I was watching the third season of Cheers on DVD and I noticed that even after Nicholas Colosanto had passed away his name was still mentioned in the opening credits and I would like to know why this was? Did NBC want Cheers to keep Nicholas's spirit alive in the show by keeping his name in the credits? Because with the character Coach no longer alive they could've put Kelsey Grammer's name in the credits in place of Nicholas Colosanto's name
What did NBC do to Cheers about this?
Bestie

Nicholas Colassanto passed away in February 1985, when the show only had a few more weeks to go in production for the season. The producers also saved one of his cold openings to use in the season finale. There was no reason to abruptly redo the credits when Coach was an intermittent presence during the season.

Kelsey Grammer's credit had nothing to do with Nick's. Even if Nick had died earlier in the season and the credits had been redone, that wouldn't have meant a promotion for Kelsey. More likely, they would have just introduced Coach's replacement earlier.

It was out of respect for Nick. They used the pic in the 4th season. Kelsey didn't get his pic until the 5th season, likewise Bebe didn't get hers until the 10th.

He was VERY loved by BOTH the cast & crew !