Cheers (TV series)
"Cheers" is an iconic American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 30, 1982, to May 20, 1993. Set in a Boston bar, the series revolves around Sam Malone, an ex-relief pitcher and recovering alcoholic, who runs the establishment. The show features a diverse ensemble cast, including the witty waitress Diane Chambers, the sarcastic Carla, and the lovable bartender Coach, among others. Initially facing low ratings, "Cheers" gained popularity due to its clever writing, character development, and engaging romantic subplot between Sam and Diane.
Over its eleven-season run, the show was known for its humor and unique narrative style, employing flashbacks and cliffhangers, which were uncommon for sitcoms of the time. "Cheers" tackled themes of love, friendship, and the everyday lives of its working-class characters, though it did so with a comedic lens that often sidestepped serious social issues. The series received critical acclaim, amassing 117 Emmy nominations and winning 28, solidifying its place in television history. Following its conclusion, Kelsey Grammer, who played Frasier Crane, starred in the successful spin-off "Frasier," further extending the legacy of the "Cheers" universe.
Cheers (TV series)
Identification Television comedy series
Date Aired from September 30, 1982, to May 20, 1993
Cheers was one of the most awarded serial situation comedies of the 1980’s and by the end of its run became NBC’s longest-running sitcom.
Cheers centered on an ex-relief pitcher and recovering alcoholic, Sam Malone (played by Ted Danson), who ran a neighborhood bar in Boston. It featured an ensemble cast playing a quirky assortment of patrons and employees, who included female love interest and waitress Diane Chambers (Shelley Long), acerbic waitress Carla (Rhea Perlman), and bartender Coach (Nicholas Colasanto). The patrons Norm (George Wendt) and Cliff (John Ratzenberger) were featured in running gags throughout the run of the show. The series was created by Glen Charles, James Burrows, and Les Charles, each of whom had a hand in both Taxi and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, also critically acclaimed sitcoms.
Cheers was first aired by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) on September 30, 1982. The show initially had low ratings and was almost canceled in its first season. Network executives gave the show another chance, however, and by 1984 it was at the top of the ratings thanks to quality writing, character development, and the excellent performance of the cast. The show kept viewer interest with a romantic subplot between Sam and Diane for the first five seasons, until Shelley Long left the show and was replaced by Kirstie Alley, who played Rebecca Howe. Other cast changes included the addition of a new bartender, Woody (Woody Harrelson) after the unexpected death of Nicholas Colasanto and the addition of patron Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) in season three.
The show ranked among the top ten shows in the weekly Nielsen ratings for seven of its eleven seasons and often earned the number-one spot in a given week. Cheers used flashbacks and referred to previous episodes to establish a serial nature that gave it a soap-opera feel at times. It also employed season-ending cliffhangers, which was rare for sitcoms at the time. The show was also somewhat unconventional for the 1980’s, since it was far from politically correct; Sam was a womanizer, Rebecca was searching desperately for a rich husband, and much of the show focused on drinking. It tended to focus on pure comedy and to avoid social issues of the time, even though most of the characters were working class. Those serious moments that did crop up were quickly dismissed with one-liners.
Impact
Through a combination of a quirky ensemble of characters, story lines that exploited romantic tensions, and witty dialogue, and by eschewing the political correctness of the time, Cheers became one of the 1980’s most watched and industry-awarded situation comedies.
Subsequent Events
The show’s last episode aired on May 20, 1993, making it NBC’s longest-running series at the time. The episode also received the second-best Nielsen rating of all time for an episodic program. Over its run, the series was nominated for 117 Emmys and had 28 wins. After its demise, Kelsey Grammer went on to star in a spin-off sitcom, Frasier (1993-2004), which achieved equal success, dominating the Emmy Awards during much of the 1990’s.
Bibliography
Thompson, Robert. Television’s Second Golden Age: From “Hill Street Blues” to “ER.” Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 1997.
Waldren, Vince. Classic Sitcoms: A Celebration of the Best in Prime-Time Comedy. Los Angeles: Silman-James Press, 1997.