'Cheers' Stars Learn the 'Rules'
Tue, Apr 29, 2003 05:20 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - The Tuesday, May 6 episode of ABC's "8 Simple Rules" will be like a reunion at Sitcom High.

Former "Cheers" stars Shelley Long and John Ratzenberger are guest-starring in the episode, playing neighbors of Paul (John Ritter) and Cate Hennessy (Katey Sagal). Ritter and Sagal, of course, were best known previously for "Three's Company" and "Married ... with Children," respectively.

In the episode, Long and Ratzenberger -- Diane Chambers and Cliff Clavin on "Cheers" -- play Mary Ellen and Fred Doyle, neighbors to the Hennessys who have some issues socially. Paul and Cate reluctantly invite them to dinner, only to find their hospitality reciprocated in the form of an invitation for the entire family to the Doyles' daughter's wedding.

Long left "Cheers" in 1987, midway through its 11-season run. Her credits since then include "The Brady Bunch Movie" and its sequels, "Dr. T and the Women" and several TV movies.

Ratzenberger starred in ABC's movie "The Pennsylvania Miners Story" earlier this season and has voiced characters in both "Toy Story" movies and the upcoming "Finding Nemo."

Cheers Stars Dating!
by Ben Katner
TVGuide.com


Pull up a barstool and make yourself comfortable — the cast of Cheers is finally reuniting! Well, at least two of the classic sitcom's co-stars are. In tonight's episode of ABC's 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter (airing at 8 ET), barmaid Diane and mailman Cliff — aka Shelley Long and John Ratzenberger — drop in as the Hennessys' neighbors, Mary Ellen and Fred Doyle.

"Johnny was absolutely on his game, as he always is," an enthusiastic Long informs TV Guide Online. "This is a terrific character for him. Very different. And I got to do something new, too. There are bits and pieces of Mary Ellen that I don't think will be familiar to people who know my work. I'm also looking a little bit different, hopefully, than you've seen me before."

Unfortunately, although Long and Ratzenberger's Rules family lives next door to John Ritter and Katey Sagal's, there's little chance that the prime-time legends will reprise their roles anytime soon. "From the Hennessys' point of view, the door is closed," Long laughs. "From the Doyles' point of view, it's wide open. And therein lies the conflict, which is very fun."

Truth be told, the whole experience was a blast for the actress. "One day, we got some very funny new lines, which was a surprise because the original lines were quite funny," she explains. "And because they were so new, I still thought they were funny and broke up several times in rehearsal." Finally, she resorted to her own rules. "I had to tell [Ritter and Sagal], 'Okay, I can't look at you guys,'" she recalls, chuckling. "And they understood." Maybe next time, to make the former saloon mainstay feel more at home, craft services will stock up on beer and pretzels.

The Character John Ratzenberger was playing was actually in my opinion less bizzare than Cliff LOL. Now Shelley's on the other was like a younger ten times stranger version of cliffs mom. She even adjusted her voice to make her sound dorky. It was great. But I would like to say that their oldest son looked like he could be the son of Diane and Sam...By far they took the two characters from cheers that were farthest apart from each other and married them.....it was strange.. But still funny!
~Maria

was that like a wig or did shelley really get her hair cut??

:eek3: Im hoping it was a wig........it was a wig.....it was a wig......it was a wig.......it was a wig..... I just need to keep saying that to myself.....so sad...... :cheers: :faint:
~Maria

I know!!!! I kept sayin that to myself the whole episode long!! please be a wig please be a wig.
B/C that short hair just took all her charm awaaaaaaay!:wave:

na...she's still shelley.....just ...needs a good haircut...... :idea: but thats not the case since its a wig! right?! (staring at the computer hoping for a confirmation):idea: please be a wig......please be a wig.....

:cheers: Maria :cheers:

im just used to her having that pretty long hair!

Now will someone pleeze help me and maria out on our little wig dilemma?? we need to know if it was a wig or if it was *crosses heart* real!!

yes please help us out....it is so...wrong....

:( :cheers: Maria :cheers:

p.s. Bailey: at least we get to see her :D with her good 80's haircuts tonight on (grr... :mad: mad @ nick @ nite) Nick @ Nite....

yea thank god! I like her cheers hair do's best anyway!








please be a wig please be a wig please be a wig please be a wig please be a wig