20. Actor John Ratzenberger Ad Libbed The Facts His Character Cliff Said
The hit sitcom Cheers ran for an impressive 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. The show racked up a huge fan following during this time and is still known as a hit today.
We found 20 interesting facts and behind-the-scenes secrets from the beloved show that all Cheers fans will love to learn.
19. It Was Almost Cancelled After Season One
Ratzenberger improvised the random and untrue facts know-it-all Cliff would constantly say.
Imagine if the subsequent 10 seasons never happened.
18. The Character Of "Sam Malone" Was Supposed To Be Football Player Fred Dryer
Luckily, the president of NBC in 1982 decided to give the show another chance after it ranked 77/100 after first season, according to Nielsen.
Fred was a former NFL player, who went on to get the role of Hunter in Cheers.
17. The Voice Of Norm’s Wife Is George Wendt's Actual Wife, Bernadette Burkett
When Ted Danson was cast as Sam instead, they changed the character's former sport to baseball based on Ted's physique.
16. Ted Danson Actually Attended Bartending Classes For The Role
Actor George Wendt’s real wife “plays” the voice of Vera, his wife in the show.
Ted Danson attended two weeks of bartending training in Burbank, Calif.
15. The Show’s Bar Talk Came From Conversations The Creators Overheard In Los Angeles Bars
for the role of Sam.
14. Show Writers Earned A GLAAD Media Award For “The Boys in the Bar” Episode
In order to make the “bar talk” seem legitimate, the creators would eavesdrop into conversations they heard at Los Angeles area bars.
13. Several Episodes Were Never Filmed, Including One About An HIV Scare For Sam
“The Boys in the Bar” episode featured one of Sam’s former teammates coming out as gay, a topic that was considered a bit taboo in late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
When the Writers Guild of America went on strike in 1988, several planned episodes of Cheers got the axe.
12. Actor Jay Thomas' Character Was Killed Off The Show For Comments Her Made About Rhea Perlman
One episode included a cliffhanger in which Sam learns an ex-girlfriend is HIV positive.
Jay Thomas, who played Rhea’s husband on the show, was also a radio host when not acting. When a caller asked what it was like to be on Cheers, Thomas said “It’s brutal.
11. Ted Danson Wore A Wig To Play His Character, Who Was Obsessed With Hair
I have to kiss Rhea Perlman.” His character was killed off soon after.
10. People Would Constantly Complain About The Volume Of The Audience’s Laughter
While not bald, actor Ted Danson needed to give his own hair a little volume in order to play the part of Sam.
Viewers would complain about the laugh tack being too loud, but there was no laugh track.
9. Frasier Crane Was Supposed To Be A Temporary Role
The show added a disclaimer at the beginning in response to this: “Cheers was filmed before a live studio audience.”
Kelsey Grammer’s character became a show regular after gaining popularity with audiences, but the role of Frasier was meant to be short-lived.
8. Frasier’s Dad Was Dead In Cheers, But Was Alive And Well In The Spinoff Series
In fact, Grammer played the role for 20 years following the character's debut in the third season of Cheers.
7. Character Norm Peterson Was Based On A Real Person
Kelsey Grammer's character Frasier mentioned his father was deceased while filming Cheers, however the his father was a main fixture in the spinoff series.
Cheers co-creator Les Charles said he knew a guy like Norm when he worked at a bar and based this character on him.
6. Actor John Ratzenberger Made Up The Role Of Cliff
He said the guy would come in for “just one beer” and would stay until he needed help out of the place every night.
John Ratzenberger originally auditioned for the role of Norm, but lost out to actor George Wendt.
5. Kirstie Alley Is The Only Main Cheers Character To Not Make An Appearance On The Frasier Spinoff
However, Ratzenberger pitched the idea of a "bar-know-it-all," and thus Cliff Clavin came to be.
4. Actor John Lithgow Turned Down The Role Of Frasier
It’s said a show about a psychiatrist conflicted with her beliefs as a Scientologist.
3. An Episode Was Filmed Strictly For The Purpose Of Promoting U.S. Savings Bonds
John Lithgow states turning down the role of Frasier was like "swatting a fly away" as he had no interest in working on a series.
The United States treasury contracted the creators to film a short episode promoting savings bonds.
2. Character Norm Was Supposed To Be Only A Small Role
Titled “Uncle Sam Malone,” the episode only aired at savings bonds drives.
Character Norm, originally to be named "George," was meant to be a minor role.
It gained more traction when George Wendt was cast for the role, which was also why they changed the character's name.