What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedCheers
Les Charles · Series · 1982
If you loved Cheers, start with Frasier (David Angell, 1993) — a series from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 1 podcast, each matched to Cheers across media.
You loved Cheers because it turned a humble workspace into a sanctuary where eccentric personalities find their chosen family.
Start with the source
Adaptation
Frasier
David Angell · Series · 1993
Books on the same thread
Lessons in Chemistry
Bonnie Garmus · Book · 2022
Explores: Feminism, Sexism, Gender Roles.
Like the regulars at Cheers, Elizabeth Zott finds herself navigating the rigid social conventions of her workplace, creating a sense of community among those who refuse to conform.
Catch-22
Joseph Heller · Book · 1961
Explores: Bureaucratic absurdity, Existential dread, The insanity of war.
While Cheers finds humor in barroom antics, this novel explores the absurdity of institutional logic, mirroring the way characters in Cheers constantly grapple with the frustrations of daily bureaucracy.
Dubliners
James Joyce · Book · 1992
Explores: Paralysis, Epiphany, Irish Identity.
These stories capture the same evocative atmosphere of urban life found in Cheers, grounding the human experience in the specific, intimate details of a shared local community.
Jaws
Peter Benchley · Book · 1974
Explores: Man vs. Nature, Small Town Secrets, Fear of the Unknown.
The camaraderie of the three men hunting the shark echoes the tight-knit bonds of the Cheers crew, proving that intense situations often reveal the true character of people.
Films on the same thread
Clerks
Film · 1994
Explores: Workplace dissatisfaction, Existential ennui, Youth culture.
Just as the bar serves as the stage for Cheers, this film uses the convenience store as a backdrop for witty banter and the existential ennui of everyday life.
Anchorman
Adam McKay · Film · 2004
Shares a thread with Cheers: Workplace Comedy.
Much like the workplace dynamics in Cheers, this satire highlights the hilarious friction that occurs when strong personalities and shifting hierarchies collide within a shared professional environment.
Amélie
Jean-Pierre Jeunet · Film · 2001
Explores: kindness, secret admirer, finding joy in the mundane.
The café in this film functions as an emotional anchor similar to the bar in Cheers, focusing on the whimsical connections that bloom between quirky individuals finding their place.
Clueless
Amy Heckerling · Film · 1995
Explores: Social Status, Makeover, Self-Discovery.
The social hierarchy and matchmaking antics of this high school comedy mirror the romantic entanglements and status games that defined the ensemble relationships throughout the run of Cheers.
Podcasts on the same thread
Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes)
Podcast
Shares a thread with Cheers: friendship.
This podcast allows you to revisit the genuine friendship that made Cheers so iconic, offering a deeper look at the bond between the actors who brought those characters alive.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Cheers related to the show Frasier?
Yes, Frasier is an adaptation that originated from the world of Cheers. The character Frasier Crane was a regular at the Boston bar run by Sam Malone before moving to his own series in 1993.
What order should I watch Cheers and Frasier?
You should watch Cheers first as it was created by Les Charles in 1982 and establishes the background of the characters. Frasier premiered in 1993 and serves as a follow-up series featuring a character who previously frequented the bar.
How long did the original Cheers run?
The original Cheers series, which focuses on the blue-collar Boston bar managed by former sports star Sam Malone, began in 1982. It established the foundation for the characters and setting that later led to the 1993 spin-off series Frasier.
Is Cheers a show about a sports star?
Yes, Cheers features a blue-collar Boston bar run by Sam Malone, who is a former sports star. The series follows his life and the interactions between the quirky and wonderful people who work and drink at his establishment.