Yes Or No? Shelley Long Killed Her Career By Leaving 'Cheers?' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-15-2010, 10:10 PM

The actress formerly known as Diane Chambers is WAY overdue for a comeback. She's done some guest appearances recently but come on, Hollywood -- get this woman her own show

Retro4Life · 09-15-2010, 10:34 PM

The sad truth is that for women over 40 (and in Long's case, 50), good roles are very hard to find. It's changing a little bit with all the "cougar" emphasis, but even so women of that age get stereotyped as the "horny and bitchy" neighbor/mother-in-law/villainess, etc.

Long was great on Cheers and I do think she kind of blew it when she chose to leave. Then again, almost none of her Cheers co-stars exactly burned up Hollywood after the show, either, except for Kelsey Grammar.

catlover79 · 09-16-2010, 02:40 AM

Well, post-Cheers, Ted Danson went on to have another successful sitcom (Becker), John Ratzenberger has made quite a career for himself in voiceover work (Toy Story movies, etc.), Woody Harrelson has done several acclaimed films, and of course Kelsey went on to Frasier and other shows. In Shelley's case, she did several successful movies like Troop Beverly Hills and the Brady Bunch flicks - but her post-Cheers TV vehicles have been less than stellar and often didn't last half a season (Good Advice, Kelly Kelly - anyone??). Last I heard, she had a guest spot on Modern Family.

So yeah - I'd say that her career was never quite as good as it was after quitting Cheers. Still, I wouldn't count out Shelley. Hey, if Betty White can reach the highest peak of her popularity and have the jobs pour in at age 88 - I think that can give any actress hope!!!

CSeaver22 · 09-16-2010, 07:31 PM

I agree! I would really like to see her do comedy (obviously) because I think she had some of the best comedic moments in the first five seasons of Cheers ("Ode to a Cornish Hen" anyone?). But I think what Retro4Life said is unfortunately true. However, maybe if she gets subsequent guest appearances on a popular show like Modern Family then she might become a part of the pop culture radar again.

TMC · 01-24-2015, 02:00 AM

In my opinion, there were two things that really killed Shelley Long's career: (1) Her reputation as a difficult performer (which was further enhanced by horror stories about her diva-ish demands on the set of Hello Again and her subsequently getting fired from My Stepmother Is An Alien); and (2) The arrival of Meg Ryan. Ryan was cheaper, younger, and (at the time) more agreeable and could easily do the type of roles that Long had been considered for just a few years before.

Dr. Thong · 01-24-2015, 12:50 PM

Has Shelley Long ever officially said that she made a mistake by leaving Cheers? I can't speak for her obviously, but I would imagine that even though she may have never said it publicly, that she has to regret it to some degree.

Even though Cheers went on to even better success in terms of ratings, it wasn't a sure thing at the time back in 1987. There was speculation in the industry and among fans that Cheers without Long might not make it.

Everyone was watching when season six debuted with Kirstie Alley. A sigh of relief came out of everyone's lips when they realized that the show would be okay creatively and commercially without Shelley Long.

But I have to imagine at some point, Shelley Long had to finally admit to herself that she hadn't made the best career move. Like Ted Danson, she could have made movies and done the show.

While I prefer the Shelley Long years, I liked the later seasons a lot and I think Kirstie Alley really grew into being a great comedic actress.

Shalako · 02-24-2015, 11:02 PM

In my opinion she enabled Cheers to go on much longer by leaving and the show only lasted 11 years because she left after 5. It enabled a whole reset to the storyline; with her on the show the focus was always Sam and Diane and how long could that last for? No coincidence at all that it went on for another 5 years plus a 'victory lap' season 11. It's really just a lack of in-depth thinking to presume that she missed another 6 seasons of the show when it probably wouldn't have lasted another 6 with her on it.

As far as her ruining her career- I can't speak to the diva aspect, gossip columns aren't my thing. She clearly was highly talented, winning Emmys and Golden Globes for her work on Cheers. I would venture that it's more likely that she was over-optimistic about her career prospects. She had climbed the mountain of success one time and, being yet young, most likely imagined she could do it again. A bit naïve there, perhaps. Success in Hollywood is extremely rare, which is why most actors who get ahold of it on a TV show stick it out til the bitter end. Also just my opinion, but there was something about her (and Ted Danson) that jumped off the screen with the Cheers TV cinematography that just didn't translate to the big screen. Perhaps the lesson is that when you've caught lightning in a bottle, it's best to keep the lid on tight.

Dr. Thong · 02-25-2015, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shalako

In my opinion she enabled Cheers to go on much longer by leaving and the show only lasted 11 years because she left after 5. It enabled a whole reset to the storyline; with her on the show the focus was always Sam and Diane and how long could that last for? No coincidence at all that it went on for another 5 years plus a 'victory lap' season 11. It's really just a lack of in-depth thinking to presume that she missed another 6 seasons of the show when it probably wouldn't have lasted another 6 with her on it.

As far as her ruining her career- I can't speak to the diva aspect, gossip columns aren't my thing. She clearly was highly talented, winning Emmys and Golden Globes for her work on Cheers. I would venture that it's more likely that she was over-optimistic about her career prospects. She had climbed the mountain of success one time and, being yet young, most likely imagined she could do it again. A bit naïve there, perhaps. Success in Hollywood is extremely rare, which is why most actors who get ahold of it on a TV show stick it out til the bitter end. Also just my opinion, but there was something about her (and Ted Danson) that jumped off the screen with the Cheers TV cinematography that just didn't translate to the big screen. Perhaps the lesson is that when you've caught lightning in a bottle, it's best to keep the lid on tight.

Very well put.

09-15-2010, 10:10 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: 63,108	Yes Or No? Shelley Long Killed Her Career By Leaving 'Cheers?' The actress formerly known as Diane Chambers is WAY overdue for a comeback. She's done some guest appearances recently but come on, Hollywood -- get this woman her own show Attached Images
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09-15-2010, 10:34 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,706	The sad truth is that for women over 40 (and in Long's case, 50), good roles are very hard to find. It's changing a little bit with all the "cougar" emphasis, but even so women of that age get stereotyped as the "horny and bitchy" neighbor/mother-in-law/villainess, etc. Long was great on Cheers and I do think she kind of blew it when she chose to leave. Then again, almost none of her Cheers co-stars exactly burned up Hollywood after the show, either, except for Kelsey Grammar.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

09-16-2010, 02:40 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Well, post-Cheers, Ted Danson went on to have another successful sitcom (Becker), John Ratzenberger has made quite a career for himself in voiceover work (Toy Story movies, etc.), Woody Harrelson has done several acclaimed films, and of course Kelsey went on to Frasier and other shows. In Shelley's case, she did several successful movies like Troop Beverly Hills and the Brady Bunch flicks - but her post-Cheers TV vehicles have been less than stellar and often didn't last half a season (Good Advice, Kelly Kelly - anyone??). Last I heard, she had a guest spot on Modern Family. So yeah - I'd say that her career was never quite as good as it was after quitting Cheers. Still, I wouldn't count out Shelley. Hey, if Betty White can reach the highest peak of her popularity and have the jobs pour in at age 88 - I think that can give any actress hope!!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

01-24-2015, 02:00 AM	#5
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,453	In my opinion, there were two things that really killed Shelley Long's career: (1) Her reputation as a difficult performer (which was further enhanced by horror stories about her diva-ish demands on the set of Hello Again and her subsequently getting fired from My Stepmother Is An Alien); and (2) The arrival of Meg Ryan. Ryan was cheaper, younger, and (at the time) more agreeable and could easily do the type of roles that Long had been considered for just a few years before.
	Last edited by TMC; 06-27-2022 at 02:20 AM.

01-24-2015, 12:50 PM	#6
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	Has Shelley Long ever officially said that she made a mistake by leaving Cheers? I can't speak for her obviously, but I would imagine that even though she may have never said it publicly, that she has to regret it to some degree. Even though Cheers went on to even better success in terms of ratings, it wasn't a sure thing at the time back in 1987. There was speculation in the industry and among fans that Cheers without Long might not make it. Everyone was watching when season six debuted with Kirstie Alley. A sigh of relief came out of everyone's lips when they realized that the show would be okay creatively and commercially without Shelley Long. But I have to imagine at some point, Shelley Long had to finally admit to herself that she hadn't made the best career move. Like Ted Danson, she could have made movies and done the show. While I prefer the Shelley Long years, I liked the later seasons a lot and I think Kirstie Alley really grew into being a great comedic actress.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

09-16-2010, 07:31 PM	#4
CSeaver22 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 20, 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 22	I agree! I would really like to see her do comedy (obviously) because I think she had some of the best comedic moments in the first five seasons of Cheers ("Ode to a Cornish Hen" anyone?). But I think what Retro4Life said is unfortunately true. However, maybe if she gets subsequent guest appearances on a popular show like Modern Family then she might become a part of the pop culture radar again.

02-24-2015, 11:02 PM	#7
Shalako Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2014 Posts: 5	In my opinion she enabled Cheers to go on much longer by leaving and the show only lasted 11 years because she left after 5. It enabled a whole reset to the storyline; with her on the show the focus was always Sam and Diane and how long could that last for? No coincidence at all that it went on for another 5 years plus a 'victory lap' season 11. It's really just a lack of in-depth thinking to presume that she missed another 6 seasons of the show when it probably wouldn't have lasted another 6 with her on it. As far as her ruining her career- I can't speak to the diva aspect, gossip columns aren't my thing. She clearly was highly talented, winning Emmys and Golden Globes for her work on Cheers. I would venture that it's more likely that she was over-optimistic about her career prospects. She had climbed the mountain of success one time and, being yet young, most likely imagined she could do it again. A bit naïve there, perhaps. Success in Hollywood is extremely rare, which is why most actors who get ahold of it on a TV show stick it out til the bitter end. Also just my opinion, but there was something about her (and Ted Danson) that jumped off the screen with the Cheers TV cinematography that just didn't translate to the big screen. Perhaps the lesson is that when you've caught lightning in a bottle, it's best to keep the lid on tight.