The Ultimate Cheers Revival: Debunking the Myth That It Can't Happen Despite Frasier's Reboot

Summary

Frasier's ending provided closure for the character's personal arc, but left a lingering question that the revival aims to answer.

Reviving Cheers in its original format after 30 years could prove challenging due to the characters having moved on and the potential risk of tarnishing the show's legacy. However, a Frasier reboot presents an opportunity for the characters to reunite in Boston, as long as it is approached with utmost care to preserve continuity.

Despite the upcoming Frasier reboot, a Cheers revival is not possible. Kelsey Grammer, who starred in Cheers as Frasier Crane, was initially introduced as Diane's rebound boyfriend before starring in his own Seattle-based series. Frasier's role expanded significantly, solidifying his popularity among fans and leading to his promotion as a regular character on the show, even after Diane's departure. He remained a regular at Cheers until the sitcom concluded in 1993.

Just a year after Cheers ended, Frasier's story continued in the spin-off series set in the Pacific Northwest. Returning to Seattle after his divorce from Lilith, Frasier embarked on a new chapter in his life, reconnecting with his father, Martin, and brother, Niles. The success of Frasier exceeded expectations, becoming as popular as its predecessor, a rarity among follow-up shows. Now, after two decades, Frasier is being revived. However, co-creator James Burrow dismisses any possibility of a Cheers revival alongside it.

Cheers Had A Perfect Ending - Whereas Frasier's Was Always More Open-Ended

Unlike Frasier, Cheers was a sitcom deeply rooted in tradition and relied heavily on humor. However, it surprised its audience with an unexpected finale that brought Sam and Diane back together. The reunion of the two characters would have provided a satisfying resolution to their tumultuous romance. However, Sam made a surprising decision to prioritize his love for the bar and chose to remain in Boston, rather than rekindle their relationship. This decision brought closure to one of the show's most significant plotlines, making a revival unnecessary.

Frasier also delivered a satisfying conclusion to its fans, but in a different way. As Frasier prepared to leave Seattle, he bid farewell to his loved ones, ensuring that each relationship was properly concluded. By the end, both Niles and Martin were in a much better place than when Frasier first reconnected with them. On the other hand, the spin-off series left Frasier's personal journey unresolved. Instead of moving to San Francisco for a new job, he impulsively changed his plans and flew to Chicago to pursue Charlotte. Unfortunately, viewers were never given the opportunity to learn the outcome of this bold gesture.

Would Anyone Really Want To See Cheers 30 Years On?

: Reviving the show is justified not only by the need to address the unresolved personal plotline in Frasier but also by the opportunity to further explore the character's fourth act, potentially serving as his final act as well. In this revival for Paramount+, the pompous therapist is relocating to Boston, completing a full circle back to his time in Cheers. Unlike his youthful and naive self, he now assumes the role of a father, making this dynamic the central focus of the new project. With the available information about the upcoming Paramount+ series, it becomes evident that the objective is to provide a satisfying conclusion to Frasier's journey.

Reviving Cheers now presents a challenge as continuing with its old format seems difficult to envision. Three decades have passed, bringing significant changes to the lives of Sam and the rest of the ensemble since their last appearance on screen. Cheers encapsulated a specific era in their lives, and witnessing them, now in their old age, partake in late-night drinking and immature behavior would elicit rather somber feelings. Opting to gather occasionally to catch up seems more sensible, considering the more than ten years they spent together every night. Any further attempts would only tarnish the cherished legacy of Cheers.

Cheers Characters In Frasier's Reboot Makes Sense... If Done Right

Additionally, it should be noted that the characters from Cheers made infrequent appearances in Frasier, indicating a change in their regular visits to the bar. For instance, in the episode "Cheerful Goodbyes," Cliff's retirement celebration had to be relocated to another pub. While it was true that Sam was supposedly organizing a Red Sox reunion at their usual hangout, the mere possibility of not being at Cheers supported this notion.

Reviving Cheers may not be feasible, but there is still a way to reunite most, if not all, of the beloved characters. With the Frasier reboot set in Boston, it presents the perfect opportunity for the sophisticated therapist to reconnect with his old pals. Whether this reunion takes place at the iconic Cheers bar or elsewhere is inconsequential. What truly matters is witnessing the heartwarming reunion of these friends. At this juncture, this could be considered the closest we get to a Cheers revival. Nonetheless, it is crucial to approach this with great caution, as it could potentially affect the shared continuity between the two shows.