Cheers is a beloved American sitcom television series that ran from 1982 to 1993. The series offers a total of 275 episodes, across 11 seasons. But that’s not all we’d see of Sam, Carla and Diane. Several Cheers characters made an appearance on the spin-off series Frasier. In this article, we’ll cover every Cheers character that returned for Frasier.
Frasier itself was also a huge success, running for 11 seasons from 1993 to 2004. With a new series now airing, it’s the perfect opportunity to look back at the string of memorable guests. Some of them are familiar faces, being Frasier Cranes’ (Kelsey Grammer) old friends from his time practicing psychiatry in Boston.
Originally debuting as an additional cast member in the Cheers season 3 premiere, Frasier is Diane Chambers’ (Shelley Long) rebound boyfriend following her breakup with the titular bar’s owner, Sam Malone (Ted Danson). The character was initially brought in as a guest star. However, thanks to his chemistry with the rest of the cast, he eventually became a show regular. Frasier remained even after Diane left the show. The fans’ positive reception to Frasier made him the perfect character to lead a spin-off series following Cheers‘ finale in 1993.
The Cheers spin-off features the lead character returning to Seattle to begin a new life as a radio psychiatrist. Here, he reconnects with his family and sees many familiar faces returning.
Every Cheers Character Who Returned in Frasier
Lilith Sternin (Bebe Neuwirth)
After breaking-up with Diane in Cheers, Frasier finds love again in Lilith Sternin. A fellow psychiatrist, Lilith is known for being uptight with a cold demeanor. The couple marry and share a son, Frederick. Unfortunately their marriage doesn’t last long. They eventually divorce with Lilith getting custody of Frederick.
Lilith is the only Cheers original character who appears multiple times on Frasier. Her first appearance in the spin-off is in season 1, episode 16, “The Show Where Lilith Comes Back” and her last is in season 11, episode 9 “Guns N’ Neuroses.” Overall, she guest-stars in the series 12 times.
Sam Malone (Ted Danson)
When Frasier made his Cheers debut, he and Sam didn’t get along. Aside from their obvious differences, there is friction between them thanks to Sam’s bitterness about the psychiatrist being his former girlfriend’s new lover. The tables are turned when Diane breaks up with Frasier and rekindles her romance with Sam. Frasier gets over his issues and becomes such good friends with Sam, returning to the bar even after Diane leaves.
In Frasier season 2, episode 16 titled “The Show Where Sam Shows Up,” the bar owner catches his friend up on what their Boston-based friends have been up to since he left the city. However, just as a tangled web was weaved in Cheers, so too is it in Frasier. During the visit, Sam breaks things off with his fiancée, Shiela (Téa Leoni), for cheating on him with another man. This man happens to be Frasier himself.
Diane Chambers (Shelly Long)
As stated above, Frasier first comes to Cheers via his romantic relationship with Diane. When Cheers returns for a season 3 premiere, Diane introduces Frasier to the regulars of the bar people as her new boyfriend. Diane ultimately goes back to Sam, but by that point Frasier has become ingrained with the bar.
Diane makes an appearance in Frasier season 3, episode 14 titled “The Show Where Diane Comes Back.” Like Sam, Diane’s visit is unplanned and catches Frasier by surprise. Diane is in town to oversee the production of a play she wrote. However, Diane’s play runs into trouble and Frasier feels the need to get involved. Long appeared two more times in Frasier, albeit only in dream sequences.
Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson)
Woody Boyd initially visits Cheers to meet Coach, who’s his pen pal. However, Coach had passed away, and as such Woody stays to replace his as a bartender.
Woody appears in Frasier season 6, episode 13, entitled “The Show Where Woody Shows Up.” They spend days hanging out together. After a while, however, Frasier realises that they’ve changed too much in the years they’ve been apart. He becomes annoyed with Woody’s presence and, in the end, they bid each other goodbye on good terms.
Norm, Cliff & Carla (George Wendt, John Ratzenberger & Rhea Pearlman)
When Frasier first starts visiting Cheers he is the butt of many jokes for Cliff, Norm and Carla. However, it’s all in good jest, and the outsider eventually becomes a welcomed part of the group.
In Frasier season 9, episode 21, entitled “Cheerful Goodbyes,” Frasier reunites with the regulars from Cheers. Unlike previous guest appearances however, this time it’s Frasier who travels back to Boston. He runs into Cliff at the airport, and the mailman invites Frasier to his retirement party. Here, he reunites with Carla and Norm, as well as lesser Cheers characters, Paul (Paul Wilson), Phil (Philip Perlman), and Walt (Raye Birk).
With the new reboot of Frasier now underway, are there any other Cheers characters you’d like to see returning? Let us know in the comments below!
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