Cheers

Cheers
source
Title	Cheers
Genre	Sitcom
Creator	James Burrows, Glen Charles, Les Charles
Starring	Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Nicholas Colasanto, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Kirstie Alley, Bebe Neuwirth
Country	United States
Language	English
Num seasons	11
Num episodes	275
Network	NBC
Runtime	22–24 minutes

Cheers is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from 1982 to 1993. Created by James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles, the series is set in a Boston bar and explores the lives of its staff and regular patrons. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential sitcoms in television history, winning 28 Primetime Emmy Awards during its run. The show's success spawned the highly popular spin-off series Frasier.

Overview

The series premiered on September 30, 1982, and concluded after 11 seasons on May 20, 1993, with a finale watched by over 80 million viewers. It consistently ranked in the top ten of the Nielsen ratings in its later seasons after a slow initial start. The show's narrative blended workplace comedy with ensemble cast dynamics, focusing on the romantic and professional tensions within the bar. Its enduring theme song, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," performed by Gary Portnoy, became an iconic piece of television music.

Premise and setting

The primary setting is Cheers, a pub located at the fictional address of 112½ Beacon Street in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The bar serves as a refuge and community center for its eclectic group of regulars, providing the backdrop for character-driven stories. The basement office of psychiatrist Frasier Crane became a significant secondary location in later seasons. The show's setting was inspired by the Bull & Finch Pub, a real Boston establishment that later capitalized on the show's fame.

Cast and characters

The ensemble was led by Ted Danson as the womanizing former pitcher and bar owner Sam Malone. Shelley Long played the educated and uptight waitress Diane Chambers, whose on-again, off-again relationship with Sam defined the early seasons. The bar staff included the sharp-tongued waitress Carla Tortelli (Rhea Perlman), the know-it-all mailman Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger), and the affable accountant Norm Peterson (George Wendt). After departures and additions, the cast later featured Kirstie Alley as manager Rebecca Howe and Woody Harrelson as naive bartender Woody Boyd. Kelsey Grammer joined as Frasier Crane, and Bebe Neuwirth earned acclaim as Lilith Sternin.

Production and development

The series was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions in association with Paramount Television. Key creative forces included directors James Burrows and Andy Ackerman, and writers like David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee. The show famously struggled in the ratings for its first several seasons, but was kept on the air due to critical acclaim and the support of NBC executive Brandon Tartikoff. Major cast changes, such as the departure of Shelley Long and the introduction of Kirstie Alley, were seamlessly integrated into the storylines.

Reception and legacy

*Cheers* received widespread critical praise for its sharp writing, character development, and ensemble performances. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1983, 1984, 1989, and 1991. Actors including Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, and Kelsey Grammer won Emmy Awards for their roles. The series finale, "One for the Road," was a major television event. The show consistently appears on lists of the best TV shows ever by publications like TV Guide and the American Film Institute.

Cultural impact

The series left a profound mark on American popular culture, introducing phrases like "Norm!" into the lexicon. The real-life Bull & Finch Pub was renamed the Cheers Beacon Hill and became a tourist attraction. The success of *Cheers* directly led to the creation of Frasier, one of the most successful spin-offs in history, which itself won multiple Emmy Awards. The show's structure and emphasis on a central gathering place influenced countless subsequent sitcoms, including Friends and How I Met Your Mother.

Category:American television series Category:1980s American television series Category:1990s American television series