Sometimes the family we choose is just as important as the family we’re born into. For our 27 Days of Thanksgiving Movies, Television Shows, Sitcoms & Family Memories. I wanted to share Day 6: Thanksgiving Orphans Cheers – Season 5, Episode 9. I don’t know about you but I always wanted to go “where everyone knows our name and that is Cheers. How about you?
I don’t know about for your family but Cheers brings back a lot of Family Memories for my family! I hope you will join us this morning as were heading to Boston, Massachusetts, and visiting a neighborhood bar where everybody knows your name. That’s right! We’re talking about Cheers!
If you grew up watching television in the 1980s and 1990s, chances are you remember this show. It was one of those sitcoms that made you feel like you knew the people sitting around the bar. You could pull up a stool, order something to drink, and spend the evening listening to everybody’s conversations. I’ve always wanted to do just that!
Ted Danson was wonderful as Sam Malone and a fine specimen of a man if you ask my friends. A true ladies man. He had that charm that made you want to keep watching, even when you knew he was probably getting himself into trouble more times than not which made the show so funny.
My favorite, though, was Coach! There was something about his character that made me smile. He was sweet, funny, and sometimes a little confused, but you couldn’t help loving him. And then there was Rhea Perlman as Carla Tortelli. That feisty waitress could get herself into so much trouble! Her attitude, quick comebacks, and hilarious reactions were some of the best parts of the show.
I also enjoyed watching the different personalities come together. They might argue, disagree, or get on one another’s nerves, but they were still there for each other. And isn’t that sometimes what family looks like? At least it is for my family more times than not.
Cheers premiered on NBC on September 30, 1982. The show continued for 11 seasons, finally ending on May 20, 1993, after 275 episodes. That’s a whole lot of #Beers being poured. That’s more than a decade of television memories! Giving our children a chance to watch a true classic tv show.
Interestingly, Cheers wasn’t an overnight success. During its first season, the ratings were disappointing, and the show nearly faced cancellation. Fortunately, NBC gave it another chance. Audiences eventually discovered the little Boston bar, and Cheers became one of television’s most successful sitcoms.
Did you know Cheers received 28 Primetime Emmy Awards and became a regular part of NBC’s famous Thursday-night television lineup? Yes, Thursday night not Friday for a change. The series finale was a major television event, bringing millions of viewers back to the bar one last time.
At its heart, Cheers was about friendship, relationships, everyday problems, and a neighborhood bar where people could escape their responsibilities for a little while. The story centered around Sam Malone, a former Boston Red Sox relief pitcher who owned and operated Cheers. The bar became a gathering place for a collection of interesting characters. Some worked there. Others were regular customers. But over the years, they became something of an extended family.
Here are some of the characters who made Cheers memorable:
- Sam Malone – Ted Danson: The charming bar owner and former baseball player.
- Diane Chambers – Shelley Long: The educated, sophisticated waitress who had a complicated relationship with Sam.
- Carla Tortelli – Rhea Perlman: The outspoken waitress who never hesitated to speak her mind.
- Coach Ernie Pantusso – Nicholas Colasanto: The sweet, sometimes forgetful bartender.
- Woody Boyd – Woody Harrelson: The lovable bartender who joined the show after Coach.
- Norm Peterson – George Wendt: The familiar face who always seemed to have a seat waiting for him.
- Cliff Clavin – John Ratzenberger: The know-it-all postal worker who always had something to say.
- Dr. Frasier Crane – Kelsey Grammer: The psychiatrist who eventually became the star of his own television series.
- Rebecca Howe – Kirstie Alley: The ambitious manager who arrived after Diane left.
Each character brought something different to the show, and that’s one reason people continued watching for 11 seasons.
One of the biggest changes in Cheers happened when Shelley Long left the show. Diane Chambers was one of the original characters, and her relationship with Sam was a major part of the early seasons. She was intelligent, sometimes dramatic, a little snobbish, and always seemed to have something going on.
After five seasons, Shelley Long decided to leave Cheers. She wanted to pursue other opportunities, including a film career and spending more time with her family. The writers gave Diane a storyline that allowed her to leave Boston and pursue her writing ambitions.
But the show wasn’t finished! Enter Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe. Rebecca arrived in Season 6 as the new manager of Cheers. She was ambitious, career-minded, sometimes insecure, and frequently found herself caught up in Sam’s romantic adventures. She brought a different kind of comedy to the show, and audiences eventually embraced her. Shelley Long did return for the series finale, giving fans another opportunity to see Diane and Sam together.
So, here’s our question: Were you Team Diane or Team Rebecca?
Did you enjoy Sam and Diane’s romantic ups and downs, or did you prefer watching Sam and Rebecca get into their own kind of trouble? I think this is one of those television questions that could start a pretty entertaining conversation! But there is another question I have who did Sam finally end up with. Do you now?
Now, I have a question for you. Did you know that Frasier Crane got his start right here at Cheers? Before he had his own apartment in Seattle, his radio show, and his relationship with his brother Niles, Dr. Frasier Crane was hanging around the Boston bar.
Kelsey Grammer first appeared as Frasier during Season 3 in 1984. He was originally introduced as a psychiatrist who became involved with Diane. His character was so popular that he eventually became a regular. When Cheers ended in 1993, Frasier received his own television series.
The original Frasier premiered on September 16, 1993, and ran for 11 seasons. The spinoff introduced us to new characters, including Niles Crane, Daphne Moon, Martin Crane, Roz Doyle, and Eddie.It’s fun to look back and realize that one of television’s most successful spinoffs started with a character introduced as part of another sitcom. If you enjoy Frasier, watching Cheers gives you a chance to see where his television story began.
I couldn’t write about Cheers without spending a little extra time talking about Coach. Nicholas Colasanto played Ernie “Coach” Pantusso from the beginning of the series. Sadly, Nicholas passed away on February 12, 1985, after suffering a heart attack. His death was a tremendous loss for the cast and crew.
Rather than trying to find another actor to play Coach, the writers decided to introduce a new bartender, Woody Boyd, played by Woody Harrelson. Coach was written out of the series, with his character also having passed away. Woody brought his own personality to Cheers, but Coach was never forgotten. In fact, the show continued to honor his memory. For those of us who loved Coach, getting to revisit those early episodes is a special treat.
It’s hard to believe how many years have passed since we first met the gang at Cheers. Some of the actors are still entertaining audiences, while others have passed away and left behind wonderful memories.
Some of the principal cast members who are still with us include:
- Ted Danson – Sam Malone
- Shelley Long – Diane Chambers
- Rhea Perlman – Carla Tortelli
- John Ratzenberger – Cliff Clavin
- Woody Harrelson – Woody Boyd
- Kelsey Grammer – Dr. Frasier Crane
- Bebe Neuwirth – Dr. Lilith Sternin
These actors continued building impressive careers in television, movies, theater, and other entertainment projects. Ted Danson went on to star in shows including Becker and The Good Place. Woody Harrelson became a major film star, and John Ratzenberger became especially recognizable to younger audiences through his many Pixar voice roles.
Some of the beloved Cheers actors we have lost include:
- Nicholas Colasanto – Coach Ernie Pantusso, who passed away in 1985.
- Kirstie Alley – Rebecca Howe, who passed away in December 2022.
- George Wendt – Norm Peterson, who passed away on May 20, 2025.
George Wendt’s passing was especially sad for Cheers fans. He was 76 years old and died on the same date as the anniversary of the show’s series finale. These actors gave us characters that became part of our television family. Even though some are no longer here, we can still revisit their performances and enjoy the laughter they left behind.
For Day 6, we’re watching Season 5, Episode 9, appropriately titled “Thanksgiving Orphans.” The episode originally aired on November 27, 1986. The Thanksgiving holiday is approaching, and the Cheers gang discovers that several of them don’t have anywhere special to spend the day.
Diane has an invitation to spend Thanksgiving with one of her professors and his family. She suggests that everybody else gather at Carla’s new home for a Thanksgiving potluck. Carla agrees, and the planning begins. Norm takes responsibility for the turkey, and everybody starts looking forward to the holiday.
But, as we’ve learned from years of family gatherings, things don’t always go according to plan. Some guests don’t arrive. The turkey causes problems. The food isn’t exactly what everybody expected, and the evening takes a few unexpected turns. Diane eventually makes her way to Carla’s gathering after discovering that her professor’s invitation wasn’t quite what she imagined.
And then there’s Norm’s enormous turkey, affectionately known as Birdzilla! The evening eventually turns into one of the funniest Thanksgiving food fights in television history. There’s food flying, people shouting, and everybody getting involved. One particularly memorable moment involves Norm’s wife, Vera, who finally makes an appearance but manages to remain unseen by the audience.
Why did we choose this episode? Because Thanksgiving isn’t always about the perfect turkey, a beautifully decorated table, or a peaceful family gathering. Sometimes it’s about the people who show up, the unexpected problems, the laughter, and the memories you make along the way. Sometimes your friends become your family. And sometimes a Thanksgiving food fight is exactly what you need!
Ready to pull up a stool and spend Thanksgiving with the Cheers gang? You don’t have to search through all 11 seasons to find today’s episode. Here are places to look for Cheers: Season 5, Episode 9 – Thanksgiving Orphans.
1. Paramount+– The episode is available through Paramount+ with a subscription.
2. Pluto TV– Pluto TV lists the episode as available to stream free with advertisements.
3. Other viewing options: You can also check the episode’s availability through:
JustWatch is especially helpful for checking current streaming, rental, and purchase options. Streaming availability can change, so check the individual service for current access and pricing before signing up.
Episode information:
- Show: Cheers
- Episode: Thanksgiving Orphans
- Season: 5
- Episode number: 9
- Original air date: November 27, 1986
- Runtime: Approximately 24 minutes
- Television rating: TV-PG
Our Day 6 Thanksgiving Challenge
After watching Thanksgiving Orphans, come back and visit with us!
We want to know:
- Were you Team Diane or Team Rebecca?
- Was Coach your favorite character?
- Did you enjoy watching Sam and Diane’s relationship?
- Which character made you laugh the most?
- Would you have wanted to pull up a stool at Cheers?
- Did you watch Frasier after Cheers ended?
- What was your favorite Thanksgiving moment from the episode?
And here’s one more question: If you could invite the entire Cheers gang to your Thanksgiving dinner, who would you want sitting beside you? With Coach celebrating in Heaven I’d probably want Carlaat my table. I have a feeling she would make the evening interesting!
Remember Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be perfect to be memorable. Sometimes the best memories come from unexpected guests, meals that don’t turn out quite right, funny conversations, and the people who make room for us at their table. Family isn’t always about sharing the same last name. Sometimes it’s about the friends who become family along the way.
So this Thanksgiving season, let’s remember to appreciate the people who make us laugh, the people who show up, and the people who make life a little sweeter. Because being grateful, thankful, and blessed isn’t about having a perfect life. It’s about appreciating the blessings we already have. Cheers to friendship, laughter, and Thanksgiving memories!
I hope you enjoyed Day 6 of 27 Days of Thanksgiving Movies, Television Shows, Sitcoms & Family Memories – Greatful Moments. Come back tomorrow as we will be watching Day 7 “The One with All the Thanksgivings” Friends · Season 5, Episode 8.
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
