Cheersis a fantastic and hilarious TV show, and there are plenty of other great titles to watch for those who love it. The hit ‘80s show is one ofthe best sitcoms of all time, and despite ending decades ago, many still revisitCheerstime and time again. The story of Ted Danson’s Sam Malone and the various staff and regulars of the titular bar stands out for many, but once viewers are done watching it, they’re often left looking for something new to check out.
The best episodes ofCheersare brilliant reminders of why the sitcom genre is so popular,and many other shows take inspiration from not just its greatest stories, but also the show’s characters, too. While news ofthe upcomingCheersremakeis receiving a mixed response, it’s perhaps worth considering taking a look at these other sitcoms that share a similar look, atmosphere, and overall appeal as the popular show.
Frasier
Cast
Fraiser is a comedy-drama sitcom that stars Kelsey Grammer as a psychiatrist who takes up the role of a radio show host in Seattle after his life in Boston is upheaved. A spin-off of the series Cheers, Fraiser follows the titular character adjusting to the single life while caring for his father (a retired police officer,) his brother, and other eccentric co-workers.
After finishingCheers, it only makes complete sense to check outall 11 seasons ofFrasier.While the main focus is on Kelsey Grammer, who reprises his role as Frasier Crane, there are also several cameos from otherCheerscharacters as well. InFrasier, the titular character returns to his hometown of Seattle and becomes the host of his own radio show. LikeCheers,Frasierdelves into the importance of strong relationships in life and having a sense of community.
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Frasier reconnects with his father, Martin, and his brother, Niles, but he also forms new connections with incredible characters like Roz and Daphne. The 2023 reboot also reunites Frasier with his son, Freddy, and the parallels between them and Frasier’s relationship with Martin is prominent throughout.The show is by far the most popular and successful ofCheers’ spinoff titles,and despite thecancelation of theFrasierrevivalrecently, it’s still worth checking out.
Wings
Wings is a sitcom that aired from 1990 to 1997, centered around two brothers, Joe and Brian Hackett, who run a small airline in Nantucket, Massachusetts. The show examines their personal and professional lives, including their interactions with quirky airport staff and passengers. Starring Tim Daly and Steven Weber, the series offers a comedic look at the challenges and triumphs of operating a small business in a close-knit community.
The sitcomWingscomes from David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee, who are also the creators of bothCheersandFrasier.Wingsfollows the lives of the Hackett brothers, Tim Daly’s Joe and Steven Weber’s Brian, who own a single-plane airline in Massachusetts. While the pair are intriguing personalities,Wings’ charm truly comes from the supporting characters,like their childhood friend Helen and rival Roy. There are several connections toCheersinWings, and the two shows are technically set in the same fictional universe.
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MultipleCheerscharacters appear throughout the show, such as Cliff, Norm, Frasier, and Lilith.Wingsdoes a brilliant job of taking a singular setting and creating a layered world through its stories and characters, just likeCheersdoes. The various recurring characters build strong relationships with each passing season, and as they do so, their personal lives develop and change with time, even if their jobs don’t.
Taxi
Taxi is a sitcom that aired from 1978 to 1983, set in a New York City taxi garage. The series follows the lives of the cab drivers and their harried dispatcher, Louie De Palma (Danny DeVito). The ensemble cast includes Judd Hirsch as the level-headed Alex Reiger, Marilu Henner as Elaine Nardo, Tony Danza as Tony Banta, and Christopher Lloyd as the eccentric Reverend Jim Ignatowski.
Danny DeVito’s best performancescome from an array of various projects, and many of these are thanks to his breakthrough role as Louie De Palma inTaxi. The hilarious 1970s and ‘80s sitcom focuses on the employees of a New York taxi garage, including the likes of Judd Hirsch’s Alex Reiger, Marilu Henner’s Elaine Nardo, and Tony Danza’s Tony Banta.Taxi’s characters are all colorful personalities with interesting backstories,and although they are all very different people, they bounce off one another fantastically.
Although there aren’t as many seasons ofTaxito enjoy asCheers, it’s still easy to invest in each of the show’s wacky and adventurous episodes.
Taxiis a sitcom that has aged incredibly well, and it is famous for tackling darker issues while still maintaining a good level of humor.The show is massively impactful on TV in general, and it’s fascinating thatStar Trek: Deep Space Nineis inspired byTaxi. Although there aren’t as many seasons ofTaxito enjoy asCheers, it’s still easy to invest in each of the show’s wacky and adventurous episodes.
The Goldbergs
The Goldbergs is a sitcom created by Adam F. Goldberg based on his childhood experiences in the 1980s. With characters based on Goldberg’s own relatives, the show follows the dynamic of the titular family including grouchy father Murray (Jeff Garlin), doting and overbearing mother Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey), overconfident brother Barry (Troy Gentile), and edgy sister Erica (Hayley Orrantia). The show focuses on comedically capturing the spirit of life in the ’80s through nostalgia.
The Goldbergsprovides a great ‘80s feel that makes audiences nostalgic for both the era andCheers.There are a few parallels between the characters inThe GoldbergsandCheers. For example, both Barry and Sam are sports enthusiasts, and Erica is a sharp-tongued creative like Diane.The Goldbergstypically follows a story-of-the-week format which is told from the point of view of the titular family’s youngest child, Adam, in which he recounts the episode’s wildest escapades. Interestingly,The Goldbergsis based on a true storyand inspired by creator Adam F. Goldberg’s youth.
WhileCheers’ characters aren’t a family, they act like one, andThe Goldbergsis a great sitcom for familial dynamics.Erica, Barry, and Adam’s romantic relationships are plenty dramatic, like Sam and Diane, too. The season 7 episode “Food in a Geoffy” also sees Rhea Pearlman, Kristie Alley, George Wendt, and John Retzenburger fromCheersreunite as part of ABC’s “Blast From the Past Week,” although they do not reprise their roles as their respective characters.
Seinfeld
Seinfeld is a television sitcom that follows stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his three eccentric friends, George, Elaine, and Kramer, as they navigate everyday life in New York City during the 1990s. Premiering in 1989, the series humorously explores the mundane and often trivial aspects of social interactions.
Seinfeldis a great watch for lovers ofCheers, especially as it tends to focus on light-hearted comedy rather than the dramatic side of things.Jerry Seinfeld’s iconic sitcom is one of the most notable titles in the genre, which focuses on a fictionalized version of himself and his friends living in New York City. It’s hard to pick the ultimate comedy, especially as there are somerecent sitcoms considered just as good asSeinfeld, but it definitely stands alongsideCheersandSeinfeldas one of the very best.
SeinfeldandCheersboth rely on punch-line based humor, stories with seemingly limited consequences, and recurring characters with unique and hilarious personalities.
Plus,because of the overlap in both shows’ airing dates, they share a similar atmosphere.Seinfeld’s ending is rather divisive, just likeCheers’, but both are appreciated a lot more in recent years, too.Seinfeldis a must-see sitcom, regardless of viewers’ love ofCheers, but there’s no doubt that there is a similar tone to both shows.
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is a television series that follows a father telling his children about his past. Released in 2005, it explores his experiences and adventures with four close friends, leading up to meeting their mother, as depicted through a series of flashbacks.
AlthoughHow I Met Your Mothertakes audiences all over New York, the gang always back up at their bar, MacLaren’s.The central bar location is something thatCheersessentially invented, or at least is the most popular show to do so, whichHow I Met Your Motheralso borrows. Ted, Robin, Barney, Marshall, and Lily are all regulars at the bar, and this is usually where their craziest adventures take place or start from. The will-they-won’t-they romances and love triangles inHow I Met Your Motherare also a massive focus point.
WhileRobin and Ted’s relationship inHow I Met Your Motherisn’t the same standard as Sam and Diane’s, their romantic back-and-forth is definitely just as widely discussed.Barney’s way with women is much like Sam’s, and there are similarities between Robin and Diane,with both characters being career-driven women. AlthoughHow I Met Your Motherisn’t as timeless asCheers, in comparison to most modern sitcoms, it has the most parallels in terms of characterization and story.
Night Court
Night Court is a television sitcom that premiered in 1984, featuring an eccentric and whimsical judge who presides over a Manhattan night court. The series captures the humorous and peculiar cases that unfold in the court, spotlighting the comedic interactions among the court’s colorful staff and diverse defendants.
The original run ofNight Courtis another show that aired around the same time asCheers.Night Courtfocuses on the judges, prosecutors, and bailiffs who work the evening shift at Manhattan Criminal Court and those who come in to defend their cases. While Harry Anderson’s Judge Harry Stone leads the cast in the originalNight Court, his daughter, Melissa Rauch’s Judge Abby Stone, leads the reboot. It’s a common misconception thatNight Courtis aTV spinoff ofCheers, and even though it isn’t, there are some similarities.
With an incredible 11 seasons ofNight Courtto watch, with season 3 of the reboot currently airing, it’s a great filler forCheersaudiences.
Both shows are technically workplace sitcoms, have a collection of unique and interesting characters, and use punch-line humor frequently. Plus,CheersandNight Courttypically stick to one location, the titular bar and the courtroom, which builds a sense of familiarity with viewers.Interestingly, Anderson is also one ofCheers’ best guest stars, portraying Harry “The Hat” Gittes, a recurring conman character who swindles regulars out of money regularly. With an incredible 11 seasons ofNight Courtto watch, with season 3 of the reboot currently airing, it’s a great filler forCheersaudiences.
Friends
Friends is a television sitcom that debuted in 1994, revolving around six young New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood. The series highlights their friendship as they support each other through personal and professional challenges, encapsulating the ups and downs of life in a comedic and relatable manner.
Although theFriendsgang hang out at Monica’s apartment or the Central Perk coffee shop, rather than a bar likeCheers, the show is still a great example of a sitcom with a central location.Friendsfocuses on a group of quirky individuals and how their lives progress from being young and carefree, growing up, and eventually settling down. While each episode focuses on a new adventure for the group, there are also overarching storylines and character development, much likeCheers.
Cheersfeatures one of the most notable on-and-off relationships of all time, Sam and Diane, and the closest a sitcom has ever got to replicating that is throughRoss and Rachel’s relationship inFriends. Their constant back and forth, bickering, and splits are incredibly comical, and their closest friends watching it all pan out is very similar to howCheersdepicts Sam and Diane’s back and forth over the years.Friendsis full of hilarious personalities and ridiculous stories,which makes it an ideal title to watch for those who loveCheers.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Curb Your Enthusiasm is a Comedy television show created by Larry David, the same creative mind behind the wildly popular sitcom, Seinfeld. Starring Larry David himself, along with Cheryl Hines, and Jeff Garlin, the show acts as a semi-fictionalized look at Larry’s every day life and the people he would come in contact with.
Curb Your Enthusiasmbegins with a one-off special, which later expands into an incredible 12 seasons, all of which follow a fictionalized version of Larry David as a semi-retired TV writer.Ted Danson appears frequently inCurb Your Enthusiasmalongside his wife, Mary Steenburgen, both also as fictionalized versions of themselves, too. WhileCurb Your Enthusiasmhas a very different vibe story-wise toCheers, both shows have a similar sense of humor.
Many episodes follow a story-of-the-week format with events that have little consequences,likeCheersand alsoSeinfeld, but with details that contribute to an overarching seasonal plot, too. The character of Susie Greene shares a lot of similarities withCheers’ Carla as well, as they both provide hilarious moments that typically focus on them berating someone else. Larry’s relationship with Leon is also an interesting parallel toCoach inCheers, especially because he often provides life advice. WhileCurb Your Enthusiasmis an unusual recommendation to those who watchCheers, it’s still a great sitcom worth watching.
The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls follows Dorothy Zbornak (Bea Arthur), Rose Nylund (Betty White), Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan), and Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty) as they live together in Miami. Throughout its seven seasons, the beloved series created by Susan Harris won 11 Primetime Emmys and continues to be one of the most beloved sitcoms of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
The Golden Girlsis a sitcom that does a beautiful job of balancing lighthearted comedy while also tackling difficult topics, something thatCheersalso does, but is perhaps not as well known for.For example,Cheersfrequently delves into Sam’s alcoholism and Diane’s mental wellbeing, and these discussions are also covered inThe Golden Girls, too. Even thoughThe Golden Girlscastlooks very different toCheers’, the overall messages and themes in the show are still very heartwarming.
Within a matter of minutes,The Golden Girlshas audiences going from fits of laughter to tears. The four titular characters have distinct personalities, too, and even if viewers mix up their names, they can still identify them from their behaviors and actions. Blanche Devereaux is a strange yet brilliant alternative to Sam Malone, and it’s refreshing to see an older woman take on the sex-obsessed role instead. Dorothy is also similar to Carla in many ways, especially her sarcastic remarks and hands-on attitude. AlthoughThe Golden Girlsis very different fromCheers, it is still a fantastically comedic watch.
