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Started By
Message
So the Cheers thread last week got me pretty pumped up so I started watching it
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:01 pm
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:01 pm
a few days ago. So far I'm only through the first 4 episodes and it's pretty good. I know it's a classic and I've always wanted to get into it, just never have until now. A few questions/comments..
-When does the show really hit its stride? Seinfeld if my favorite show of all time, but I'll admit that first season is almost a completely different show compared to the mid/later seasons. It took about 2 or 3 seasons to really become "seinfeld", if that makes sense.
-Is every episode inside the bar? I don't care one way or the other, but I've noticed the entirety of what I've watched so far has all been inside the bar. I know the office was very heavily office-centric to start but they eventually had to branch out and started doing a lot more out of office stuff
-Reading that other thread, I got the sentiment that everyone LOVES coach. Maybe I'm just too young, but eeeehhhhhhh he's kind of TOO much of a charicature, IMO. He's the bumbling, goofy, slightly stupid old timer.
-In your opinion for those who have seen it all, what are your favorite seasons? You dont' have to rank them all since it's a sitcom and ranking the seasons here would be different than ranking the Wire or LOST or something..but are there any that really stand out to you as being above the rest?
-When does the show really hit its stride? Seinfeld if my favorite show of all time, but I'll admit that first season is almost a completely different show compared to the mid/later seasons. It took about 2 or 3 seasons to really become "seinfeld", if that makes sense.
-Is every episode inside the bar? I don't care one way or the other, but I've noticed the entirety of what I've watched so far has all been inside the bar. I know the office was very heavily office-centric to start but they eventually had to branch out and started doing a lot more out of office stuff
-Reading that other thread, I got the sentiment that everyone LOVES coach. Maybe I'm just too young, but eeeehhhhhhh he's kind of TOO much of a charicature, IMO. He's the bumbling, goofy, slightly stupid old timer.
-In your opinion for those who have seen it all, what are your favorite seasons? You dont' have to rank them all since it's a sitcom and ranking the seasons here would be different than ranking the Wire or LOST or something..but are there any that really stand out to you as being above the rest?
6
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:05 pm to WG_Dawg
I think the show hits its stride midway through the 1st season or so. They created the whole will-they-or-won't-they cliche, but they handled it real well. Even better than those who were playing with their formula.
I don't want to say every episode is entirely in the bar, because they branched out occasionally, but I can't think of an episode that isn't at least rooted in the bar. It's a great dynamic, really.
Perhaps my favorite episode of the whole series is, I think, a first season episode -- Coach and his daughter. It's kind of heartbreaking. I think the show really hit its peak S2 and S3, but it's pretty much all great.
I don't want to say every episode is entirely in the bar, because they branched out occasionally, but I can't think of an episode that isn't at least rooted in the bar. It's a great dynamic, really.
Perhaps my favorite episode of the whole series is, I think, a first season episode -- Coach and his daughter. It's kind of heartbreaking. I think the show really hit its peak S2 and S3, but it's pretty much all great.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:06 pm to Baloo
Cool, that's what I was looking for.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:07 pm to WG_Dawg
quote:It really has a couple of peaks. Coach is great, but when Diane leaves and comes back with Frasier and Woody shows up it really picks up. Season 3 I think. Then just as you think it jumped the shark, it reinvents itself and has Sam sell the bar and it rolls strong from then on IMO.
When does the show really hit its stride?
quote:Yes. The bar is like Jerry's apt.
Is every episode inside the bar?
quote:Everybody does, he's a likeable and funny character, and if you get into some of the behind the scenes stuff, you will learn how loved he was by the cast even decades later.
I got the sentiment that everyone LOVES coach
quote:Without looking up on IMDB, I think it was funniest when Rebecca was going after corporate guys all the time, Sam was going after Rebecca, etc. Basically 1989- 1993. Whatever seasons those were.
In your opinion for those who have seen it all, what are your favorite seasons?
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:10 pm to WG_Dawg
IMHO the show was probably at its best in the early Frasier years (seasons 3-5), though the first seasons are great too.
It began to noticeably slip after that (new producers came in), with boring new characters introduced (various people wanting to buy the bar) and too much emphasis on the Rebecca character. While Kirstie Alley was definitely hotter, Shelley Long was funnier.
Most of the great episodes are set in the bar, with a few exceptions (the classic Thanksgiving show)
It began to noticeably slip after that (new producers came in), with boring new characters introduced (various people wanting to buy the bar) and too much emphasis on the Rebecca character. While Kirstie Alley was definitely hotter, Shelley Long was funnier.
Most of the great episodes are set in the bar, with a few exceptions (the classic Thanksgiving show)
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:13 pm to Baloo
Cheers is also notable for its linear, continuing storyline. I believe it was the first sitcom to do this, aside from soap opera spoofs like Mary Hartman and Soap.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:15 pm to Kafka
I also REALLY like Frasier (the show) so I'm excited to see his entrance to the show. Like I said I'm only 4 episodes in so I know I haven't gotten to see many characters yet.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:16 pm to Baloo
quote:
but it's pretty much all great
This.
I remember watching Cheers growing up, but don't remember specifics like what seasons were better than others. I do know that I remember a lot more of the show without Coach than with him though. And I absolutely LOVED Woody...thought he was always hilarious.
I've caught reruns here and there over the years, and every single time I catch a show, it still cracks me up. What's great about a show like Cheers is that the writing is SO fricking good. Things were funny because they were just inherently funny, not because it was referential or social commentary of popular things at the time. Things that Cliff and Norm say back in the 1980s are just as funny and relevant now as they were then. Seems like a lot of what's funny these days has everything to do with social commentary of what's popular right now and a lot of it is referential humor, whereas Cheers is just plain good/funny.
It's amazing to me watching reruns now just how well the show holds up today.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:18 pm to WG_Dawg
I have searched for a bar like Cheers. None exist. I will save you some time. At least none with a witty postman.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:20 pm to Kafka
quote:
I believe it was the first sitcom to do this, aside from soap opera spoofs like Mary Hartman and Soap.
I've read very good things about Soap. Like, it being referred to as one of the most influencial sitcoms ever. Is that accurate and should I watch it?
The other show I think I need to watch is the Larry Sanders Show.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:21 pm to ProjectP2294
quote:
The other show I think I need to watch is the Larry Sanders Show.
On the level of Arrested Development. Hey now.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:21 pm to CocomoLSU
quote:
Things that Cliff and Norm say back in the 1980s are just as funny and relevant now as they were then.
Norm is my favorite so far. Very quick witted and has some great one liners. I like Sam a lot, seems like a good dude. Cliff hasn't really had many lines yet honestly, I think he's only said a few sentences. Diane is cool and seems like a nice down to earth character. Carla is so off the wall I don't know what to think of her yet. I understand that's her character and the role she's supposed to play, but it can be a bit much at times. I still like her though. I don't dislike any of the characters, except the people I'm supposed to so far (fat loudmouthed yankees fan, sam's newsreporter buddy that abandons him, etc).
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:22 pm to WG_Dawg
quote:
Norm is my favorite so far. Very quick witted and has some great one liners.
His responses when Woody asks him if he wants a beer are some of the funniest stuff.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:24 pm to WG_Dawg
quote:
I also REALLY like Frasier (the show) so I'm excited to see his entrance to the show. Like I said I'm only 4 episodes in so I know I haven't gotten to see many characters yet.
Frasier is awesome in Cheers. You won't be disappointed.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:25 pm to ProjectP2294
quote:I didn't care for it but I'm sure a lot of people on here did
I've read very good things about Soap. Like, it being referred to as one of the most influencial sitcoms ever. Is that accurate and should I watch it?
Leaving aside questions of quality I would not consider Soap to have been terribly influential
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:25 pm to ProjectP2294
quote:
I've read very good things about Soap. Like, it being referred to as one of the most influencial sitcoms ever. Is that accurate and should I watch it?
I was maybe 9 or 10 during Soap's original run and it was first I'd ever heard of gay people.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:26 pm to Kafka
quote:
Most of the great episodes are set in the bar, with a few exceptions (the classic Thanksgiving show)
True. I forgot to address that...I know there were some episodes that took place outside the bar in some capacity or another. For example, I remember one where Sam and Diane went on a date (I think) to some restaurant or something like that.
Also:
quote:
Frasier
Most successful TV character/actor of all time? Has to be, or at least up there.
The Frasier character was on TV for basically 20 years straight on two shows that were both not only hugely popular but also very critically acclaimed.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:27 pm to Kafka
quote:
I didn't care for it but I'm sure a lot of people on here did
Leaving aside questions of quality I would not consider Soap to have been terribly influential
Good deal. I may still check it out, but it's going to drop down my list a little.
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:29 pm to Wally Sparks
Favorite Norm quote:
It's a dog-eat-dog world and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear!
Favorite Cliff Clavin quote:
It's a dog-eat-dog world and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear!
Favorite Cliff Clavin quote:
Posted on 3/18/13 at 2:29 pm to CocomoLSU
quote:
Most successful TV character/actor of all time? Has to be, or at least up there.
Maybe so.
Detective Munch may come in not far behind him though. Richard Belzer has been in just about every show on TV as Munch.
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