From Sam Malone To Frasier: The Definitive Timeline Of When *Cheers* Was On TV And Its Enduring Legacy

The iconic sitcom *Cheers* aired for eleven highly-successful seasons on NBC, beginning on September 30, 1982, and concluding with its emotional series finale on May 20, 1993. This 11-year run cemented its place as one of the most beloved and influential television comedies in history, defining the "must-see TV" era of the 1980s and early 1990s. As of the current date in December 2025, the show's legacy continues to resonate, not only through endless syndication but also through its legendary spin-off, *Frasier*, which itself saw a recent revival.

The premise was simple yet brilliant: a group of lovable regulars and employees gathering at a Boston bar "where everybody knows your name." The show’s journey from a low-rated premiere to a cultural phenomenon is a fascinating story of creative genius, dynamic cast chemistry, and masterful writing that blended screwball comedy with genuine heart, creating a television institution that remains relevant decades later. The show averaged around 25 episodes per season, totaling 275 original episodes over its run.

The Complete *Cheers* Broadcast Timeline and Key Cast Biography

The original run of *Cheers* spanned more than a decade, navigating major cast changes, evolving character dynamics, and a dramatic shift in its tone. It consistently ranked in the top 10 of the year-end Nielsen ratings for seven of its eleven seasons.

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• Premiere Date: September 30, 1982
• Finale Date: May 20, 1993
• Total Seasons: 11
• Total Episodes: 275
• Network: NBC (National Broadcasting Company)
• Creators: Glen Charles, Les Charles, and James Burrows
• Setting: A fictional bar in Boston, Massachusetts, based on the real-life Bull & Finch Pub.

The Core Cast: Then and Now (2025 Update)

The ensemble cast was the heart of *Cheers*, featuring a mix of established and rising stars. Their collective talent earned the show an incredible 28 Primetime Emmy Awards out of 117 nominations.

• Ted Danson as Sam Malone: The charming, womanizing ex-Red Sox pitcher and bar owner.
  • 2025 Update: Danson remains highly active, starring in hit shows like *The Good Place* and *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation*. He is one of Hollywood's most enduring and respected actors.
• Shelley Long as Diane Chambers: The pretentious, intellectual waitress and Sam's primary love interest. She departed after Season 5.
  • 2025 Update: Long has continued to act in film and television, often reprising her comedic roles. Her departure was a major turning point for the show.
• Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe: The high-strung, ambitious, and later-lovable manager who replaced Diane. She joined in Season 6.
  • 2025 Update: Alley passed away in December 2022, but her impact on the show's second half is undeniable, providing a new, high-energy dynamic.
• Rhea Perlman as Carla Tortelli: The sassy, cynical, and fiercely loyal waitress.
  • 2025 Update: Perlman is still working steadily, appearing in recent projects and maintaining a strong career in both comedy and drama.
• George Wendt as Norm Peterson: The ultimate bar regular, whose entrance was always greeted with a booming "Norm!"
  • 2025 Update: Wendt continues to make guest appearances and stage performances, celebrating the enduring popularity of his iconic character.
• John Ratzenberger as Cliff Clavin: The know-it-all mailman and Norm’s best friend.
  • 2025 Update: Ratzenberger is also known for his voice work, particularly for Pixar films, and continues to be a fixture at fan conventions.
• Nicholas Colasanto as Ernie "Coach" Pantusso: The kind-hearted, dim-witted former baseball coach. He passed away during the show's run.
  • 2025 Update: Colasanto passed away in 1985 after Season 3. His character's death was handled sensitively on the show, leading to the introduction of Woody Harrelson.
• Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd: The naive but sweet bartender who replaced Coach. He joined in Season 4.
  • 2025 Update: Harrelson has become an Oscar-nominated, A-list movie star, with a prolific career in major films, representing one of the show's biggest breakout successes.
• Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane: The intellectual psychiatrist who became a regular. He joined in Season 3.
  • 2025 Update: Grammer successfully launched the spin-off *Frasier* and continues the character's legacy with the 2023 Paramount+ revival.

The Rocky Start and Unstoppable Rise to Cultural Phenomenon

It is a little-known fact that *Cheers* was nearly canceled after its first season. The show premiered in 1982 with abysmal ratings, ranking 74th out of 77 shows in its debut week. The network, NBC, showed unusual patience, largely due to the show's critical acclaim and the fact that its creative team—Charles, Charles, and Burrows—were highly respected. This patience paid off handsomely.

The show's fortunes began to change in Season 2 when it was paired with *The Cosby Show* on Thursday nights, eventually leading to NBC's dominance of the Thursday night lineup, famously dubbed "Must-See TV." By Season 3, *Cheers* was a top 20 hit, and it became a top 10 staple for the rest of its run. The dramatic tension between Sam Malone and Diane Chambers (the "will they/won't they" dynamic) became a television gold standard, influencing countless romantic comedies that followed.

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The show’s success proved that a character-driven show with a single-set location could sustain a massive audience. It was a masterclass in ensemble writing, where every character, from the main leads to the beloved minor characters like Cliff, Norm, and Lilith Sternin (played by Bebe Neuwirth), had a fully realized, hilarious, and often poignant storyline.

The Enduring Legacy: *Frasier* and Influence on Modern Sitcoms

The impact of *Cheers* on the modern television landscape cannot be overstated. It is widely considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, and its influence can be seen in the structure and tone of almost every "hangout" comedy that followed, from *Seinfeld* to *Friends* and beyond.

The Birth of *Frasier*

Perhaps the most significant part of the *Cheers* legacy is the creation of its spin-off, *Frasier*. When *Cheers* concluded in 1993, Kelsey Grammer's character, Dr. Frasier Crane, was the only one to receive a spin-off. The transition was unprecedentedly successful. The new show followed Frasier as he moved from Boston back to his hometown of Seattle, becoming a radio psychiatrist. *Frasier* ran for another eleven seasons (1993–2004), matching the run of its predecessor and winning even more Emmy Awards (37 in total) than *Cheers*.

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The success of *Frasier*—and its 2023 reboot—is a testament to the depth of the character development on *Cheers*. The creators were able to take a secondary character and build an entirely new, equally beloved, and critically acclaimed universe around him. This established a blueprint for successful television spin-offs for decades.

Cultural Catchphrases and Themes

Beyond its spin-off, *Cheers* left several indelible marks on popular culture. The simple, repeated shout of "Norm!" whenever Norm Peterson entered the bar became a universal cultural catchphrase. The show also subtly tackled complex issues for its time, including Sam's alcoholism, the dynamics of psychiatry, and the complexities of gender roles and sexism through the Sam and Diane relationship.

The series finale, "One for the Road," which aired on May 20, 1993, was a massive television event, drawing an estimated 93 million viewers and becoming one of the most-watched finales in history. The ending, which saw Sam and Diane briefly reconnecting before Sam ultimately chose the bar—his true love—over her, perfectly captured the show's theme: the bar was not just a place for drinks, but a home, a sanctuary, and a family. The final shot of Sam straightening a picture of Geronimo, a subtle tribute to the late Nicholas Colasanto (Coach), was a heartfelt conclusion to a monumental television run.

The years *Cheers* was on TV—1982 to 1993—were a golden age for the network sitcom. Its groundbreaking format, exceptional writing by creators like James Burrows, and the unforgettable performances of the ensemble cast ensure that new generations continue to discover the place "where everybody knows your name."