Unexpectedly,Cheersis getting a remake, which kills all chances that Ted Danson’s original sitcom will get a revival. Released in the early ’80s, Boston-set comedy wasn’t an immediate hit. In fact, it almost got canceled in its debut year due to very low ratings. While it tookCheerssome time to find its audience, when it did, there was no stopping it. Not only did it become a massive commercial hit for NBC, but it also garnered countless awards throughout its 11-season run. It remained very popular even whenCheersended in 1993with a much-beloved finale.
In this day and age of reboots and revivals,Cheersis a favorite target of such wishful thinking. Its cast remains incredibly close. In 2024,Cheerseven had a reunionexcept at the 75th Emmy Awards — proving the ensembles' continued camaraderie. As with every time Danson and his former co-stars get together, questions about a revival come up, although the answer has stayed the same: it isn’t happening. Still, hope for it perseveres, especially considering the Frasier reboot’s existence. Now, however,the chances of the originalCheersshow coming back are officially deadafter a new update.
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Right afterCheersended, the franchise continued via Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier Crane Seattle-set spinoff, Frasier. In the new show, Frasier came back home to the Pacific Northwest to reconnect with his family. Impressively,Frasierbecame as successful as its parent series — a rare feat, especially afterthe failure ofThe Tortellis. Two decades after it ended,Frasierhas been resurrected, with a new show on Paramount+ that sees the titular character back in Boston. This further fueled calls forCheersto follow suit and also get revisited. Despite Grammer’s precedent, the chances of aCheersrevival happening are very slim.
…it’s difficult, and maybe even upsetting to think that after all these years, the likes of Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin are still nightly barflies in Sam’s pub.
For starters, both Ted Danson and co-creator James Burrows have come out to publicly shoot down the proposition. Burrows even said that theCheers bar is already closed, effectively saying that he has no plans of re-opening it, even though he is very much active in directing some episodes of theFrasierrevival. Secondly,Cheershad a definitive ending. Between this and the show’s main premise, it’s difficult, and maybe even upsetting to think that after all these years, the likes of Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin are still nightly barflies in Sam’s pub.
UK’s Cheers Remake Means A Ted Danson Revival Will Never Happen
The Brits Will Have Their Own Version Of Sam’s Bar
If both Danson and Burrows' comments aren’t enough to squash any dreams of a revival, a recently-announced remake of the show will arguably do the trick. As it turns out,Big Talk Studios is currently in the process of developing a British version ofCheers(via Deadline).Men Behaving BadlyandThe Durrellswriter, Simon Nye, is tasked to craft the show, and if it gets greenlit, will also serve as its showrunner. Distributor, CBS Studios, has allowed the project to move forward, with Big Talk Studios currently in the process of selling the idea to British broadcasters.
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Shelley Long was notably absent during the Cheers' cast reunion at the 75th Emmys, highlighting which seasons are the iconic show’s best.
No official cast members have been announced thus far, but as with the original version, the BritishCheersversion will be set in a pub. Considering the similarities to Danson’s ’80s sitcom, the existence of the international remake further decreases the need for Sam’s pub to re-open. Granted that there will be some differences, but the new show can serve as the perfect replacement series for those who are still looking forward to any new content that has a similar feel and backdrop to Burrows and the Charles brother’s comedy masterpiece.
Will UK’s Cheers Connect To The Original Version
There Are Ways To Tie UK Cheers To Danson’s Sitcom
Aside from a straight-up revival, a growing trend in the last few years is shows getting international iterations. UKGhostswas adapted in America, resulting in CBS' version of the series. Other countries are also developing a similar show, in light of the success of the first two installments. While a bit different,NCIS: Sydneyalso falls into this category, since it is part of theNCISuniverse. The police procedural, however, makes it easier to have a connection to the flagship series — something that will be difficult forGhosts, and also forCheers.
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The sad status of Cheers bar in Boston effectively ensures that it is saved from the Frasier reboot potentially ruining the legendary sitcom’s legacy.
With very little known about Big Talk Studios' plans for their upcoming endeavor, it’s far too early to tell if they will even attempt to establish ties between the project. That said, there are some creative but fun ways to do that. Firstly, the UK Cheers bar could have a history with a cast member from the original show. Frasier is best positioned for this, considering that he spent years in Oxford and is best friends with someone British inNicholas Lyndhurst’s Alan Cornwall.
Cliff Clavin bringing his know-it-all personal to a different pub across the pond would arguably result in more interesting storytelling possibilities.
Secondly, and perhaps the easiest way to do so is toinvite someone familiar from the originalCheerscast to make a cameo in its contemporary remake. Frasier, once again, would be a great candidate for this. That said, Cliff Clavin bringing his know-it-all personal to a different pub across the pond would arguably result in more interesting storytelling possibilities.
How The Original Cheers Cast Can Still Reunite Despite No Plans For A Revival
Grammer Could Be The Key To Make A Cheers Reunion Happen
Just because aCheersrevival isn’t going to happen, it doesn’t mean that Sam and his cohorts can’t come together for a fun reunion.Grammer’s continued insistence on revisiting Frasier’s Cheers historyin his revival is the perfect venue for this. While he has only namedDanson’s Sam and Shelley Long’s Dianeas his dream guest stars from Frasier’s initial time in Boston, he can still always bring in more familiar faces from that time in his life. Since he has a big apartment in Beantown, perhaps he can host his old friends for a fun get-together.
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The Frasier season 2 premiere perfectly explains why Kelsey Grammer’s snooty therapist was so different in Cheers than in his Seattle spinoff.
Another option is just to do a proper one-time reunion special. The cast has gotten together in the past to reminisce on their time inCheerswhenever there’s a milestone anniversary that requires celebrating. However, they always come in as themselves and never as their characters. This means that sinceCheersended in 1993, they haven’t gathered in the same room again as their respective players. While this won’t be as satisfying as seeing them in a longer format, this is still a much better option than not ever seeing Sam and his friends together again.
Cheers
Cast
One of the most well-known American sitcoms of the 1980s and 90s, Cheers is primarily set in Boston at the Cheers bar, and features and ensemble cast that includes Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Pearlman, Kelsey Grammer, and George Wendt. Danson’s Sam Malone acts as the bar’s proprietor, and episodes depict the lives of Cheers' staff and patrons during the bar’s operating hours. The series ran for 11 seasons and gave rise to popular spin-off shows such as Frasier.
