Cheers: Surprising secrets in the iconic comedy series
Who else was obsessed with Cheers?
It was a straight-up classic, and I know I’m not the only one who spent hours watching Sam, Diane, Norm, and the gang.
But get this — there are some wild behind-the-scenes secrets about the show that even the biggest fans probably don’t know! Want to know what really went down on set? Check them out and let me know if you already knew any of them!
Cheers is such a classic! There’s just something about hanging out at the pub with all those hilarious characters that never gets old. I recently started rewatching it on Paramount+, and it’s still just as funny as I remember!
But here’s the thing — there are a bunch of things about the show that even I didn’t know, and I bet a lot of fans are in the same boat. Like any show, Cheers wasn’t without its fair share of mistakes and bloopers.
Promoting designated drivers
From the very beginning, the writers and producers of Cheers made a conscious decision to never show anyone leaving the bar drunk and driving home. This choice wasn’t just for laughs — it became a key part of the show’s message.
Over time, Cheers was recognized and even praised by anti-drinking and driving organizations for its positive portrayal of responsible drinking. The series played an important role in promoting the idea of designated drivers, helping to raise awareness and encourage safer habits among viewers.
The Writers Guild of America fully supported the initiative, leading to an unprecedented collaboration among the major TV networks of the time.
In total, 160 prime-time shows integrated designated driver messaging into their scripts and storylines, ultimately contributing to more than $100 million worth of ”donated” TV airtime for the cause.
Yeah, pretty awesome, right? It’s amazing how so many major TV shows came together to promote such an important message. Just goes to show how much influence pop culture can have on society!
Real beer on Cheers?
While it might have looked like the cast of Cheers was sipping on cold beers all day, they were actually drinking something a lot less enjoyable.
For practical reasons, the bar’s taps were filled with a non-alcoholic, flat ale. To make it look like the real deal, they even added salt to give the illusion of carbonation. Safe to say, it wasn’t the most refreshing drink on set.
From dead last to number one
Another really fascinating thing that makes Cheers historic is the fact that it’s the only sitcom in TV history to be ranked both first and last during its run.
On its first night, it ranked 77th—dead last—and then, by its ninth season, it was number one in the ratings. Talk about an incredible turnaround!
Kelsey Grammer’s hidden struggle
Unfortunately, Cheers wasn’t without its darker moments when it came to alcohol. One of the show’s most beloved stars, Kelsey Grammer, struggled heavily with drinking — especially during the final season.
The actor has admitted that he turned to cocaine and alcohol as a way to self-medicate and cope with the hardships he had faced in his life.
While it may not be obvious when rewatching the episodes, his co-stars saw it firsthand. He became increasingly difficult to work with and would often appear nearly catatonic between takes.
Another star of the series, Ted Danson, once gave Grammer a firm talking-to, which strained their relationship. Looking back, Danson has expressed regret that he didn’t reach out with more support to his friend, who was clearly struggling.
”I missed out on the last 30 years of Kelsey Grammer. … I feel like it’s my bad, my doing,” Danson said.
Despite multiple intervention attempts, it took years before Grammer fully turned things around. He eventually sought help, but his real road to recovery didn’t begin until the early seasons of Frasier in 1993.
From barstools to best buds
Even 43 years after Cheers, Woody Harrelson and Ted Danson are still the best of friends! They’re so close, in fact, that they even cohost a podcast together called Where Everybody Knows Your Name, where they chat with old friends — including former Cheers castmates.
Their bond started in season four when Harrelson joined the show, and Danson still remembers their wild first day meeting.
Apparently, Woody managed to get in a bar fight and get carjacked on the same day — talk about an entrance! But just when you think you’ve got him figured out, he pulls out a beautifully written poem and invites you to see a brilliant play he wrote.
As Danson puts it, “You cannot pigeonhole that guy.”
The creators of Cheers originally cast someone else to play Woody, but Ted Danson personally advocated for Woody Harrelson to get the role behind the scenes.
Their friendship was so strong that when Danson decided to leave Cheers, NBC wanted to keep the show going with Woody taking over the bar. But Harrelson wasn’t having it — he refused to continue without his friend. Now that’s true Cheers loyalty!