John Ratzenberger Campaigning NBC for a Cheers Reunion - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-20-2010, 11:27 PM

THAT famous bar where everybody knows your name could soon be open for business again.

The cast of the hit American television show Cheers are pitching for a reunion series.

The comedy, which notched up 270 episodes between 1982 and 1993, made household names of Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Kirstie Alley, Shelley Long and Woody Harrelson.

For another series the cast would need the go-ahead from NBC, the American network behind the much-loved programme which was broadcast by Channel 4 in Britain.

The main push for a reunion run comes from regular cast member John Ratzenberger, 62, who played Cliff Clavin, the postman who was famed for his know-it-all attitude. His character could always be found sitting next to his drinking partner and best friend Norm, played by George Wendt.

In London to promote the DVD of Up, the animated film for which he provides voices, John said: “I know for a fact that every single cast member would love to revisit it.”

He said it was still not clear whether NBC executives were behind the idea. But he added: “It’s up to the network. I know the cast members will do it.”

Asked whether scripts for a new series existed, he said: “I don’t know about scripts but how they take it forward would be up to the creators, James Burrows, Glen Charles and Les Charles. It would be their decision. Then we could get a script together.

“It would be a great thing to do. It was a terrific time in all of our lives. We just sat around in a bar cracking jokes for 11 years – and we got paid.”

Unlike the casts of many other long-running series, John said all the regulars had all rubbed along famously.

“Don’t forget, it was set in a bar,” he said. “It’s not like it’s an emergency room in a hospital. It wasn’t like there was a lot of tension. Despite appearances, we didn’t have a drink. It was all fake beer. We’d have been falling around all over the place.”

Asked whether Cheers would still be popular, he said: “I don’t know about now but I remember when we held a parade in Boston we drew more people than the Pope. It was big.”

Since leaving Cheers, John has provided voices for characters in animation films like Up, Toy Story, A Bug’s Life and Finding Nemo.

Ted Danson, who gained an Emmy nomination for his role in the TV drama Damages in 2007, still insists that his time on Cheers was “the happiest of my life – it was like an extended family”.

A spokeswoman for NBC said: “There’s nothing on the slate at the moment that we know of. We don’t show Cheers on the network any more. It was like 20 years ago, wasn’t it?”

The final episode of Cheers was seen by 80 million people, the second most watched finale in television history behind the 106 million who saw the end of M*A*S*H 10 years earlier.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/...ing-for-return

Mr. Television · 02-20-2010, 11:36 PM

Typical response from NBC. They don't know what Michael J. Fox looks like and they're not sure when Cheers was on their network. I'd love to see a Cheers reunion but the NBC that aired Cheers doesn't exist anymore.

Marvo301 · 02-20-2010, 11:36 PM

I'd love to see a Cheers reunion. I would definitely watch it.

Chocoholic · 02-20-2010, 11:41 PM

I'd love to see a Cheers reunion too, as well as for Wings and a couple of other NBC shows, but like Sonny said, the NBC that aired Cheers has ceased to exist

PrettyinPink55 · 02-21-2010, 03:14 AM

I would LOVE to see a Cheers reunion!!

If NBC won't do it, can they pitch it to another network?

oldguywithsticks · 02-21-2010, 06:12 AM

This would probably be the coolest thing ever were it to happen. I'm down for it!

Chocolate Moose · 02-21-2010, 04:29 PM

Sounds like ole Cliffy didn't save his money !!!!!

Cliff Barnes · 02-21-2010, 04:41 PM

It would be awesome to do one, I have wanted one for years. That is a real jerk response from NBC, clearly it is a different regime now. I would think the main decision would be made by Viacom since they own it, they could try to put it on another channel-while I doubt it might get a new series, at the very least a reunion movie would be fun. I don't think John has money problems, he seems like he's the most active one-I think he honestly just feels like the rest of us, we'd love to see them again, while they're all still with us.

yankeesrj12 · 02-21-2010, 05:49 PM

NBC should air this to help pump some life into their other comedies.

samanddiane4eva · 03-14-2010, 08:41 PM

Brian, this article inspired me to do a twitter campaign for a Cheers reunion.

Tired of waiting for a Cheers reunion like I am? Please tweet the following message on Twitter then ASAP and be heard:

" Please RT this. "Dear The Powers That Be, Please make a Cheers reunion TV movie!" #cheersreunion "

Be sure to include the hashtag or a variation of it: #cheersreunion . I really want this to trend and I can't do this without your help. Thanks so much!

Kristen · 03-14-2010, 08:56 PM

I'd be curious to see this. Esp. if Shelley Long came back, and they somehow revived the whole Sam/Diane saga. I'm not sure what kind of premise could be used, but I bet someone could come up w/ one. I hope someone listens to John's idea!

- Kristen

McGillicuddy · 03-14-2010, 09:00 PM

I suggest someone start a Facebook Page. They got Betty White on Saturday Night Live, so why not this? While you're at it start a Facebook Page to promote hiring some new folks at NBC, that spokeswoman sounds like an uninformed idiot!

samanddiane4eva · 03-14-2010, 11:12 PM

Done.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/We-wan...e/395769579492

oldguywithsticks · 03-15-2010, 06:37 PM

While I'd again love to see this happen, the chances are HIGHLY unlikely. I just think it'd be too difficult to get everybody to agree to do this. I'll keep my hopes up though.

McGillicuddy · 03-15-2010, 06:48 PM

Though I'd love to see the Cheers gang return to their roles, I could see a retrospective show as being more feasible.

02-20-2010, 11:27 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	John Ratzenberger Campaigning NBC for a Cheers Reunion THAT famous bar where everybody knows your name could soon be open for business again. The cast of the hit American television show Cheers are pitching for a reunion series. The comedy, which notched up 270 episodes between 1982 and 1993, made household names of Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Kirstie Alley, Shelley Long and Woody Harrelson. For another series the cast would need the go-ahead from NBC, the American network behind the much-loved programme which was broadcast by Channel 4 in Britain. The main push for a reunion run comes from regular cast member John Ratzenberger, 62, who played Cliff Clavin, the postman who was famed for his know-it-all attitude. His character could always be found sitting next to his drinking partner and best friend Norm, played by George Wendt. In London to promote the DVD of Up, the animated film for which he provides voices, John said: “I know for a fact that every single cast member would love to revisit it.” He said it was still not clear whether NBC executives were behind the idea. But he added: “It’s up to the network. I know the cast members will do it.” Asked whether scripts for a new series existed, he said: “I don’t know about scripts but how they take it forward would be up to the creators, James Burrows, Glen Charles and Les Charles. It would be their decision. Then we could get a script together. “It would be a great thing to do. It was a terrific time in all of our lives. We just sat around in a bar cracking jokes for 11 years – and we got paid.” Unlike the casts of many other long-running series, John said all the regulars had all rubbed along famously. “Don’t forget, it was set in a bar,” he said. “It’s not like it’s an emergency room in a hospital. It wasn’t like there was a lot of tension. Despite appearances, we didn’t have a drink. It was all fake beer. We’d have been falling around all over the place.” Asked whether Cheers would still be popular, he said: “I don’t know about now but I remember when we held a parade in Boston we drew more people than the Pope. It was big.” Since leaving Cheers, John has provided voices for characters in animation films like Up, Toy Story, A Bug’s Life and Finding Nemo. Ted Danson, who gained an Emmy nomination for his role in the TV drama Damages in 2007, still insists that his time on Cheers was “the happiest of my life – it was like an extended family”. A spokeswoman for NBC said: “There’s nothing on the slate at the moment that we know of. We don’t show Cheers on the network any more. It was like 20 years ago, wasn’t it?” The final episode of Cheers was seen by 80 million people, the second most watched finale in television history behind the 106 million who saw the end of MAS*H 10 years earlier. http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/...ing-for-return Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-20-2010, 11:36 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Typical response from NBC. They don't know what Michael J. Fox looks like and they're not sure when Cheers was on their network. I'd love to see a Cheers reunion but the NBC that aired Cheers doesn't exist anymore.
	__________________ Sonny

02-20-2010, 11:36 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I'd love to see a Cheers reunion. I would definitely watch it.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-21-2010, 03:14 AM	#5
PrettyinPink55 Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 24,601	I would LOVE to see a Cheers reunion!! If NBC won't do it, can they pitch it to another network?
	__________________ ♥♥♥

02-21-2010, 06:12 AM	#6
oldguywithsticks Frasier/Jane Leeves Fan 4 Life Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 23, 2010 Location: McKeesport, PA Posts: 193	This would probably be the coolest thing ever were it to happen. I'm down for it!
	__________________ The name oldguywithsticks comes from the album cover of Led Zeppelin IV, in case you were wondering.

02-20-2010, 11:41 PM	#4
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	I'd love to see a Cheers reunion too, as well as for Wings and a couple of other NBC shows, but like Sonny said, the NBC that aired Cheers has ceased to exist

02-21-2010, 04:29 PM	#7
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,900	Sounds like ole Cliffy didn't save his money !!!!!
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

02-21-2010, 04:41 PM	#8
Cliff Barnes Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2005 Posts: 163	It would be awesome to do one, I have wanted one for years. That is a real jerk response from NBC, clearly it is a different regime now. I would think the main decision would be made by Viacom since they own it, they could try to put it on another channel-while I doubt it might get a new series, at the very least a reunion movie would be fun. I don't think John has money problems, he seems like he's the most active one-I think he honestly just feels like the rest of us, we'd love to see them again, while they're all still with us.

02-21-2010, 05:49 PM	#9
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	NBC should air this to help pump some life into their other comedies.

03-14-2010, 08:41 PM	#10
samanddiane4eva Icon credit: Me Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2001 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 476	Brian, this article inspired me to do a twitter campaign for a Cheers reunion. Tired of waiting for a Cheers reunion like I am? Please tweet the following message on Twitter then ASAP and be heard: " Please RT this. "Dear The Powers That Be, Please make a Cheers reunion TV movie!" #cheersreunion " Be sure to include the hashtag or a variation of it: #cheersreunion . I really want this to trend and I can't do this without your help. Thanks so much!

03-14-2010, 08:56 PM	#11
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	I'd be curious to see this. Esp. if Shelley Long came back, and they somehow revived the whole Sam/Diane saga. I'm not sure what kind of premise could be used, but I bet someone could come up w/ one. I hope someone listens to John's idea! - Kristen
	__________________ Twitter \| Facebook \| Swagbucks \| Fanfiction Avatar Credit: Leigh Ann

03-14-2010, 09:00 PM	#12
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I suggest someone start a Facebook Page. They got Betty White on Saturday Night Live, so why not this? While you're at it start a Facebook Page to promote hiring some new folks at NBC, that spokeswoman sounds like an uninformed idiot!
	Last edited by McGillicuddy; 03-14-2010 at 10:45 PM.

03-14-2010, 11:12 PM	#13
samanddiane4eva Icon credit: Me Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2001 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 476	Done. http://www.facebook.com/pages/We-wan...e/395769579492

03-15-2010, 06:37 PM	#14
oldguywithsticks Frasier/Jane Leeves Fan 4 Life Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 23, 2010 Location: McKeesport, PA Posts: 193	While I'd again love to see this happen, the chances are HIGHLY unlikely. I just think it'd be too difficult to get everybody to agree to do this. I'll keep my hopes up though.

03-15-2010, 06:48 PM	#15
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Though I'd love to see the Cheers gang return to their roles, I could see a retrospective show as being more feasible.