A British remake of NBC’s hit sitcom,Cheers, is being pitched by Big Talk Studios, but the upcoming adaptation is being dubiously received — and for good reason. Ted Danson’s sitcom ran across 11 seasons and is regularly ranked as one of the best comedy shows ever made, which makes aUK remake ofCheersalmost impossible to get right. Penned by Simon Nye,Cheers’remake has the potential to be successful, but transatlantic remakes are notoriously difficult, particularly for series considered the best in their genre. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to recommendFrasieras a far more suitable candidate for the British audience.
Needless to say, some adaptations of beloved sitcoms have found mass appeal with audiences, such asThe OfficeandGhosts. However, these series are translated from British origins, and adapting an American-made series for global audiences is a far more complicated process. The latestremake ofThe Officehas negative reviewsfrom viewers, and because of its time-honored legacy, theBritishCheersseries in developmentmay be in similar danger. From the sitcom’s beloved characters to its iconic location,it will certainly be difficult to recreate the warming tone that definedCheersfor numerous years.
These Global Humors Don’t Align, And It Diminishes The Heart Of The Series
From the pilot toCheers' final episode, the show constructed an incredibly heartfelt series that secured its finale, “One for the Road,” as one of the most watched episodes of TV of all time, with 84.4 million viewers (viaABC News).What madeCheersso successful is the timely humor of the late 80s, as well as the social environment that would be entirely impractical within a British setting.Sam Malone’s bar inCheerswas the place where characters communed and developed a sense of belonging. However, an American and British bar are poles apart in terms of setting and clientele.
Frasier’s Reboot Can’t Ignore Cheers Characters Any Longer After A Major Tease About Ted Danson’s Sam Malone For Season 3
The Frasier reboot hasn’t shown Dr. Crane reuniting with his pals from Cheers after two full seasons in Boston, and such a reunion is long overdue.
While a sense of community is not uncharted territory in British sitcoms, these themes are often not central to the show’s entire format. There are some exceptions, such as the acclaimed British comedy seriesFawlty Towers. This series shares some likeness withCheersin the sense that it is set in one location where its protagonist is responsible for the building, but even then, there’s a reason whyFawltyTowersis so well regarded.
The success of the British series is owed to its slapstick physical humorthat’s more accessible to its audience. These elements are reminiscent of the comedic devices inMonty Python. This is why the absence of these comedic components inCheersmay not put the upcoming remake in good standing, as it may struggle to resonate with British audiences. What serves these sitcoms of the same era so well is the deep connection with British cultural history — something that an American-adapted sitcom cannot take advantage of.
Frasier Would Have Been A Far Better Fit For British Humor Than Cheers
Frasier Bares More Resemblance With British Comedy Tastes And Sensibilities
Cheersis undoubtedly charming, but its broad humor does not have much in common with British tastes.Frasier’s impeccable quick delivery and dry wit is a hallmark of its dialogue, and these components are remarkably interchangable with British humor. There is an overwhelming sense of self-depreciation inFrasier, as its character-driven narrative explores a lot of the complexities of the individuals.Cheersmostly focuses on situational humor, but redirecting the show to something more derisive would break it away from the very core of the series, and would make it almost unrecognizable to its large base of loyal viewers.
Frasierwas granted a reboot which premiered in 2023, and both seasons are now available to watch on Paramount+.
In addition to this,Frasiertakes on a lot of social issues. Kelsey Grammer’s sitcom centers around class dynamics and the social divisions within families. Fraiser desperately wants to be accepted into the upper-class, and these social dynamics are common themes within British comedies such asThe Royale FamilyorThis Country. Primarily focusing on personal relationships and growth,Danson’s hit NBC series steers away from these taxing subject matters. Ultimately, this suggests a remake ofFrasierwould have been more suitable to British comedic traditions, as these topics are far more familiar to its audience.
Neither Cheers Nor Frasier Is Really Right For The Remake Treatment
These Sitcoms Deserve A Stand-Alone Legacy
Cheersis quite often referred to as the perfect sitcom. The popularity of the series is mostly unparalleled, and is the fundamental building brick for many other sitcoms.The ratings forCheersremained consistent across the 11 seasons, which is a testament to how well-written the series truly is. After the huge legacyCheershas left in its wake, it’s difficult to reason why this should be exploited with a remake that risks tarnishing the characters and story that is so beloved by audiences, well over 30 years later. Comedic tastes have evolved, too, leaving the humor from these eras feeling dated.
British television tends to be perceived as more cynical than American programming, largely due to its emphasis on sarcasm.
More importantly,CheersandFrasierare not particularly suitable for a British remake either. British television tends to be perceived as more cynical than American programming, largely due to its emphasis on sarcastic tone and deadpan delivery. With that in mind,Cheersis relatively light on conflict with characters who are not burdened by their work. WhileFrasierstill retains a lot of the core elements that distinguish it as an American project, despite some commonalities. It will certainly be interesting to see how the showrunners will adaptCheersto a UK setting, and whether its creators will commit to some bold choices in its execution.
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.
