CS Weekly Archive > DVD of the Day > 9/16/05

Still the Best, Bar None

by dennis sampson

Glen Charles, Les Charles, Ken Levine, David Isaacs, Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner, David Angell, Peter Casey, David Lee, Phoef Sutton, David Lloyd, Jeffrey Duteil, Sue Herring
Created by Glen Charles & Les Charles

Even in its sixth season, NBC's smash-hit sitcom Cheers continued to elevate the medium in terms of character and plot. The season saw the introduction of Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley) to replace Diane Chambers (Shelley Long) as the sparring partner for Sam Malone (Ted Danson). Rebecca had to face not only countless Cheers fans still pining for Diane, but everyone at the bar as well, also still pining for Diane. The result was a dynamic that in some aspects was stronger than the interplay Diane had left behind (Rebecca was far less whiny, for starters). It's easy for an audience to love a ruthless character (see Carla), or a clueless one (see Woody), but to make them love someone annoying (see Cliff) is truly a writing accomplishment. Endlessly quotable, envelope-pushing dialogue (setting the stage for NBC's groundbreaking Seinfeld) and overall stellar writing only highlights how great this show is -- and how shameful the lack of extras on the disc.

Cheers: The Complete Sixth Season
Paramount Home Video
Not rated; 614 min.
$38.99

Buy it now for only $27.29 (save 30%)

Dennis Sampson is a commercial production coordinator and unproduced screenwriter. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his better half, Susan, and their dog Tripp.

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