Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: FRIDAY, May 21, 1993 TAG: 9305210261 SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: FRAZIER MOORE ASSOCIATED PRESS DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
The airing of episode No. 275, and weeks of hoopla leading up to it, likely brought to a close a dynasty of great and timeless sitcoms that began with "I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners" four decades ago.
In the unruly new TV world where scores of channels scrap for the viewer's affection, no broadcast series may ever again win the wide and long-term favor "Cheers" enjoys.
And its departure from NBC finishes off that network's Thursday murderers' row, a legendary lineup that included "Cosby," "Family Ties," "Night Court" and "Hill Street Blues."
"This feels like a change of life," said New York musician Gary Portnoy. A self-described "Cheers" junkie, the man who co-wrote and sang the "Cheers" theme was bracing himself for the show's farewell broadcast.
He wasn't alone. An estimated 40 percent tuned in the finale, which capped 11 seasons of misadventures and wisecracks at a communal Boston watering hole.
Seldom has a TV series enjoyed more success than "Cheers."
And seldom has the audience taken so long to wet its whistle.
Premiering in September 1982, Sam Malone was Every Ballplayer and Cheers was Every Bar. B9 "Cheers" finished last in the ratings its first season - and took eight years to reach the top. It has been at or near it every since, snagging a record 111 Emmy nominations in the process.
Of course, after Thursday's episode, neither woman-crazy barkeep Sam, his lippy waitress Carla, primo barfly Norm, nor the rest of the show's glorious losers would actually uproot themselves from the place where everybody's glad they came.
They'll just do it all again and again. (Already, reruns air daily on 197 U.S. stations and in 37 countries.)
But as time drew near for "Cheers" to cut off its fans from any new episodes, sentiment flowed like beer at Happy Hour. Suspense was added to the brew: The concluding few minutes were filmed without a studio audience. All most viewers knew was that long-ago girlfriend Diane (Shelley Long, who left in 1987) would return to rekindle her romance with Sam.
Now that the ride is coming to an end, Ted Danson (who starred as Sam) will stick to the big screen. His comedy "Made in America" will open soon.
Woody Harrelson (naive Woody) already has hit it big in "Indecent Proposal," and next will film Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers."
Kirstie Alley (gold-digging Rebecca) is filming "Look Who's Talking 3."
Shelley Long (Diane) will be back in the fall on her new CBS sitcom, "Good Advice."
Kelsey Grammer (the pompous psychiatrist Frasier) will reprise his role in a spinoff, "Frasier," on NBC Thursday nights next fall.
John Ratzenberger (blustery mailman Cliff) will star in "Locals," a sitcom likely to make the Fox network's fall schedule.
George Wendt (Norm) is appearing in an off-Broadway play. He may be back in an NBC sitcom next season.
Rhea Perlman (Carla) is taking a break.
The laughs may never stop.
by CNB