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{{short description|American television sitcom (1982–1993)}} | |||
{{About|the American TV series}} | {{About|the American TV series}} | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date= |
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2021}} | ||
{{Infobox television | {{Infobox television | ||
| |
| image = Cheers.svg | ||
| |
| image_alt = | ||
| genre = ] | | genre = ] | ||
| |
| creator = {{Plainlist| | ||
* ] | |||
* ]}} | |||
| starring = <!-- Per infobox guidelines, original cast should be listed first followed by additional cast in the order they joined the series. -->{{Plainlist|1= | | starring = <!-- Per infobox guidelines, original cast should be listed first followed by additional cast in the order they joined the series. -->{{Plainlist|1= | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
<!-- Per infobox instructions, ] and wide consensus, only actors who were credited onscreen in a starring role should be included here. Recurring characters and guest cast should not be included! --> | |||
* ] | |||
}} | }} | ||
| director = {{Plainlist| | |||
*] | |||
*Various (seasons 6–11) | |||
}} | |||
| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* Judy Hart Angelo}} | |||
| opentheme = "]" by ] | |||
| endtheme = "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" (instrumental) | |||
| composer = ] | | composer = ] | ||
| theme_music_composer = ] <br /> Judy Hart Angelo | |||
| opentheme = "]" <br /> Performed by ] | |||
| cinematography = John Finger <br /> ] <small>(first three episodes)</small> | |||
| country = United States | | country = United States | ||
| language = English | | language = English | ||
| network = ] | |||
| audio_format = ] (1982–1987) <br /> ] (1988–1993) | |||
| company = Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions <br /> ] | |||
| distributor = ] (1987–2006) <br /> ] (2006–07) <br /> ] (2007–present) | |||
| first_aired = {{Start date| 1982|9|30}} | |||
| last_aired = {{End date| 1993|5|20}} | |||
| num_seasons = 11 | | num_seasons = 11 | ||
| num_episodes = |
| num_episodes = 275 (including three double-length episodes and a triple-length finale) | ||
| related = '']'' (1987) | |||
| followed_by = '']'' (1993–2004) | |||
| list_episodes = List of Cheers episodes | | list_episodes = List of Cheers episodes | ||
| executive_producer = {{plainlist| |
| executive_producer = {{plainlist| | ||
* |
* James Burrows | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* ] | |||
* Bill Steinkellner {{small|(season 9–11)}} | |||
* |
* ] |(season 9–10) | ||
* ] |
* ] (season 11) | ||
* |
* ] (season 11)}} | ||
| cinematography = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] {{small|(season 11)}} | |||
* John Finger | |||
* ] (first three episodes) | |||
}} | }} | ||
| camera = Film; ] | |||
| location = ] <br /> Hollywood, California (primary location) <br /> ] <br /> Boston, Massachusetts | |||
| |
| runtime = 21–25 minutes | ||
| company = {{Plainlist| | |||
* Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions | |||
* ]}} | |||
| network = ]<ref>Wood, Jennifer M. "Bar Trivia: 30 Facts About Cheers". Mental Floss. http://mentalfloss.com/article/56133/30-things-you-might-not-know-about-cheers {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616122644/http://mentalfloss.com/article/56133/30-things-you-might-not-know-about-cheers |date=June 16, 2017 }}</ref> | |||
| first_aired = {{Start date|1982|9|30}} | |||
| last_aired = {{End date|1993|5|20}} | |||
| related = {{plainlist| | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Cheers''''' is an American television ] that aired on ] from September 30, 1982, to May 20, 1993, for 11 seasons and 275 episodes. The show was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions in association with ] and was created by the team of ] and ]. The show is set in the ], where a group of locals meet to drink, relax, socialize, and escape from their day to day issues. | |||
At the center of the show is the bar's owner and head bartender, ], who is a womanizing former relief pitcher for the ]. The show's ensemble cast introduced in the ] are waitresses ] and ], second bartender ], and regular customers ] and ]. Later main characters of the show also include ], ], ], and ]. | |||
'''''Cheers''''' is an American ] that ran for eleven seasons between 1982 and 1993. The show was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions in association with ] for ] and created by the team of ], ], and ]. The show is set in a bar named Cheers (named after ]) in ], ], where a group of locals meet to drink, relax, and socialize. The show's main theme song, written and performed by ] lent its famous refrain "]" as the show's ].<ref>{{cite web|first=Gary|last= Portnoy|date=2006|url=http://www.garyportnoy.com/|title=Portnoy's personal site|work=garyportnoy.com}}</ref> | |||
After premiering |
After premiering in 1982, it was nearly canceled during its first season when it ranked almost last in ratings for its premiere (74th out of 77 shows). However, ''Cheers'' eventually became a ] ] in the United States, earning a top-10 rating during eight of its 11 seasons, including one season at number one (season 9). The show spent most of its run on NBC's Thursday night "]" lineup. ], ] in 1993 became the most-watched single TV episode of the 1990s, and the show's 275 ] have been successfully ] worldwide. Nominated for ] for all 11 of its seasons on the air, it earned 28 ]s from a record of 117 nominations. | ||
During its run, ''Cheers'' became one of the most popular series in history and received critical acclaim from its start to its end and is frequently cited as one of the greatest television shows of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tv-guide-names-top-50-shows/ |title=TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows |date=April 26, 2002 |publisher=Cbsnews.com |access-date=September 13, 2012 |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904061715/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/04/26/entertainment/main507388.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=4925|title=101 Best Written TV Series List|work=wga.org|access-date=June 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607080758/http://www.wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=5246|archive-date=June 7, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fretts |first1=Bruce |last2=Roush |first2=Matt |title=The Greatest Shows on Earth |journal=TV Guide Magazine |volume=61 |issue=3194–3195 |pages=16–19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-shows-of-all-time-1234598313/the-sopranos-5-1234599298/| title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time - 50-1|first=Alan|last=Sepinwall|magazine= ]|date=September 26, 2022|access-date=September 30, 2022|archive-date=September 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930124812/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-shows-of-all-time-1234598313/the-sopranos-5-1234599298/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|publisher= | work= Variety|date= December 20, 2023}}</ref> In 1997, the episodes "]" and "]," aired originally in 1987, were respectively ranked No. 7 and No. 45 on ].<ref>{{cite journal |year=1997 |title=Special Collector's Issue: 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time |journal=] |issue=June 28 – July 4 }}</ref> Its series finale was watched by an estimated 93 million viewers, almost 40% of the US population at the time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last1=Darowski|first1=Joseph J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MQglDwAAQBAJ|title=Frasier: A Cultural History|last2=Darowski|first2=Kate|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2017|isbn=978-1442277960|access-date=October 22, 2020|archive-date=February 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210085556/https://books.google.com/books?id=MQglDwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> The series also produced three spin-offs: '']'', '']'', and '']''; and a ]. | |||
During its run, ''Cheers'' became one of the most popular series of all time and has received critical acclaim. In 1997, the episodes "]" and "]", aired originally in 1987, were respectively ranked No. 7 and No. 45 on ].<ref>{{cite journal |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |year=1997 |title=Special Collector's Issue: 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time |journal=] |issue=June 28 – July 4 |url= }}</ref> In 2002, ''Cheers'' was ranked No. 18 on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/04/26/entertainment/main507388.shtml |title=TV Guide Names Top 50 Shows |publisher=Cbsnews.com |date= |accessdate=September 13, 2012}}</ref> In 2013, the ] ranked it as the eighth best written TV series<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wga.org/content/default.aspx?id=4925|title=101 Best Written TV Series List|work=wga.org}}</ref> and ''TV Guide'' ranked it #11 on their list of the 60 Greatest Shows of All Time.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Fretts |first=Bruce |last2=Roush |first2=Matt |date= |title=The Greatest Shows on Earth |journal=TV Guide Magazine |publisher= |volume=61 |issue=3194-3195 |pages=16–19 |doi= <!--|url= |accessdate=December 22, 2013 -->}}</ref> | |||
==Characters== | ==Characters== | ||
{{ |
{{main|List of Cheers characters}} | ||
Before the ''Cheers'' pilot "]" was completed and aired in 1982, the series consisted of four employees in the first script.<ref name=scott1982/> Later revisions added ] and ] (regular customers of Cheers) as among the regular characters of the series, even though neither were featured.<ref name=112wendt114>Wendt 2001, pp. 112–114.</ref> | |||
In later years, ] replaced Coach, after the character died off-screen in season three (1984–85), following actor ]'s death. ] started as a recurring character and became a permanent one. In season six (1987–88), new character ] was added, having been written into the show after the finale of the previous season (1986–87). ] started as a one-time character in an episode of season four, "Second Time Around" (1985). After her second season five appearance, she became a recurring character and was later featured as a permanent one during season 10 (1991–92). | |||
Before the ''Cheers'' pilot "]" was completed and aired in 1982, the series originally consisted of four employees in the first script.<ref name=scott1982/> Neither ] nor ], regular customers of Cheers, were featured; later revisions added them as among the regular characters of the series.<ref name=112wendt114>Wendt 2001, pp. 112–114.</ref> | |||
In later years, ] replaces Coach, who dies off-screen in season four (1985–86) to account for actor ]'s demise. ] starts as a recurring character and becomes a permanent character. In season six (1987–88) ] replaces ], who was written out of the show after the finale of the previous season (1986–87). ] starts as a one-time character in an episode of season four, "Second Time Around" (1985). After she appears in two episodes in season five, she becomes a recurring character, and later featured as a permanent one for season ten (1991–92). | |||
===Original main characters=== | ===Original main characters=== | ||
], ]; ''(middle)'' ], ]; ''(bottom)'' ], ] |alt=Background is the bar setting. Top row has a |
], ]; ''(middle)'' ], ]; ''(bottom)'' ], ]{{efn|Ratzenberger joined the main cast in season two after frequently appearing in his recurring role in season one.}} |alt=Background is the bar setting. Top row has a businesswoman and a handsome bartender. Middle row has a brunette perm waitress and an old bartender. Bottom row has a suit-dressed man and a mailman.]] | ||
* ] |
* ] as ]: A ] and proprietor of Cheers, Sam is also a ]. Before the series began, he was a baseball ] for the ] nicknamed "Mayday Malone" until he became an alcoholic, harming his career. He has an ] with ], his class opposite, in the first five seasons (1982–1987). During their off-times, Sam has flings with many not-so-bright "sexy women"<ref name=honey264/> yet fails to pursue a meaningful relationship.<ref name=honey264/> After Diane is written out of the series, he tries to pursue Rebecca Howe, with varying results. At the end of the series, he is still unmarried and faces his ] with the help of Dr. Robert Sutton's (]) group meetings, advised by Frasier. | ||
* ] |
* ] as ]: An academic, sophisticated graduate student attending Boston University.<ref name=scott1982/> In the pilot, Diane is abandoned by her fiancé, leaving her without a job, a man or money. Realizing that one of her few practical skills is memorization, which comes in handy when dealing with drink orders, she reluctantly becomes a barmaid. Later, she becomes a close friend of Coach<ref name=10anniversary/> and ], her class opposite. During their off-relationship times, Diane dates men who fit her upper-class ideals, such as Frasier Crane. Diane returns to Cheers while dating Frasier to help cure Sam of his drinking addiction with help from Dr. Crane. Diane's biggest enemy is Carla, who frequently insults her, but Diane's lack of retaliation serves to annoy Carla even more. In 1987, Diane leaves Boston and Sam to pursue a ] career in California. She promises Sam she will return to Boston to marry him but does not do so. | ||
* ] |
* ] as ]: <br/>A "borderline senile"<ref name=honey264/> co-bartender, widower and retired baseball coach. Coach is also a friend of Sam and a close friend of Diane. He has a daughter, ] (]). Coach listens to people's problems and solves them. However, other people also help resolve his own problems. In 1985, Coach died without explicit explanation, as Colasanto died of a heart attack.<ref name=colasantodeath/> | ||
* ] |
* ] as ]: A "wisecracking, cynical"<ref name=scott1982/> cocktail waitress, who treats customers badly. When the series premieres, she is the mother of five children by her ex-husband ] (]). Over the course of the series, she bears three more, the depiction of which incorporated Perlman's real-life pregnancies.<ref name=top10preggerstime>"." '']''. Web. June 2, 2012.</ref> All of her children are ill behaved, except Ludlow, whose father is a prominent academic. She flirts with men, including ones who are not flattered by her ways, and believes in ]s. Later, she marries ], an ] player, who later becomes a penguin mascot for ice shows. After he dies in an ice show accident by an ], Carla later discovers that Eddie had committed ] with another woman, whom he had gotten pregnant. Carla sleeps with Sam's enemy, John Allen Hill, to Sam's annoyance and anger. | ||
* ] |
* ] as ]: A bar regular and occasionally employed accountant. A recurrent joke on the show, especially in the earlier seasons, is that the character was such a popular and constant fixture at the bar that anytime he entered through the front door, everyone present would yell out his name ("NORM!") in greeting (when present in the scene Diane would be heard saying "Norman!" moments later) ; usually, this cry would be followed by one of the present bartenders asking Norm how he was, usually receiving a sardonic response and a request for a beer. ("It's a dog-eat-dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear.") He has infrequent accounting jobs and a troubled marriage with (but is still in love with and married to) Vera, an ], though she is occasionally heard. Later in the series, he becomes a ] and an ]. Even later in the series, Norm secures his dream job, tasting beer at a brewery. The character was not originally intended to be a main cast role;<ref name=112wendt114/> Wendt auditioned for a minor role of George for the ]. The role was only to be Diane Chambers' first customer and had only one word: "Beer!"<ref>Wendt 2009, p. 112.</ref> After he was cast in a more permanent role, the character was renamed Norm.<ref>Wendt 2009, p. 113.</ref> | ||
* ] portrays ''']''', a ] bar regular and ]. He lives with his mother ] (]) in first the family house and later an apartment. In the bar, Cliff unwittingly says things that either annoy people, motivate people into mocking him, drive people away, confuse people, are inaccurate, or are unnecessary to people. Ratzenberger auditioned for the role of a minor character George, but it went to Wendt, evolving the role into Norm Peterson.<ref name=wendt113-114/> The producers decided they wanted a resident bar know-it-all,<ref name=wendt113-114>Wendt 2009, pp. 113–114.</ref> so the security guard Cliff Clavin was added for the pilot. The producers changed his occupation into a postal worker as they thought such a man would have wider knowledge than a guard.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 28, 1985|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BH9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SkENAAAAIBAJ&dq=cheers%20cliff%20norm%20john%20wendt%20auditioned&pg=3002%2C3299013|author=Buck, Jerry|title=''Cheers'' mailman describes 10 years in Britain|newspaper=]|at=TV Times|location=]|accessdate=May 5, 2012}}</ref> | |||
===Subsequent main characters=== | ===Subsequent main characters=== | ||
], ], ], ]; (bottom) ], ], ], ] |thumb|upright=1.36|alt=Background is bar setting. Top row has a waitress, a young handsome bartender, and married opposite-sex psychiatrists. Bottom row has a suit-dressed man, a |
], ], ], ]; (bottom) ], ], ], ] |thumb|upright=1.36|alt=Background is bar setting. Top row has a waitress, a young handsome bartender, and married opposite-sex psychiatrists. Bottom row has a suit-dressed man, a blonde, a middle-aged handsome bartender, and a mailman.]] | ||
* ] as ]: <br />A know-it-all bar regular and ]. He lives with his mother ] (]) in first the family house and later his own apartment. In the bar, Cliff continuously spouts nonsensical and annoying trivia, making him an object of derision for the bar patrons (especially Carla). Ratzenberger auditioned for the role of a minor character George, but it went to Wendt, evolving the role into Norm Peterson.<ref name="wendt113-114">Wendt 2009, pp. 113–114.</ref> The producers decided they wanted a resident bar know-it-all,<ref name="wendt113-114" /> so the US Postal Worker Cliff Clavin was added for the pilot, as a recurring character for the first season before becoming a main character starting with the second. Originally written as a security guard, the producers changed his occupation into a mail carrier as they thought such a man would have a wider array of knowledge.<ref>{{cite news |author=Buck, Jerry |date=June 28, 1985 |title=''Cheers'' mailman describes 10 years in Britain |at=TV Times |newspaper=] |location=Canada |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BH9WAAAAIBAJ&dq=cheers%20cliff%20norm%20john%20wendt%20auditioned&pg=3002%2C3299013 |access-date=May 5, 2012 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223004645/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BH9WAAAAIBAJ&dq=cheers%20cliff%20norm%20john%20wendt%20auditioned&pg=3002,3299013 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
* ] portrays ''']''', a psychiatrist and bar regular. Frasier started out as Diane Chambers's love interest in the third season (1984–85). In the fourth season (1985–86), after Diane jilts him at the altar in Europe, Frasier ends up frequenting Cheers and becomes a regular. After the series ended, in the spin-off '']'', he gives child custody of their son Frederick to Lilith and moves to ]. | |||
* ] as ]: <br />A psychiatrist and bar regular, a recurring character for seasons 3 and 4 who joins the main cast by season 5. Frasier started out as Diane Chambers' love interest in the third season (1984–85). In the fourth season (1985–86), after Diane jilts him at the altar in Europe, Frasier starts to frequent Cheers and becomes a regular. He later marries ] and has a son, Frederick. After the series ends, the character becomes the focus of the spin-off '']'', in which he is divorced from Lilith and living in ]. | |||
* ] portrays ''']''', a not-so-bright<ref name=honey264/> bartender. He arrives from his Midwest hometown to Boston, to see Coach, his "]" (as referring to exchanging "pens", not letters). When he learns that Coach died, Woody is hired in his place. Later, he marries his girlfriend Kelly Gaines (]), also not-so-bright but raised in a rich family. In the final season, he runs for political office, and surprisingly wins. | |||
* ] as ]: <br />A not-so-bright<ref name="honey264" /> bartender, first appearing in season 4. He arrives from his Midwest hometown of ] to Boston, to see Coach, his "]" (as referring to exchanging "pens", not letters). When Sam tells Woody that Coach died, Sam hires Woody in Coach's place. Later, he marries his girlfriend Kelly Gaines (]), also not-so-bright but raised in a rich family. In the final season, he runs for city council and, surprisingly, wins. | |||
* ] portrays ''']''', a psychiatrist and bar regular. She is often teased by bar patrons about her uptight personality and appearance. In "Second Time Around" (1986), her first episode, also her only one of the fourth season, her date with Frasier does not go well because they constantly argue. In the fifth season, with help from Diane, Lilith and Frasier begin a relationship. Eventually, they marry and have a son, Frederick. In the eleventh and final season, she leaves Frasier to live with another man in an experimental underground environment called the "Eco-pod." However she returns later in the season and reconciles with Frasier. | |||
* ] as ]: <br />A psychiatrist and bar regular, a recurring character until joining the main cast in season 10. She is often teased by bar patrons about her uptight personality and appearance. In "Second Time Around" (1986), her first and only episode of the fourth season, her date with Frasier does not go well because they constantly argue. In the fifth season, with help from Diane, Lilith and Frasier begin a relationship. Eventually, they marry and have a son, Frederick. In the eleventh and final season, she commits adultery and leaves Frasier to live with another man in an experimental underground environment called the "Eco-pod". She breaks it off, returns later in the season and reconciles with Frasier. However, in the spin-off ''Frasier'', the couple has divorced, with Lilith maintaining custody of Frederick. In season 11 of ''Cheers'', Bebe Neuwirth is given "starring" credit only when she appears. | |||
* ] portrays ''']'''. She starts out as a strong independent woman, Waitressing the bar by Sam after Diane jilted him. Eventually, when Sam regains ownership, she begs him to let her remain as waitress. She repeatedly has romantic failures with mainly rich men and becomes more and "more neurotic, insecure, and sexually frustrated".<ref name=neurotic>{{cite web|date=July 8, 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkenlevine.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fmy-favorite-kirstie-alley-scene.html&date=2012-07-21|author=Levine, Ken|url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-favorite-kirstie-alley-scene.html|authorlink=Ken Levine (TV personality)|archivedate=July 21, 2012|accessdate=July 21, 2012|work=... by Ken Levine on '']''|title=My favorite Kirstie Alley scene}}</ref> At the start, Sam frequently attempts to seduce Rebecca without success.<ref name=craig>{{cite journal|volume=2|author=Craig, Steve|format=PDF|page=15|accessdate=July 31, 2012<!--from archive-->|year=1993|title=Selling Masculinities, Selling Femininities: Multiple Genders and the Economics of Television|url=http://www.rtvf.unt.edu/html/craig/pdfs/gender.PDF|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070625104942/http://www.rtvf.unt.edu/html/craig/pdfs/gender.PDF|archivedate=June 25, 2007|journal=The Mid-Atlantic Almanack}}</ref> As her personality changes,<ref name=neurotic/> he loses interest in her. In the eleventh and final season, Rebecca marries the plumber Don Santry and quits working for the bar. | |||
* ] as ]: <br />First appearing in season 6, she starts out as a strong independent woman, manager of the bar for the corporation that buys Cheers from Sam after his on-off relationship with Diane ends. When Sam regains ownership, she begs him to let her remain, first as a cocktail waitress and later as a manager. She has repeated romantic failures with mainly rich men and becomes more and more "neurotic, insecure, and sexually frustrated".<ref name="neurotic">{{cite web|date=July 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121110517/http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-favorite-kirstie-alley-scene.html|author=Levine, Ken|url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-favorite-kirstie-alley-scene.html|author-link=Ken Levine (TV personality)|archive-date=January 21, 2013|url-status=live|access-date=July 21, 2012|work=... by Ken Levine on ]|title=My favorite Kirstie Alley scene}}</ref> At the start, Sam frequently attempts to seduce Rebecca without success.<ref name="craig">{{cite journal|volume=2 |author=Craig, Steve |page=15 |access-date=July 31, 2012 |year=1993 |title=Selling Masculinities, Selling Femininities: Multiple Genders and the Economics of Television |url=http://www.rtvf.unt.edu/html/craig/pdfs/gender.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625104942/http://www.rtvf.unt.edu/html/craig/pdfs/gender.PDF |archive-date=June 25, 2007 |journal=The Mid-Atlantic Almanack |url-status=dead }}</ref> As her personality changes,<ref name="neurotic" /> he loses interest in her. In the series finale, after failed relationships with rich men, Rebecca marries a plumber and quits working for the bar. In the ''Frasier'' episode "]", she is revealed to be divorced and back at the bar. When Frasier asks whether this means that she is working there again, Sam says, "No, she's just back at the bar." | |||
===Character table=== | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="100%" style="font-size: 86%" | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|- | |- | ||
!! rowspan="2" |
!! rowspan="2" | Character | ||
!! rowspan="2" |
!! rowspan="2" | Actress / Actor | ||
!! rowspan="2" | Role at Cheers | |||
!! rowspan="2" | Occupation | |||
!! colspan="11" | Seasons | !! colspan="11" | Seasons | ||
!! rowspan="2" | {{Tooltip|Ep.|Episodes}} | |||
|- | |- | ||
!! style="width:5%;" | ] | !! style="width:5%;" | ] | ||
!! style="width:5%;" | ] | !! style="width:5%;" | ] | ||
!! style="width:5%;" | ] | !! style="width:5%;" | ] | ||
!! style="width:5%;" | ] | !! style="width:5%;" | ] | ||
!! style="width:5%;" | ] | !! style="width:5%;" | ] | ||
!! style="width:5%;" | ] | !! style="width:5%;" | ] | ||
!! style="width:5%;" | ] | !! style="width:5%;" | ] | ||
!! style="width:5%;" | ] | !! style="width:5%;" | ] | ||
!! style="width:5%;" | ] | !! style="width:5%;" | ] | ||
Line 103: | Line 115: | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| style="white-space:nowrap;"|Owner, Bartender | |||
| Former ] | |||
| colspan="11" {{cMain}} | | colspan="11" {{cMain}} | ||
| 271 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| manager/Waitress | |||
| Graduate student, writer | ]<ref>"Look Before You Sleep". Cheers. episode 20. season 11. April 1, 1993. 19:10 minutes in. (Sam goes to dianes apartment and they both get locked outside) Rebecca: "Now we're locked out." Sam: "So What?! Call the Super!" diane: "I AM the Super."</ref> | |||
| colspan="5" {{cMain}} | | colspan="5" {{cMain}} | ||
| colspan="5" {{n/a|}} | | colspan="5" {{n/a|}} | ||
| {{cGuest}} | | {{cGuest}} | ||
| 124 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| Bartender | |||
| Former baseball player and ] | |||
| colspan="3" {{cMain}} | | colspan="3" {{cMain}} | ||
| colspan="8" {{n/a|}} | | colspan="8" {{n/a|}} | ||
| 71 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| Waitress | |||
| Mother, divorcee | |||
| colspan="11" {{cMain}} | | colspan="11" {{cMain}} | ||
| 271 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| rowspan="2" | Customer | |||
| style="white-space:nowrap;"|Accountant; ]; ] | |||
| colspan="11" {{cMain}} | | colspan="11" {{cMain}} | ||
| 271 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| {{cRecurring}} | | {{cRecurring}} | ||
| colspan="10" {{cMain}} | | colspan="10" {{cMain}} | ||
| 271 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| style="white-space:nowrap;"|Assistant Bartender<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Don't Shoot...I'm Only the Psychiatrist|episodelink=List of Cheers episodes#ep233|series=Cheers|network=]|airdate=January 2, 1992|season=10|number=13|minutes=14:55|quote=It's your assistant bartender, good old Woody}}</ref> | |||
| Actor; politician | |||
| colspan="3" {{n/a|}} | | colspan="3" {{n/a|}} | ||
| colspan="8" {{cMain}} | | colspan="8" {{cMain}} | ||
| 201 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| Customer | |||
| ] | |||
| colspan="2" {{n/a|}} | | colspan="2" {{n/a|}} | ||
| colspan="2" {{cRecurring}} | | colspan="2" {{cRecurring}} | ||
| colspan="7" {{cMain}} | | colspan="7" {{cMain}} | ||
| 204 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| cocktail waitress | |||
| [[| Graduate student, writer | |||
| colspan="5" {{n/a|}} | | colspan="5" {{n/a|}} | ||
| colspan="6" {{cMain}} | | colspan="6" {{cMain}} | ||
| 149 | |||
|- | |- | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| ] | | ] | ||
| Customer | |||
| ] | |||
| colspan="3" {{n/a|}} | | colspan="3" {{n/a|}} | ||
| colspan=" |
| colspan="1" {{cGuest}} | ||
| colspan=" |
| colspan="5" {{cRecurring}} | ||
| colspan="2" {{cMain}}{{efn|In season 11, Neuwirth only made limited appearances, but was credited as a main cast member for the episodes in which she appeared.}} | |||
| colspan="2" {{cMain}} <sup>*</sup> | |||
| 81 | |||
|} | |} | ||
Before production of ] was finished, Nicholas Colasanto died. Therefore, his character Coach was written out as deceased in season 4.<ref name=colasantodeath/> <br /> | |||
<sup>*</sup>In season 11, Bebe Neuwirth is given "starring" credit only when she appears. | |||
===Recurring characters=== | ===Recurring characters=== | ||
{{main list|List of Cheers characters}} | |||
Although ''Cheers'' operated largely around that main ensemble cast, guest stars and recurring characters did occasionally supplement them. Notable repeat guests included ] as ] and ] as ], who were the main characters in the first spin-off '']'', ] as ], ] as ], ] as ], and ] as Harry 'The Hat' Gittes. | |||
Although ''Cheers'' operated largely around that main ensemble cast and their interactions with various one-off characters, guest stars and recurring characters did occasionally supplement them. Notable repeat guests included ] as ] and ] as ] (who were the main characters in the first spin-off, '']''), ] as Dave Richards, ] as Margaret O'Keefe, ] as Andy Schroeder (also referred to as ''Andy Andy''), interchangeably ] and ] as rival bar owner Gary, ] as ], ] as ], ] as ], ] as Esther Clavin, ] as Walter Gaines, ] as John Allen Hill, ] as Henri, Michael McGuire as Professor Sumner Sloan, and ] as Harry "The Hat" Gittes. ], who played the recurring role of Woody's girlfriend and eventual wife "Kelly Gaines-Boyd", appeared in 24 episodes from 1989 to 1993. The character is as equally dim and naive—but ultimately as sweet-natured—as Woody. | |||
] played the recurring barfly character |
] played the recurring barfly character Paul Krapence. (In one early appearance in the first season he was called "Glen", and was later credited on-screen as "Gregg" and "Tom", but he was playing the same character throughout.) ] played "Tom", a law student often mocked by ], for continually failing to pass the Massachusetts bar exam. "Al", played by ], appeared in 38 episodes, and was known for his surly quips. Rhea Perlman's father ] played the role of "Phil".<ref>{{cite magazine|date=September 16, 1991|title=Cheers, Dad!|url=https://people.com/archive/cheers-dad-vol-36-no-10|magazine=People|access-date=August 16, 2011|archive-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313112943/https://people.com/archive/cheers-dad-vol-36-no-10/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
|date=September 16, 1991 |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20110852,00.html |accessdate=August 16, 2011}}</ref> ], who played the recurring role of Woody's girlfriend and eventual wife "Kelly Gaines-Boyd", appeared in 24 episodes from 1989 to 1993. The character is as equally dim and naive—but ultimately as sweet-natured—as Woody. | |||
===Celebrity appearances=== | ===Celebrity appearances=== | ||
Other celebrities guest-starred in single episodes as themselves throughout the series. Sports figures appeared on the show as themselves with a connection to Boston or Sam's former team, the Red Sox, such as ], ] and ] (of the ]).<ref name="nba">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/mchale_bio.html |title=Kevin McHale Bio | |
Other celebrities guest-starred in single episodes as themselves throughout the series. Sports figures appeared on the show as themselves, with a connection to Boston or Sam's former team, the Red Sox, such as ], ], and ] and ] (of the ]).<ref name="nba">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/mchale_bio.html |title=Kevin McHale Bio |access-date=December 20, 2009 |publisher=NBA |archive-date=May 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516015734/http://www.nba.com/history/players/mchale_bio.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Some television stars also made guest appearances as themselves such as ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Various political figures even made appearances on ''Cheers'' such as then-] ] ], former ] ] ], then-] ], then-Senator ], then-] ], ] (widow of ]), and then-] ], the last five of whom all represented Cheers' home state and city. | ||
In maternal roles, ], in a guest appearance in 1983, played Diane's mother, Helen Chambers. ] played Frasier's mother, Hester Crane, in an episode that aired in 1985. In an episode that aired in 1992, ] – who had previously played Ted Danson's mother in "]" – appeared as Kelly's jokester of a paternal grandmother. ] appeared in the episode "''Woody or Won't He''" (1990) as Kelly's mother, Roxanne Gaines, a very attractive high-society lady and a sexy, flirtatious upper-class cougar who tries to seduce Woody. | |||
The musician ] appeared in an episode as Woody's cousin and plays a song from his Grammy-winning album '']'' (c. 1991). ] won a ] for his guest appearance as "Dr. Simon Finch-Royce" in the fifth season episode, "Simon Says". ] guest starred as ], a famous singing nanny and Frasier's ex-wife. ] guest starred as a tortured artist who wanted to paint Diane. ] portrayed Rebecca's sister Susan in the season 7 episode ''Sisterly Love''. ] once appeared as an inept jingle writer, which included a brief conversation with Frasier Crane, whose father he later portrayed on the spin-off ''Frasier''. ], who later played ] on ''Frasier,'' also appeared in one episode of ''Cheers'', in its 11th season, as Holly Matheson, a reporter who interviews Woody. ], ] and ], also guest starred in different episodes, and ] appeared in the three-episode finale of season four. In the final episode of Kirstie Alley's run as Rebecca, she was wooed away from Cheers by the guy who came to fix one of the beer keg taps – surprising for a "high-class" lady – who happened to be ]. | |||
The musician ] appeared in an episode as Woody's cousin and plays a song from his Grammy-winning album '']'' ({{Circa|1991}}). ] won a ] for his guest appearance as "Dr. Simon Finch-Royce" in the fifth-season episode "Simon Says". ] guest-starred as ], a famous singing nanny and Frasier's ex-wife. ] guest-starred as a tortured artist who wanted to paint Diane. ] portrayed Rebecca's sister Susan in the season 7 episode ''Sisterly Love''. ] once appeared as an inept jingle writer, which included a brief conversation with Frasier Crane, whose father he later portrayed on the spin-off ''Frasier''. ], who later played ] on ''Frasier,'' also appeared in one episode of ''Cheers'', in its 11th season, as Holly Matheson, a reporter who interviews Woody. ], ] and ], also guest-starred in different episodes. In "The Guy Can't Help It", Rebecca meets a plumber, played by ], who came to fix one of the beer keg taps. They marry in the series finale, triggering her resignation from Cheers. ] appears in the episode ''Relief Bartender''. | |||
Notable guest appearances of actresses portraying Sam's sexual conquests or potential sexual conquests include ] in the three-episode finale of season four, portraying Boston councilwoman Janet Eldridge; ] as Debra, Sam's ex-wife (with whom he is on good terms), who pretends to be an intellectual in front of Diane; ] as Lana Marshall, a talent agent who specializes in representing male athletes, whom she routinely sleeps with on-demand; ] as Rebecca Prout, a depressed intellectual friend of Diane's; ] as magazine reporter Paula Nelson; ] as Amanda, who Sam eventually learns was a fellow patient at the sanitarium with Diane; ] as Lauren Hudson, Sam's annual Valentine's Day fling (in an homage to '']''); ] as Judy Marlowe, a longtime casual sex partner; Laurie Marlowe (]), Judy's now-grown-up daughter, who always considered Sam a pseudo-father figure, & whom Sam falls for; ] as Dr. Sheila Rydell, a colleague of Frasier and Lilith; ] as Valerie Hill, John Allen Hill's daughter whom Sam pursues if only to gain an upper hand in his business relationship with Hill; and ] as Alice Anne Volkman, Rebecca's much older ex-professor. In season 9, episode 17, "I'm Getting My Act Together and Sticking It in Your Face", Sam, believing Rebecca wants a more serious relationship, pretends to be gay, his lover being a casual friend named Leon (])—the plan ultimately leads to a kiss between Sam and Leon. | |||
===Death of Nicholas Colasanto=== | ===Death of Nicholas Colasanto=== | ||
Near the end of production of the third season, the writers of ''Cheers'' had to deal with the death of one of the main actors. |
Near the end of production of the third season, the writers of ''Cheers'' had to deal with the death of one of the main actors. ]'s heart condition had been diagnosed in the mid-1970s, but it had worsened. He had lost weight and was having trouble breathing during filming, and he was hospitalized shortly before filming finished for season three due to fluid in his lungs. He recovered but was not cleared to return to work. He was visiting the set in January 1985 to watch the filming of several episodes, and co-star ] commented, "I think we were all in denial. We were all glad he was there, but he lost a lot of weight." Co-star ] added that he "wanted to be there so badly. He didn't want to be sick. He couldn't breathe well. It was hard. He was laboring all the time." Colasanto ultimately died of a heart attack at his home on February 12, 1985.<ref name=showmust/> | ||
The third |
The third-season episodes of ''Cheers'' were filmed out of order, partly to accommodate Shelley Long's pregnancy. As a result, they had already completed filming the season finale at the time of his death, which had scenes with Colasanto in it. As the remaining episodes were filmed, Coach's absence was explained by having one of the characters mention that Coach was out of town for various reasons. | ||
The ''Cheers'' writing staff assembled in June 1985 |
The ''Cheers'' writing staff assembled in June 1985 to discuss how to deal with the absence of Coach. They quickly discarded the idea that he had moved away, as they felt that he would never abandon his friends. In addition, most viewers were aware of Colasanto's death, so the writing staff decided to handle the situation more openly. The season four opener, "Birth, Death, Love and Rice", dealt with Coach's death and introduced ], Colasanto's replacement.<ref name=showmust>{{cite book|title=The Show Must Go On: How the Deaths of Lead Actors Have Affected Television Series|author=Snauffer, Douglas|year=2008|isbn=978-0-7864-3295-0|publisher=McFarland|location=Jefferson, North Carolina}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movpod.in/gp3w6smdjos9 |title=Birth, Death, Love and Rice|publisher=Movpod.in |access-date=September 13, 2012}}{{dead link|date=November 2016}}</ref> | ||
==Episodes== | ==Episodes== | ||
{{main|List of Cheers episodes}} | {{main|List of Cheers episodes}} | ||
{{:List of Cheers episodes}} | {{:List of Cheers episodes}} | ||
==Broadcast history== | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|- | |||
! Season !! Time | |||
|- | |||
| ] || Thursday at 9:00–9:30 pm <small>(September 30 – December 16, 1982)</small><br/>Thursday at 9:30–10:00 pm <small>(January 6 – March 31, 1983)</small> | |||
|- | |||
| ] || Thursday at 9:30–10:00 pm <small>(September 29 – December 8, 1983)</small><br/>Thursday at 9:00–9:30 pm <small>(December 15, 1983 – May 10, 1984)</small> | |||
|- | |||
| ] || rowspan="9" | Thursday at 9:00–9:30 pm | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
|- | |||
| ] | |||
|} | |||
==Themes== | ==Themes== | ||
Nearly all of ''Cheers'' takes place in the front room of the bar, but the characters often go into the rear pool room or the bar's office.<ref name=why>{{cite news|title=Why 'Cheers' Looks Sharp Each Week|work=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/03/30/why-cheers-looks-sharp-each-week/|access-date=October 30, 2010|date=March 30, 1986|archive-date=July 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723001508/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1986-03-30/entertainment/8601230357_1_ted-danson-kiss-les-and-glen-charles|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Cheers'' does not show any action outside the bar until the first episode of the second season, which takes place in Diane's apartment. | |||
{{Multiple issues| | |||
{{cleanup rewrite|section=yes|themes of this series are less relevant and less important. Season synopses must replace the whole section|date=September 2012}} | |||
{{refimprove section|date=December 2011}} | |||
}} | |||
Nearly all of ''Cheers'' took place in the front room of the bar, but the characters often went into the rear pool room or the bar's office.<ref>{{cite news|title= Why 'Cheers' Looks Sharp Each Week |work=Chicago Tribune|url= http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1986-03-30/entertainment/8601230357_1_ted-danson-kiss-les-and-glen-charles|accessdate=October 30, 2010|date=March 30, 1986}}</ref> ''Cheers'' did not show any action outside the bar until the first episode of the second season, which took place in Diane's apartment. | |||
The show's main ] in its early seasons is the romance between intellectual waitress Diane Chambers and the bar's owner, Sam Malone, a former ] ] for the ] and recovering alcoholic.<ref>''Television Heaven'' (2002)(2006). </ref> After Shelley Long (Diane) left the show, the focus shifted to Sam's new relationship with ], a neurotic corporate ladder climber. | |||
''Cheers'' had several ]s, such as Norm arriving in the bar always saying "Afternoon everybody" and being greeted by a loud "Norm!" Early episodes generally followed Sam's antics with his various women, following a variety of ] ]s to get out of whatever relationship troubles he was in during each episode. As the show progressed and Sam got into more serious relationships, the general tone switched to a comedic take on Sam settling into a ] lifestyle. Throughout the series, larger ]s began to develop that spanned multiple episodes or seasons, interspersed with smaller themes and one-off episodes.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} | |||
Many ''Cheers'' scripts centered or touched upon a variety of ], albeit humorously. As ''Toasting Cheers'' puts it, "The script was further strengthened by the writers' boldness in successfully tackling controversial issues such as alcoholism, homosexuality, and adultery."<ref name=Bix>Bjorklund, p. ix</ref> | |||
The show's main theme in its early seasons was the romance between the intellectual waitress Diane Chambers and the bar owner Sam Malone, a former major league ] for the Boston Red Sox and a recovering alcoholic.<ref>''Television Heaven'' (2002)(2006). </ref> After Shelley Long (Diane) left the show, the focus shifted to Sam's new relationship with Rebecca, a neurotic corporate ladder climber. Both relationships featured ] that spanned many episodes.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}{{see also|Sam and Diane}} | |||
Social class was a subtext of the show. The "upper class" — represented by characters like Diane Chambers, ], and ] — rub shoulders with middle- and working-class characters Sam Malone, Carla Tortelli, Norm Peterson, and Cliff Clavin. An extreme example of this was the relationship between Woody Boyd and a millionaire's daughter, ]. Many viewers enjoyed ''Cheers'' in part because of this focus on character development in addition to plot development.<ref name="chardevelop"/> | |||
Many ''Cheers'' scripts centered or touched upon a variety of social issues, albeit humorously. As ''Toasting Cheers'' puts it, "The script was further strengthened by the writers' boldness in successfully tackling controversial issues such as ], homosexuality, and adultery."<ref name=Bix>Bjorklund, p. ix</ref> | |||
] and the role of women were also recurring themes throughout the show, with some critics seeing each of the major female characters portraying an aspect as a flawed feminist in her own way.<ref name=fem>Dr. Caren Deming. "Talk: Gender Discourse in ''Cheers''!", in ''Television Criticism: Approaches and Applications'' edited by Leah R. Vande Berg and Lawrence A Wenner. White Plains, NY: Longman, 1991. 47–57. The essay is co-authored by Mercilee M. Jenkins, who teaches at San Francisco State University.</ref> Diane is a vocal feminist, and Sam is the epitome of everything she hates: ] and ] (see "]"). | |||
Social class was a subtext of the show. The "upper class" – represented by characters like Diane Chambers, ], ] and (initially) Rebecca Howe – rubbed shoulders with middle and working-class characters — Sam Malone, Carla Tortelli, Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin. An extreme example of this was the relationship between Woody Boyd and a millionaire's daughter ]. Many viewers enjoyed ''Cheers'' in part because of this focus on character development in addition to plot development.<ref name="chardevelop"/> | |||
Homosexuality was dealt with from the first season, which was rare in the early ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Becker|first=Ron|title=Gay TV And Straight America|url=https://archive.org/details/gaytvstraightame0000beck|url-access=registration|year=2006|publisher=Rutgers University Press|location=New Brunswick (N.J.)|isbn=978-0-8135-3689-7|page=}}</ref> In the first-season episode "]" (the title being a reference to the ] and subsequent movie '']''), a friend and former teammate of Sam's ] in his autobiography. Some of the male regulars pressure Sam to take action to ensure that Cheers does not become a ]. The episode won a ], and the script's writers, ] and David Isaacs, were nominated for a ]. | |||
Feminism and the role of women were also recurring themes throughout the show, with some critics seeing each of the major female characters portraying an aspect as a flawed feminist in her own way.<ref>Dr. Caren Deming. "Talk: Gender Discourse in ''Cheers''!", in ''Television Criticism: Approaches and Applications'' edited by Leah R. Vande Berg and Lawrence A Wenner. White Plains, NY: Longman, 1991. 47–57. The essay is co-authored by Mercilee M. Jenkins, who teaches at San Francisco State University.</ref> Diane was a vocal feminist, and Sam was the epitome of everything she hated: a ] and a ]. Their relationship led Diane to several diatribes on Sam's promiscuity. Carla insulted people, but was respected because of her tough attitude, wit, and power, while Diane was often ignored as she commanded little respect in any successful way. Rebecca was an ambitious businesswoman and ], seeking relationships with her superiors at the Lillian Corporation, most notably ], to gain promotions or raises. She encountered a ], and ended the show by marrying a plumber rather than a rich businessman. It was later revealed on ''Frasier'' that her husband struck it rich and left her, after which Rebecca returned to Cheers as a patron. Lilith was a high-profile psychiatrist with many degrees and awards, and commanded respect with her strong and rather stern demeanor. Like Rebecca, she was an executive woman of the 1980s who put much emphasis on her professional life. She was often shown to have the upper hand in her and Frasier's relationship. | |||
] also plays a role on ''Cheers'', almost exclusively through Sam. He is a recovering alcoholic who had bought a bar during his drinking days. Frasier has a notable bout of drinking in the fourth-season episode "The Triangle", while Woody develops a gambling problem in the seventh season episode "Call Me Irresponsible". Carla and other characters drink beer while pregnant, but nobody seems to mind. | |||
Homosexuality was dealt with from the first season, which was rare in the early 1980s for American network television.<ref>{{cite book|last=Becker|first=Ron|title=Gay TV And Straight America|year=2006|publisher=Rutgers University Press|location=New Brunswick (N.J.)|isbn=0-8135-3689-8|page=5}}</ref> In the first season episode, "]", a friend and former teammate of Sam's ] in his autobiography. Some of the male regulars pressure Sam to take action to ensure that Cheers does not become a ]. The episode won a ] ], and the script's writers, ] and David Isaacs, were nominated for a ]. ] later appeared in the 1990s as "Mark Newberger", Rebecca's old high school sweetheart who is gay. The final episode included a gay man who gets into trouble with his boyfriend, played by ]. | |||
==Cheers owners== | |||
] also plays a role in ''Cheers'', almost exclusively through Sam. He is a recovering alcoholic who had bought a bar during his drinking days. After he achieved sobriety, Sam decided to continue to own and operate the bar for "sentimental reasons." Frasier has a notable bout of drinking in the fourth season episode, "The Triangle", while Woody develops a ] problem in the seventh season's, "Call Me Irresponsible". Some critics believe Sam was portrayed as a generally ].{{or|date=December 2011}} | |||
] | |||
Cheers had several owners before Sam, as the bar was opened in 1889. The "Est. 1895" on the bar's sign is a made-up date chosen by Carla for ] purposes, revealed in season 8, episode 6, "The Stork Brings a Crane", which also revealed the bar's address as 112{{Frac|1|2}} Beacon Street and that it originated under the name Mom's. In the series' second episode, "Sam's Women", Coach tells a customer looking for Gus, the owner of Cheers, that Gus is dead. In a later episode, Gus O'Mally comes back from Arizona for one night and helps run the bar. | |||
The biggest storyline surrounding the ownership of Cheers begins in the fifth-season finale, "]", when Sam and Diane part ways, due to Shelley Long's departure from the series. In addition, Sam leaves on a trip to ]. Before he leaves, he sells Cheers to the Lillian Corporation. He returns in the sixth-season premiere, "Home is the Sailor", having sunk his boat, to find the bar under the new management of Rebecca Howe. He begs for his job back and is hired by Rebecca as a bartender. In the seventh-season premiere, "How to Recede in Business", Rebecca is fired and Sam is promoted to manager. Rebecca is allowed to keep a job at Lillian vaguely similar to what she had before, but only after Sam has Rebecca (]) "agree" to a long list of demands that the corporation had for her. | |||
In addition to extended story lines, ''Cheers'' had recurring themes. A heated rivalry between Cheers and a rival bar, Gary's Olde Towne Tavern, was portrayed starting with the fourth season episode, "From Beer to Eternity". Beginning in the sixth season, one episode of each season depicted some wager between Sam and Gary, which resulted in either a sports competition or a battle of wits that devolved into complex practical jokes. Aside from the very first and very last "Bar Wars" episodes, the Cheers gang almost always lost to Gary's superior ingenuity. They tricked him into missing the annual Bloody Mary contest in one episode. Another had Sam collaborating with Gary's crew to get revenge on his co-workers for a prior practical joke. Another episode involved a pickup basketball game, in which Gary tricked the people of Cheers into believing that a minor injury sustained by basketball great ] was a season-ending injury. In the final season, Gary is tricked into destroying his own bar by Cheers patron Harry "The Hat". | |||
From there, Sam occasionally attempts to buy the bar back with schemes that usually involve the wealthy executive ]. Sam acquires Cheers again in the eighth-season finale, when it is sold back to him for 85¢ by the Lillian Corporation after he alerts the company to Colcord's ]. Fired by the corporation because of her silence on the issue, Rebecca is hired by Sam as a hostess/office manager. For the rest of the episode, to celebrate Sam's reclaiming the bar, a huge banner reading "Under OLD Management!" hangs from the staircase. When it is learned that the Pool Room and bathrooms are actually owned by Melville's (which spawns a war of wits between Sam and Melville's owner John Allen Hill), Rebecca later purchases them from Hill, making Sam and Rebecca partners in the ownership of Cheers (and more or less co-runners of the establishment). | |||
Sam had a long-running feud with the upscale restaurant above the bar, Melville's Fine Sea Food. The restaurant's management disliked the bar's patrons, while Sam regarded the restaurant as snobbish (though customers often moved between the two businesses via a prominent staircase). This conflict escalated after Melville's came under the ownership of John Allen Hill (]), as Sam did not technically own the bar's poolroom and bathrooms. Subsequently forced to pay rent for them, Sam was often at the mercy of Hill's tyranny. Rebecca eventually helped Sam buy the back section from Hill.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Crash of the Titans|episodelink=List of Cheers episodes#ep213|series=Cheers|network=NBC|airdate=February 21, 1991|season=9|number=19|minutes=21:44 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
Sam has two main battles. One is with Gary's Olde Towne Tavern, trying to beat them at some activity or another but always failing, except for one episode when Diane helps Cheers win the bowling trophy, and extending to the practical jokes they play on each other. The second is with Melville's owner John Allen Hill, who keeps annoying Sam with his pettiness and ego. Hill had an ongoing relationship with Carla. | |||
==''Cheers'' owners== | |||
] | |||
Cheers obviously had several owners before Sam, as the bar was opened in 1889. The "Est. 1895" on the bar's sign is a made-up date chosen by Carla for ] purposes, revealed in the 8th season episode, "The Stork Brings a Crane". In the second episode, "Sam's Women", Coach tells a customer looking for Gus, the owner of Cheers, that Gus was dead. In a later episode, Gus O'Mally comes back from Arizona for one night and helps run the bar. | |||
The biggest storyline surrounding the ownership of Cheers begins in the fifth season finale, "]", when Sam and Diane part ways, due to Shelley Long's departure from the series. In addition, Sam leaves on a trip to ] the Earth. Before he leaves, Sam sells Cheers to the Lillian Corporation. He returns in the sixth season premiere, "Home is the Sailor", having sunk his boat, to find the bar under the new management of Rebecca Howe. He begs for his job back and is hired by Rebecca as a bartender. In the seventh season premiere, "How to Recede in Business", Rebecca is fired and Sam is promoted to manager. Rebecca is allowed to keep a job at Lillian vaguely similar to what she had before, but only after Sam had Rebecca (]) "agree" to a long list of demands that the corporation had for her. | |||
From there Sam occasionally attempted to buy the bar back with schemes that usually involved the wealthy executive ]. Sam acquired Cheers again in the eighth season finale, when it was sold back to him for 85¢ by the Lillian Corporation, after he alerted the company to Colcord's ]. Fired by the corporation because of her silence on the issue, Rebecca is hired by Sam as a hostess/office manager. For the rest of the episode, to celebrate Sam's reclaiming the bar, a huge banner hung from the staircase, reading "Under OLD Management"! | |||
==Production== | ==Production== | ||
], formerly the Bull & Finch Pub, in Boston in 2005 |
], formerly the Bull & Finch Pub, in Boston in 2005]] | ||
=== |
===Creation and concept=== | ||
Three men developed and created the ''Cheers'' television series: ] |
Some believe that the show is a rehashing of Boston's ] affiliate ]'s locally produced 1979 sitcom '']'' featuring ] and ] founder Karen MacDonald.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2018/03/20/cheers-conspiracy-park-st-under/| title = "The ''Cheers'' Conspiracy" by Dan McCarthy, ''Boston Magazine'', March 20, 2018| date = March 20, 2018| access-date = May 23, 2020| archive-date = April 21, 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210421174938/https://www.bostonmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2018/03/20/cheers-conspiracy-park-st-under/| url-status = live}}</ref> Three men developed and created the ''Cheers'' television series: ] ("Glen and Les") and ],<ref name=Kerr_11_29_1983/> who identified themselves as "two Mormons and a Jew."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/cheers-co-creator-looks-back-series-finale-ted-dansons-decision-quit-caught-us-surprise-120020648.html|title='Cheers' co-creator looks back at series finale: 'Ted Danson's decision to quit caught us by surprise'|date=May 18, 2018 |access-date=May 20, 2018|archive-date=July 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728042300/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/cheers-co-creator-looks-back-series-finale-ted-dansons-decision-quit-caught-us-surprise-120020648.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They aimed at "creating a show around a ]-]-type relationship" between their two main characters, ].<ref name=Kerr_11_29_1983/> Malone represents the average man, while Chambers represents class and sophistication.<ref name=Kerr_11_29_1983/> The show revolves around characters in a bar under "humorous adult themes" and "situations".<ref name=Kerr_11_29_1983/> | ||
The original idea was a group of workers who interacted like a family, the goal being a concept similar to '']''. The creators considered making an American version of the British '']'', set in a hotel or an inn. When the creators settled on a bar as their setting, the show began to resemble the ] '']'', originally written and cocreated by James Burrows' father ]. They liked the idea of a ], as it provided a continuous stream of new people, for a variety of characters.<ref name=B3>Bjorklund, p. 3.</ref> An early concept revolved around a woman becoming the new owner of the bar and the animosity created between her and the regulars, an idea that was used later in Season 6 when the character of ] is introduced.<ref name="UCTV">{{cite video| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u3ZezDvv4U| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211124/0u3ZezDvv4U| archive-date=2021-11-24 | url-status=live| title=The 30th Anniversary of Cheers| author=University of California Television (UCTV)| publisher=YouTube.com| date=January 13, 2014| access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | |||
Early discussions about the location of the show centered on ], then ]. They eventually turned to the ] and finally Boston. The ] in Boston, which was the model for Cheers, was chosen from a ].<ref name=B4>Bjorklund, p. 4.</ref> When Glen Charles asked the bar's owner, Tom Kershaw, to shoot exterior and interior photos, he agreed, charging $1. Kershaw has since gone on to make millions of dollars, licensing the pub's image and selling a variety of ''Cheers'' memorabilia. The Bull & Finch became the 42nd-busiest outlet in the American food and beverage industry in 1997.<ref name=B3/> During initial casting, Shelley Long, who was in Boston at the time filming '']'', remarked that the bar in the script resembled a bar she had come upon in the city, which turned out to be the Bull & Finch.<ref name=B7>Bjorklund, p. 7.</ref> | |||
===Production team=== | ===Production team=== | ||
The crew of ''Cheers'' numbered in the hundreds. The three creators—] and ]—kept offices on Paramount's lot for the duration of the ''Cheers'' run. The Charles Brothers remained in overall charge throughout the show's run, frequently writing major episodes, though starting with the third season they began delegating the day-to-day running of the writing staff to various ]s. ] and ] were appointed as showrunners for the third season, and succeeded by ], ] and ] the following year. Angell, Casey and Lee would remain as showrunners until the end of the seventh season when they left to develop their own sitcom, '']'', and were replaced by |
The crew of ''Cheers'' numbered in the hundreds. The three creators—] and ]—kept offices on Paramount's lot for the duration of the ''Cheers'' run. The Charles Brothers remained in overall charge throughout the show's run, frequently writing major episodes, though starting with the third season they began delegating the day-to-day running of the writing staff to various ]s. ] and ] were appointed as showrunners for the third season, and succeeded by ], ] and ] the following year. Angell, Casey and Lee would remain as showrunners until the end of the seventh season when they left to develop their own sitcom, '']'', and were replaced by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner and ] for the eighth through tenth seasons. For the final season, Tom Anderson and ] acted as the showrunners. | ||
James Burrows is regarded as being a factor in the show's longevity, directing 243 of the 270 episodes and supervising the show's production.<ref name=B2>Bjorklund, p. 2.</ref> Among the show's other directors were ], Thomas Lofaro, Tim Berry, ], Rick Beren, as well as cast members John Ratzenberger and George Wendt.<ref name="chardevelop">The Museum of Broadcast Communications (2006).</ref> | James Burrows is regarded as being a factor in the show's longevity, directing 243 of the 270 episodes and supervising the show's production.<ref name=B2>Bjorklund, p. 2.</ref> Among the show's other directors were ], Thomas Lofaro, Tim Berry, ], Rick Beren, as well as cast members John Ratzenberger and George Wendt.<ref name="chardevelop">The Museum of Broadcast Communications (2006).</ref> | ||
] provided the series' original music for its entire run except the theme song. His extensive compositions for the show led to |
] provided the series' original music for its entire run except the theme song. His extensive compositions for the show led to his winning numerous ] Top TV Series awards for his music. | ||
===Casting=== | ===Casting=== | ||
The character of ] was originally intended to be a retired football player and was slated to be played by ], but |
The character of ] was originally intended to be a retired football player and was slated to be played by ], but Danson was chosen in part because he was younger and had more acting experience than Dryer.<ref name="Burrows"/> After casting Ted Danson, it was decided that a former baseball player (Sam "Mayday" Malone) would be more believable than a retired football player.<ref name=audition>Meade, Peter. " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308160210/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=SFOYbPikdlgC&dat=19840427&printsec=frontpage |date=March 8, 2021 }}." ''] TV Update'' April 29, 1984: 14. ''Google News''. Web. January 21, 2012. Editions of April 27–29, 1984, are inside the webpage. Article in ''Google News'' is located in page 85.</ref><ref>Balk, Quentin, and Ben Falk. '' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210085556/https://books.google.com/books?id=4L7pA2tKumsC&lpg=PA166&pg=PA166 |date=February 10, 2023 }}''. London: Robson–Chrysalis, 2005. 166. ''Google Books''. Web. February 10, 2012.</ref> Dryer, however, went on to play sportscaster Dave Richards, an old friend of Sam, in three episodes. ] was also considered early in the casting process for the role of Sam, after having been recommended by the network.<ref name="Charles">{{cite video| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbaaM_l0baw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211124/TbaaM_l0baw| archive-date=2021-11-24 | url-status=live| title=Glen and Les Charles on Casting "Cheers"| author=FoundationINTERVIEWS| publisher=YouTube.com| date=December 12, 2012| access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | ||
] was recommended by various sources to the producers for the role of ], but Long wished to be offered the part straight out and had to be coaxed into giving an audition. When she did read for the part, according to Glen Charles, "that was it, we knew that we wanted her."<ref name="Charles"/> Before the final decision was made, three pairs of actors were tested in front of the producers and network executives for Sam and Diane: Danson and Long, Fred Dryer and ], and ] and ].<ref name="Burrows">{{cite video| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kboWQclkhYA| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211124/kboWQclkhYA| archive-date=2021-11-24 | url-status=live| title=James Burrows discusses casting "Cheers"| author=FoundationINTERVIEWS| publisher=YouTube.com| date=January 17, 2012| access-date=June 9, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The chemistry was so apparent between Long and Danson that it secured them the roles.<ref name="Burrows"/><ref name="Charles"/> Ted Danson was sent to bartending school to prepare him for the part and according to Burrows, had to learn "how to pretend that he knew a lot about sports" since Danson was not a sports fan in real life and had never been to a baseball game.<ref name="Burrows"/> | |||
The character of ] was created for John Ratzenberger after he auditioned for the role of ], which eventually went to George Wendt. While chatting with producers afterward, he asked if they were going to include a "bar know-it-all", the part he eventually played.<ref>Newport Under the Stars (2005)(2006). </ref> Alley joined the cast when Shelley Long left, and Woody Harrelson joined when Nicholas Colasanto died. Danson, Perlman and Wendt were the only actors to appear in every episode of the series; Ratzenberger appears in all but two (and his name wasn't part of the opening credit montage during the first season). | |||
===Filming styles and locations=== | ===Filming styles and locations=== | ||
] | |||
{{Quote box|width=25em|align=right|quote="On ''Cheers'', we never did everything twice. On ''Cheers'', we went through the scene and I only reshot jokes that didn't work or I went back and picked up shots I missed."|source=]<ref name=Multicamera>{{cite book|last=Jacobson|first=Mitch|title=Mastering multicamera techniques : from preproduction to editing and deliverables|year=2010|publisher=Focal Press/Elsevier|location=Amsterdam|isbn=978-0-240-81176-5|edition=1st}}</ref>}} | {{Quote box|width=25em|align=right|quote="On ''Cheers'', we never did everything twice. On ''Cheers'', we went through the scene and I only reshot jokes that didn't work or I went back and picked up shots I missed."|source=]<ref name=Multicamera>{{cite book|last=Jacobson|first=Mitch|title=Mastering multicamera techniques : from preproduction to editing and deliverables|year=2010|publisher=Focal Press/Elsevier|location=Amsterdam|isbn=978-0-240-81176-5|edition=1st}}</ref>}} | ||
Most ''Cheers'' episodes were, as a voiceover stated at the start of each, "filmed before a ]" on Paramount Stage 25 in Hollywood, generally on Tuesday nights. Scripts for a new episode were issued the Wednesday before for a ], Friday was ] day, and final scripts were issued on Monday. Burrows, who directed most episodes, insisted on using ] rather than ]. He was also noted for using motion in his directorial style, trying to constantly keep characters moving rather than standing still.<ref name=B7-8>Bjorklund, p. 7–8.</ref> During the first season when ratings were poor Paramount and NBC asked that the show use videotape to save money, but a poor test taping ended the experiment and ''Cheers'' continued to use film.<ref name="levine20120318">{{cite web | url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2012/03/another-thing-about-cheers-you-didnt.html | title=Another thing about CHEERS you didn't know | work=...by Ken Levine | date=March 18, 2012 | accessdate=March 18, 2012 | author=Levine, Ken}}</ref> | |||
Most ''Cheers'' episodes were, as a voiceover stated at the start of each, "filmed before a live ]" on Paramount Stage 25 in Hollywood, generally on Tuesday nights. Scripts for a new episode were issued the Wednesday before for a ], Friday was ] day, and final scripts were issued on Monday. Burrows, who directed most episodes, insisted on using ] rather than ]. He was also noted for using motion in his directorial style, trying to constantly keep characters moving rather than standing still.<ref name="B7-8">Bjorklund, p. 7–8.</ref> Burrows and the Charles brothers emphasized to the cast to "never assume that you're not being watched" because the camera would be focused on the actors at all times, so they had to always be reacting and "always be funny".<ref name="UCTV"/> During the first season when ratings were poor Paramount and NBC asked that the show use videotape to save money, but a poor test taping ended the experiment and ''Cheers'' continued to use film.<ref name="levine20120318">{{cite web | url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2012/03/another-thing-about-cheers-you-didnt.html | title=Another thing about CHEERS you didn't know | work=...by Ken Levine | date=March 18, 2012 | access-date=March 18, 2012 | author=Levine, Ken | archive-date=May 16, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516003806/https://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2012/03/another-thing-about-cheers-you-didnt.html | url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Due to a decision by Glen and Les Charles, the ] was often not connected to the rest of the episode, with the lowest-ranked writers assigned to create the jokes for them. Some cold opens were taken from episodes that ran too long.<ref name=levine20110128>{{cite news|last=Levine|first=Ken|title=My favorite CHEERS teaser|url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-favorite-cheers-teaser.html|accessdate=January 28, 2011|newspaper=...by Ken Levine|date=January 28, 2011}}</ref> | |||
Due to a decision by Glen and Les Charles, the ] was often not connected to the rest of the episode, with the lowest-ranked writers assigned to create the jokes for them. Some cold opens were taken from episodes that ran too long.<ref name=levine20110128>{{cite news|last=Levine|first=Ken|title=My favorite CHEERS teaser|url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-favorite-cheers-teaser.html|access-date=January 28, 2011|newspaper=...by Ken Levine|date=January 28, 2011|archive-date=January 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129085001/http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-favorite-cheers-teaser.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The first year of the show took place entirely within the confines of the bar, the first location outside the bar being Diane's apartment. When the series became a hit, the characters started venturing further afield, first to other sets and eventually to an occasional exterior location. The exterior location shots of the bar were of the ], located directly north of the ]. The pub has become a ] because of its association with the series, and draws nearly one million visitors annually.<ref name=B3/><ref name="synd1"/> It has since been renamed Cheers Beacon Hill; its interior is different from the TV bar. The Pub itself is at 84 Beacon Street. (On the corner of Brimmer St). From August 2001 until 2014, there is a replica of the bar in ] to capitalize on the popularity of the show. | |||
The first year of the show took place entirely within the confines of the bar, the first location outside the bar being Diane's apartment in the second year. When the series became a hit, the characters started venturing further afield, first to other sets and eventually to an occasional exterior location. The exterior location shots of the bar are of the Bull & Finch Pub, located directly north of the ]. The pub has become a ] because of its association with the series, and draws nearly one million visitors annually.<ref name=B3/><ref name="synd1"/> It has since been renamed ]; its interior is different from the TV bar. The pub itself is at 84 Beacon Street (on the corner of Brimmer Street). In August 2001, there was a replica made of the bar in ] to capitalize on the popularity of the show. | |||
After the show ended, the 1,000-square-foot bar set from ''Cheers'' was offered to the ], which turned it down because it was too large.<ref name="THR">{{cite news| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cheers-bar-finally-finds-a-723417| title='Cheers' Bar Finally Finds a Museum Home| author=Bryn Elise Sandberg| publisher=The Hollywood Reporter| date=August 7, 2014| access-date=June 6, 2020| archive-date=February 12, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212094919/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cheers-bar-finally-finds-a-723417| url-status=live}}</ref> It was displayed for a short time at the defunct Hollywood Entertainment Museum, but later returned to storage, where it remained for many years. In 2014, CBS donated the set to the Museum of Television after a years-long campaign by James Burrows and his office on behalf of the museum's founder, James Comisar. At the time of the donation, Comisar initiated a planned $100,000 restoration of the set using former conservators from the ], although a site for the 10,000 item collection of the museum had not been decided upon.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2015/07/01/from-supermans-suit-to-the-cheers-bar-inside-the-worlds-greatest-collection-of-tv-memoribilia/#155ba4c21d35| title=From Superman's Suit to The 'Cheers' Bar, Inside the World's Greatest Collection of TV Memorabilia| author=Abram Brown| work=Forbes| date=July 1, 2015| access-date=June 6, 2020| archive-date=July 3, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703011515/https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2015/07/01/from-supermans-suit-to-the-cheers-bar-inside-the-worlds-greatest-collection-of-tv-memoribilia/#155ba4c21d35| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="THR"/> | |||
===Theme song=== | ===Theme song=== | ||
{{Main|Where Everybody Knows Your Name}} | |||
Before "]", written by ] and ], became the show's theme song, ''Cheers''{{'}} producers rejected two of Portnoy's and Hart Angelo's songs. The songwriters had collaborated to provide music for '']'', an unsuccessful Broadway musical. When told they could not appropriate "People Like Us", ''Preppies''{{'}}s opening song, the pair wrote another song "My Kind of People", which resembled "People Like Us" and intended to satirize "the lifestyle of old decadent old-money ]," but, to meet producers' demands, they rewrote the lyrics to be about "likeable losers" in a Boston bar. The show's producers rejected this song, as well. After they read the script of the series pilot, they created another song "Another Day". When Portnoy and Hart Angelo heard that NBC had commissioned thirteen episodes, they created an official theme song "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" and rewrote the lyrics.<ref>{{cite web|archivedate=January 18, 2013|url=http://www.garyportnoy.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118024640/http://www.garyportnoy.com/ |work=GaryPortnoy.com|deadurl=no|title=The Story Behind the Cheers Theme}} Click "The Cheers Story".</ref> | |||
] | |||
Before "]", written by ] and Judy Hart Angelo, became the show's theme song, ''Cheers''{{'}} producers rejected two of Portnoy's and Hart Angelo's songs. The songwriters had collaborated to provide music for ''Preppies'', an unsuccessful Broadway musical. When told they could not appropriate "People Like Us", ''Preppies''{{'}} opening song, the pair wrote another song, "My Kind of People", which resembles "People Like Us" and was intended to satirize "the lifestyle of old decadent old-money ]", but to meet producers' demands, they rewrote the lyrics to be about "likeable losers" in a Boston bar. The show's producers rejected this song, as well. After they read the script of the series pilot, they created another song "Another Day". When Portnoy and Hart Angelo heard that NBC had commissioned thirteen episodes, they created an official theme song "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" and rewrote the lyrics.<ref>{{cite web|archive-date=January 18, 2013|url=http://www.garyportnoy.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118024640/http://www.garyportnoy.com/ |work=GaryPortnoy.com|url-status=live|title=The Story Behind the Cheers Theme}} Click "The Cheers Story".</ref> On syndicated airings of ''Cheers'', the theme song was shortened to make room for additional commercials. | |||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
===Critical reception=== | ===Critical reception=== | ||
''Cheers'' was critically acclaimed in its first season, though it landed a disappointing 74th out of |
''Cheers'' was critically acclaimed in its first season, though it landed a disappointing 74th out of 96 shows in that year's ratings.<ref name=groove3>{{cite web|last=Anscher|first=Matthew|title= How NBC Got Its Groove Back, Part III: Brandon at the Bat|url=http://www.tvparty.com/80nbc3.html |publisher= | website = tvparty.com|access-date=July 6, 2012|archive-date=December 22, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222114654/http://tvparty.com/80nbc3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This critical support, the early success at the ]s, and the support of the president of NBC's entertainment division ], are thought to be the main reasons for the show's survival and eventual success.<ref>{{cite news | work = Variety| date = May 20, 2003 | url= https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117921154?categoryid=1023&cs=1 | title= Review – ''Cheers''| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20121109013112/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117921154?categoryid=1023&cs=1 |archivedate= November 9, 2012 | accessdate = }}</ref> Tartikoff stated in 1983 that ''Cheers'' was a sophisticated adult comedy and that NBC executives "never for a second doubted" that the show would be renewed.<ref name= Kerr_11_29_1983/> Writer Levine believes that the most important reason was that the network recognized that it did not have other hit shows to help promote ''Cheers''; as he later wrote, " had nothing else better to replace it with."<ref name= "levine20120406">{{cite web | url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-find-writing-partner.html | title=How to find a writing partner | work=...by Ken Levine | date=April 6, 2012 | access-date=April 6, 2012 | author=Levine, Ken | archive-date= December 2, 2021 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211202192201/http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2012/04/how-to-find-writing-partner.html | url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
Writing in 2016, drama critic ] called ''Cheers'' "a hinge sitcom – one foot in classic bits and ] not far removed from ] and another in ambitious, '']''-like ]."<ref name= liveChicagoTribune/> In 2013, '']'' magazine held an online competition to find the best TV comedy. ''Cheers'' was voted the greatest comedy show of all time.<ref name= "gqraftery201210" /> In 2017, James Charisma of '']'' magazine ranked the show's opening sequence No. 5 on a list of ''The 75 Best TV Title Sequences of All Time''.<ref name="Paste">{{cite magazine |author=Charisma, James|date= January 4, 2017|title=The 75 Best TV Title Sequences of All Time|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/01/the-75-best-tv-title-sequences-of-all-time.html|magazine=]|access-date=January 16, 2017|archive-date=October 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011233626/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/01/the-75-best-tv-title-sequences-of-all-time.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, '']'' ranked ''Cheers'' as the eighth-greatest TV show of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-shows-of-all-time-1234598313/the-sopranos-5-1234599298/| title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time - 50-1|first=Alan|last=Sepinwall|magazine= ]|date=September 26, 2022|access-date=September 30, 2022|archive-date=September 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930124812/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-tv-shows-of-all-time-1234598313/the-sopranos-5-1234599298/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, ''Variety'' ranked ''Cheers'' #11 on its list of the 100 greatest TV shows of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|publisher= | work= Variety|date= December 20, 2023}}</ref> | |||
Ratings improved for the summer reruns after the first season.<ref name="gqraftery201210">{{cite news | url=http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201210/cheers-oral-history-extended?printable=true | title=The Best TV Show That's Ever Been | work=GQ | date=October 2012 | accessdate=September 27, 2012 | author=Raftery, Brian}}</ref> The cast went on various talk shows to try to further promote the series after its first season. By the second season ''Cheers'' was competitive with CBS's top rated show '']''.<ref name=Kerr_11_29_1983/> With the growing popularity of '']'', which ran in the slot ahead of ''Cheers'' from January 1984 until ''Family Ties'' was moved to Sundays in 1987, and the placement of '']'' in front of both at the start of their third season (1984), the line-up became a runaway ratings success that NBC eventually dubbed "]". The next season, ''Cheers'' ratings increased dramatically after Woody Boyd became a regular character as well. By the end of its final season, the show had a run of eight consecutive seasons in the Top Ten of the ]; seven of them were in the Top Five.<ref name=B16>Bjorklund, p. 16.</ref> | |||
===Ratings=== | |||
''Cheers''{{'}} was perhaps the first sitcom with a ],<ref name="levine20121109">{{cite web | url=http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2012/11/more-stuff-you-wanted-to-know.html | title=More stuff you wanted to know | work=...by Ken Levine | date=November 9, 2012 | accessdate=November 10, 2012 | author=Levine, Ken}}</ref> starting with the third season. The show's success helped make such multi-episode story arcs popular on television, which Les Charles regrets. | |||
Ratings improved for the summer reruns after the first season.<ref name= "gqraftery201210">{{cite news | url= https://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201210/cheers-oral-history-extended?printable=true | title=The Best TV Show That's Ever Been | work=GQ | date=October 2012 | access-date= September 27, 2012 | author=Raftery, Brian | archive-date=May 23, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523105859/http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201210/cheers-oral-history-extended?printable=true | url-status=live }}</ref> The cast went on various talk shows to try to further promote the series after its first season. By the second season ''Cheers'' was competitive with CBS's top-rated show '']''.<ref name=Kerr_11_29_1983/> With the growing popularity of '']'', which ran in the slot ahead of ''Cheers'' from January 1984 until ''Family Ties'' was moved to Sundays in 1987, and the placement of '']'' in front of both at the start of their third season (1984), the line-up became a runaway ratings success that NBC eventually dubbed "]". The next season, ''Cheers'' ratings increased dramatically after Woody Boyd became a regular character as well. The fifth season earned the series ] that it would ever achieve. Although ratings mostly declined each year after that, the show retained a competitive advantage and ] for its first and only time in the ninth season. Although ] in the last two seasons, it still performed well, as it was the only show on NBC during those seasons to be in the top 10. By the end of its final season, the show had a run of eight consecutive seasons in the top ten of the ]; seven of them were in the top five.<ref name=B16>Bjorklund, p. 16.</ref> | |||
<blockquote>e may have been partly responsible for what's going on now, where if you miss the first episode or two, you are lost. You have to wait until you can get the whole thing on DVD and catch up with it. If that blood is on our hands, I feel kind of badly about it. It can be very frustrating."{{r|gqraftery201210}}</blockquote> | |||
NBC dedicated a whole night to the ], following the ] of '']'' (which was its lead-in). The show began with a "pregame" show hosted by ], followed by the final 98-minute episode itself. NBC affiliates then aired tributes to ''Cheers'' during their local newscasts, and the night concluded with a special '']'' broadcast live from the Bull & Finch Pub. Although the episode fell short of its hyped ratings predictions to become the ], it was the most watched show that year, bringing in 93 million viewers<ref name=":0" /> (64 percent of all viewers that night), almost 40% of the US population at the time, and ranked 11th all time in entertainment programming. The 1993 final broadcast of ''Cheers'' also emerged as the highest rated broadcast of NBC to date, as well as the most watched single episode from any television series throughout the decade 1990s on U.S. television.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news |date=1993-05-22 |title=A Repeat of 'Cheers' Finale |language=en-US |work= The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/22/arts/a-repeat-of-cheers-finale.html |access-date=2023-11-24 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Tampa Bay">Stevenson, Jennifer L. "Cheers LAST CALL! Series: ENTERTAINMENT." '']'' May 20, 1993: 8B.</ref><ref name= Newsday>{{cite news | title = Tops on TV| work = ]| location = Long Island, New York| date= May 26, 1993| edition= Nassau and Suffolk| page= 58}}</ref>{{efn|The article, "''Cheers'' Finale Most-Watched Show of Season," from May 22, 1993, edition of '']'' said that the share of viewing audience was 62. The 2009 article, "," by Hal Boedeker, claims that the finale drew over 80 million viewers in 1993.}} | |||
''Cheers'' began with a limited five-character ensemble consisting of Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Nicholas Colasanto and George Wendt. By the time season 10 began, the show had eight front characters in its roster. ''Cheers'' was also able to gradually phase in characters such as Cliff, Frasier, Lilith, Rebecca, and Woody. During season 1, only one set, the bar, housed all of the episodes. Later seasons introduced other sets, but the show's ability to center the action in the bar and avoid straying was notable. | |||
The episode originally aired in the usual ''Cheers'' spot of Thursday night, and was then rebroadcast on Sunday. While the original broadcast did not outperform the ], the combined non-repeating audiences for the Thursday and Sunday showings did. Television had greatly changed between the two finales, leaving ''Cheers'' with a broader array of competition for ratings.<ref name= B17>Bjorklund, p. 17.</ref> | |||
NBC dedicated a whole night to the ], following the ] of '']'' (which was its lead-in). The show began with a "pregame" show hosted by ], followed by the final 98-minute episode itself. NBC affiliates then aired tributes to ''Cheers'' during their local newscasts, and the night concluded with a special '']'' broadcast live from the Bull & Finch Pub. Although the episode fell short of its hyped ratings predictions to become the ], it was the most watched show that year, bringing in 93.5 million viewers (64 percent of all viewers that night), and ranked 11th all time in entertainment programming. The 1993 final broadcast of ''Cheers'' also emerged as the highest rated broadcast of ] to date, as well as the most watched single episode from any television series throughout the decade 1990s on U.S. television.<ref name=NYT>"A Repeat of 'Cheers' Finale." '']'' May 22, 1993. Web. January 7, 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/22/arts/a-repeat-of-cheers-finale.html>. "One rating point equals 931,000 households."</ref><ref name="Tampa Bay">Stevenson, Jennifer L. "Cheers LAST CALL! Series: ENTERTAINMENT." '']'' May 20, 1993: 8B. Print. {{subscription required}}</ref><ref name=Newsday>"Tops on TV." '']'' May 26, 1993, Nassau and Suffolk ed.: 58. Print. {{subscription required}}</ref><ref group=N>The article, "'Cheers' Finale Most-Watched Show of Season," from May 22, 1993, edition of '']'' said that the share of viewing audience was 62. The 2009 article, "," by Hal Boedeker, claims that the finale drew over 80 million viewers in 1993.</ref> | |||
NBC timeslots: | |||
The episode originally aired in the usual ''Cheers'' spot of Thursday night, and was then rebroadcast on Sunday. While the original broadcast did not outperform the ], the combined non-repeating audiences for the Thursday and Sunday showings did. It should also be noted that television had greatly changed between the two finales, leaving ''Cheers'' with a broader array of competition for ratings.<ref name=B17>Bjorklund, p. 17.</ref> | |||
* Season 1 Episodes 1–12: Thursday at 9:00 pm | |||
* Season 1 Episode 13 – Season 2 Episode 10: Thursday at 9:30 pm | |||
* Season 2 Episode 11 – Season 11 Episode 28: Thursday at 9:00 pm | |||
===Serialized storylines=== | |||
Although not the first sitcom to do it, ''Cheers'' employed the use of end-of-season cliffhangers and, starting with the third season, the show's storylines became more serialized. The show's success helped make such multi-episode story arcs popular on sitcoms, which Les Charles regrets. | |||
<blockquote>e may have been partly responsible for what's going on now, where if you miss the first episode or two, you are lost. You have to wait until you can get the whole thing on DVD and catch up with it. If that blood is on our hands, I feel kind of badly about it. It can be very frustrating."{{r|gqraftery201210}}</blockquote> | |||
''Cheers'' began with a limited five-character ensemble consisting of Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Nicholas Colasanto and George Wendt. ''Cheers'' was able to gradually phase in characters such as Cliff, Frasier, Lilith, Rebecca, and Woody. By the time season 10 began, the show had eight front characters in its roster. | |||
In 2013, GQ magazine held an online competition to find the best TV comedy. ''Cheers'' was voted the greatest comedy show of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201210/cheers-oral-history-extended?printable=true|title=Cheers: The Best TV Show That's Ever Been - GQ|author=Brian Raftery|work=GQ}}</ref> | |||
===Awards and honors=== | ===Awards and honors=== | ||
{{main list|List of awards and nominations received by Cheers}} | {{main list|List of awards and nominations received by Cheers}} | ||
Over its eleven-season run, the ''Cheers'' cast and crew earned many awards. The show garnered a record 111 ] nominations, with a total of 28 wins. In addition, ''Cheers'' earned 31 ] nominations, with a total of six wins. Danson, Long, Alley, Perlman, Wendt, Ratzenberger, Harrelson, Grammer, Neuwirth, and |
Over its eleven-season run, the ''Cheers'' cast and crew earned many awards. The show garnered a record 111 ] nominations, with a total of 28 wins. In addition, ''Cheers'' earned 31 ] nominations, with a total of six wins. Danson, Long, Alley, Perlman, Wendt, Ratzenberger, Harrelson, Grammer, Neuwirth, and Colasanto all received Emmy nominations for their roles. ''Cheers'' won the Golden Globe Award for "Best TV-Series – Comedy/Musical" in 1991 and the ] in 1983, 1984, 1989, and 1991. The series was presented with the "Legend Award" at the 2006 ]s, with many of the surviving cast members attending the event.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TV Land Honors 'Cheers', 'Dallas', 'Good Times' & 'Batman' at 2006 TV Land Awards; Fox-Owned UPN Stations Get New Mini-Network |url=http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2006/02/tv-land-honors-cheers-dallas-good.html| website = sitcomsonline.com |access-date= 2022-10-13 |language=en |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221016053032/https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2006/02/tv-land-honors-cheers-dallas-good.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
The following are awards that have been earned by the ''Cheers'' cast and crew over its |
The following are awards that have been earned by the ''Cheers'' cast and crew over its 11-season run: | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|+ | |+ | ||
Line 340: | Line 307: | ||
| Ted Danson | | Ted Danson | ||
| Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | ||
| 1990 <br |
| 1990 <br/> 1993 | ||
| Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical | | Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical | ||
| 1990 <br |
| 1990 <br/> 1991 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Woody Harrelson | | Woody Harrelson | ||
Line 361: | Line 328: | ||
| Bebe Neuwirth | | Bebe Neuwirth | ||
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | ||
| 1990 <br |
| 1990 <br/> 1991 | ||
| colspan="2" rowspan="10" {{n/a}} | | colspan="2" rowspan="10" {{n/a}} | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Rhea Perlman | | Rhea Perlman | ||
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | ||
| 1984 <br |
| 1984 <br/> 1985 <br/> 1986 <br/> 1989 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| John Cleese | | John Cleese | ||
Line 374: | Line 341: | ||
| rowspan="7" | '''''Production Awards''''' | | rowspan="7" | '''''Production Awards''''' | ||
| Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series | | Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series | ||
| 1983 <br |
| 1983 <br/> 1991 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series | | Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series | ||
Line 386: | Line 353: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Outstanding Editing for a Series – Multi-Camera Production | | Outstanding Editing for a Series – Multi-Camera Production | ||
| 1988 <br |
| 1988 <br/> 1993 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Outstanding Live and Tape Sound Mixing and Sound Effects for a Series | | Outstanding Live and Tape Sound Mixing and Sound Effects for a Series | ||
Line 392: | Line 359: | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or Special | | Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or Special | ||
| 1986 <br |
| 1986 <br/> 1987 <br/> 1990 | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
===Syndication=== | ===Syndication=== | ||
''Cheers'' grew in popularity as it aired on American television and entered |
''Cheers'' grew in popularity as it aired on American television and entered off-network syndication in 1987, initially distributed by ]. When the show went off the air in 1993, ''Cheers'' was syndicated in 38 countries, with 179 American television markets and 83 million viewers.<ref name=B18>Bjorklund, p. 18.</ref> When the quality of some earlier footage of ''Cheers'' began to deteriorate, it underwent a careful restoration in 2001.<ref>{{Cite news|access-date=December 27, 2011|date=October 2001|work=Kodak|url=http://www.kodak.com/country/US/en/motion/newsletters/inCamera/oct2001/cheers.shtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905211554/http://www.kodak.com/country/US/en/motion/newsletters/inCamera/oct2001/cheers.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2012|title=Cheers restored for a new generation of laughs}}</ref> The series aired on ] from 2001 to 2004 and on ] from 2004 to 2008,<ref name="synd1">International Real Estate Digest (August 20, 2001) (2006). {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060113032715/http://www.ired.com/news/2001/0108/cheers.htm |date=January 13, 2006 }}</ref> with Nick at Nite airing week-long ''Cheers'' "Everybody Knows Your Name" marathons. The show was removed from the lineup in 2004. | ||
The series began airing on ] in the United States in October 2008, and ] in 2009. In January 2011, ] Channel began airing the series in hour-long blocks. ] began airing ''Cheers'' weeknights in 2010. ] has aired the series on Sunday early mornings and weekday mornings to allow it to show extended-length films of {{frac|2|1|2}} hours and maintain symmetric schedules. | |||
In 2011, ''Cheers'' was made available on the ] and ] streaming services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2011/07/cbs-licenses-2000-tv-episodes-to-amazon-streaming-service-148396/|title=CBS Licenses 2,000 TV Episodes To Amazon Streaming Service|author=David Lieberman|work=Deadline|date=July 20, 2011|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308001223/https://deadline.com/2011/07/cbs-licenses-2000-tv-episodes-to-amazon-streaming-service-148396/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The series began airing on ] in the United States in 2008, and ] in 2009, where it continues to air on both channels. In January 2011, ] began airing the series in hour-long blocks. ] began airing ''Cheers'' weeknights in 2010. When the quality of some earlier footage of ''Cheers'' began to deteriorate, it underwent a careful restoration in 2001 due to its continued success.<ref>{{Cite news|accessdate=December 27, 2011|date=October 2001|work=Kodak|url=http://www.kodak.com/country/US/en/motion/newsletters/inCamera/oct2001/cheers.shtml|title=Cheers restored for a new generation of laughs}}</ref> And more recently, ] also reran the series, but only on Sunday early mornings and weekday mornings (if there is a movie running in 2 1/2 hours). | |||
''Cheers'' began airing on ] (a digital channel of ]) in Australia on January 11, 2011. ] in the ] aired all 275 episodes in sequence, once per night, repeating the series a total of three times. | |||
In October 2008, ''Cheers'' began airing on The ]. | |||
In Italy, it has previously aired on Italia 1 & Canale 5 as '']'' from 1985 until 1995. | |||
As of April 2011, ] began including ''Cheers'' as one of the titles on its "watch instantly" streaming service. ] added it to its Prime service in July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2011/07/cbs-licenses-2000-tv-episodes-to-amazon-streaming-service-148396/|title=CBS Licenses 2,000 TV Episodes To Amazon Streaming Service|author=David Lieberman|work=Deadline}}</ref> | |||
''Cheers'' was first screened in the UK on ], and was one of the then-fledgling network's first imports. As of 2012, ''Cheers'' has been repeated on UK satellite channel ]. It has also been shown on the UK free-to-air channel ], with two episodes every weeknight. On March 16, 2015, the series began airing on UK subscription channel ] on weekdays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. ''Cheers'' aired again daily in 2019 on ].{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} | |||
A ''Cheers'' rerun notably replaced the September 4, 1992 airing of '']'' on Australia's ]. The latter was canceled mid-episode on its only broadcast by ], who pulled the plug after a phone call. It was repeated several years later on the ] shortly after Packer's death in 2005. ''Cheers'' currently airs on ] starting January 11, 2011 in Australia. ''Cheers'' was aired by ] in the ]. After the last episode, NCRV simply began re-airing the series, and then again, thus airing the show three times in a row, showing an episode nightly. | |||
As of 2012, ''Cheers'' has been repeated on UK satellite channel ]. Cheers is also shown on the UK free-to-air channel ] where it is shown two episodes every weekday night. Because of the ITV syndication it is also available to watch on the online ITV Player for seven days after broadcast. On March 16, 2015, the series began airing on UK subscription channel ] on weekdays at 9:30am and 10:00am. | |||
They are also currently airing on ]. | |||
====High definition==== | ====High definition==== | ||
A high-definition transfer of ''Cheers'' began running on ] in the United States in August 2010. |
A high-definition transfer of ''Cheers'' began running on ] in the United States in August 2010. The program was originally shot on film (but transferred to and edited on videotape) and broadcast in a 4:3 ]. | ||
=== |
===Home media=== | ||
] and (from 2006 onward) ] have released all 11 seasons of ''Cheers'' on ] in Region 1, Region 2, and Region 4. In the US, some episodes from the final three seasons appear on the DVDs with music substitutions. For example, in the episode "Grease", "I Fought the Law" was replaced even though its removal affects the comedic value of the scenes in which it was originally heard. The finale episode (73 minutes long without commercials) is presented in its three-part syndicated cut.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} The series is also available in high-definition ].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Cheers-The-Complete-Series-Blu-ray/79296/ |title=Cheers: The Complete Series Blu-ray |access-date=2024-04-04 |via=www.blu-ray.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.amazon.com.au/Cheers-Complete-Ted-Danson/dp/B0BVF2YFFP |title=Cheers: The Complete Series |date=2023-04-25 |language=English |publisher=CBS Mod |access-date=2024-04-04 |via=Amazon}}</ref> | |||
] and (from 2006 onward) ] have released all 11 seasons of ''Cheers'' on DVD in Region 1, Region 2 and Region 4. | |||
On March 6, 2012, |
On March 6, 2012, CBS released ''Fan Favorites: The Best of Cheers''. Based on the 2012 Facebook poll, the selected episodes are:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/55524/fan-favorites-the-best-of-cheers/ |date=April 8, 2012 |title=Fan Favorites: The Best of Cheers |work=] |last=Hartel |first=Nick |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315031404/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/55524/fan-favorites-the-best-of-cheers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
# "]" (season 1, episode 1) | # "]" (season 1, episode 1) | ||
Line 426: | Line 391: | ||
# "Dinner at Eight-ish" (season 5, episode 20) | # "Dinner at Eight-ish" (season 5, episode 20) | ||
# "Simon Says" (season 5, episode 21) | # "Simon Says" (season 5, episode 21) | ||
# "An Old |
# "An Old-Fashioned Wedding", parts one and two (season 10, episodes 25) | ||
On May 5, 2015, CBS DVD released ''Cheers |
On May 5, 2015, CBS DVD released ''Cheers – The Complete Series'' on DVD in Region 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Cheers-The-Complete-Series/20744|title=Cheers DVD news: Announcement for Cheers - The Complete Series - TVShowsOnDVD.com|work=tvshowsondvd.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210025845/http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Cheers-The-Complete-Series/20744|archive-date=February 10, 2015}}</ref> | ||
===Digital media distribution=== | ===Digital media distribution=== | ||
The complete 11 seasons of ''Cheers'' are available through the ], ], ] and ] in high definition. In Canada, all seasons are available on streaming service ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cravetv.ca/show/32500|title=CraveTV|website=www.cravetv.ca|access-date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110005012/http://www.cravetv.ca/show/32500|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The complete eleven seasons of ''Cheers'' are available through the United States ] streaming service, the ] Store, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu Plus. | |||
The entire series was available in the UK on ]. | |||
==Licensing== | ==Licensing== | ||
The series lent itself naturally to the development of ''Cheers'' bar-related merchandise, culminating in the development of a chain of ''Cheers'' themed pubs. Paramount's licensing group, led by ], developed the ''Cheers'' pub concept initially in partnership with Host Marriott, which placed ''Cheers'' themed pubs in over 15 airports around the world.<ref name="BF">{{cite |
The series lent itself naturally to the development of ''Cheers'' bar-related merchandise, culminating in the development of a chain of ''Cheers'' themed pubs. Paramount's licensing group, led by ], developed the ''Cheers'' pub concept initially in partnership with Host Marriott, which placed ''Cheers'' themed pubs in over 15 airports around the world.<ref name="BF">{{cite journal |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/-a017364989|title=Host Marriot now has eight airport "micro" pubs, more on the way|date=July 31, 1995|journal=Modern Brewery Age|publisher=Business Journals, Inc|issn=0026-7538|access-date=February 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520120930/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/-a017364989|archive-date=May 20, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Boston boasts the original ''Cheers'' bar, historically known to Boston insiders as the Bull and Finch; a Cheers restaurant in the Faneuil Hall marketplace; and Sam's Place, a spin-off sports bar concept also located in Faneuil Hall. In 1997, Europe's first officially licensed ''Cheers'' bar opened in London's Regent's Street W1. Like Cheers Faneuil Hall, Cheers London is a replica of the set. The gala opening was attended by James Burrows and cast members George Wendt and John Ratzenberger.<ref>''USA Today'' (September 23, 1997).</ref> The ''Cheers'' bar in London closed on December 31, 2008. The actual bar set had been on display at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum until the museum's closing in early 2006.<ref>Hollywood Entertainment Museum (2006). {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329042637/http://www.seeing-stars.com/Museums/HollywoodEntertainment.shtml |date=March 29, 2006 }}</ref> | ||
The theme song to the show was eventually licensed to a Canadian restaurant, ].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.newswire.ca/fr/story/310551/kelsey-s-launches-ad-campaign-with-cheers-tv-theme-song|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014102951/http://www.newswire.ca/fr/story/310551/kelsey-s-launches-ad-campaign-with-cheers-tv-theme-song|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 14, 2012|title=Kelsey's Launches Ad Campaign with Cheers TV Theme Song |date=February 3, 2008|publisher=CNW|access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref> | |||
] currently holds the rights to the ''Cheers'' franchise as a result of the 2005 ] split which saw Paramount transfer its entire television studio to CBS (both CBS and Viacom would ] in 2019). | |||
==Spin-offs== | |||
The theme song to the show was eventually licensed to a Canadian restaurant, ].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.newswire.ca/fr/story/310551/kelsey-s-launches-ad-campaign-with-cheers-tv-theme-song|title=Kelsey's Launches Ad Campaign with Cheers TV Theme Song |date=February 3, 2008|publisher=CNW|accessdate=August 16, 2012}}</ref> | |||
Some of the actors and actresses from ''Cheers'' brought their characters onto other television shows, either in a guest appearance or on a new spin-off series. The most successful ''Cheers'' spin-off was '']'', which featured Frasier Crane following his relocation back to ], Washington. Sam, Diane, and Woody all individually appeared in ''Frasier'' episodes, with Lilith appearing as a guest on multiple episodes. In the ] episode "Cheerful Goodbyes", Frasier returns to Boston and meets up with the Cheers gang, later attending Cliff's retirement party.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Cheerful Goodbyes |series=Frasier (TV Series 1993) |first1=Heide |last1=Perlman |network=NBC |date=April 2002}}</ref> ''Frasier'' was ], moving back to Boston like ''Cheers''. | |||
Although '']'' was more successful, '']'' was the first series to spin off from ''Cheers'', premiering in 1987. The show featured Carla's ex-husband ], but was canceled after 13 episodes and drew protests for its stereotypical depictions of Italian Americans.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Tortellis (TV Series 1987) – IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092467/|language=en|access-date=April 18, 2021|archive-date=June 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625124550/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092467/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
] currently holds the rights to the ''Cheers'' franchise as the result of the 2006 ] split which saw Paramount transfer its entire television studio to CBS. | |||
==Crossovers== | |||
==Spin-offs, crossovers, and cultural references== | |||
] | ] | ||
In addition to direct spin-offs, several ''Cheers'' characters had guest appearance crossovers with other shows, including '']'' and '']'' (episode "]"). ''Cheers'' has also been spoofed or referenced in other media, including '']'' (spoofing the title sequence and theme song in "]"; actually visiting the place with vocal role reprises of the majority of the principal cast in "]"), '']'' (episode "My Life in Four Cameras"), and the 2012 comedy film '']''. | |||
Some of the actors and actresses from ''Cheers'' brought their characters into other television shows, either in a guest appearance or in a new spin-off series. The most successful ''Cheers'' spin-off was '']'', which featured Frasier Crane following his relocation back to ], ]. Sam, Diane, and Woody all individually appeared in ''Frasier'' episodes, with Lilith appearing as a guest on multiple episodes. In the ] episode "Cheerful Goodbyes", Frasier returns to Boston and meets up with the Cheers gang, later attending Cliff's retirement party. | |||
The eighth-anniversary special of '']'', airing in 1990, begins with a scene at Cheers in which the bar's TV gets stuck on NBC and all the bar patrons decide to go home instead of staying to watch ]. The scene was re-used to open Letterman's final episode in 1993.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} A similar scene aired in the ] Pregame Show on NBC, in which the characters briefly discuss the upcoming game.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} | |||
Although '']'' was more successful, '']'' was the first series to spin-off from ''Cheers'', premiering in 1987. The show featured Carla's ex-husband ] and his wife ], but was canceled after 13 episodes and drew protests for its stereotypical depictions of Italian-Americans. | |||
In 2019, members of the ''Cheers'' cast, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger and Kirstie Alley reprised their characters in an episode of ] where they play customers of Geoff's short-lived food delivery business.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=September 16|first1=EW Staff|last2=EDT|first2=2019 at 03:25 PM|title='Cheers' stars to reunite on 'The Goldbergs' as part of ABC's 'Cast from the Past Week'|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/16/cheers-reunion-the-goldbergs-abc/|access-date=2021-12-01|website=EW.com|language=en|archive-date=December 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201174250/https://ew.com/tv/2019/09/16/cheers-reunion-the-goldbergs-abc/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In addition to direct spin-offs, several ''Cheers'' characters had guest appearance crossovers with other shows, including '']'' and '']'' (episode "]"). ''Cheers'' has also been spoofed or referenced in other media, including '']'' (spoofing the title sequence and theme song in "]"; actually visiting the place with vocal role reprisals of the majority of the principal cast in "]"), '']'' (episode "My Life in Four Cameras"), '']'' (episode "]"), the 2012 comedy film '']'', the 2011 video game '']'', and the 2015 video game '']''. | |||
In the 2010 show '']'', the show ''Cheers'' is referenced a few times, usually by ] because it was his favorite show back when he was a human living in the 20th century. This is explored in greater detail in the 2023 spin-off series '']'', which is partially set within the mind of Simon. All televisions in that world simply play an animated rendition of ''Cheers'' reruns on every channel, and the characters sometimes sing the theme song in difficult moments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-01 |title=Is Jake Dead? 'Adventure Time' Showrunner Adam Muto Weighs In |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/adam-muto-interview-adventure-time-fionna-cake |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Inverse |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Chase |date=2023-08-28 |title=Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/adventure-time-fionna-and-cake-review-max |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The season finale of the show is simply entitled "Cheers".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adventure Time: Fiona and Cake Season Finale Details Released |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/adventure-time-fiona-and-cake-season-finale-details/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Anime |date=September 26, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
The final edition of '']'' (which aired on June 25, 1993; more than a month after ''Cheers''<nowiki/>' final episode) began with a scene at Cheers, in which the bar's TV gets stuck on NBC, and all of the bar patrons decide to go home instead of staying to watch Letterman. A similar scene aired in the ] Pregame Show on NBC, in which the characters briefly discuss the upcoming game. | |||
==Cultural references== | |||
In the second season episode "]" of the sitcom '']'', in the final scene, ] walks into the bar and everyone shouts "Swarley," same as when the characters traditionally yelled "Norm!" whenever ] entered the "Cheers" bar, and he turns and walks out dejectedly as Carl the bartender plays "Where Everybody Knows Your Name." The camera angle also changes to show the same bar set-up and framing for the main interior bar shots featured in ''Cheers''. Additionally, the end credits are done in the gold "Cooper Black" font of the ''Cheers'' credits (which was a highly popular font for sitcoms of the early-to-mid-1980s). | |||
In ], ''Cheers'' is remembered for its role in ] of the 1992 ] special '']''. Due to the then-owner of Nine Network ]'s objections to its content, ''Australia's Naughtiest Home Videos'' was pulled off the air during its first and only broadcast; viewers saw the network abruptly begin airing a rerun of ''Cheers'' midway through the special, either after a scheduled commercial break or a Nine Network ] claiming a technical problem. Nine Network's affiliate in ] didn't air the special at all and filled its timeslot with two episodes of ''Cheers''. When the program was re-aired in its entirety in 2008, it abruptly cut away to the opening of ''Cheers'' midway through in a reenactment of the incident before resuming the second half that didn't get aired.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} | |||
In an issue of ], ] and her friend Tina Valentino go to a bar in Boston called ''Cheers'' with patrons bearing a striking resemblance to Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin, and flirt with a bartender named Sam who looks exactly like Sam Malone.<ref>''X-Force'' (1991) #21</ref> | |||
The ] is named for ] due to ] calling the originally nameless character "Norm" between takes. | |||
In the Cheers episode "Woody For Hire, Norman Meets the Apes" Woody shows and tells everyone how he was an extra on Boston based drama '']''. In the season 4 episode of '']'' titled "]", Jerry and George are presenting their idea for a sitcom to NBC executives. George is unhappy with their offer and feels that he deserves the same salary as Ted Danson which he claims was $800,000 per episode, being that ''Cheers'' is also an NBC show. Danson's reported salary was actually $250,000 per episode. At this point Cheers was in its 10th season and Ted Danson had won an Emmy and a Golden Globe the year before.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-07-07 |title=Danson, Duchovny share thoughts on TV business |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emmys-actors-idUSN0739842020080707 |access-date=2022-08-12 |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812094311/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emmys-actors-idUSN0739842020080707 |url-status=live }}</ref> In another Seinfeld episode, ], George runs into George Wendt (portraying himself) while backstage on the set of ] and annoys him by suggesting that the series change its setting from a bar to a rec room or community center.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRaz4nBYS9U&t=154s&ab_channel=Seinfeld | title=George's Ideas Get Torn Apart on Television | the Trip | Seinfeld | website=] | date=December 26, 2022 }}</ref> | |||
The theatrical play ''Cheers Live On Stage'' reenacts a condensed version of the first two seasons of the show.<ref name=liveonstage></ref> | |||
In the seventh episode of the second season of '']'', a coffee shop barista mistakenly hears Barney's name as "Swarley" and writes it on his cup. This leads to a running gag in which everyone mercilessly refers to Barney as "Swarley" despite his protests, which culminates in everyone in McClaren's bar shouting "Swarley" when he enters and playing the Cheers theme song. The credits are then shown in the "Cheers" style.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eames |first=Tom |date=2014-03-24 |title=How I Met Your Mother: 10 best episodes |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a559862/how-i-met-your-mother-the-10-best-episodes-from-cbs-comedy/ |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401180439/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a559862/how-i-met-your-mother-the-10-best-episodes-from-cbs-comedy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the season seven episode, In Tailgate, Ted and Barney are outraged with the price to get into MacLaren's on New Year's Eve, so they offer for everyone to come upstairs. In the apartment, there is a puzzles sign that is designed to parody Cheers. Ted and Barney employ Kevin as their bartender, and they invent a theme song which also parodies the Cheers theme song.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How I Met Your Mother: "Tailgate" |url=https://www.avclub.com/how-i-met-your-mother-tailgate-1798170968 |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=The A.V. Club |date=January 3, 2012 |language=en-us |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401180435/https://www.avclub.com/how-i-met-your-mother-tailgate-1798170968 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
In the 2004 video game '']'', "Jeers" is set in Boston, with the typeface referencing the ''Cheers'' logo. It is located down a set of stairs, and when near the front door, there is bar chatter coming from inside. | |||
In the 2015 video game '']'', which is set in Boston, there is a bar named Prost Bar near Boston Common that, when entered, is an almost exact replica of the bar featured on the series. It includes two dead bodies sitting at the end of the bar, with one of them wearing a mail carrier's uniform, a direct reference to regular barfly ].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://kotaku.com/theres-a-pretty-great-cheers-easter-egg-in-fallout-4-1741952100| title = There's a Pretty Great Cheers Easter Egg in Fallout 4| date = November 11, 2015| access-date = May 22, 2017| archive-date = November 26, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201126155805/https://kotaku.com/theres-a-pretty-great-cheers-easter-egg-in-fallout-4-1741952100| url-status = live}}</ref> | |||
In the ] of the NBC sitcom '']'', Ted Danson's character Michael appears as a bartender while wearing a blue plaid button-down, in a clear homage to Danson's character in ''Cheers''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/02/the-good-place-season-2-finale-ted-danson-cheers.html|title=The Good Place Finally Gave Ted Danson His Cheers Moment|last=Ivie|first=Devon|work=Vulture|access-date=February 2, 2018|language=en|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415031645/https://www.vulture.com/2018/02/the-good-place-season-2-finale-ted-danson-cheers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Remake== | ==Remake== | ||
In September 2011, Plural Entertainment debuted a remake of the series on |
In September 2011, Plural Entertainment debuted a remake of the series on Spanish television, also titled '']''. Set at an Irish pub, it starred ] as Nicolás "Nico" Arnedo, the equivalent of Sam Malone on the original series. It also used the original theme song, rerecorded in Spanish by ], under the title "]." | ||
In December 2012, The Irish Film and Television Network announced that casting |
In December 2012, The Irish Film and Television Network announced that casting was underway on an ] version of ''Cheers'' produced by production company Sideline. The new show, tentatively titled ''Teach Seán'', would air on Ireland's TG4 and features a main character who, like Sam Malone, is a bar owner, a retired athlete, and a recovering alcoholic. However, because of being set in Ireland, the barman is a "former ] star" rather than an ex-baseball player.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/12/19/irish-cheers/|title=Irish TV channel to remake 'Cheers'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 3, 2019|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308190917/https://ew.com/article/2012/12/19/irish-cheers/|url-status=live}}</ref> As of August 2019, the Irish remake has not occurred. | ||
==Cheers: Live |
==''Cheers: Live on Stage''== | ||
On September 9, 2016, a stage adaptation called |
On September 9, 2016, a stage adaptation called ''Cheers: Live on Stage'' opened at the ] in Boston. Comprising pieces of the original TV series, the play was adapted by Erik Forrest Jackson. It was produced by Troika/Stageworks. The director was Matt Lenz. It starred Grayson Powell as Sam Malone, Jillian Louis as Diane Chambers, ] as Ernie "Coach" Pantusso, Sarah Sirotta as Carla Tortelli, Paul Vogt as Norm Peterson, and Buzz Roddy as Cliff Clavin. The production was scheduled to tour through 2017, but was cancelled in 2016.<ref name=liveonstage>{{Cite web |url=http://cheersliveonstage.com/ |title=''Cheers Live On Stage'' |access-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918161014/http://cheersliveonstage.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/culture-club/cheers-live-on-stage-tour-is-canceled/article_e67d566f-9680-5d07-b358-d601dbcad5ff.html|title='Cheers Live On Stage' tour is canceled|last=Newmark|first=Judith|website=stltoday.com|language=en|date=October 12, 2016|access-date=August 11, 2019|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113082104/https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/culture-club/cheers-live-on-stage-tour-is-canceled/article_e67d566f-9680-5d07-b358-d601dbcad5ff.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=liveChicagoTribune/> | ||
==See also== | |||
{{Portal|Television|United States}} | |||
* '']'' (2003) | |||
* '']'' (1979) | |||
{{Clear}} | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
{{ |
{{notelist}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist |
{{reflist|refs= | ||
<ref name=scott1982>Scott, Vernon. "." Telegraph Herald July 11, 1982: 20. Google News. Web. June 2, 2012.</ref> | <ref name=scott1982>Scott, Vernon. " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309013911/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HJFSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wNAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6811%2C1282379 |date=March 9, 2021 }}." Telegraph Herald July 11, 1982: 20. Google News. Web. June 2, 2012.</ref> | ||
<ref name=colasantodeath>"". '']'' February 14, 1985. Web. June 2, 2012.</ref> | <ref name=colasantodeath>" {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516075132/http://www.nytimes.com/1985/02/14/arts/nick-colasanto-dead-at-61-played-bartender-in-cheers.html?scp=2&sq=Nicholas%20Colasanto&st=cse |date=May 16, 2013 }}". '']'' February 14, 1985. Web. June 2, 2012.</ref> | ||
<ref name=honey264>Jones 1992, p. 264.</ref> | <ref name=honey264>Jones 1992, p. 264.</ref> | ||
<ref name=10anniversary>Ross, Jeremy. "." '']'' September 17, 1992. '']''. Web. June 2, 2012.</ref> | <ref name=10anniversary>Ross, Jeremy. " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308221434/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Hi1iAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xHYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2422%2C5715436 |date=March 8, 2021 }}." '']'' September 17, 1992. '']''. Web. June 2, 2012.</ref> | ||
<ref name=Kerr_11_29_1983>{{cite news |last=Kerr |first=Peter |title=NBC Comedy 'Cheers' Turns |
<ref name=Kerr_11_29_1983>{{cite news |last=Kerr |first=Peter |title=NBC Comedy 'Cheers' Turns into A Success |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/29/arts/nbc-comedy-cheers-turns-into-a-success.html |date=November 29, 1983 |access-date=October 31, 2012 |archive-date=May 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516075641/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/29/arts/nbc-comedy-cheers-turns-into-a-success.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
<ref name=liveChicagoTribune>{{cite news|url= |
<ref name=liveChicagoTribune>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/reviews/ct-cheers-live-review-ent-0923-20160922-column.html|title=Cheers: Live On Stage|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417192845/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/reviews/ct-cheers-live-review-ent-0923-20160922-column.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
* {{cite book|year=1997|url=https://books.google.com/?id=hKbxOW2ONGEC& |
* {{cite book|year=1997|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hKbxOW2ONGEC&q=cheers+ranked+77th&pg=PA15|title=Toasting Cheers: An Episode Guide to the 1982–1993 Comedy Series, with cast biographies and character profiles|first=Dennis A.|last=Bjorklund|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Jefferson, North Carolina|isbn=978-0-89950-962-4}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} | ||
* {{cite book|author=Jones, Gerald|title=Honey, I'm Home! Sitcoms: Selling the American Dream|location=New York|publisher=]—]|year=1992|isbn=978-0-8021-1308-5}} | * {{cite book|author=Jones, Gerald|title=Honey, I'm Home! Sitcoms: Selling the American Dream|location=New York|publisher=]—]|year=1992|isbn=978-0-8021-1308-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/honeyimhomesitco00jone}} | ||
* {{cite book| |
* {{cite book|author-link=George Wendt|author=Wendt, George|year=2009|title=Drinking with George|location=New York|publisher=Simon Spotlight Entertainment|isbn=978-1-4391-4958-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/drinkingwithgeor00wend}} | ||
==Further reading== | ==Further reading== | ||
* {{cite book|last1=Andrews|first1=Bart|last2=Blythe|first2=Cheryl|title=Cheers : the official scrapbook|year=1987|publisher=]|location=New York, N.Y.|isbn=978-0-451-82160-7|page=209}} | * {{cite book|last1=Andrews|first1=Bart|last2=Blythe|first2=Cheryl|title=Cheers : the official scrapbook|year=1987|publisher=]|location=New York, N.Y.|isbn=978-0-451-82160-7|page=209}} | ||
* {{cite news|last=Carter|first=Bill|title=The Tonic That Keeps 'Cheers' Bubbling Along|url= |
* {{cite news|last=Carter|first=Bill|title=The Tonic That Keeps 'Cheers' Bubbling Along|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/29/arts/television-the-tonic-that-keeps-cheers-bubbling-along.html|newspaper=]|date=April 29, 1990|page=6}} | ||
* {{cite news|last=Carter|first=Bill|title=Why 'Cheers' Proved So Intoxicating|url= |
* {{cite news|last=Carter|first=Bill|title=Why 'Cheers' Proved So Intoxicating|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/09/arts/television-why-cheers-proved-so-intoxicating.html|newspaper=]|date=May 9, 1993|page=6}} | ||
* Darowski, Joseph J.; Darowski, Kate (2019) ''Cheers: A Cultural History''. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. | |||
* {{cite journal|last=Fallows|first=Randall|title=The Enneagram of ''Cheers'': Where Everybody Knows Your Number|journal=]|date=September 1, 2000|volume=34|issue=2|pages=169–179|doi=10.1111/j.0022-3840.2000.3402_169.x}} | * {{cite journal|last=Fallows|first=Randall|title=The Enneagram of ''Cheers'': Where Everybody Knows Your Number|journal=]|date=September 1, 2000|volume=34|issue=2|pages=169–179|doi=10.1111/j.0022-3840.2000.3402_169.x}} | ||
* {{cite journal|last=Hundley|first=Heather L.|title=The naturalization of beer in ''Cheers''|journal=Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media|date=June 1, 1995|volume=39|issue=3|pages=350–359|doi=10.1080/08838159509364311}} | * {{cite journal|last=Hundley|first=Heather L.|title=The naturalization of beer in ''Cheers''|journal=Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media|date=June 1, 1995|volume=39|issue=3|pages=350–359|doi=10.1080/08838159509364311}} | ||
* {{cite web|title='Cheers' - the TV Series|url=http://www.h2g2.com/approved_entry/A1084619|work=]| |
* {{cite web|title='Cheers' - the TV Series|url=http://www.h2g2.com/approved_entry/A1084619|work=]|access-date=December 27, 2011|date=July 4, 2003}} | ||
* {{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of television|year=2005|publisher=]|location=New York|isbn=1-57958-394- |
* {{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of television|year=2005|publisher=]|location=New York|isbn=978-1-57958-394-1|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CFXgj7a55agC&pg=PA497|last=Bird|first=J.B.|edition=2nd|editor=Horace Newcomb|pages=497–499|chapter=Cheers}} | ||
* Snauffer, Douglas (2008). ''The Show Must Go On: How the Deaths of Lead Actors Have Affected Television Series''. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN |
* Snauffer, Douglas (2008). ''The Show Must Go On: How the Deaths of Lead Actors Have Affected Television Series''. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-3295-0}}. | ||
* {{cite |
* {{cite encyclopedia|title=Cheers|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/860764/Cheers|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica Inc|access-date=December 27, 2011}} | ||
* {{cite book|title=St. James encyclopedia of popular culture.|year=1999|publisher=]|location=Farmington Hills, MI|isbn=1-55862-400- |
* {{cite book|title=St. James encyclopedia of popular culture.|url=https://archive.org/details/stjamesencyclope00tomp|url-access=registration|year=1999|publisher=]|location=Farmington Hills, MI|isbn=978-1-55862-400-9|edition=1st|editor=Tom Pendergast, Sara Pendergast|page=}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Commons category|Cheers (television series)}} | |||
{{Wikiquote}} | {{Wikiquote}} | ||
* {{Official website}} | |||
* {{Commons category-inline|Cheers}} | |||
* {{IMDb title|title=Cheers|id=0083399}} | * {{IMDb title|title=Cheers|id=0083399}} | ||
* {{ |
* {{epguides|Cheers|Cheers}} | ||
* at ] | * at ] | ||
* , an official website of a bar that tributes to and is also a production set of ''Cheers'' | * , an official website of a bar that tributes to and is also a production set of ''Cheers'' | ||
* Cheers Bruchsal Bar in Bruchsal | |||
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Latest revision as of 19:10, 8 January 2025
American television sitcom (1982–1993) This article is about the American TV series. For other uses, see Cheers (disambiguation).
Cheers | |
---|---|
Genre | Sitcom |
Created by | |
Directed by |
|
Starring | |
Theme music composer |
|
Opening theme | "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" by Gary Portnoy |
Ending theme | "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" (instrumental) |
Composer | Craig Safan |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 11 |
No. of episodes | 275 (including three double-length episodes and a triple-length finale) (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Cinematography |
|
Camera setup | Film; Multi-camera |
Running time | 21–25 minutes |
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | NBC |
Release | September 30, 1982 (1982-09-30) – May 20, 1993 (1993-05-20) |
Related | |
Cheers is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from September 30, 1982, to May 20, 1993, for 11 seasons and 275 episodes. The show was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions in association with Paramount Television and was created by the team of James Burrows and Glen and Les Charles. The show is set in the titular bar in Boston, where a group of locals meet to drink, relax, socialize, and escape from their day to day issues.
At the center of the show is the bar's owner and head bartender, Sam Malone, who is a womanizing former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. The show's ensemble cast introduced in the pilot episode are waitresses Diane Chambers and Carla Tortelli, second bartender Coach Ernie Pantusso, and regular customers Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin. Later main characters of the show also include Frasier Crane, Woody Boyd, Lilith Sternin, and Rebecca Howe.
After premiering in 1982, it was nearly canceled during its first season when it ranked almost last in ratings for its premiere (74th out of 77 shows). However, Cheers eventually became a Nielsen ratings juggernaut in the United States, earning a top-10 rating during eight of its 11 seasons, including one season at number one (season 9). The show spent most of its run on NBC's Thursday night "Must See TV" lineup. Widely watched, its series finale in 1993 became the most-watched single TV episode of the 1990s, and the show's 275 episodes have been successfully syndicated worldwide. Nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series for all 11 of its seasons on the air, it earned 28 Primetime Emmy Awards from a record of 117 nominations.
During its run, Cheers became one of the most popular series in history and received critical acclaim from its start to its end and is frequently cited as one of the greatest television shows of all time. In 1997, the episodes "Thanksgiving Orphans" and "Home Is the Sailor," aired originally in 1987, were respectively ranked No. 7 and No. 45 on TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time. Its series finale was watched by an estimated 93 million viewers, almost 40% of the US population at the time. The series also produced three spin-offs: The Tortellis, Wings, and Frasier; and a Spanish remake.
Characters
Main article: List of Cheers charactersBefore the Cheers pilot "Give Me a Ring Sometime" was completed and aired in 1982, the series consisted of four employees in the first script. Later revisions added Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin (regular customers of Cheers) as among the regular characters of the series, even though neither were featured.
In later years, Woody Boyd replaced Coach, after the character died off-screen in season three (1984–85), following actor Nicholas Colasanto's death. Frasier Crane started as a recurring character and became a permanent one. In season six (1987–88), new character Rebecca Howe was added, having been written into the show after the finale of the previous season (1986–87). Lilith Sternin started as a one-time character in an episode of season four, "Second Time Around" (1985). After her second season five appearance, she became a recurring character and was later featured as a permanent one during season 10 (1991–92).
Original main characters
- Ted Danson as Sam Malone: A bartender and proprietor of Cheers, Sam is also a lothario. Before the series began, he was a baseball relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox nicknamed "Mayday Malone" until he became an alcoholic, harming his career. He has an on-again, off-again relationship with Diane Chambers, his class opposite, in the first five seasons (1982–1987). During their off-times, Sam has flings with many not-so-bright "sexy women" yet fails to pursue a meaningful relationship. After Diane is written out of the series, he tries to pursue Rebecca Howe, with varying results. At the end of the series, he is still unmarried and faces his sexual addiction with the help of Dr. Robert Sutton's (Gilbert Lewis) group meetings, advised by Frasier.
- Shelley Long as Diane Chambers: An academic, sophisticated graduate student attending Boston University. In the pilot, Diane is abandoned by her fiancé, leaving her without a job, a man or money. Realizing that one of her few practical skills is memorization, which comes in handy when dealing with drink orders, she reluctantly becomes a barmaid. Later, she becomes a close friend of Coach and has an on-and-off relationship with bartender Sam Malone, her class opposite. During their off-relationship times, Diane dates men who fit her upper-class ideals, such as Frasier Crane. Diane returns to Cheers while dating Frasier to help cure Sam of his drinking addiction with help from Dr. Crane. Diane's biggest enemy is Carla, who frequently insults her, but Diane's lack of retaliation serves to annoy Carla even more. In 1987, Diane leaves Boston and Sam to pursue a screenwriting career in California. She promises Sam she will return to Boston to marry him but does not do so.
- Nicholas Colasanto as "Coach" Ernie Pantusso:
A "borderline senile" co-bartender, widower and retired baseball coach. Coach is also a friend of Sam and a close friend of Diane. He has a daughter, Lisa (Allyce Beasley). Coach listens to people's problems and solves them. However, other people also help resolve his own problems. In 1985, Coach died without explicit explanation, as Colasanto died of a heart attack. - Rhea Perlman as Carla Tortelli: A "wisecracking, cynical" cocktail waitress, who treats customers badly. When the series premieres, she is the mother of five children by her ex-husband Nick Tortelli (Dan Hedaya). Over the course of the series, she bears three more, the depiction of which incorporated Perlman's real-life pregnancies. All of her children are ill behaved, except Ludlow, whose father is a prominent academic. She flirts with men, including ones who are not flattered by her ways, and believes in superstitions. Later, she marries Eddie LeBec, an ice hockey player, who later becomes a penguin mascot for ice shows. After he dies in an ice show accident by an ice resurfacer, Carla later discovers that Eddie had committed bigamy with another woman, whom he had gotten pregnant. Carla sleeps with Sam's enemy, John Allen Hill, to Sam's annoyance and anger.
- George Wendt as Norm Peterson: A bar regular and occasionally employed accountant. A recurrent joke on the show, especially in the earlier seasons, is that the character was such a popular and constant fixture at the bar that anytime he entered through the front door, everyone present would yell out his name ("NORM!") in greeting (when present in the scene Diane would be heard saying "Norman!" moments later) ; usually, this cry would be followed by one of the present bartenders asking Norm how he was, usually receiving a sardonic response and a request for a beer. ("It's a dog-eat-dog world, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear.") He has infrequent accounting jobs and a troubled marriage with (but is still in love with and married to) Vera, an unseen character, though she is occasionally heard. Later in the series, he becomes a house painter and an interior decorator. Even later in the series, Norm secures his dream job, tasting beer at a brewery. The character was not originally intended to be a main cast role; Wendt auditioned for a minor role of George for the pilot episode. The role was only to be Diane Chambers' first customer and had only one word: "Beer!" After he was cast in a more permanent role, the character was renamed Norm.
Subsequent main characters
- John Ratzenberger as Cliff Clavin:
A know-it-all bar regular and mail carrier. He lives with his mother Esther Clavin (Frances Sternhagen) in first the family house and later his own apartment. In the bar, Cliff continuously spouts nonsensical and annoying trivia, making him an object of derision for the bar patrons (especially Carla). Ratzenberger auditioned for the role of a minor character George, but it went to Wendt, evolving the role into Norm Peterson. The producers decided they wanted a resident bar know-it-all, so the US Postal Worker Cliff Clavin was added for the pilot, as a recurring character for the first season before becoming a main character starting with the second. Originally written as a security guard, the producers changed his occupation into a mail carrier as they thought such a man would have a wider array of knowledge. - Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane:
A psychiatrist and bar regular, a recurring character for seasons 3 and 4 who joins the main cast by season 5. Frasier started out as Diane Chambers' love interest in the third season (1984–85). In the fourth season (1985–86), after Diane jilts him at the altar in Europe, Frasier starts to frequent Cheers and becomes a regular. He later marries Lilith Sternin and has a son, Frederick. After the series ends, the character becomes the focus of the spin-off Frasier, in which he is divorced from Lilith and living in Seattle. - Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd:
A not-so-bright bartender, first appearing in season 4. He arrives from his Midwest hometown of Hanover, Indiana to Boston, to see Coach, his "pen pal" (as referring to exchanging "pens", not letters). When Sam tells Woody that Coach died, Sam hires Woody in Coach's place. Later, he marries his girlfriend Kelly Gaines (Jackie Swanson), also not-so-bright but raised in a rich family. In the final season, he runs for city council and, surprisingly, wins. - Bebe Neuwirth as Lilith Sternin:
A psychiatrist and bar regular, a recurring character until joining the main cast in season 10. She is often teased by bar patrons about her uptight personality and appearance. In "Second Time Around" (1986), her first and only episode of the fourth season, her date with Frasier does not go well because they constantly argue. In the fifth season, with help from Diane, Lilith and Frasier begin a relationship. Eventually, they marry and have a son, Frederick. In the eleventh and final season, she commits adultery and leaves Frasier to live with another man in an experimental underground environment called the "Eco-pod". She breaks it off, returns later in the season and reconciles with Frasier. However, in the spin-off Frasier, the couple has divorced, with Lilith maintaining custody of Frederick. In season 11 of Cheers, Bebe Neuwirth is given "starring" credit only when she appears. - Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe:
First appearing in season 6, she starts out as a strong independent woman, manager of the bar for the corporation that buys Cheers from Sam after his on-off relationship with Diane ends. When Sam regains ownership, she begs him to let her remain, first as a cocktail waitress and later as a manager. She has repeated romantic failures with mainly rich men and becomes more and more "neurotic, insecure, and sexually frustrated". At the start, Sam frequently attempts to seduce Rebecca without success. As her personality changes, he loses interest in her. In the series finale, after failed relationships with rich men, Rebecca marries a plumber and quits working for the bar. In the Frasier episode "The Show Where Sam Shows Up", she is revealed to be divorced and back at the bar. When Frasier asks whether this means that she is working there again, Sam says, "No, she's just back at the bar."
Character table
Recurring characters
For a more comprehensive list, see List of Cheers characters.Although Cheers operated largely around that main ensemble cast and their interactions with various one-off characters, guest stars and recurring characters did occasionally supplement them. Notable repeat guests included Dan Hedaya as Nick Tortelli and Jean Kasem as Loretta Tortelli (who were the main characters in the first spin-off, The Tortellis), Fred Dryer as Dave Richards, Annie Golden as Margaret O'Keefe, Derek McGrath as Andy Schroeder (also referred to as Andy Andy), interchangeably Joel Polis and Robert Desiderio as rival bar owner Gary, Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec, Roger Rees as Robin Colcord, Tom Skerritt as Evan Drake, Frances Sternhagen as Esther Clavin, Richard Doyle as Walter Gaines, Keene Curtis as John Allen Hill, Anthony Cistaro as Henri, Michael McGuire as Professor Sumner Sloan, and Harry Anderson as Harry "The Hat" Gittes. Jackie Swanson, who played the recurring role of Woody's girlfriend and eventual wife "Kelly Gaines-Boyd", appeared in 24 episodes from 1989 to 1993. The character is as equally dim and naive—but ultimately as sweet-natured—as Woody.
Paul Willson played the recurring barfly character Paul Krapence. (In one early appearance in the first season he was called "Glen", and was later credited on-screen as "Gregg" and "Tom", but he was playing the same character throughout.) Thomas Babson played "Tom", a law student often mocked by Cliff Clavin, for continually failing to pass the Massachusetts bar exam. "Al", played by Al Rosen, appeared in 38 episodes, and was known for his surly quips. Rhea Perlman's father Philip Perlman played the role of "Phil".
Celebrity appearances
Other celebrities guest-starred in single episodes as themselves throughout the series. Sports figures appeared on the show as themselves, with a connection to Boston or Sam's former team, the Red Sox, such as Luis Tiant, Wade Boggs, and Kevin McHale and Larry Bird (of the Boston Celtics). Some television stars also made guest appearances as themselves such as Alex Trebek, Arsenio Hall, Dick Cavett, Robert Urich, George McFarland and Johnny Carson. Various political figures even made appearances on Cheers such as then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral William J. Crowe, former Colorado Senator Gary Hart, then-Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill, then-Senator John Kerry, then-Governor Michael Dukakis, Ethel Kennedy (widow of Robert F. Kennedy), and then-Mayor of Boston Raymond Flynn, the last five of whom all represented Cheers' home state and city.
In maternal roles, Glynis Johns, in a guest appearance in 1983, played Diane's mother, Helen Chambers. Nancy Marchand played Frasier's mother, Hester Crane, in an episode that aired in 1985. In an episode that aired in 1992, Celeste Holm – who had previously played Ted Danson's mother in "Three Men and a Baby" – appeared as Kelly's jokester of a paternal grandmother. Melendy Britt appeared in the episode "Woody or Won't He" (1990) as Kelly's mother, Roxanne Gaines, a very attractive high-society lady and a sexy, flirtatious upper-class cougar who tries to seduce Woody.
The musician Harry Connick Jr. appeared in an episode as Woody's cousin and plays a song from his Grammy-winning album We Are in Love (c. 1991). John Cleese won a Primetime Emmy Award for his guest appearance as "Dr. Simon Finch-Royce" in the fifth-season episode "Simon Says". Emma Thompson guest-starred as Nanny G/Nannette Guzman, a famous singing nanny and Frasier's ex-wife. Christopher Lloyd guest-starred as a tortured artist who wanted to paint Diane. Marcia Cross portrayed Rebecca's sister Susan in the season 7 episode Sisterly Love. John Mahoney once appeared as an inept jingle writer, which included a brief conversation with Frasier Crane, whose father he later portrayed on the spin-off Frasier. Peri Gilpin, who later played Roz Doyle on Frasier, also appeared in one episode of Cheers, in its 11th season, as Holly Matheson, a reporter who interviews Woody. The Righteous Brothers, Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley, also guest-starred in different episodes. In "The Guy Can't Help It", Rebecca meets a plumber, played by Tom Berenger, who came to fix one of the beer keg taps. They marry in the series finale, triggering her resignation from Cheers. Judith Barsi appears in the episode Relief Bartender.
Notable guest appearances of actresses portraying Sam's sexual conquests or potential sexual conquests include Kate Mulgrew in the three-episode finale of season four, portraying Boston councilwoman Janet Eldridge; Donna McKechnie as Debra, Sam's ex-wife (with whom he is on good terms), who pretends to be an intellectual in front of Diane; Barbara Babcock as Lana Marshall, a talent agent who specializes in representing male athletes, whom she routinely sleeps with on-demand; Julia Duffy as Rebecca Prout, a depressed intellectual friend of Diane's; Alison La Placa as magazine reporter Paula Nelson; Carol Kane as Amanda, who Sam eventually learns was a fellow patient at the sanitarium with Diane; Barbara Feldon as Lauren Hudson, Sam's annual Valentine's Day fling (in an homage to Same Time, Next Year); Sandahl Bergman as Judy Marlowe, a longtime casual sex partner; Laurie Marlowe (Chelsea Noble), Judy's now-grown-up daughter, who always considered Sam a pseudo-father figure, & whom Sam falls for; Madolyn Smith-Osborne as Dr. Sheila Rydell, a colleague of Frasier and Lilith; Valerie Mahaffey as Valerie Hill, John Allen Hill's daughter whom Sam pursues if only to gain an upper hand in his business relationship with Hill; and Alexis Smith as Alice Anne Volkman, Rebecca's much older ex-professor. In season 9, episode 17, "I'm Getting My Act Together and Sticking It in Your Face", Sam, believing Rebecca wants a more serious relationship, pretends to be gay, his lover being a casual friend named Leon (Jeff McCarthy)—the plan ultimately leads to a kiss between Sam and Leon.
Death of Nicholas Colasanto
Near the end of production of the third season, the writers of Cheers had to deal with the death of one of the main actors. Nicholas Colasanto's heart condition had been diagnosed in the mid-1970s, but it had worsened. He had lost weight and was having trouble breathing during filming, and he was hospitalized shortly before filming finished for season three due to fluid in his lungs. He recovered but was not cleared to return to work. He was visiting the set in January 1985 to watch the filming of several episodes, and co-star Shelley Long commented, "I think we were all in denial. We were all glad he was there, but he lost a lot of weight." Co-star Rhea Perlman added that he "wanted to be there so badly. He didn't want to be sick. He couldn't breathe well. It was hard. He was laboring all the time." Colasanto ultimately died of a heart attack at his home on February 12, 1985.
The third-season episodes of Cheers were filmed out of order, partly to accommodate Shelley Long's pregnancy. As a result, they had already completed filming the season finale at the time of his death, which had scenes with Colasanto in it. As the remaining episodes were filmed, Coach's absence was explained by having one of the characters mention that Coach was out of town for various reasons.
The Cheers writing staff assembled in June 1985 to discuss how to deal with the absence of Coach. They quickly discarded the idea that he had moved away, as they felt that he would never abandon his friends. In addition, most viewers were aware of Colasanto's death, so the writing staff decided to handle the situation more openly. The season four opener, "Birth, Death, Love and Rice", dealt with Coach's death and introduced Woody Harrelson, Colasanto's replacement.
Episodes
Main article: List of Cheers episodesSeason | Episodes | Originally released | Rank | Rating | Households (seasons 1-6)/ Viewers (seasons 7-11) (millions) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First released | Last released | ||||||
1 | 22 | September 30, 1982 (1982-09-30) | March 31, 1983 (1983-03-31) | 74 | 13.1 | 10.9 | |
2 | 22 | September 29, 1983 (1983-09-29) | May 10, 1984 (1984-05-10) | 34 | 16.6 | 13.8 | |
3 | 25 | September 27, 1984 (1984-09-27) | May 9, 1985 (1985-05-09) | 13 | 19.7 | 16.7 | |
4 | 26 | September 26, 1985 (1985-09-26) | May 15, 1986 (1986-05-15) | 5 | 23.7 | 20.4 | |
5 | 26 | September 25, 1986 (1986-09-25) | May 7, 1987 (1987-05-07) | 3 | 27.2 | 23.8 | |
6 | 25 | September 24, 1987 (1987-09-24) | May 5, 1988 (1988-05-05) | 3 | 23.4 | 20.7 | |
7 | 22 | October 27, 1988 (1988-10-27) | May 4, 1989 (1989-05-04) | 4 | 22.3 | 33.9 | |
8 | 26 | September 21, 1989 (1989-09-21) | May 3, 1990 (1990-05-03) | 3 | 22.7 | 34.7 | |
9 | 26 | September 20, 1990 (1990-09-20) | May 2, 1991 (1991-05-02) | 1 | 21.3 | 32.7 | |
10 | 26 | September 19, 1991 (1991-09-19) | May 14, 1992 (1992-05-14) | 4 | 17.6 | 27.3 | |
11 | 28 | September 24, 1992 (1992-09-24) | May 20, 1993 (1993-05-20) | 8 | 16.1 | 28.2 |
Themes
Nearly all of Cheers takes place in the front room of the bar, but the characters often go into the rear pool room or the bar's office. Cheers does not show any action outside the bar until the first episode of the second season, which takes place in Diane's apartment.
The show's main theme in its early seasons is the romance between intellectual waitress Diane Chambers and the bar's owner, Sam Malone, a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and recovering alcoholic. After Shelley Long (Diane) left the show, the focus shifted to Sam's new relationship with Rebecca Howe, a neurotic corporate ladder climber.
Many Cheers scripts centered or touched upon a variety of social issues, albeit humorously. As Toasting Cheers puts it, "The script was further strengthened by the writers' boldness in successfully tackling controversial issues such as alcoholism, homosexuality, and adultery."
Social class was a subtext of the show. The "upper class" — represented by characters like Diane Chambers, Frasier Crane, and Lilith Sternin — rub shoulders with middle- and working-class characters Sam Malone, Carla Tortelli, Norm Peterson, and Cliff Clavin. An extreme example of this was the relationship between Woody Boyd and a millionaire's daughter, Kelly Gaines. Many viewers enjoyed Cheers in part because of this focus on character development in addition to plot development.
Feminism and the role of women were also recurring themes throughout the show, with some critics seeing each of the major female characters portraying an aspect as a flawed feminist in her own way. Diane is a vocal feminist, and Sam is the epitome of everything she hates: promiscuity and chauvinism (see "Sam and Diane").
Homosexuality was dealt with from the first season, which was rare in the early 1980s on American television. In the first-season episode "The Boys in the Bar" (the title being a reference to the play and subsequent movie The Boys in the Band), a friend and former teammate of Sam's comes out in his autobiography. Some of the male regulars pressure Sam to take action to ensure that Cheers does not become a gay bar. The episode won a GLAAD Media Award, and the script's writers, Ken Levine and David Isaacs, were nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
Addiction also plays a role on Cheers, almost exclusively through Sam. He is a recovering alcoholic who had bought a bar during his drinking days. Frasier has a notable bout of drinking in the fourth-season episode "The Triangle", while Woody develops a gambling problem in the seventh season episode "Call Me Irresponsible". Carla and other characters drink beer while pregnant, but nobody seems to mind.
Cheers owners
Cheers had several owners before Sam, as the bar was opened in 1889. The "Est. 1895" on the bar's sign is a made-up date chosen by Carla for numerology purposes, revealed in season 8, episode 6, "The Stork Brings a Crane", which also revealed the bar's address as 1121⁄2 Beacon Street and that it originated under the name Mom's. In the series' second episode, "Sam's Women", Coach tells a customer looking for Gus, the owner of Cheers, that Gus is dead. In a later episode, Gus O'Mally comes back from Arizona for one night and helps run the bar.
The biggest storyline surrounding the ownership of Cheers begins in the fifth-season finale, "I Do, Adieu", when Sam and Diane part ways, due to Shelley Long's departure from the series. In addition, Sam leaves on a trip to circumnavigate the globe. Before he leaves, he sells Cheers to the Lillian Corporation. He returns in the sixth-season premiere, "Home is the Sailor", having sunk his boat, to find the bar under the new management of Rebecca Howe. He begs for his job back and is hired by Rebecca as a bartender. In the seventh-season premiere, "How to Recede in Business", Rebecca is fired and Sam is promoted to manager. Rebecca is allowed to keep a job at Lillian vaguely similar to what she had before, but only after Sam has Rebecca (in absentia) "agree" to a long list of demands that the corporation had for her.
From there, Sam occasionally attempts to buy the bar back with schemes that usually involve the wealthy executive Robin Colcord. Sam acquires Cheers again in the eighth-season finale, when it is sold back to him for 85¢ by the Lillian Corporation after he alerts the company to Colcord's insider trading. Fired by the corporation because of her silence on the issue, Rebecca is hired by Sam as a hostess/office manager. For the rest of the episode, to celebrate Sam's reclaiming the bar, a huge banner reading "Under OLD Management!" hangs from the staircase. When it is learned that the Pool Room and bathrooms are actually owned by Melville's (which spawns a war of wits between Sam and Melville's owner John Allen Hill), Rebecca later purchases them from Hill, making Sam and Rebecca partners in the ownership of Cheers (and more or less co-runners of the establishment).
Sam has two main battles. One is with Gary's Olde Towne Tavern, trying to beat them at some activity or another but always failing, except for one episode when Diane helps Cheers win the bowling trophy, and extending to the practical jokes they play on each other. The second is with Melville's owner John Allen Hill, who keeps annoying Sam with his pettiness and ego. Hill had an ongoing relationship with Carla.
Production
Creation and concept
Some believe that the show is a rehashing of Boston's ABC affiliate WCVB's locally produced 1979 sitcom Park Street Under featuring Steve Sweeney and American Repertory Theater founder Karen MacDonald. Three men developed and created the Cheers television series: Glen and Les Charles ("Glen and Les") and James Burrows, who identified themselves as "two Mormons and a Jew." They aimed at "creating a show around a Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn-type relationship" between their two main characters, Sam and Diane. Malone represents the average man, while Chambers represents class and sophistication. The show revolves around characters in a bar under "humorous adult themes" and "situations".
The original idea was a group of workers who interacted like a family, the goal being a concept similar to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The creators considered making an American version of the British Fawlty Towers, set in a hotel or an inn. When the creators settled on a bar as their setting, the show began to resemble the radio program Duffy's Tavern, originally written and cocreated by James Burrows' father Abe Burrows. They liked the idea of a tavern, as it provided a continuous stream of new people, for a variety of characters. An early concept revolved around a woman becoming the new owner of the bar and the animosity created between her and the regulars, an idea that was used later in Season 6 when the character of Rebecca Howe is introduced.
Early discussions about the location of the show centered on Barstow, California, then Kansas City, Missouri. They eventually turned to the East Coast and finally Boston. The Bull & Finch Pub in Boston, which was the model for Cheers, was chosen from a phone book. When Glen Charles asked the bar's owner, Tom Kershaw, to shoot exterior and interior photos, he agreed, charging $1. Kershaw has since gone on to make millions of dollars, licensing the pub's image and selling a variety of Cheers memorabilia. The Bull & Finch became the 42nd-busiest outlet in the American food and beverage industry in 1997. During initial casting, Shelley Long, who was in Boston at the time filming A Small Circle of Friends, remarked that the bar in the script resembled a bar she had come upon in the city, which turned out to be the Bull & Finch.
Production team
The crew of Cheers numbered in the hundreds. The three creators—James Burrows and Glen and Les Charles—kept offices on Paramount's lot for the duration of the Cheers run. The Charles Brothers remained in overall charge throughout the show's run, frequently writing major episodes, though starting with the third season they began delegating the day-to-day running of the writing staff to various showrunners. Ken Estin and Sam Simon were appointed as showrunners for the third season, and succeeded by David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee the following year. Angell, Casey and Lee would remain as showrunners until the end of the seventh season when they left to develop their own sitcom, Wings, and were replaced by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner and Phoef Sutton for the eighth through tenth seasons. For the final season, Tom Anderson and Dan O'Shannon acted as the showrunners.
James Burrows is regarded as being a factor in the show's longevity, directing 243 of the 270 episodes and supervising the show's production. Among the show's other directors were Andy Ackerman, Thomas Lofaro, Tim Berry, Tom Moore, Rick Beren, as well as cast members John Ratzenberger and George Wendt.
Craig Safan provided the series' original music for its entire run except the theme song. His extensive compositions for the show led to his winning numerous ASCAP Top TV Series awards for his music.
Casting
The character of Sam Malone was originally intended to be a retired football player and was slated to be played by Fred Dryer, but Danson was chosen in part because he was younger and had more acting experience than Dryer. After casting Ted Danson, it was decided that a former baseball player (Sam "Mayday" Malone) would be more believable than a retired football player. Dryer, however, went on to play sportscaster Dave Richards, an old friend of Sam, in three episodes. Bill Cosby was also considered early in the casting process for the role of Sam, after having been recommended by the network.
Shelley Long was recommended by various sources to the producers for the role of Diane Chambers, but Long wished to be offered the part straight out and had to be coaxed into giving an audition. When she did read for the part, according to Glen Charles, "that was it, we knew that we wanted her." Before the final decision was made, three pairs of actors were tested in front of the producers and network executives for Sam and Diane: Danson and Long, Fred Dryer and Julia Duffy, and William Devane and Lisa Eichhorn. The chemistry was so apparent between Long and Danson that it secured them the roles. Ted Danson was sent to bartending school to prepare him for the part and according to Burrows, had to learn "how to pretend that he knew a lot about sports" since Danson was not a sports fan in real life and had never been to a baseball game.
The character of Cliff Clavin was created for John Ratzenberger after he auditioned for the role of Norm Peterson, which eventually went to George Wendt. While chatting with producers afterward, he asked if they were going to include a "bar know-it-all", the part he eventually played. Alley joined the cast when Shelley Long left, and Woody Harrelson joined when Nicholas Colasanto died. Danson, Perlman and Wendt were the only actors to appear in every episode of the series; Ratzenberger appears in all but two (and his name wasn't part of the opening credit montage during the first season).
Filming styles and locations
James Burrows"On Cheers, we never did everything twice. On Cheers, we went through the scene and I only reshot jokes that didn't work or I went back and picked up shots I missed."
Most Cheers episodes were, as a voiceover stated at the start of each, "filmed before a live studio audience" on Paramount Stage 25 in Hollywood, generally on Tuesday nights. Scripts for a new episode were issued the Wednesday before for a read-through, Friday was rehearsal day, and final scripts were issued on Monday. Burrows, who directed most episodes, insisted on using film stock rather than videotape. He was also noted for using motion in his directorial style, trying to constantly keep characters moving rather than standing still. Burrows and the Charles brothers emphasized to the cast to "never assume that you're not being watched" because the camera would be focused on the actors at all times, so they had to always be reacting and "always be funny". During the first season when ratings were poor Paramount and NBC asked that the show use videotape to save money, but a poor test taping ended the experiment and Cheers continued to use film.
Due to a decision by Glen and Les Charles, the cold open was often not connected to the rest of the episode, with the lowest-ranked writers assigned to create the jokes for them. Some cold opens were taken from episodes that ran too long.
The first year of the show took place entirely within the confines of the bar, the first location outside the bar being Diane's apartment in the second year. When the series became a hit, the characters started venturing further afield, first to other sets and eventually to an occasional exterior location. The exterior location shots of the bar are of the Bull & Finch Pub, located directly north of the Boston Public Garden. The pub has become a tourist attraction because of its association with the series, and draws nearly one million visitors annually. It has since been renamed Cheers Beacon Hill; its interior is different from the TV bar. The pub itself is at 84 Beacon Street (on the corner of Brimmer Street). In August 2001, there was a replica made of the bar in Faneuil Hall to capitalize on the popularity of the show.
After the show ended, the 1,000-square-foot bar set from Cheers was offered to the Smithsonian, which turned it down because it was too large. It was displayed for a short time at the defunct Hollywood Entertainment Museum, but later returned to storage, where it remained for many years. In 2014, CBS donated the set to the Museum of Television after a years-long campaign by James Burrows and his office on behalf of the museum's founder, James Comisar. At the time of the donation, Comisar initiated a planned $100,000 restoration of the set using former conservators from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, although a site for the 10,000 item collection of the museum had not been decided upon.
Theme song
Main article: Where Everybody Knows Your NameBefore "Where Everybody Knows Your Name", written by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo, became the show's theme song, Cheers' producers rejected two of Portnoy's and Hart Angelo's songs. The songwriters had collaborated to provide music for Preppies, an unsuccessful Broadway musical. When told they could not appropriate "People Like Us", Preppies' opening song, the pair wrote another song, "My Kind of People", which resembles "People Like Us" and was intended to satirize "the lifestyle of old decadent old-money WASPs", but to meet producers' demands, they rewrote the lyrics to be about "likeable losers" in a Boston bar. The show's producers rejected this song, as well. After they read the script of the series pilot, they created another song "Another Day". When Portnoy and Hart Angelo heard that NBC had commissioned thirteen episodes, they created an official theme song "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" and rewrote the lyrics. On syndicated airings of Cheers, the theme song was shortened to make room for additional commercials.
Reception
Critical reception
Cheers was critically acclaimed in its first season, though it landed a disappointing 74th out of 96 shows in that year's ratings. This critical support, the early success at the Primetime Emmy Awards, and the support of the president of NBC's entertainment division Brandon Tartikoff, are thought to be the main reasons for the show's survival and eventual success. Tartikoff stated in 1983 that Cheers was a sophisticated adult comedy and that NBC executives "never for a second doubted" that the show would be renewed. Writer Levine believes that the most important reason was that the network recognized that it did not have other hit shows to help promote Cheers; as he later wrote, " had nothing else better to replace it with."
Writing in 2016, drama critic Chris Jones called Cheers "a hinge sitcom – one foot in classic bits and shtick not far removed from Mel Brooks and another in ambitious, Seinfeld-like absurdism." In 2013, GQ magazine held an online competition to find the best TV comedy. Cheers was voted the greatest comedy show of all time. In 2017, James Charisma of Paste magazine ranked the show's opening sequence No. 5 on a list of The 75 Best TV Title Sequences of All Time. In 2022, Rolling Stone ranked Cheers as the eighth-greatest TV show of all time. In 2023, Variety ranked Cheers #11 on its list of the 100 greatest TV shows of all time.
Ratings
Ratings improved for the summer reruns after the first season. The cast went on various talk shows to try to further promote the series after its first season. By the second season Cheers was competitive with CBS's top-rated show Simon & Simon. With the growing popularity of Family Ties, which ran in the slot ahead of Cheers from January 1984 until Family Ties was moved to Sundays in 1987, and the placement of The Cosby Show in front of both at the start of their third season (1984), the line-up became a runaway ratings success that NBC eventually dubbed "Must See Thursday". The next season, Cheers ratings increased dramatically after Woody Boyd became a regular character as well. The fifth season earned the series the highest rating for the year that it would ever achieve. Although ratings mostly declined each year after that, the show retained a competitive advantage and rose to rank number one for the year for its first and only time in the ninth season. Although ratings and ranking both lost ground in the last two seasons, it still performed well, as it was the only show on NBC during those seasons to be in the top 10. By the end of its final season, the show had a run of eight consecutive seasons in the top ten of the Nielsen ratings; seven of them were in the top five.
NBC dedicated a whole night to the final episode of Cheers, following the one-hour season finale of Seinfeld (which was its lead-in). The show began with a "pregame" show hosted by Bob Costas, followed by the final 98-minute episode itself. NBC affiliates then aired tributes to Cheers during their local newscasts, and the night concluded with a special Tonight Show broadcast live from the Bull & Finch Pub. Although the episode fell short of its hyped ratings predictions to become the most-watched television episode, it was the most watched show that year, bringing in 93 million viewers (64 percent of all viewers that night), almost 40% of the US population at the time, and ranked 11th all time in entertainment programming. The 1993 final broadcast of Cheers also emerged as the highest rated broadcast of NBC to date, as well as the most watched single episode from any television series throughout the decade 1990s on U.S. television.
The episode originally aired in the usual Cheers spot of Thursday night, and was then rebroadcast on Sunday. While the original broadcast did not outperform the M*A*S*H finale, the combined non-repeating audiences for the Thursday and Sunday showings did. Television had greatly changed between the two finales, leaving Cheers with a broader array of competition for ratings.
NBC timeslots:
- Season 1 Episodes 1–12: Thursday at 9:00 pm
- Season 1 Episode 13 – Season 2 Episode 10: Thursday at 9:30 pm
- Season 2 Episode 11 – Season 11 Episode 28: Thursday at 9:00 pm
Serialized storylines
Although not the first sitcom to do it, Cheers employed the use of end-of-season cliffhangers and, starting with the third season, the show's storylines became more serialized. The show's success helped make such multi-episode story arcs popular on sitcoms, which Les Charles regrets.
e may have been partly responsible for what's going on now, where if you miss the first episode or two, you are lost. You have to wait until you can get the whole thing on DVD and catch up with it. If that blood is on our hands, I feel kind of badly about it. It can be very frustrating."
Cheers began with a limited five-character ensemble consisting of Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, Nicholas Colasanto and George Wendt. Cheers was able to gradually phase in characters such as Cliff, Frasier, Lilith, Rebecca, and Woody. By the time season 10 began, the show had eight front characters in its roster.
Awards and honors
For a more comprehensive list, see List of awards and nominations received by Cheers.Over its eleven-season run, the Cheers cast and crew earned many awards. The show garnered a record 111 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with a total of 28 wins. In addition, Cheers earned 31 Golden Globe nominations, with a total of six wins. Danson, Long, Alley, Perlman, Wendt, Ratzenberger, Harrelson, Grammer, Neuwirth, and Colasanto all received Emmy nominations for their roles. Cheers won the Golden Globe Award for "Best TV-Series – Comedy/Musical" in 1991 and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1983, 1984, 1989, and 1991. The series was presented with the "Legend Award" at the 2006 TV Land Awards, with many of the surviving cast members attending the event.
The following are awards that have been earned by the Cheers cast and crew over its 11-season run:
Winner | Award | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Emmy | Year | Golden Globe | Year | |
Kirstie Alley | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | 1991 | Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical | 1991 |
Ted Danson | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | 1990 1993 |
Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical | 1990 1991 |
Woody Harrelson | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | 1989 | — | |
Shelley Long | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series | 1983 | Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical | 1985 |
— | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture Made for TV | 1983 | ||
Bebe Neuwirth | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | 1990 1991 |
— | |
Rhea Perlman | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | 1984 1985 1986 1989 | ||
John Cleese | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | 1987 | ||
Production Awards | Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series | 1983 1991 | ||
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series | 1983 1984 | |||
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Graphic Design and Title Sequences | 1983 | |||
Outstanding Film Editing for a Series | 1984 | |||
Outstanding Editing for a Series – Multi-Camera Production | 1988 1993 | |||
Outstanding Live and Tape Sound Mixing and Sound Effects for a Series | 1985 | |||
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy Series or Special | 1986 1987 1990 |
Distribution
Syndication
Cheers grew in popularity as it aired on American television and entered off-network syndication in 1987, initially distributed by Paramount Domestic Television. When the show went off the air in 1993, Cheers was syndicated in 38 countries, with 179 American television markets and 83 million viewers. When the quality of some earlier footage of Cheers began to deteriorate, it underwent a careful restoration in 2001. The series aired on Nick at Nite from 2001 to 2004 and on TV Land from 2004 to 2008, with Nick at Nite airing week-long Cheers "Everybody Knows Your Name" marathons. The show was removed from the lineup in 2004. The series began airing on Hallmark Channel in the United States in October 2008, and WGN America in 2009. In January 2011, Reelz Channel began airing the series in hour-long blocks. MeTV began airing Cheers weeknights in 2010. USA Network has aired the series on Sunday early mornings and weekday mornings to allow it to show extended-length films of 2+1⁄2 hours and maintain symmetric schedules.
In 2011, Cheers was made available on the Netflix and Amazon Prime Video streaming services.
Cheers began airing on Eleven (a digital channel of Network Ten) in Australia on January 11, 2011. NCRV in the Netherlands aired all 275 episodes in sequence, once per night, repeating the series a total of three times.
In Italy, it has previously aired on Italia 1 & Canale 5 as Cin Cin from 1985 until 1995.
Cheers was first screened in the UK on Channel 4, and was one of the then-fledgling network's first imports. As of 2012, Cheers has been repeated on UK satellite channel CBS Drama. It has also been shown on the UK free-to-air channel ITV4, with two episodes every weeknight. On March 16, 2015, the series began airing on UK subscription channel Gold on weekdays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Cheers aired again daily in 2019 on Channel 4.
High definition
A high-definition transfer of Cheers began running on HDNet in the United States in August 2010. The program was originally shot on film (but transferred to and edited on videotape) and broadcast in a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Home media
Paramount Home Entertainment and (from 2006 onward) CBS Home Entertainment have released all 11 seasons of Cheers on DVD in Region 1, Region 2, and Region 4. In the US, some episodes from the final three seasons appear on the DVDs with music substitutions. For example, in the episode "Grease", "I Fought the Law" was replaced even though its removal affects the comedic value of the scenes in which it was originally heard. The finale episode (73 minutes long without commercials) is presented in its three-part syndicated cut. The series is also available in high-definition Blu-ray.
On March 6, 2012, CBS released Fan Favorites: The Best of Cheers. Based on the 2012 Facebook poll, the selected episodes are:
- "Give Me a Ring Sometime" (season 1, episode 1)
- "Diane's Perfect Date" (season 1, episode 17)
- "Pick a Con, Any Con" (season 1, episode 19)
- "Abnormal Psychology" (season 5, episode 4)
- "Thanksgiving Orphans" (season 5, episode 9)
- "Dinner at Eight-ish" (season 5, episode 20)
- "Simon Says" (season 5, episode 21)
- "An Old-Fashioned Wedding", parts one and two (season 10, episodes 25)
On May 5, 2015, CBS DVD released Cheers – The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.
Digital media distribution
The complete 11 seasons of Cheers are available through the iTunes Store, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock and Hulu in high definition. In Canada, all seasons are available on streaming service Crave.
The entire series was available in the UK on All 4.
Licensing
The series lent itself naturally to the development of Cheers bar-related merchandise, culminating in the development of a chain of Cheers themed pubs. Paramount's licensing group, led by Tom McGrath, developed the Cheers pub concept initially in partnership with Host Marriott, which placed Cheers themed pubs in over 15 airports around the world. Boston boasts the original Cheers bar, historically known to Boston insiders as the Bull and Finch; a Cheers restaurant in the Faneuil Hall marketplace; and Sam's Place, a spin-off sports bar concept also located in Faneuil Hall. In 1997, Europe's first officially licensed Cheers bar opened in London's Regent's Street W1. Like Cheers Faneuil Hall, Cheers London is a replica of the set. The gala opening was attended by James Burrows and cast members George Wendt and John Ratzenberger. The Cheers bar in London closed on December 31, 2008. The actual bar set had been on display at the Hollywood Entertainment Museum until the museum's closing in early 2006.
The theme song to the show was eventually licensed to a Canadian restaurant, Kelsey's Neighbourhood Bar & Grill.
CBS currently holds the rights to the Cheers franchise as a result of the 2005 Viacom split which saw Paramount transfer its entire television studio to CBS (both CBS and Viacom would reunite in 2019).
Spin-offs
Some of the actors and actresses from Cheers brought their characters onto other television shows, either in a guest appearance or on a new spin-off series. The most successful Cheers spin-off was Frasier, which featured Frasier Crane following his relocation back to Seattle, Washington. Sam, Diane, and Woody all individually appeared in Frasier episodes, with Lilith appearing as a guest on multiple episodes. In the season nine episode "Cheerful Goodbyes", Frasier returns to Boston and meets up with the Cheers gang, later attending Cliff's retirement party. Frasier was revived in 2023, moving back to Boston like Cheers.
Although Frasier was more successful, The Tortellis was the first series to spin off from Cheers, premiering in 1987. The show featured Carla's ex-husband Nick Tortelli and his wife Loretta, but was canceled after 13 episodes and drew protests for its stereotypical depictions of Italian Americans.
Crossovers
In addition to direct spin-offs, several Cheers characters had guest appearance crossovers with other shows, including Wings and St. Elsewhere (episode "Cheers"). Cheers has also been spoofed or referenced in other media, including The Simpsons (spoofing the title sequence and theme song in "Flaming Moe's"; actually visiting the place with vocal role reprises of the majority of the principal cast in "Fear of Flying"), Scrubs (episode "My Life in Four Cameras"), and the 2012 comedy film Ted.
The eighth-anniversary special of Late Night with David Letterman, airing in 1990, begins with a scene at Cheers in which the bar's TV gets stuck on NBC and all the bar patrons decide to go home instead of staying to watch David Letterman. The scene was re-used to open Letterman's final episode in 1993. A similar scene aired in the Super Bowl XVII Pregame Show on NBC, in which the characters briefly discuss the upcoming game.
In 2019, members of the Cheers cast, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger and Kirstie Alley reprised their characters in an episode of The Goldbergs where they play customers of Geoff's short-lived food delivery business.
In the 2010 show Adventure Time, the show Cheers is referenced a few times, usually by Ice King/Simon because it was his favorite show back when he was a human living in the 20th century. This is explored in greater detail in the 2023 spin-off series Fionna and Cake, which is partially set within the mind of Simon. All televisions in that world simply play an animated rendition of Cheers reruns on every channel, and the characters sometimes sing the theme song in difficult moments. The season finale of the show is simply entitled "Cheers".
Cultural references
In Australia, Cheers is remembered for its role in the infamous cancellation of the 1992 Nine Network special Australia's Naughtiest Home Videos. Due to the then-owner of Nine Network Kerry Packer's objections to its content, Australia's Naughtiest Home Videos was pulled off the air during its first and only broadcast; viewers saw the network abruptly begin airing a rerun of Cheers midway through the special, either after a scheduled commercial break or a Nine Network bumper claiming a technical problem. Nine Network's affiliate in Perth didn't air the special at all and filled its timeslot with two episodes of Cheers. When the program was re-aired in its entirety in 2008, it abruptly cut away to the opening of Cheers midway through in a reenactment of the incident before resuming the second half that didn't get aired.
In an issue of X-Force, Vanessa Carlysle and her friend Tina Valentino go to a bar in Boston called Cheers with patrons bearing a striking resemblance to Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin, and flirt with a bartender named Sam who looks exactly like Sam Malone.
In the Cheers episode "Woody For Hire, Norman Meets the Apes" Woody shows and tells everyone how he was an extra on Boston based drama Spenser: For Hire. In the season 4 episode of Seinfeld titled "The Pitch", Jerry and George are presenting their idea for a sitcom to NBC executives. George is unhappy with their offer and feels that he deserves the same salary as Ted Danson which he claims was $800,000 per episode, being that Cheers is also an NBC show. Danson's reported salary was actually $250,000 per episode. At this point Cheers was in its 10th season and Ted Danson had won an Emmy and a Golden Globe the year before. In another Seinfeld episode, The Trip, George runs into George Wendt (portraying himself) while backstage on the set of The Tonight Show and annoys him by suggesting that the series change its setting from a bar to a rec room or community center.
In the seventh episode of the second season of How I Met Your Mother, a coffee shop barista mistakenly hears Barney's name as "Swarley" and writes it on his cup. This leads to a running gag in which everyone mercilessly refers to Barney as "Swarley" despite his protests, which culminates in everyone in McClaren's bar shouting "Swarley" when he enters and playing the Cheers theme song. The credits are then shown in the "Cheers" style. In the season seven episode, In Tailgate, Ted and Barney are outraged with the price to get into MacLaren's on New Year's Eve, so they offer for everyone to come upstairs. In the apartment, there is a puzzles sign that is designed to parody Cheers. Ted and Barney employ Kevin as their bartender, and they invent a theme song which also parodies the Cheers theme song.
In the 2004 video game Tony Hawk's Underground 2, "Jeers" is set in Boston, with the typeface referencing the Cheers logo. It is located down a set of stairs, and when near the front door, there is bar chatter coming from inside.
In the 2015 video game Fallout 4, which is set in Boston, there is a bar named Prost Bar near Boston Common that, when entered, is an almost exact replica of the bar featured on the series. It includes two dead bodies sitting at the end of the bar, with one of them wearing a mail carrier's uniform, a direct reference to regular barfly Cliff Clavin.
In the season 2 finale of the NBC sitcom The Good Place, Ted Danson's character Michael appears as a bartender while wearing a blue plaid button-down, in a clear homage to Danson's character in Cheers.
Remake
In September 2011, Plural Entertainment debuted a remake of the series on Spanish television, also titled Cheers. Set at an Irish pub, it starred Alberto San Juan as Nicolás "Nico" Arnedo, the equivalent of Sam Malone on the original series. It also used the original theme song, rerecorded in Spanish by Dani Martín, under the title "Donde la gente se divierte."
In December 2012, The Irish Film and Television Network announced that casting was underway on an Irish-language version of Cheers produced by production company Sideline. The new show, tentatively titled Teach Seán, would air on Ireland's TG4 and features a main character who, like Sam Malone, is a bar owner, a retired athlete, and a recovering alcoholic. However, because of being set in Ireland, the barman is a "former hurling star" rather than an ex-baseball player. As of August 2019, the Irish remake has not occurred.
Cheers: Live on Stage
On September 9, 2016, a stage adaptation called Cheers: Live on Stage opened at the Shubert Theatre in Boston. Comprising pieces of the original TV series, the play was adapted by Erik Forrest Jackson. It was produced by Troika/Stageworks. The director was Matt Lenz. It starred Grayson Powell as Sam Malone, Jillian Louis as Diane Chambers, Barry Pearl as Ernie "Coach" Pantusso, Sarah Sirotta as Carla Tortelli, Paul Vogt as Norm Peterson, and Buzz Roddy as Cliff Clavin. The production was scheduled to tour through 2017, but was cancelled in 2016.
See also
- Early Doors (2003)
- Park Street Under (1979)
Notes
- Ratzenberger joined the main cast in season two after frequently appearing in his recurring role in season one.
- Only Kirstie Alley was introduced in season six, while the rest of the cast appeared in prior seasons.
- In season 11, Neuwirth only made limited appearances, but was credited as a main cast member for the episodes in which she appeared.
- Tied with Goodnight, Beantown.
- Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie.
- The article, "Cheers Finale Most-Watched Show of Season," from May 22, 1993, edition of Rocky Mountain News said that the share of viewing audience was 62. The 2009 article, "The gang gathers for one last round," by Hal Boedeker, claims that the finale drew over 80 million viewers in 1993.
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- "How I Met Your Mother: "Tailgate"". The A.V. Club. January 3, 2012. Archived from the original on April 1, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- "There's a Pretty Great Cheers Easter Egg in Fallout 4". November 11, 2015. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
- Ivie, Devon. "The Good Place Finally Gave Ted Danson His Cheers Moment". Vulture. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
- "Irish TV channel to remake 'Cheers'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
- "Cheers Live On Stage". Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- Newmark, Judith (October 12, 2016). "'Cheers Live On Stage' tour is canceled". stltoday.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
Bibliography
- Bjorklund, Dennis A. (1997). Toasting Cheers: An Episode Guide to the 1982–1993 Comedy Series, with cast biographies and character profiles. McFarland & Company, Inc., Jefferson, North Carolina. ISBN 978-0-89950-962-4.
- Jones, Gerald (1992). Honey, I'm Home! Sitcoms: Selling the American Dream. New York: Grove Weidenfeld—Grove Press. ISBN 978-0-8021-1308-5.
- Wendt, George (2009). Drinking with George. New York: Simon Spotlight Entertainment. ISBN 978-1-4391-4958-4.
Further reading
- Andrews, Bart; Blythe, Cheryl (1987). Cheers : the official scrapbook. New York, N.Y.: New American Library. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-451-82160-7.
- Carter, Bill (April 29, 1990). "The Tonic That Keeps 'Cheers' Bubbling Along". The New York Times. p. 6.
- Carter, Bill (May 9, 1993). "Why 'Cheers' Proved So Intoxicating". The New York Times. p. 6.
- Darowski, Joseph J.; Darowski, Kate (2019) Cheers: A Cultural History. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
- Fallows, Randall (September 1, 2000). "The Enneagram of Cheers: Where Everybody Knows Your Number". The Journal of Popular Culture. 34 (2): 169–179. doi:10.1111/j.0022-3840.2000.3402_169.x.
- Hundley, Heather L. (June 1, 1995). "The naturalization of beer in Cheers". Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media. 39 (3): 350–359. doi:10.1080/08838159509364311.
- "'Cheers' - the TV Series". h2g2. July 4, 2003. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
- Bird, J.B. (2005). "Cheers". In Horace Newcomb (ed.). Encyclopedia of television (2nd ed.). New York: Fitzroy Dearborn. pp. 497–499. ISBN 978-1-57958-394-1.
- Snauffer, Douglas (2008). The Show Must Go On: How the Deaths of Lead Actors Have Affected Television Series. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-3295-0.
- "Cheers". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
- Tom Pendergast, Sara Pendergast, ed. (1999). St. James encyclopedia of popular culture (1st ed.). Farmington Hills, MI: St. James Press. p. 488. ISBN 978-1-55862-400-9.
External links
- Official website
- Cheers at IMDb
- Cheers at epguides.com
- Cheers at Museum of Broadcast Communications
- Cheers Boston, an official website of a bar that tributes to and is also a production set of Cheers
- Cheers Bruchsal Bar in Bruchsal cheersbruchsal.de
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