Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Kirstie Alley 'Cheers' dies at 71

It's hard to believe that the TV-Sitcom "Cheers" has been off the air since 1993. It had premiered on NBC back in 1982. It was almost cancelled after the first TV season grabbing only a 10.9 million overall rating. (Networks would kill for that TV rating today). By the final 11th TV season. It nabbed a massive 28.2 million overall rating. Of course, this was back when there were only 3 major TV networks (ABC-CBS-NBC). The FOX network began in 1986.

Long before the Internet. TV syndication channels made deals with the 3 major networks to re-air TV shows. "Cheers" began a syndication run in 1987. It grabbed 83 million viewers around the world over the next few years.    

Kirstie Alley joined the "Cheers" cast in the 6th TV season. She remained until the final 11th season. Alley became a household name and won a 1991 comedy Emmy for portraying Rebecca Howe. The 1993 season finale episode of "Cheers" grabbed a whopping 80 million TV viewers.

"Cheers" was Alley's big break and has done a lot of work since that show. Including, "Veronica's Closet" (TV) and the "Look Who's Talking" film franchise.

RIP Kirstie Alley....

Kirstie Alley. 1980's picture. Unknown photographer.

NBC publicity. The cast of "Cheers." Kirstie Alley middle row and second from left.

Below is the Introduction to "Cheers" with Kirstie Alley in credits.

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