Surprising Behind-the-Scenes Stories from the Set of Cheers

When Kirstie Alley walked onto the Cheers set for the very first time in 1987, the cast was still reeling from Shelley Long’s departure. It felt like a massive hole had opened in the show. But Rhea Perlman said that the moment Alley arrived, she instantly felt everything would be okay.

Perlman described it as a moment of total clarity — “the exact lady we need right now to save the show.” Alley brought fresh energy, confidence, and an immediate spark, easing the cast’s fears and setting the stage for Cheers’ next era.