The upcomingCheersremake has the opportunity to have ties to Ted Danson’s original sitcom thanks to Kelsey Grammer’sFrasierrevival. Despite being a late addition to theCheersensemble, Frasier Crane immediately became a favorite, primarily because of what he brought to the show’s storytelling. He stayed until the end of the series even afterShelley Long’s Diane left inCheersseason 5. More interestingly, while Sam’s original love interest never tried to fit in with the pub’s barflies,Frasier was able to assimilate himselfeven though he couldn’t be different from them.
Despite the success ofCheersand Frasier’s appeal, awarding him his own spinoff was still a big risk, especially with the failure ofThe Tortellis. Surprisingly,the originalFrasierbecame one of the rare sequels that equaled the success of its predecessor. Despite its great ending, however, Grammer decided to bring back the show with Paramount+’s revival. ThenewFrasieris divisive, although, with season 2 still going, it has time to win the public over. Beyond that, however, its existence can be useful for something else: connecting the newCheersremake with the original Boston-set one.
The Legacy Of Cheers Will Continue With A British Iteration
After years of questions about Danson possibly reprising his role as Sam Malone and opening his underground pub again, it has recently been announced thatCheerswill finally return, but with a caveat. Instead of reviving the original sitcom, it will have an international iteration with a UK take on the premise. Specific details about the project are still scant at the moment, butBig Talk Studios is supposedly in the process of developing a British version ofCheers(via Deadline).Men Behaving BadlyandThe Durrellswriter, Simon Nye, is working on the series after CBS Studios permitted it.
Cheers New Remake Officially Kills All Hope For A Revival Of Ted Danson’s Iconic Sitcom
Cheers is getting an unexpected remake, and while that’s exciting, it effectively kills all the chances for Ted Danson’s original show to be revived.
TheCheersUK remake comes at a time when international spinoffs are increasing in popularity.Ghosts UKwas successfully adapted in the US, and now, there are plans to launch an Australian and German version of it. Meanwhile,NCISjust premiered its first international offshoot withNCIS: Sydney.
Frasier Reboot’s Alan Cornwall Is The Key To Connecting The Cheers Remake To The Original
Nicholas Lyndhurst Can Bring Frasier To The British Version Of The Cheers Bar
As it is, there’s no connection betweenCheersUK and the original NBC show. UnlikeGhosts, which has a unique franchise premise, underground pubs crawling with barflies every night are in almost every community. This makes it easier to establish that both shows exist in the same reality. That said, seeing Sam, Woody, or any other familiar face from the Boston sitcom in its UK counterpart out of nowhere may seem like a forced way to connect the shows.
Frasier Season 2 Makes Its Cheers Plot Hole Worse By Fixing Its Most Problematic Relationship
The Frasier season 2 premiere effectively fixes its most questionable relationship. Unfortunately, it’s at the expense of Cheers' continuity.
Luckily, theFrasierreboot has an organic way of tying theCheersshow thanks to theexistence of Nicholas Lyndhurst’s Alan Cornwall. Frasier’s best friend was introduced in season 1, and while he was never mentioned in previous shows, he and Grammer’s character have been friends since their days in Oxford.Alan is theFrasierreboot’s best new character, but besides that, his origins can help establish the connection between the upcomingCheersand the old one.
Frasier can join Alan during this excursion, and considering Grammer’s character’s history withCheersand penchant for indirectly referring to it, he can comment on how the bar they are visiting feels familiar.
If the newFrasierdecides to expand Alan’s role, the revival could do a UK-based episode about him. The British Harvard professor’s love of drinking has been properly established, which could lead to him visiting theCheersUK pub. Frasier can join Alan during this excursion, and considering Grammer’s character’s history withCheersand penchant for indirectly referring to it, he can comment on how the bar they are visiting feels familiar. Perhaps when Frasier reunites with his old beer buddies, he can mention the existence of the British bar that’s reminiscent ofSam’sCheerspub.
Will Ted Danson & The Original Cast Appear In The Cheers UK Remake
Sam & His Beer-Drinking Group Can Take A Trip Across The Atlantic Ocean
In terms of narrative, there’s really no stopping Sam and the rest from popping by the British version of Cheers. The challenge is coming up with a valid reason for them to travel across the pond for a night out, especially considering the cast’s age at this point. Per Grammer andCheersco-creator, James Burrows,Boston’s Cheers bar is officially closed, which suggests that the group may not be as connected as they once were. Because of this,CheersUK will have to come up with a storytelling reason to reunite them in the UK.
From that trip, Sam and Diane can stumble upon the British Cheers bar for a full-circle moment.
Another possibility is for apotential final Sam and Diane adventure. The complicated lovers reunited at the end ofCheers, but despite their plans to get back together, they ended up being separated. If anyone involved in crafting their story decides to give them a different fate, the pair can reunite in the UK, which can make sense, considering Diane’s personality. From that trip, Sam and Diane can stumble upon the British Cheers bar for a full-circle moment.
Cheers
One of the most well-known American sitcoms of the 1980s and 90s, Cheers is primarily set in Boston at the Cheers bar, and features and ensemble cast that includes Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Pearlman, Kelsey Grammer, and George Wendt. Danson’s Sam Malone acts as the bar’s proprietor, and episodes depict the lives of Cheers' staff and patrons during the bar’s operating hours. The series ran for 11 seasons and gave rise to popular spin-off shows such as Frasier.
Frasier
Follow Frasier Crane in the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston, Mass., with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge and an old dream or two to finally fulfill.
