For years, I’ve been mercilessly mocked by my friends for advocating a CD series called Now That’s What I Call Cher!, which would essentially take the concept of Now That’s What I Call Music, but instead compile the biggest radio hits of every era as covered by the Oscar-winning star of Moonstruck. This pitch is usually followed by me attempting to imitate Cher performing Guns N’ Roses’ "Paradise City" or Beyoncé’s "Irreplaceable" or Gnarls Barkley’s "Crazy," and everyone’s stunned realization that, in fact, her throaty warble fits every genre perfectly! (Yes, this is the most embarrassing/gayest sentence I have ever written for PopWatch.)
Imagine my shock, then, when on a recent visit to Metafilter, I was directed to a YouTube video of Cher’s version of West Side Story — in which she plays every single role. According to the folks at Just Plain Cher, the performance was part of a 1978 ABC special (called, naturally, Cher), and I hereby pass the insanity on to you all. Check out part one below, and part two (after the jump), and if you have any words to describe your feelings, do cher share them with your fellow PopWatchers.
One of my friends used to say after civilization as we know it ends all that will be left is cockroaches and Cher. Cockroaches – 0. Cher – 1.
now that’s what i call cher! is a good idea
I think this is a strong argument on why cloning should never happen. Slezak you ruined West Side Story for me…sigh.
This has nothing to do with Cher, but I’ve seen you post Secretariat’s Belmont many a time, and I thought you’d be interested. A great new horse racing move called The First Saturday in May is coming out this weekend for a limited run. Please cover this in EW! You can see the trailer and get more information here http://www.thefirstsaturdayinmay.com
The whirring sound you here is Lenny Bernstein spinning in his grave.
As a guy, she looks like a cross between Nicolas Cage and KD Lang.
She also sings better as the guy.
i was hoping for america or the dance at the gym. once again cher – you let me down!
Wow.
Personally, I’m upset that she didn’t do “Gee, Officer Krupke.” Cuz no one wants a fella like cher with a social disease. *grin*
You know, my dad saw this musical during its first run on Broadway so I’ve grown up with it. And watching Cher and her dramatic work, makes me wanna go home and pop in the movie and follow it up with South Pacific.
I don’t particularly feel very strongly about Cher one way or the other. However, I do feel that some day, if I do end up in hell, that video will be playing on a constant loop.
Coincidentally, I just saw Moonstruck for the first time yesterday and now I’m on a Cher kick. I love that video!
I remember that you wrote the column a week or two ago about loving “Don’t Stop Movin” by S Club 7, and if you haven’t already you should check out Alphabeat. I love both “Fascination” and “10000 Nights of Thunder” and I think you would too.
Yes, that was about the gayest thing I have ever seen and I mean that in a good way! Love it and love Cher!
I remember watching this when it first aired. To my teenaged musical loving gay self it was the greatest thing ever. Just now I could only watch a few seconds of each section. Still love Cher though!
I love 1970s technology.
That was surreal seeing four Chers on the stage and all dressed like really feminine men.
That was amazing. I thought I wouldn’t be able sit through the narcissistic cheese, but this was surprisingly good. Props to Cher.