The Ultimate Guide to All 4 Cheers Spinoffs, Surprising Crossovers, and Must-Know Connections

Summary

Cheers, a beloved sitcom, has spawned various spinoffs and crossovers like Frasier, Wings, The Tortellis, and St. Elsewhere, creating a Cheers cinematic universe.

Frasier, a spinoff series from Cheers, captivated viewers for two decades with its compelling character development and ongoing storylines centered around Frasier Crane.

Although not a direct spinoff, Wings maintains a subtle connection to Cheers through its shared creators and occasional appearances by characters from the original show, weaving it into the Cheers universe.

Cheers, a beloved sitcom, has spawned numerous spinoffs and crossovers that have delighted fans. The series is set in a Boston bar called Cheers and follows the lives of the staff and regular customers. With a successful run of 11 seasons, it became one of the most beloved American sitcoms during the '80s and '90s.

Featuring a dynamic cast including Frasier Crane, Sam Malone, and Diane Chambers, Cheers was filled with captivating characters. It's no wonder that viewers craved more of their stories and the creators were happy to oblige. The Cheers cinematic universe expands beyond popular shows like Frasier and Wings, also encompassing lesser-known gems like The Tortellis and St. Elsewhere. This creates a vast world of entertainment for fans to explore.

Frasier

Unbeknownst to many, Frasier is actually a spinoff of the popular television sitcom Cheers. The iconic character, Frasier Crane, first made his debut on the '80s show before captivating audiences with his pretentious dialogue in the '90s. In total, audiences were treated to 20 years of Crane's presence on their screens.

Moreover, Frasier stands out as a distinctly separate show, independent of its association with Cheers. This is largely due to the contrasting portrayal of Crane in each series. In the cheerful bar setting of Cheers, Crane appears less uptight, whereas in Frasier, his demeanor becomes more refined, particularly when interacting with his brother. However, certain aspects of his personality, such as his overbearing arrogance and his tumultuous love life, remain consistent throughout both shows.

The Tortellis

The Toretellis, known as another forgotten Cheers spinoff, served as a predecessor to Frasier. Originally intended as a Cheers prequel centered around Coach Ernie Pantusso, the show shifted its focus to Nick Tortelli, Carla Tortelli's ex-husband, and his wife Loretta. Although Carla, played by Rhea Perlman, was a main connection to the original show, she only made two guest appearances on The Toretellis.

Unfortunately, the show did not achieve much success in comparison to Cheers and Frasier. It ran for just one season consisting of 13 episodes. Some viewers attribute its failure to repetitive storylines and lackluster jokes. Additionally, the show heavily relied on stereotypes about Italian Americans, which many found to be insensitive and unoriginal.

Wings

Running for a total of eight seasons from 1990 to 1997, Wings, a lesser-known fact, is actually connected to Cheers. The series centers around two brothers, Joe and Brian Hackett, who operate a small commuter airline from a Nantucket airport. The show was brought to life by David Lee, David Angell, and Peter Casey, who were not only producers of Cheers but also the creators of Frasier.

Despite the subtle nature of the connection, many Wings viewers are unaware of its ties to Cheers. While Wings is not considered a direct spinoff like Frasier, it does feature occasional appearances from characters who originated in the original show. Cliff, Frasier, Lilith, Norm, and Rebecca all made cameo appearances throughout the series.

St. Elsewhere

St. Elsewhere stands out among medical shows like Grey's Anatomy by steering clear of extravagant miracles and instead focusing on the gritty realities of hospital life. Despite its differences from Cheers, these two shows surprisingly share a connection. While St. Elsewhere is not a spinoff of Cheers, there are a couple of instances where the two shows overlap.

In a Cheers episode from 1983, Carla gives birth at St. Eglius, although the event happens off-camera, it is acknowledged within the show. Additionally, in the season 3 finale of Cheers in 1975, doctors Westphall, Craig, and Auschlander visit Cheers for some drinks. This episode was made possible through a combination of luck and hard work, as the cast and crew only had one day to shoot it during a hiatus week of Cheers. Despite their brevity, these crossovers solidify St. Elsewhere's place within the Cheers universe.