In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the “Cheers” finale, key creators reminisced with The Hollywood Reporter about the show’s successes and the challenging transition from Shelley Long’s character Diane to Kirstie Alley’s Rebecca Howe.
Wanting to find the perfect new female lead, the producers landed on Kirstie Alley, partly due to Carl Reiner’s recommendation. Nevertheless, Glen Charles was skeptical about her comedic ability. Les Charles remarked, “She’ll be the dragon lady,” with an intention to depict her as a troubling presence to generate humor among the cast.
Unsure of how to integrate Rebecca, the writers would send her offscreen frequently. Writer Cheri Steinkellner recalled the difficulty in finding the character’s comedic sweet spot. It took time and experimentation before they found a direction that worked.
“We were all searching for where the fun was with her. In her first appearances, we devised situations to sideline her character, returning to the comedy we were familiar with. The discovery process was uncertain, and we were unsure of the outcome.”
The game-changer arrived unexpectedly during a rehearsal when Glen Charles noticed Alley chain-smoking nervously. This anxiety could be used to dismantle her character’s composed exterior. Rebecca’s persona was shaped further as she strove to impress the new, wealthy owner of the bar, Evan Drake (Tom Skerritt), leading to more comedic development and an impromptu outburst of Alley’s humor.
FAQ Section
Who originally played the female lead on “Cheers” before Kirstie Alley?
The original female lead on “Cheers” was Shelley Long, who played the character Diane Chambers.
What was the hesitation in casting Alley for the role of Rebecca?
One of the concerns was the uncertainty about Kirstie Alley’s ability to perform comedy, as “Cheers” co-creator Glen Charles wasn’t immediately convinced of her comedic talents.
How did the writers initially handle Rebecca’s character in the show?
The writers struggled to find Rebecca’s comedic angle, often sending her offscreen with various pretexts to focus on the familiar dynamics of the existing cast.
What turned out to be the key to unlocking Rebecca’s character?
An improvised moment where Alley utilized her own nervousness gave insight into Rebecca’s vulnerabilities, especially surrounding her unrequited love for Evan Drake, which was then used to develop her character further.
Conclusion
The introduction of Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe on “Cheers” presented a creative challenge that was brilliantly overcome through a combination of insight, improvisation, and the organic development of her character. Her spontaneous display of nerves and comedic talent during a rehearsal unlocked a new direction for the character, allowing the writers to explore new avenues of humor and storytelling, thereby maintaining the show’s success after a pivotal cast change.