The iconic set of Cheers was more than just a backdrop for the actors; it held sensitive and sentimental value, especially associated with Nick Colasanto, who depicted Coach. During his battle with heart disease, Colasanto would write his lines all over the bar to aid his memory. His passing from a heart attack during the third season came as a devastating blow to his colleagues, and his written lines served as a heartfelt memorial.
The aftermath of Nick’s demise compounded the cast’s grief when producers decided to repaint the set, erasing the lines he had scribbled. Ted Danson, who played Sam Malone, shared his experience with GQ:
“[…] There wasn’t a surface on that set that didn’t have his lines written down. […] Nicky dies, and the next year, we’re all devastated, and the first night we come down the stairs, right there was his line: ‘It’s as if he were with us now.’ […] And then, one year, they repainted the sets and they painted over the line. People almost quit. Seriously. They were so emotionally infuriated that that had been taken away from them.”
The repainting of the Cheers set, particularly the erasure of Colasanto’s lines, nearly led to a cast walkout, underlining the depth of their bonds and the impact that set alterations can have beyond the aesthetics.
FAQs About Cheers and the Impact of Nick Colasanto’s Death
- What role did Nick Colasanto play on Cheers?
- Nick Colasanto played Coach, the beloved co-bartender alongside Sam Malone.
- How did the Cheers set change after Nick Colasanto’s death?
- The set was repainted, which led to the removal of all the lines Colasanto wrote around the bar to remember his cues.
- What was the reaction of the Cheers cast to the repainting of the set?
- The cast was emotionally distraught and infuriated to the point that they almost quit the show.
- Was there a specific line of Nick Colasanto that had significant meaning to the cast?
- Yes, it was the line “It’s as if he were with us now,” which he had written on the wood slats by the stairs.
Conclusion
The incidents on the set of Cheers following Nick Colasanto’s death illustrate the deep connection between the television set they worked on and the memories they cherished. The unintentional erasure of his written lines during a routine set repainting touched a nerve, revealing how physical elements can become imbued with the spirit of camaraderie and remembrance. The near walkout by the cast of this cherished sitcom serves as a reminder of the impacts these shared spaces have on the people who bring life to our favorite shows.