Today in 'Cheers' History: Nicholas Colssanto Died Without A Proper Sendoff - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-12-2011, 01:36 AM

February 12th, 1985 - Nicholas Colssanto, actor (Coach-Cheers), dies at 61

Marvo301 · 02-12-2011, 02:49 AM

Coach was one of my all time favorite Sitcom characters. The perfect combination of naivete and heart. I don't think Cheers was ever the same without him. Ernie Pantusso was one of a kind!

Nicholas Colassanto

Dr. Thong · 02-12-2011, 11:25 AM

What do you mean, "Died without a proper sendoff?"

Prince Michael · 08-03-2012, 03:38 AM

That means the actors, characters and viewers never had a chance to say "Goodbye" to Coach . On M*A*S*H, there was an episode where Colonel Henry Blake went home, an episode where Radar told Hawkeye "Trapper John left", and episode where Frank Burns dropped out of sight and was reassigned to the United States, and an episode where Radar went home . On the M*A*S*H message board, everybody wishes there had been an episode where the main focus was Trapper John's chance to go home . Those "Goodbye" episodes mean a lot to the viewers .

Mr. Television · 08-03-2012, 07:49 AM

Selma Diamond of Night Court and Dolph Sweet of Gimme a Break died at about the same time and each had an episode dedicated to them. Nicholas deserved as much.

Dr. Thong · 08-04-2012, 10:23 AM

I think it's tough when an actor dies before the character does. Maybe the Cheers team thought doing a show solely focused on Coach's passing would be too morbid or sad.

I understand fans who wish that they'd done an episode that focused on Coach's passing and showed the characters' reactions, but keep in mind that they were dealing with the real-life loss of their colleague and friend and handled it their own way.

Coach's passing was acknowledged in the show -- they just didn't get into the details. I don't condemn them for the way they handled it.

Johnny be good! · 11-18-2012, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I think it's tough when an actor dies before the character does. Maybe the Cheers team thought doing a show solely focused on Coach's passing would be too morbid or sad.

I understand fans who wish that they'd done an episode that focused on Coach's passing and showed the characters' reactions, but keep in mind that they were dealing with the real-life loss of their colleague and friend and handled it their own way.

Coach's passing was acknowledged in the show -- they just didn't get into the details. I don't condemn them for the way they handled it.

And neither do I.

DJM77 · 11-18-2012, 02:40 PM

I remember them doing a very short tribute to Nick before one of the episodes soon after he died. I was 7 years old at the time, so the details are a little fuzzy.

optimusprimez10 · 01-02-2013, 10:40 AM

He didn't get a "proper sendoff" But they did leave the laugh track out of his last scene in respect, and put his picture on the bar wall.

BeatleMoe · 01-29-2013, 12:35 AM

In Woody's first episode, there was a nice moment where Diane mentions how sorry she was to hear about Coach passing away. You could see the tears welling up in her eyes when bringing it up and you could hear it in Ted's voice too the sadness. I almost cry there because you could tell how hard it was for them to address it. I think them putting up Nick's Geronimo portrait for the remainder of the series was just a great tribute, so symbolic.

Dr. Thong · 02-01-2013, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeatleMoe

In Woody's first episode, there was a nice moment where Diane mentions how sorry she was to hear about Coach passing away. You could see the tears welling up in her eyes when bringing it up and you could hear it in Ted's voice too the sadness. I almost cry there because you could tell how hard it was for them to address it. I think them putting up Nick's Geronimo portrait for the remainder of the series was just a great tribute, so symbolic.

I think that says it all, really. Very tastefully done.

principehomura · 03-30-2013, 05:00 PM

I'm watching now 'Cheers' from the first time.
I'm now finished with season 3, and watching the first episode of season 4 I was a bit disappointed, and I entered here with the intention of start a thread about this thing, but I also understand that is a really difficult thing to do.

Anyway,

Nicholas Colasanto

ThomasE · 03-31-2013, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM77

I remember them doing a very short tribute to Nick before one of the episodes soon after he died. I was 7 years old at the time, so the details are a little fuzzy.

I was about 7 at the time as well. I missed his character. I know the actor and Shelley had a bond.

Mr. Drucker · 04-01-2013, 10:39 AM

It always astounds me to find that many people have become so attached to some of these fictional personalities and can identify with their values so greatly,they almost seem to feel as if they've been a real life close friend.Somewhere along THOSE lines,it is STILL an emotional moment for me whenever I catch the "M*A*S*H*" piece when Henry Blake's plane is shot down over the Sea of Japan on his way home to the states.THAT'S how highly definitive alot of writers were with this and other beloved "TV LAND" characterizations.The same way millions around the world felt at the instance of John Lennon's murder.Like you lost a dear,dear old confidant and pal.

Dr. Thong · 04-01-2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Drucker

It always astounds me to find that many people have become so attached to some of these fictional personalities and can identify with their values so greatly,they almost seem to feel as if they've been a real life close friend.Somewhere along THOSE lines,it is STILL an emotional moment for me whenever I catch the "M*A*S*H*" piece when Henry Blake's plane is shot down over the Sea of Japan on his way home to the states.

Good, I'm not the only one, then.

02-12-2011, 01:36 AM	#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	Today in 'Cheers' History: Nicholas Colssanto Died Without A Proper Sendoff February 12th, 1985 - Nicholas Colssanto, actor (Coach-Cheers), dies at 61 Attached Images
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02-12-2011, 02:49 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Coach was one of my all time favorite Sitcom characters. The perfect combination of naivete and heart. I don't think Cheers was ever the same without him. Ernie Pantusso was one of a kind! Nicholas Colassanto
	__________________ 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

02-12-2011, 11:25 AM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	What do you mean, "Died without a proper sendoff?"
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08-03-2012, 07:49 AM	#5
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Selma Diamond of Night Court and Dolph Sweet of Gimme a Break died at about the same time and each had an episode dedicated to them. Nicholas deserved as much.
	__________________ Sonny

11-18-2012, 02:40 PM	#8
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,564	I remember them doing a very short tribute to Nick before one of the episodes soon after he died. I was 7 years old at the time, so the details are a little fuzzy.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri!

08-03-2012, 03:38 AM	#4
Prince Michael Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 26, 2011 Location: Helena, Montana Posts: 296	That means the actors, characters and viewers never had a chance to say "Goodbye" to Coach . On MASH, there was an episode where Colonel Henry Blake went home, an episode where Radar told Hawkeye "Trapper John left", and episode where Frank Burns dropped out of sight and was reassigned to the United States, and an episode where Radar went home . On the MASH message board, everybody wishes there had been an episode where the main focus was Trapper John's chance to go home . Those "Goodbye" episodes mean a lot to the viewers .

08-04-2012, 10:23 AM	#6
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I think it's tough when an actor dies before the character does. Maybe the Cheers team thought doing a show solely focused on Coach's passing would be too morbid or sad. I understand fans who wish that they'd done an episode that focused on Coach's passing and showed the characters' reactions, but keep in mind that they were dealing with the real-life loss of their colleague and friend and handled it their own way. Coach's passing was acknowledged in the show -- they just didn't get into the details. I don't condemn them for the way they handled it.

01-02-2013, 10:40 AM	#9
optimusprimez10 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 02, 2013 Location: MA Posts: 10	He didn't get a "proper sendoff" But they did leave the laugh track out of his last scene in respect, and put his picture on the bar wall.

01-29-2013, 12:35 AM	#10
BeatleMoe Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 13, 2002 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 615	In Woody's first episode, there was a nice moment where Diane mentions how sorry she was to hear about Coach passing away. You could see the tears welling up in her eyes when bringing it up and you could hear it in Ted's voice too the sadness. I almost cry there because you could tell how hard it was for them to address it. I think them putting up Nick's Geronimo portrait for the remainder of the series was just a great tribute, so symbolic.
	__________________ BeatleMoe

03-30-2013, 05:00 PM	#12
principehomura Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 24, 2010 Location: SEA, Napa, Lanford, NY \| Rome (WI), Coeur d'Coeurs, Stars Hollow, Sunnydale \| Twin Peaks, BAL, Deadwood, WA \| Tardis, Galactica Posts: 757	I'm watching now 'Cheers' from the first time. I'm now finished with season 3, and watching the first episode of season 4 I was a bit disappointed, and I entered here with the intention of start a thread about this thing, but I also understand that is a really difficult thing to do. Anyway, Nicholas Colasanto
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04-01-2013, 10:39 AM	#14
Mr. Drucker Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 28, 2013 Location: Lynn,MA Posts: 325	It always astounds me to find that many people have become so attached to some of these fictional personalities and can identify with their values so greatly,they almost seem to feel as if they've been a real life close friend.Somewhere along THOSE lines,it is STILL an emotional moment for me whenever I catch the "MASH" piece when Henry Blake's plane is shot down over the Sea of Japan on his way home to the states.THAT'S how highly definitive alot of writers were with this and other beloved "TV LAND" characterizations.The same way millions around the world felt at the instance of John Lennon's murder.Like you lost a dear,dear old confidant and pal.