The show was really the beginning of NBC's 'Must See TV' campaign, although it is a miracle the show survived it's first season. It was one of the lowest rated shows its first year, but someone thought it was worth another go. Eventually it would be the number one show on television. I really think it was when the Sam/Diane storyline really got going, as well as the introduction of Woody and Frasier, which took the show to the next level. In the end, it was great writing, great acting, and the appeal of the everyman bar, which drove it's ratings gold.
Having grown up in Rhode Island, the New England characters, much like Newhart, are spot on. It was a welcome show for my family, as we had moved back to Minnesota by then. Watching Cheers was a weekly reminder of why we loved Boston.
The show also has the greatest line ever in a sitcom. Late in the shows run, after the bar had caught on fire, the stuffy manager of the restaurant upstairs comes down and surveys the damage. After looking around he says, "oh good, you monkeys have discovered fire." HA!
I'm a particular fan of this episode, the Thanksgiving episode from 1986. This is a cast and a crew knowing they can push the boundaries, so having a full fledged food fight on the set was greenlit. One last bit of turkey day delight for you to digest!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please feel free to leave a comment. I'll review it and as long as it's not dirty, I'll post it (even if you disagree with me).