Was the Shelley Long feud real?

[Will and Grace Fanatic]

I've watched the E True Hollywood Story and articles on the feud she seemed to have with every cast member. But has attended reunions with all the cast and she has even done movies with George Wendt. So was the feud real or just made up to sell stories?

[scrapple]

From what I've read and seen in interviews, Shelley was pretty much like most people in everyday jobs... you work with people, clock out at the end of your shift and go home. Just because she didn't really socialize off the set, doesn't mean there was a feud. Imaginary feuds sell more papers.

I must say that Shelley and Ted had amazing chemistry on-screen. It's funny how on "Bewitched", Elizabeth Montgomery was much closer to Darrin #2 Dick Sargent. But on-screen, they had no chemistry at all. She was not all that close to Darrin #1 Dick York, but they had a wonderful rapport on the TV screen.

[RetroGuy2000]

The interviews I've seen indicate that the feud was very real. I remember an interview with Ted Danson where he confirmed the feud. And Kelsey Grammar has stated a lot of things in his autobiography, including that Shelley Long wanted him off the show. And other cast members have said things about Shelley as well. Even decades later, things still get brought up, though the actors have mostly forgiven each other by now. This 2012 interview, long after the show's run, and long after any need for publicity, confirms the feud was real.

And the Cheers cast weren't the only actors who couldn't get along with Shelley Long. Bette Midler said the same thing.

[kclj520]

Like anyone anywhere, we disagree, and when egos and a lot of money in the #1 show for years get involved, some people are going to get upset. I am glad people have moved forward and that this show is still a great classic!

[TMC]

Originally Posted by scrapple

From what I've read and seen in interviews, Shelley was pretty much like most people in everyday jobs... you work with people, clock out at the end of your shift and go home. Just because she didn't really socialize off the set, doesn't mean there was a feud. Imaginary feuds sell more papers.

I must say that Shelley and Ted had amazing chemistry on-screen. It's funny how on "Bewitched", Elizabeth Montgomery was much closer to Darrin #2 Dick Sargent. But on-screen, they had no chemistry at all. She was not all that close to Darrin #1 Dick York, but they had a wonderful rapport on the TV screen.

From what I've gathered, Shelley Long was a huge perfectionist. In essence, she would question just about everything on Cheers. Ken Levine, one of the writers on Cheers, said that Shelley was a lovely person, who committed to her role and he appreciated her dedication. However, the other actors found her exhausting. They resented how she monopolized the writers by endlessly discussing Diane, they hated how she couldn't just do the part as written wasting hours going through it. Basically, she had to go over everything, discuss each line.

[IllinoisTVFan]

I read somewhere the only cast members she got along with well were Woody Harrelson and Nicholas Colasanto and that she had severe problems especially with Rhea Pearlman. However if I recall by the the time of the ending she got along better with most (except Rhea Pearlman). Interesting to note Pearlman became good friends wit Kirstie Alley.

Sidenote but one of the reasons my parents originally tuned into Cheers was because they knew who Shelly Long was. She hosted a local show and was in a commercial for a furniture store. I remember them telling people about this show because no one else watched at the time. Of course it became popular.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by IllinoisTVFan

I read somewhere the only cast members she got along with well were Woody Harrelson and Nicholas Colasanto and that she had severe problems especially with Rhea Pearlman. However if I recall by the the time of the ending she got along better with most (except Rhea Pearlman). Interesting to note Pearlman became good friends wit Kirstie Alley.

Sidenote but one of the reasons my parents originally tuned into Cheers was because they knew who Shelly Long was. She hosted a local show and was in a commercial for a furniture store. I remember them telling people about this show because no one else watched at the time. Of course it became popular.

Shelley Long also from what I've read, often kept to herself while on set. In other words, she didn't like or was comfortable w/ socializing w/ her cast-mates. Like for example, she often ate lunch by herself.

[1960'sTVfan]

"Sorting It Out" was the Chicago TV show Shelley co-hosted along with Bob Smith on WMAQ TV. It was a "what's going on around the town" type of show.

The commercials Shelley did were for John M. Smyth/Homemakers furniture stores.

[IllinoisTVFan]

That's true. It was funny because when Cheers premiered they watched because they knew who she was.

[CosmicCharlie]

Originally Posted by TMC

From what I've gathered, Shelley Long was a huge perfectionist. In essence, she would question just about everything on Cheers. Ken Levine, one of the writers on Cheers, said that Shelley was a lovely person, who committed to her role and he appreciated her dedication. However, the other actors found her exhausting. They resented how she monopolized the writers by endlessly discussing Diane, they hated how she couldn't just do the part as written wasting hours going through it. Basically, she had to go over everything, discuss each line.

Just Like Diane Chambers lol

[KatieAnn]

Recently Henry Wrinkler mentioned that Shelley was the actress he liked working with the least. This was on the Hoda and Kathie Lee Show. They asked something like "who was the person you liked working with the least" and he said Shelley, that she would hog a shot that was supposed to be both of them, get them to turn the camera to be on her.

I'm sure I'd already heard that they didn't get along, but it's kind of sad that she has had so many supposed issues with people she's worked with. I liked her on Cheers, I thought she had great chemistry with Ted Danson and that she played her part very well. And one thing I'd say she was right about was questioning why Frasier should keep coming back to the bar after Diane and Frasier broke up. It was a fair question, and while I'm glad they kept the actor on the show, I don't blame Shelley for questioning it, because the character doesn't really fit with that group on the surface, being a professional with refined tastes etc., and after a certain point he wasn't really all that interested in Diane anymore.

[CosmicCharlie]

Originally Posted by KatieAnn

Recently Henry Wrinkler mentioned that Shelley was the actress he liked working with the least. This was on the Hoda and Kathie Lee Show. They asked something like "who was the person you liked working with the least" and he said Shelley, that she would hog a shot that was supposed to be both of them, get them to turn the camera to be on her.

I'm sure I'd already heard that they didn't get along, but it's kind of sad that she has had so many supposed issues with people she's worked with. I liked her on Cheers, I thought she had great chemistry with Ted Danson and that she played her part very well. And one thing I'd say she was right about was questioning why Frasier should keep coming back to the bar after Diane and Frasier broke up. It was a fair question, and while I'm glad they kept the actor on the show, I don't blame Shelley for questioning it, because the character doesn't really fit with that group on the surface, being a professional with refined tastes etc., and after a certain point he wasn't really all that interested in Diane anymore.

I remember reading that Shelly Long had complained that Ted Danson usually had bad breath when they had to kiss on set .... LOL