Cheers: Series One [DVD] [1983]
The definition of comfort television is this: you want to go where you know everybody’s name. And you’re always glad you came. Cheers is open for business once again in this set that contains all 22 episodes of the first, and best, season of the show that inherited Taxi’s mantle as television’s best ensemble-driven workplace comedy. It can be instructive to return to a long-running series’ more humble beginnings. While Cheers got drunk on farce in its later years, it began life as a much more g
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Timeless,
If, like me, you often look back to your childhood & teenage years thinking how much better music, movies & tv was back then, you probably snap up many of the re-released products in the hope that they’re still as good as you remember. Quite often this can prove a huge dissapointment. Music, unless truly great, can sound very dated. Films, again unless your watching the classics, can now look very past-their-sell-by-date. TV Series unfortunately however usually prove to be most dissapointing. Programmes that you may have loved 15-20 years ago will more than likley look and sound terrible. Never mind the costumes, sound & picture quality, references and jokes often mean nothing as we’re now living in a different world. There are very few tv comedy series that have stood the test of time … Cheers is one of them.
Series 1 of the show following the goings-on in the Boston Bar where everybody knows your name is quite simply brilliant. We often forget that any long running series of any type has been granted numerous seasons because of how successful the first series was and watching this Box Set it’s very easy to see just why this show was so popular.
The main characters are brilliantly crafted both in terms of who they are and how they are played. The setting is perfect and gives the writers endless opportunities to bring new characters in and out, whether that be for individual shows or entire series. There’s an equal amount of warmth & sarcasm throughout each show which leaves the viewer smiling by the time the cosiest theme tune in television history ends & the Paramount logo pops up.
The show was a smash in it’s day and remains hilarious – it was written, directed and acted in such a clever way that it hasn’t aged a single bit – compare this to 99% of the other shows from the 80’s and you won’t be able to make this claim.
Cheers is as great a show as it used to be and Series 1 is as good as it gets. Whether or not you’re thinking of purchasing this Box Set to remember the good ol’ days or you fancy seeing what all the fuss was/is about – you shouldn’t be dissapointed.
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|Cheers,
Cheers has to be one of the longest running sitcoms in American history, and spawned Frasier’s show. But in the 11 years it was showing, many actors and actresses were part of the great show; Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer and the grumpy bar owner Kirstie Alley. Here’s an insight into the first series, aired back in 1982.
1 – Give Me a Ring Sometime
This is the pilot. Diane decides to work at Cheers after her Fiancée leaves her there while he gets his ex-wife’s wedding ring.
2 – Sam’s Woman
Diane teases Sam about the strange women he dates, sending him on a quest to find his perfect match.
3 – The Tortelli Tort
This is the first time we see Carla’s firery temper, which nearly costs Sam the bar. Why? Because she attacks a rather rude Yankee’s fan.
4 – Sam At Eleven
Sam feels nostalgia when a sports writer wants to interview him about his celebrity life as a sprtsman. This brings back great memories for Sam Malone.
5 – Coach’s Daughter
There’s a bit of a stair when Coach’s daughter brings back an undesirable boyfriend and announces to Coach that she’s going to get married to him. This doesn’t please him at all.
6 – Any Friend of Diane’s
Sam hits on one of Diane’s old friends, who has consequently just bounced back from a bad affair.
7 – Friends, Romans, Accountants
Norm’s trying to score points with the boss – he arranges an office party at Cheers, but arranges a rather unauthodox date with Diane.
8 – Truce or Consequences
Carla and Diane decided to let a matter drop about work drinks. But Carla has a confession to make about her younger child.
9 – Coach Returns to Action
Coach and Sam fall in love with Coach’s new neighbour. Quite a funny episode.
10 – Endless Slumper
Sam has a spate of bad luck when he lends his lucky bottle cap to an unfortunate Red Sox pitcher.
11 – One for the Book
Diane keeps notes on bar talk, when a man walks in to have a final fling before becoming a monk. Doughboy comes back for a WW1 reunion.
12 – The Spy Who Came in for a Cold One
The regulars are baffled when a mysterous guy comes into the bar claiming he’s a secret agent.
13 – Now Pitching, Sam Malone
Sam goes in for being a TV pitchman after being lured in by glamour and having celebrity limelight.
14 – Let Me Count the Ways
Diane has to look to her friends for comfort when her cat dies. But it’s not interesting anyone, as the Celtic’s game is in full swing.
15 – Father Knows Last
Carla has a secret – she’s 5 months pregnant !
16 – The Boys in the Bar
The Cheers gang feel that the place may be turning into a gay bar after Sam’s friend admits on TV that he’s homosexual. This unsettles Norm, Cliff and Woody.
17 – Diane’s Perfect Date
Sam and Diane dare each other to find that perfect date, but it doesn’t go to plan at the last minute for Sam…
18 – No Contest
Sam does a shady thing – enters Diane for the “Miss Boston Barmaid”, of course, she doesn’t know and gets rather irate.
19 – Pick a Con … Any Con
Sam hires Harry the conman to help Coach collar a dodgy card shark who robbed him.
20 – Someone Single, Someone Blue
Diane’s mother turns up at Cheers with the news that she must marry before the next day. Her mother will lose her share of Diane’s father’s estate if she doesn’t. This is quite a shock for Diane.
21 – Showdown (Part 1)
Diane’s love affair with Sam’s brother gets stronger, so much that he wants to take her to Paris.
22 – Showdown (Part 2)
Will she go? What will happen? Big season finale with a climax, which I won’t let on because it’ll spoil it for you.
Great program, well worth getting on DVD, shame it took them 20 years to make the DVD. Hopefuly the unaired special will be included too.
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|Cheers is filmed in front of a live studio audience,
What can i say that hasnt been said already? Cheers season one is magnifacently funny. It shows Diane entering Cheers and how her relationship with Sam develops. I wont go over episode details as a previous reviewer has already done that but GET THIS DVD! It will make you laugh time & Time again. Cast list –
Ted Danson (Sam Malone) Shelly Long (Diane Chambers) Rhea Pearlman (Carla Tortelli) Nicholos Colasanto (Coach Pantuso) Gorge Wendt (Norm Petterson) and John Ratsenberger (Cliff Claven)
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