencies comparable to Creative Artists Agency and WME; legal and business affairs teams had prior dealings in rights clearances with labels like Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and EMI.
Home Media and Legacy
Following its broadcast, the special was made available through network rebroadcasts and licensed for home media formats prevalent at the time, including VHS and limited-run DVD pressings distributed by companies experienced in music and concert releases. Subsequent retrospectives on VH1's Behind the Music and documentaries on MTV and BBC referenced the special when chronicling Cher's career spanning 1960s pop, 1970s television, 1980s rock, and 1990s comeback phases. The telecast influenced later televised events and specials by entertainers such as Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Kylie Minogue, with commentators drawing lines between Cher's television persona and the staging of contemporary spectacle in pop culture coverage by outlets like Pitchfork and NME.