Fascinating facts you didn't know about the iconic 'Cheers' bar
What's the story
The iconic bar from the beloved sitcom Cheers has been a part of pop culture for decades. Famous for its warm atmosphere and memorable characters, the bar has been an integral part of the show's success. While most fans know about the show's premise and characters, there are some lesser-known facts about the Cheers bar that make it even more interesting. Here's looking at some of them.
#1
Real-life inspiration behind Cheers
The Cheers bar was inspired by a real-life Boston pub called the Bull & Finch Pub. Situated on Beacon Hill, the pub became famous after the show became a hit. Though the interior of the show was filmed on a set in Los Angeles, the exterior shots were filmed at Bull & Finch. The real-life pub even embraced its fame by naming one of its bars Cheers.
#2
Famous theme song origins
The theme song for Cheers, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," was written by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo. It took them just thirty minutes to write it. The song perfectly captured the essence of the show, highlighting friendship and familiarity in a community setting. It became so popular that it even reached number one on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart in 1983.
#3
Unique character backgrounds
Each character in Cheers has a unique background that adds depth to their personalities and relationships within the bar setting. For example, Norm Peterson is an accountant who spends more time at Cheers than at work due to his love for the camaraderie with other patrons. Meanwhile, Carla Tortelli is a single mother working as a waitress while juggling her personal life challenges.
#4
Behind-the-scenes trivia
Behind-the-scenes stories also add an interesting layer to this iconic series' history. Did you know that Ted Danson (Sam Malone) was actually allergic to certain beverages but still drank non-alcoholic options during filming? Or that Rhea Perlman (Carla Tortelli) almost didn't take on her role because she thought it would be too similar to her previous work on Taxi?