Cheers

Speaking of shows that were able to adapt. Cheers was able to handle necessitated cast changes caused by career decisions (Shelley Long desiring to be a movie star) and sad events (the death of Nicholas Colasanto). Of course, they were both great performances before that. The chemistry of the ensemble on Cheers was tremendous, especially in the first couple of seasons. We aren’t knocking Woody Harrelson, Kirstie Alley, of course.

On top of Ted Danson becoming sitcom royalty and George Wendt securing free beer in every bar he walks into for life, some later cast additions were also major successes. We’ll highlight Kesley Grammer as Frasier Crane, as well as Bebe Neuwirth as Lilith.

This is also a chance to shout out Frasier, another of the best sitcoms, with a tremendous cast. It would have felt like gilding the lily (or Lilith, as it were) to include both shows, but both had amazing casts to be sure.