Cheers: A Cultural History

Airing from 1982 to 1993, Cheers was both critically acclaimed and one of the most popular television shows of all time, earning over 100 Emmy nominations and securing 28 wins, including four for best comedy series. The show followed a group of Boston, Massachusetts locals who frequently gathered to drink and socialize. Bar owner Sam Malone was the de facto leader of the group and boss to Carla Tortelli, Coach Ernie Pantuso, Woody Boyd, and Diane Chambers, Sam’s on-again, off again paramour. Regular patrons Norm Peterson and Cliff Claven completed this ersatz family, later joined by Frasier Crane, his wife Lilith, and Rebecca Howe, a new foil for Sam. Cheers not only provided laughs for eleven seasons, it revolutionized American sitcoms with its long-running stories and famous will-they-won’t-they relationship.

In Cheers: A Cultural History, Joseph J. Darowski and Kate Darowski offer an engaging analysis of the show, providing insights into both the onscreen stories as well as the efforts behind the scenes to shape this beloved classic. The authors examine the series as a whole, but also focus on the show’s key characters, narrative arcs, and many themes, ranging from alcoholism to adultery. This volume also provides close looks at how set design, class issues, and gender roles informed the series throughout its run.

Also included is a compendium of opinionated reviews of every episode, highlighting the peaks and dips in quality across more than a decade of television. Cheers: A Cultural History will appeal to the show’s many fans and bring back beloved memories of the place where everybody knows your name!