The variety show spirit of '76

On Monday, we'll celebrate the 235th anniversary of our country and the 35th anniversary of the Bicentennial, for many of us the highlight of 1976. And while we're just as big a fan of the Tall Ships as anyone else, we also cherish 1976 as the year TV brought us so many cheesy comedy-variety shows. Take these five examples of a genre crying desperately to again grace the schedule:

1. THE SONNY & CHER SHOW (CBS) -- By 1976, the Bonos had divorced (Cher had married Gregg Allman and given birth to a son). Nevertheless, the network persuaded them to reunite in a last-ditch attempt to recapture the magic of the couple's wildly popular "Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour." The experiment didn't work.

2. THE CAPTAIN AND TENNILLE (ABC) -- ABC had hoped the married "Love Will Keep Us Together" duo would become the next Sonny and Cher. They didn't.

3. VAN DYKE AND COMPANY (NBC) -- Dick Van Dyke moved out of his familiar sitcom role into hosting this variety show that had a recurring skit about the dumbest family in the world and whose ensemble included Andy Kaufman, Richard ("Jaws") Kiel and New York kiddie-TV fixture Chuck McCann.

4. THE TONY ORLANDO & DAWN RAINBOW HOUR (CBS) -- For its second season, the show switched its emphasis from music to comedy, adding George Carlin as a regular. It was gone by December.

5. DONNY AND MARIE (ABC) -- In its second season, Marie turned 18 and was given a fashion makeover, complete with Bob Mackie gowns to make her appear more adult. No such changes for Donny.