The performing arts and the popular idols they generate have long been a primary interest of TIME'S prolific Contributor Richard Schickel. Since 1960 he has written twelve books, including The Stars and His Picture in the Papers, both explorations of Hollywood's glittery "star syndrome." Schickel's soon-to-be-released volume, The Men Who Made the Movies, is based on his series of interviews with eight eminent film directors written, produced and directed for public television. LIFE'S movie critic from 1965 to 1972, Schickel has reviewed both movies and television for TIME since then. This week he draws on his wide experience in adding his first TIME cover story to his list of credits. "Cher," he says, "is a TV creature. Such stars are whatever you think they are. It's especially interesting to figure out what they mean inside your own head."

Catching the TV creature off-camera was no easy task. In Los Angeles, Correspondent Leo Janos got hold of Cher on a rare day off and spent 10 1/2 hours with the slinky singer at her Holmby Hills mansion. Jess Cook drew some candid comments from Sonny Bono while David DeVoss interviewed Bono's successors, David Geffen and Current Beau Greg Allman. Patricia Delaney filled out Cher's life story by speaking with her mother, Georgia Holt.

In stark contrast to the world of Cher, TIME'S Economy and Business section this week takes a long look at unemployment. Senior Editor Marshall Loeb wrote the story, assisted by Reporter-Researchers Sue Raffety and Sarah Button in addition to correspondents and stringers across the country. From Washington, National Economics Correspondent John Berry and Correspondent John Stacks reported on the big picture: how the economy and unemployment affect each other; who the people are that make up the swelling army of 7.5 million jobless Americans; what role the Government plays.

In New York City, Correspondent Eileen Shields canvassed economists, business leaders, psychologists and sociologists. She also talked with the out-of-work at unemployment and welfare offices, at a club for middle-aged job seekers, and even on the Bowery. "Some people are ashamed to talk," she reports, "but others tell you their life stories. Some leave their phone numbers, just in case I might hear of an opening." Shields, who holds a master's degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, joined TIME as a Business reporter-researcher in 1969 and became a correspondent in 1973. Unemployment, she finds, is not only a demanding and depressing journalistic beat, but also a matter of personal concern. "Unfortunately," she says, "it's easy to find candidates to report about-- just among my friends."

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