The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour is an American variety show starring American pop singers Sonny Bono and Cher. The show ran on CBS in the United States, and premiered in August 1971. Each episode opened with the show's theme song, which segued into the first few notes of "The Beat Goes On" The show was a top-20 hit in the ratings for its entire run. It was cancelled in May 1974, due to the couple's divorce.