Episode Details

Join pplpod as we head back to 1984 for a pivotal year in sitcom history: Cheers Season 3. This is the season that transformed the show from a cult hit into a ratings juggernaut, introducing one of TV's most enduring characters and bidding a heartbreaking farewell to an original cast member.

In this episode, we break down:

• The Arrival of Frasier Crane: How Kelsey Grammer debuted as the upper-class psychiatrist intended to be a temporary rival for Sam Malone, only to become a permanent fixture. We discuss the new dynamic this brought to the "Sam and Diane" saga as Diane returns from a sanitarium with a new fiancé.

• A Tribute to Coach: We discuss the tragic loss of actor Nicholas Colasanto, whose heart condition affected production and led to his untimely death in February 1985. We explore how the writers handled Coach’s absence in the final episodes and the legacy he left behind.

• The "Sam and Diane" Rollercoaster: From Sam’s relapse and recovery to the globetrotting cliffhanger finale ("Rescue Me") where Sam chases Diane to Italy to stop her wedding.

• Behind the Bar: We cover the hidden pregnancies of actresses Shelley Long and Rhea Perlman, Cliff Clavin's brief stint in jail, and Norm Peterson’s dark turn as a "corporate executioner".

Whether you are Team Sam or Team Frasier, tune in for this deep dive into the NBC Thursday Night lineup classic that solidified Cheers as one of the best comedies of all time.

Keywords: , Frasier Crane, Kelsey Grammer, , Shelley Long, Nicholas Colasanto, Coach Ernie Pantusso, 80s Sitcoms, Sam and Diane, TV History, NBC.