Imagine if one of the most iconic sitcoms in TV history had been led by a comedian whose later scandals overshadowed his legacy – that's the fascinating, behind-the-scenes drama of how Cheers nearly went in a very different direction!
Dive into this captivating tale of casting choices that shaped a classic show. The creators, Glen and Les Charles, poured so much effort into auditions for their beloved barroom comedy that they eventually removed some familiar lines from the script – they were just plain tired of repeating them. This exhaustive process made certain roles a breeze to fill. For instance, they quickly locked in Rhea Perlman as the fiery Carla and George Wendt as the lovable Norm, drawing from their prior collaboration on the series Taxi. John Ratzenberger's portrayal of the know-it-all mailman Cliff was another no-brainer. But when it came to the lead characters, things got far more complicated and full of twists.
NBC had a strong opinion on who should embody Sam Malone, the charming bartender at the heart of the show. Their top pick? Bill Cosby, the legendary comedian fresh off successes like his groundbreaking variety show The Bill Cosby Show. Cosby was eager to jump back into television after starring in other hit programs, and his star power was undeniable. Yet, the Charles brothers saw a major issue: going with Cosby would have essentially turned Cheers into The Bill Cosby Show, transforming it into something entirely unrecognizable from the cozy, ensemble-driven gem it became. They worried it might overshadow the balanced, character-focused vibe they envisioned.
But here's where it gets controversial – the producers firmly decided to steer clear of that path. They adopted a guiding principle during casting: opt for relatively unknown actors to avoid the pitfalls of big names. One key lesson they took to heart was the advice against letting an actor's name dictate the show's title, as it could make firing them nearly impossible – a rule that proved all too real when Roseanne Barr faced backlash over controversial tweets, leading to her show's abrupt cancellation. In the end, Cosby just didn't fit their vision, and luckily, NBC didn't push back much on the rejection.
Even after passing on Cosby, Ted Danson wasn't an instant lock for the role. The Charleses were eyeing other options, like William Devane, the Knots Landing star known for his dramatic intensity. Their concern with Danson? He had the looks of a leading man but struck them more as a versatile character actor suited for quirky roles. They reviewed his earlier film work, such as Body Heat where he played a quirky tap-dancing lawyer, and felt it lacked the athletic, jock-like energy they wanted for Sam Malone – think someone who could effortlessly charm patrons while mixing drinks and tossing out witty banter. Ultimately, Danson won them over through his undeniable chemistry with Shelley Long, who played the sophisticated Diane Chambers. That spark between them was the clincher, proving that connection often trumps initial doubts in casting.
Cheers didn't explode onto the scene right away, but it built momentum steadily. And wouldn't you know it, the strategic placement of The Cosby Show – yes, the very show that could have been Cheers – right before it on NBC's schedule helped boost its ratings significantly, turning it into the long-running juggernaut we remember.
And this is the part most people miss: What if Cosby had been cast? Would Cheers have avoided his personal controversies, or would those shadows have tainted the show? Do you think rejecting a star like Cosby was a savvy move for creative control, or a lost chance at guaranteed fame? Could unknown actors really outshine big names in the long run? Share your opinions in the comments – I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own casting 'what if' scenarios!
