Unveiling the Untold Story behind Cheers' Revolutionary Intro Change

Summary

Viewers at home criticized the loud laughter on Cheers, leading to the addition of a tag stating it was filmed in front of a live studio audience.

Cheers' live studio audience erupted with uproarious laughter, captivated by its straightforward and easily relatable humor, eliciting instant responses to the cleverly delivered jokes. The resounding laughter magnified Cheers' triumph as a top-notch situational comedy, accentuating its unwavering excellence and undeniable replay value.

Cheers changed its iconic opening after facing criticism from viewers. The NBC sitcom, which debuted in 1982, introduced the characters at Sam Malone's Boston bar and focused on their nightly antics. Despite its simple humor, Cheers is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedies of all time. It was not only critically acclaimed but also incredibly popular, with the finale attracting an estimated 93 million viewers, nearly 40% of the US population in 1993.

While Cheers as a whole is memorable, it also features several unforgettable elements that continue to be referenced in pop culture today. This includes the frustrating yet captivating romance between Sam and Diane Chambers, the iconic "Norm" greeting whenever Norm Peterson enters the bar, and the catchy theme song "Cheers (Where Everybody Knows Your Name)" by George Portnoy. Each episode of Cheers also included a unique disclaimer tag.

Cheers "Live Studio Audience" Tag Was Added After Audience Backlash

At the beginning of each episode of Cheers, a tag would appear stating "Cheers is filmed in front of a live studio audience." This would usually be shown just before the cold open, followed by the theme song. In each episode, a different cast member would deliver this line, but no explanation was provided as to why. Interestingly, when the sitcom initially aired, this disclaimer was not included. It was only added in Season 1, Episode 13, titled "Now Pitching, Sam Malone," where John Ratzenberger's character, Cliff Clavin, read the tag. The decision to include it was unexpected, considering that there were other sitcoms with live studio audiences that did not have a similar announcement.

According to Ken Levine, a writer for Cheers, the addition of the live audience disclaimer was in response to backlash from viewers watching at home. These viewers complained that they could barely hear the characters' lines due to the laughter. There was a belief that Cheers was using an excessively loud laugh track, and the audience wanted the show to tone it down. What they didn't realize was that the laughter featured in the episodes was genuine and came from the people in the studio during the taping. Even when it was known that the sitcom had a live audience, many people still doubted that the laughs were authentic.

Why Cheers' Live Audience Laugh Is More Intense Compared To Other Sitcoms

Cheers was not the only sitcom during that time to have a live studio audience. Other shows like Newhart, The Carol Burnett Show, Married...with Children, and The Golden Girls also had viewers present during filming. However, Cheers stood out for its explicit acknowledgment of its shooting conditions. This can be attributed to the fact that the NBC Boston-based comedy garnered more intense laughter from its live studio audience, and there are valid reasons behind this.

In contrast to its spin-off, Frasier, Cheers' humor is more direct and easily understandable. This means that the jokes on the show elicit an immediate reaction, so when the writing includes multiple funny moments one after another, it can lead to exceptionally loud laughter from the audience. Additionally, set in a bar, Cheers benefits from the lighthearted and playful atmosphere that comes with patrons being a bit tipsy. This allows the show to draw humor from a variety of sources. Overall, Cheers predominantly focused on light-hearted storylines, and even when it tackled deeper themes, it often balanced it out with silly humor.

Cheers’ Intro Disclaimer Shows Just How Great The Sitcom Is

Cheers is undoubtedly a phenomenal show. It received nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series at the Emmys every year it was on the air, showcasing its consistent quality over its impressive run of more than a decade. While its remarkable legacy became evident in retrospect, it continues to captivate audiences through reruns, underscoring its enduring appeal. However, it was challenging to fully recognize these achievements while the show was still airing. The immediate reaction from the live studio audience served as the cast and crew's greatest affirmation that they were successfully delivering on the show's comedic aspects.

Eliciting laughter from viewers was not a new feat. Single-camera sitcoms are tailor-made to elicit chuckles from their audiences. Yet, Cheers managed to go beyond the ordinary, garnering genuine and exuberant laughter from its viewers. This achievement affirmed that it was indeed a highly effective situational comedy. While it may not have been revolutionary or innovative in its storytelling, it excelled at being exactly what it set out to be - a superb situational comedy.

Source: ...by Ken Levine