TMC
01-08-2026, 07:52 PM
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Cheers is one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time — but what most people don’t realize is that it was failing badly in its first season and nearly canceled.
In this retro TV deep dive, we break down how Cheers went from one of the lowest-rated shows on television to a cultural phenomenon, thanks to one bold, risky decision by a single NBC executive. That choice didn’t just save a sitcom — it helped pave the way for The Cosby Show, launched Frasier, and inspired modern “hangout” comedies like Friends and How I Met Your Mother.
Cheers is one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time — but what most people don’t realize is that it was failing badly in its first season and nearly canceled.
In this retro TV deep dive, we break down how Cheers went from one of the lowest-rated shows on television to a cultural phenomenon, thanks to one bold, risky decision by a single NBC executive. That choice didn’t just save a sitcom — it helped pave the way for The Cosby Show, launched Frasier, and inspired modern “hangout” comedies like Friends and How I Met Your Mother.