Cheers: The Complete First Season [4 Discs]

Danson

Overview

This hugely successful, multi-Emmy-winning sitcom is set in a friendly Boston bar run by Sam Malone, a former Red Sox pitcher and recovering alcoholic. A brilliantly written and performed ensemble comedy filled with colorful characters, the series, in its first five years, revolved around the on again-off again, dysfunctional romance between Sam and brainy waitress Diane. The series bowed in September 1982, ran for 11 seasons and spun off another all-time classic, 'Frasier.'

Product Details

Release Date:	05/20/2003
UPC:	0097360569247
Original Release:	2003
Rating:	NR
Source:	Paramount
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	8:59:00
Sales rank:	41,894

Special Features

Closed Caption;"Setting the Bar: A Conversation With Ted Danson"; "Love at First Fight: Opposites Distract"; "Coach Ernie Pantusso's Rules of the Game"; I'll Drink to That: Stormin' Norm-isms; "It's a Little Known Fact..." Cheers trivia game

Editorial Reviews

A woman walks into a bar... It sounds like the start of a one-note joke, but in this case it's the beginning of a classic, a fresh sitcom that felt vintage from that Thursday night in 1982 when we first heard its now-familiar theme song. Brilliant banter and sharp insights into the human condition always informed Cheers, and this four-disc compilation of the first 22 episodes reminds us just how brilliant the show was from the outset, even as if faced an uphill battle in the Nielsen ratings. The cocktail of characters at the eponymous Boston watering hole, quirky, wisecracking misfits all, evolves charmingly, driven at first by the budding romance of jock-turned-bar-owner Sam "Mayday" Malone and brainy barmaid Diane Chambers (Ted Danson and Shelley Long). The story lines are simultaneously uproarious and uplifting, intelligent and inane, and always timed to percolating perfection. Watching the Season 1 episodes reminds one, too, of what a wonderful character Nicholas Colasanto created in "Coach," and how much we missed him after he passed on during the show's second season. DVD supplemental features include a conversation with Ted Danson, a Cheers trivia game, and a riotous collection of Stormin' Norm-isms. -- Peter Marchand

Give Me a Ring Sometime -- Ditched by her fiancé, would-be intellectual Diane accepts a waitressing job at Cheers. It won the 1983 Emmy for Best Writing in a Comedy Series -- one of 5 wins among 12 nominations.

Sam's Women -- Sam’s ex-wife, Debra, makes her only appearance while Sam tries to prove to Diane that the women he dates aren’t all dim bulbs.

The Tortelli Tort -- Carla (Rhea Perlman) fulfills the dreams of many when she clobbers a New York Yankees fan, but it’s Sam who gets hit with a lawsuit.

Sam at Eleven -- Ex-Red Sox reliever Sam rediscovers his taste for the spotlight when he’s interviewed by a local sportscaster -- Hunter’s Fred Dryer, who was originally considered for the role of Sam.

Coach's Daughter -- Clueless Coach reveals his heart when he wants something better for his down-on-herself daughter than the jerk she’s willing to settle for.

Any Friend of Diane's -- Jealousy rears its blonde head when Sam dates a friend of Diane’s -- portrayed by Julia Duffy, who was once up for the role of Diane.

Friends, Romans, Accountants -- Norm (George Wendt) sets up his boss with Diane and winds up losing his job -- yes, he had one. Bigger news: Cliff (John Ratzenberger) becomes a regular!

Truce or Consequences -- Carla reveals a huge secret about the father of her youngest child (but you won’t get it out of us).

Coach Returns to Action -- Nobody can challenge Sam’s supremacy with the ladies, except perhaps Coach, when they unwittingly vie for the same woman’s affections.

Endless Slumper -- One of the best endings ever caps the trials that ensue when Sam loses his lucky charm.

One for the Book -- Diane takes down bar quotes for a book, a would-be monk stops in on the night before entering a monastery, and a WWI doughboy awaits a reunion that never comes.

The Spy Who Came In for a Cold One -- A mysterious patron just might be a secret agent. Or a poet. Or an impressive liar teaching the gang some truths about themselves.

Now Pitching, Sam Malone -- Sam falls prey to the wiles of a sexy agent who lures him into commercial work in exchange for some work of his own.

Let Me Count the Ways -- Diane looks for solace after her cat dies, but the gang is caught up in a hoops game. The first in a long line of episodes credited to Heidi Perlman, Rhea's sister.

Father Knows Last -- Carla finds a conscience when she tries to con a geek into believing he got her pregnant.

The Boys in the Bar -- When an old teammate of Sam's reveals his homosexuality, the regulars fear their haunt may become a gay bar.

Diane's Perfect Date -- Perhaps knowing what we know -- that they belong together -- Sam and Diane challenge each other: Who can pick the perfect date for the other?

No Contest -- Tip O'Neill cameos as Diane wins the "Miss Boston Barmaid" contest.

Pick a Con...Any Con -- A pre-Night Court Harry Anderson helps con a con man who bamboozled Coach.

Someone Single, Someone Blue -- Wedding bells ring when Diane learns she must get married in a day or her mother will lose her part of the family estate.

Showdown Part 1 -- Sam’s charming brother swoops in and threatens to sweep Diane off her feet, and out of Sam’s arms, by asking her to join him in Paris.

Showdown Part 2 -- A great blend of season summation and cliff-hanger emerges when Diane makes her choice between Sam and his brother. This episode earned James Burrows an Emmy for Best Director -- Comedy Series.