Why isn't Cheers more popular today? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tvparadise · 03-27-2009, 02:08 PM

Something I've been pondering for a while now....why is Cheers not more popular today?

- It got shifted to early morning/weekend only airings on TV Land and then didn't get renewed.
- It is under contract with Hallmark now and only comes on at 2:30am.
- There was clearly a sales issue with the DVDs as it was almost 2 years between the releases of Seasons 8 and 9.

Granted, the show does probably better than almost all other 80s sitcoms (not including The Cosby Show and The Golden Girls). But I don't understand why this isn't one of the most popular shows in reruns today. The writing and acting are superb, the series is great from beginning to end (something that cannot be said about most series), and isn't terribly dated feeling?

For fans (who know Cheers is the best/one of the best series ever)- why do you think it's not more popular?
For people who aren't really fans- what is it about the show that doesn't stand out?

I just don't get why Cheers doesn't have the kind of success that shows like Seinfeld, Friends, and The Cosby Show have in reruns?

TripperFan · 03-27-2009, 02:12 PM

Don't worry, it'll make a comeback. It's probably because once it went off the air, it was shown on so many channels in repeats everyone got tired of it. I know I did and I loved the show.

It's like that with a lot of shows. I do love, I Love Lucy, but after a few years it got tired for me because I had seen the shows so much I needed a break.

Chocolate Moose · 03-27-2009, 06:33 PM

maybe it costs the network too much in residuals to keep showing it.

Dusty's Fan · 04-13-2009, 10:18 AM

The "My Network TV" channel in my area is currently showing it, with two back-to-back episodes at a time. It's an excellent presentation. In fact, rarely since Cheers went into syndication (years ago) have I not been able to watch reruns on local TV!

I don't miss cable TV at all, when My Network and World Harvest TV keep pumping out great old series constantly -- and 100% free!!

Yooch · 04-13-2009, 10:51 AM

Clearly one of the best sitcoms ever, but as with everything else, it kind of runs its course. Will always have a following among those who remember it prime time (like me). As has been mentioned in the thread, it will come back.

70s show watcher · 04-14-2009, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Don't worry, it'll make a comeback. It's probably because once it went off the air, it was shown on so many channels in repeats everyone got tired of it. I know I did and I loved the show.

It's like that with a lot of shows. I do love, I Love Lucy, but after a few years it got tired for me because I had seen the shows so much I needed a break.

i agree with you it is probably suffering the afterefcts of constant nonstop reruns since 1987 im sure fans will rediscover it at some point

70s show watcher · 04-14-2009, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b&tcfan

Something I've been pondering for a while now....why is Cheers not more popular today?

- It got shifted to early morning/weekend only airings on TV Land and then didn't get renewed.
- It is under contract with Hallmark now and only comes on at 2:30am.
- There was clearly a sales issue with the DVDs as it was almost 2 years between the releases of Seasons 8 and 9.

Granted, the show does probably better than almost all other 80s sitcoms (not including The Cosby Show and The Golden Girls). But I don't understand why this isn't one of the most popular shows in reruns today. The writing and acting are superb, the series is great from beginning to end (something that cannot be said about most series), and isn't terribly dated feeling?

For fans (who know Cheers is the best/one of the best series ever)- why do you think it's not more popular?
For people who aren't really fans- what is it about the show that doesn't stand out?

I just don't get why Cheers doesn't have the kind of success that shows like Seinfeld, Friends, and The Cosby Show have in reruns?

actully the cosby show was a complete flop when the reruns began appering on local channels in the fall of 1988 it was only after a rest of about 5 years when it was rarely seen anywhere that it begain to be rediscovered and became it big cable hit

lancelazer · 06-02-2009, 12:12 AM

I'm only 22 and have finally recently finished the entire Cheers run... and I am dumbfounded as to why something like Cheers isn't held in the regard that say, Seinfeld is. Seinfeld got amazing DVD releases, is always being shown over here in Aus on free to air TV and still has a strong following.

I don't know how TV really works though, so I'm just hoping it will rise again.

DavG · 06-30-2009, 01:02 PM

It's a lot of things:

1. The later years are of a poorer quality. MASH probably suffers in syndication because the last 5 years aren't up to par, either.

2. Pop culture tends to overload on a property, only to then dismiss it. Cheers was really the big sitcom of the 1980s and early 1990s. Then it birthed Frazier, which also ran for a cajillion years. People had had enough.

3. The bar as a singles scene was a thriving institution in the 1970s-1980s. People went to bars to pick up strangers, or be picked up by them. The premise is a bit outdated.

4. Television has changed, and in some ways evolved, greatly since Cheers' heyday. Each great sitcom evolves the genre, making it tougher on the older ones to find an audience. Cheers advanced the writing and romantic dynamics, for sure. It set the bar higher.

Then Seinfeld came along and did the same thing. Except it also expanded the humor. The writing was faster, more free-wheeling and less formal. They got away from the tired setup/punchline formula, and the advice -> honesty -> confession -> resolution plots that drove most sitcoms in prior years. (In fact Seinfeld and co-creator Larry David did DVD commentary on their original pilot, and commented that even their early shows seem painfully slow, by comparison to where they took it 2-3 years in.)

tiff7 · 07-28-2009, 04:13 PM

considering the show is all out on dvd just watch it there!

tvparadise · 07-29-2009, 10:53 PM

Well I got all the DVDs, but if it wasn't for TV airings, I would have never got into it and bought them. I don't really need to watch it on TV, but I think it's such a great show and I want to see it on for others to discover and enjoy.

PrettyinPink55 · 07-30-2009, 01:40 AM

I recently became a Cheers fan after watching it on Hallmark Channel, and I too am surprised that it's not more popular today. At least it's on television, though, right?

browneyes106 · 08-30-2009, 05:43 PM

I am surprised that doesn't get more play on cable. I really got into Cheers when I was a teenager because the local ABC in my area used to air reruns nightly and on the weekends.

tiff7 · 02-25-2010, 08:30 PM

i got it on dvd (most of the seasons except 8, 10 & 11) i started watchin it in my teen yrs (I'm 27 as of feb 3)

oldguywithsticks · 02-26-2010, 01:55 AM

Got started watching Cheers this past summer, and shortly after I started watching Cheers I got into Frasier. I have a hunch it will be 'big' again soon, what with the reunion talk (look on this board for those interesting details...). Even if that don't happen (which I guarantee 100%), that could possibly spark some kind of interest.

03-27-2009, 02:08 PM	#1
tvparadise Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 299	Why isn't Cheers more popular today? Something I've been pondering for a while now....why is Cheers not more popular today? - It got shifted to early morning/weekend only airings on TV Land and then didn't get renewed. - It is under contract with Hallmark now and only comes on at 2:30am. - There was clearly a sales issue with the DVDs as it was almost 2 years between the releases of Seasons 8 and 9. Granted, the show does probably better than almost all other 80s sitcoms (not including The Cosby Show and The Golden Girls). But I don't understand why this isn't one of the most popular shows in reruns today. The writing and acting are superb, the series is great from beginning to end (something that cannot be said about most series), and isn't terribly dated feeling? For fans (who know Cheers is the best/one of the best series ever)- why do you think it's not more popular? For people who aren't really fans- what is it about the show that doesn't stand out? I just don't get why Cheers doesn't have the kind of success that shows like Seinfeld, Friends, and The Cosby Show have in reruns?

03-27-2009, 02:12 PM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Don't worry, it'll make a comeback. It's probably because once it went off the air, it was shown on so many channels in repeats everyone got tired of it. I know I did and I loved the show. It's like that with a lot of shows. I do love, I Love Lucy, but after a few years it got tired for me because I had seen the shows so much I needed a break.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

03-27-2009, 06:33 PM	#3
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,899	maybe it costs the network too much in residuals to keep showing it.
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04-13-2009, 10:18 AM	#4
Dusty's Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,092	The "My Network TV" channel in my area is currently showing it, with two back-to-back episodes at a time. It's an excellent presentation. In fact, rarely since Cheers went into syndication (years ago) have I not been able to watch reruns on local TV! I don't miss cable TV at all, when My Network and World Harvest TV keep pumping out great old series constantly -- and 100% free!!
	__________________ ~~The stunning beauty of Ruta Lee

04-13-2009, 10:51 AM	#5
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	Clearly one of the best sitcoms ever, but as with everything else, it kind of runs its course. Will always have a following among those who remember it prime time (like me). As has been mentioned in the thread, it will come back.
	__________________ "The true meaning of America, you ask? It's in a Texas rodeo, in a policeman's badge, in the sound of laughing children, in a political rally, in a newspaper...In all these things and many more, you'll find freedom. And freedom is what America means to the world. And to me." --Audie Leon Murphy June 20, 1924-- May 28, 1971

06-02-2009, 12:12 AM	#8
lancelazer Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 12, 2007 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 23	I'm only 22 and have finally recently finished the entire Cheers run... and I am dumbfounded as to why something like Cheers isn't held in the regard that say, Seinfeld is. Seinfeld got amazing DVD releases, is always being shown over here in Aus on free to air TV and still has a strong following. I don't know how TV really works though, so I'm just hoping it will rise again.

06-30-2009, 01:02 PM	#9
DavG Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 30, 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 17	It's a lot of things: 1. The later years are of a poorer quality. MASH probably suffers in syndication because the last 5 years aren't up to par, either. 2. Pop culture tends to overload on a property, only to then dismiss it. Cheers was really the big sitcom of the 1980s and early 1990s. Then it birthed Frazier, which also ran for a cajillion years. People had had enough. 3. The bar as a singles scene was a thriving institution in the 1970s-1980s. People went to bars to pick up strangers, or be picked up by them. The premise is a bit outdated. 4. Television has changed, and in some ways evolved, greatly since Cheers' heyday. Each great sitcom evolves the genre, making it tougher on the older ones to find an audience. Cheers advanced the writing and romantic dynamics, for sure. It set the bar higher. Then Seinfeld came along and did the same thing. Except it also expanded the humor. The writing was faster, more free-wheeling and less formal. They got away from the tired setup/punchline formula, and the advice -> honesty -> confession -> resolution plots that drove most sitcoms in prior years. (In fact Seinfeld and co-creator Larry David did DVD commentary on their original pilot, and commented that even their early shows seem painfully slow, by comparison to where they took it 2-3 years in.)
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07-28-2009, 04:13 PM	#10
tiff7 wdwdisneylandnut4life Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2001 Location: Erie, IL Posts: 2,012	considering the show is all out on dvd just watch it there!
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07-29-2009, 10:53 PM	#11
tvparadise Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 299	Well I got all the DVDs, but if it wasn't for TV airings, I would have never got into it and bought them. I don't really need to watch it on TV, but I think it's such a great show and I want to see it on for others to discover and enjoy.

07-30-2009, 01:40 AM	#12
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	I recently became a Cheers fan after watching it on Hallmark Channel, and I too am surprised that it's not more popular today. At least it's on television, though, right?
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08-30-2009, 05:43 PM	#13
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I am surprised that doesn't get more play on cable. I really got into Cheers when I was a teenager because the local ABC in my area used to air reruns nightly and on the weekends.

02-25-2010, 08:30 PM	#14
tiff7 wdwdisneylandnut4life Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2001 Location: Erie, IL Posts: 2,012	i got it on dvd (most of the seasons except 8, 10 & 11) i started watchin it in my teen yrs (I'm 27 as of feb 3)

02-26-2010, 01:55 AM	#15
oldguywithsticks Frasier/Jane Leeves Fan 4 Life Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 23, 2010 Location: McKeesport, PA Posts: 193	Got started watching Cheers this past summer, and shortly after I started watching Cheers I got into Frasier. I have a hunch it will be 'big' again soon, what with the reunion talk (look on this board for those interesting details...). Even if that don't happen (which I guarantee 100%), that could possibly spark some kind of interest.
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