Lunch Break Video: Diana Ross and Michael Jackson team up for 1980 CBS special

This television special was a ratings smash and shows Diana Ross and Michael Jackson – two years after teaming up for The Wiz – at the peak of their powers.

Both were riding so high: Michael had released Off the Wall the year before and was absolutely still best known for his music, his dancing and sweet personalities rather than his eccentricities. Diana, meanwhile. was on a huge roll with consecutive hits Upside Down, I’m Coming Out, It’s My Turn and Endless Love.

You can see how very much they adored each other in these clips where they team up for Ease on Down the Road from The Wiz. Michael also does Rock With You and joins Diana at the end of Upside Down to do some dancing. They also do a little chit chat in between where Diana tells Michael how sexy he is! OMG.

One last thought: I rented The Wiz the other night because I had not seen it in decades. I loved Michael and Diana and Ease on Down the Road, I loved Diana singing Home and I loved, loved, loved Lena Horne at the end belting out Believe in Yourself. But overall, it was torture watching it again I’m sorry to say. I enjoyed this TV special a lot more!