You want to go where everybody knows your name. Created by TV legends James Burrows and Glen and Les Charles, Cheers debuted on NBC in 1982 and would become one of the most beloved and winningest sitcoms of all time, running for 11 seasons and earning 28 Emmys along the way. In this LIFE special issue, we raise a glass to the hit show and the indelible cast of characters that helped make it a must-watch—including Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Rhea Perlman, and so many more. Full of behind-the-scenes stories and loads of nostalgia, this is your insider's guide to TV's favorite barroom—where they're always glad you came.
LIFE: Cheers
Where Everybody Knows Your Name • Cheers’s fizzy romantic intrigue and long-form storytelling changed TV—and made the show an all-time classic.
Crafting the Show • Creators James Burrows and Glen and Les Charles drew on the screwball comedies of yore—and their own unique sensibilities—to create a hit sitcom about a neighborhood pub in Boston.
The Cast of Characters • Pull up a stool, grab a pint, and get to know the bartenders, waitresses, and barf lies who give Cheers its unique f lavor, night after night.
Brewing a Hit • Debuting in 1982, Cheers wasn’t a ratings juggernaut right away. But the bar and its indelible personalities would soon inspire a loyal patronage that lasted for more than a decade.
The Guest List • From politicians to future Friends, a lot of famous faces stopped by the bar over the years. Here are a few of the most memorable cameos.
Inside the Couples • The romantic silver screen duos of the 1930s and ’40s (think Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn in 1942’s Woman of the Year) served as the archetype for many of the amorous pairings (both successful and not so) on Cheers.
Closing Time • After 11 seasons, it was time for Cheers to lock up—but not before Diane could return to the bar for one last chance with Sam during a three-part series finale watched by 93 million people.
Must-See Episodes • In addition to the finale, these installments represent the best of Cheers—cleverly written, expertly acted, and truly unforgettable.
LIFE: Cheers Photo Credits
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