Yes or No? Shelley Long Killed Her Career By Leaving Cheers? - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Lyverbe · 12-03-2024, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

She turned lead roles in films that DID hit

Well, maybe they were hits because she wasn't in them? But seriously, I really doubt an actor can be THAT bad that he/she can kill a movie even with a great script.

king of comedy · 12-04-2024, 08:23 AM

She was great in The Brady Bunch movies which were the last things I saw her in.

jets4life · 10-13-2025, 01:10 PM

I saw her on a couple of made-for-TV drama movies, which she did well. Then of course, she did the Brady Bunch movies. Other than that, I don't remember her at all.

From what I've read, she was very difficult to work with, and diva-like. It's been said that most of the cast did not care for her, and she and Kelsey Grammer, of all people really hated each other.

When she made an appearance for the 200th (?) Cheers episode anniversary in 1991, she was greeted with coldness by the rest of the cast. Although she did appear in the final episode in 1993.

biffbronson · 10-13-2025, 01:14 PM

The first thing that comes to mind for me, toward the end of her Cheers work, is the film The Money Pit, which she did with Tom Hanks. Big-time stuff (and fun). Then of course the Brady movies, but it's almost like watching another person when she takes on the Carol Brady personna...!

Alan Brady's Hair · 10-13-2025, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jets4life

When she made an appearance for the 200th (?) Cheers episode anniversary in 1991, she was greeted with coldness by the rest of the cast. Although she did appear in the final episode in 1993.

She was in the finale, and three episodes of Frasier.

IMDB has her with about 70 acting credits after Cheers, plus about 35 individual TV episode credits. Not bad for someone who was 38 when she left the show.

TMC · 10-19-2025, 01:31 AM

What are the biggest factors that hurt Shelley Long's acting career?

Besides leaving Cheers, what are the biggest mistakes that Shelley Long made during her acting career?

DEH55 · 01-21-2026, 01:35 PM

As someone else said you could not have done "Sam and Diane" for 11 years. Shelley knew that story had played itself out. the only thing left for them to do would have been to have a baby. thank god that did not happen. Cheers lasted because of the cast changes. although i think it went on 2 or 3 seasons longer than it should. Did Shelley have a amazing career after. No but she worked regularly. Hollywood is fickle especially with women in their 40s and up.

Mash would not have lasted 11 years without the cast changes as well.

Dr. Thong · 01-22-2026, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEH55

As someone else said you could not have done "Sam and Diane" for 11 years. Shelley knew that story had played itself out. the only thing left for them to do would have been to have a baby. thank god that did not happen. Cheers lasted because of the cast changes. although i think it went on 2 or 3 seasons longer than it should. Did Shelley have a amazing career after. No but she worked regularly. Hollywood is fickle especially with women in their 40s and up.

Mash would not have lasted 11 years without the cast changes as well.

And M*A*S*H had a great excuse for the cast changes: In a war, people come and go. In fact, it's unlikely that the Hawkeye character would have served at the same unit for the amount of time he did. I think.

And Cheers? Well, it's a bar and for some people it's just a job on the way to something else.

Johnny be good! · 03-06-2026, 01:36 PM

Not at all, she definitely thrived post-Cheers.

03-06-2026, 01:36 PM	#24
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,629	Not at all, she definitely thrived post-Cheers.
	__________________ Alex Bogue

12-04-2024, 08:23 AM	#17
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	She was great in The Brady Bunch movies which were the last things I saw her in.

10-13-2025, 01:10 PM	#18
jets4life Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 02, 2009 Location: canada Posts: 364	I saw her on a couple of made-for-TV drama movies, which she did well. Then of course, she did the Brady Bunch movies. Other than that, I don't remember her at all. From what I've read, she was very difficult to work with, and diva-like. It's been said that most of the cast did not care for her, and she and Kelsey Grammer, of all people really hated each other. When she made an appearance for the 200th (?) Cheers episode anniversary in 1991, she was greeted with coldness by the rest of the cast. Although she did appear in the final episode in 1993.

10-13-2025, 01:14 PM	#19
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,273	The first thing that comes to mind for me, toward the end of her Cheers work, is the film The Money Pit, which she did with Tom Hanks. Big-time stuff (and fun). Then of course the Brady movies, but it's almost like watching another person when she takes on the Carol Brady personna...!

10-19-2025, 01:31 AM	#21
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,453	What are the biggest factors that hurt Shelley Long's acting career? Besides leaving Cheers, what are the biggest mistakes that Shelley Long made during her acting career?

01-21-2026, 01:35 PM	#22
DEH55 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 19, 2020 Posts: 319	As someone else said you could not have done "Sam and Diane" for 11 years. Shelley knew that story had played itself out. the only thing left for them to do would have been to have a baby. thank god that did not happen. Cheers lasted because of the cast changes. although i think it went on 2 or 3 seasons longer than it should. Did Shelley have a amazing career after. No but she worked regularly. Hollywood is fickle especially with women in their 40s and up. Mash would not have lasted 11 years without the cast changes as well.