32 Unforgettable Laughs from Cheers: The Funniest Moments Ranked

Known as one of television’s greatest sitcoms ever, Cheers was hugely popular during its 11-season stint on NBC. Throughout this period, it introduced us to some of the finest TV bartenders, numerous memorable catchphrases, and characters who remain etched in our memories. Moreover, the long-running series that became famous for the line “where everybody knows your name” was also filled with countless funny scenes that continue to make us chuckle even 30 years after its highly anticipated final episode.

That said, here are 32 of the funniest moments in Cheers history.

‘Five Bucks Says He Has One, Ten Says It’s A Doozy’ (Season 1 ‘Coach Returns To Action’)

The TV show “Cheers” was famed for its cleverly written and side-splitting cold openings, with many of these gems available online in various compilations. One particularly memorable example can be found in the first season episode titled “Coach Returns to Action.” In this brief yet unforgettable scene, Diane (played by Shelley Long) and Norm (George Wendt) engage in a heated argument. They then call upon Cliff (John Ratzenberger) for assistance, with George’s prediction proving accurate – the ensuing explanation, lasting almost a minute, turns out to be quite a complex tale indeed.

Disinfecting Chuck’s Seat (Season 1 ‘Show Down Part Two’)

Alongside the regular characters that made “Cheers” famous, the show also featured a rotating cast of secondary characters who occasionally appeared. One such character was Cbuck, a janitor at a biology lab with a specialty in mutant viruses. After the bar staff and patrons attempted to lift his spirits and offer him advice, they promptly sanitized his chair and anything he had touched.

Carla Pranks Dianne About Geno (Season 1 ‘Truce Or Consequences)

Throughout the early stages of “Cheers,” there were numerous memorable instances arising from the prolonged feud between Dianne and Carla (portrayed by Rhea Perlman). One such instance that stands out involves Carla pulling a prank on Dianne, leading her to believe that Sam was the father of one of her children. This incident resulted in an uproariously funny sequence filled with laughter and shouts, which remains one of the most entertaining minutes on television.

Frasier Sings Karaoke (Season 9 ‘The Dars Of Wine And Neuroses’)

Frasier Crane (Kesley Grammer), known for his serious demeanor on the show “Cheers”, occasionally loosened up and enjoyed a bit of fun. This could manifest in various ways, such as using a karaoke machine, an example being in Season 9 when he sang “You’re Just in Love” during the credits. It was unexpected, joyful, and incredibly funny.

Cliff’s Shock Therapy (Season 7 ‘How To Win Friends And Electrocute People’)

I’ve always found Cliff to be neither the most sociable nor the least opinionated character who graced the doorstep of Cheers, and even the cherished mailman was privy to his quirks. Yet, it’s this very trait that makes the Season 7 episode titled “How to Win Friends and Electrocute People” – with its storyline revolving around Cliff undergoing an extraordinary form of electroshock therapy – absolutely hilarious. Whenever he gets agitated, a jolt follows, leaving his friends in stitches.

‘It’s A Dog-Eat-Dog World, Sammy, And I’m Wearing Milk-Bone Underwear’ (Season 4 ‘The Peterson Principle’)

In the 11 seasons of “Cheers”, there were countless memorable instances of Norm’s unique sayings. One of the most outstanding occurred in the Season 4 episode titled “The Peterson Principle”. Upon entering the bar and being asked about his day, Norm delivered what is undeniably one of the best lines ever: “Life’s a struggle for survival, Sam, and I’m wearing dog biscuit underwear.

The Thanksgiving Food Fight (Season 5 ‘Thanksgiving Orphans’)

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the iconic Thanksgiving episodes that grace our favorite sitcoms. For instance, when it comes to Cheers, season 5 offered something truly remarkable – not a Brad Pitt guest appearance or turkeys raining from the sky, but an epic food fight that ranks among the funniest and most memorable scenes in TV history. Pies, cranberries, side dishes, and more were flying everywhere during this madness, making for a hilarious holiday spectacle.

‘You Hear That, Everybody? I Saved Jeopardy!’ (Season 8 ‘What Is… Cliff Clavin?’)

Alex Trebek, the renowned host of Jeopardy!, made a memorable guest appearance on Cheers. In one of the series’ most famous scenes, he played a trick on Cliff by pretending to quit the show due to a crisis sparked by an answer given by Cliff on his own show. However, it was all a ruse; Trebek had only come in for a drink and fabricated the entire story when he told Norm.

Coach Forgets The Name Of A Reservation (Season 1 “One For The Book”)

In the early seasons of Cheers, Coach (Nicholas Colasanto), who portrayed the role of the dim-witted bartender, provided numerous amusing scenes. Recall an instance when a customer inquired about their table upstairs, to which Coach responded by pretending to put on a suit jacket, but forgot the man’s name.

Sam And The Hot Blonde (Season 1 ‘Sam’s Women’)

Sam Malone was undeniably charming towards women and would go to great lengths for a date. In the first season episode titled “Sam’s Women,” the proprietor of Cheers charms a bar patron and proposes a movie date. However, when the woman jokes about not wanting an Australian film due to subtitles, everyone (except Sam) erupts in laughter, with Dianne particularly amused.

Diane Comes Back For Her Coat After Quitting (Season 4 ‘Strange Bedfellows, Part 2′)

The playful banter between Diane and Carla, filled with humor and friendly competition, stretched out for quite some time during their time on Cheers. Among the numerous amusing episodes, one of the most hilarious takes place towards the end of the fourth season. In this instance, Diane dramatically asserts that no one will ever see her again, only to reappear shortly after to pick up her coat. Ever the dramatic character, Carla ensures everyone notices by calling attention to the commotion at the front door.

Someone Sitting In Norm’s Spot (Season 9 ‘Bad Neighbor Sam’)

At Sam’s bar on Cheers, everyone has their preferred spot, but for the character Norm, that special place is his seat at the end of the bar, a spot he’s occupied for many years. In one episode from Season 9, an unfamiliar yuppie blundered by taking Norm’s treasured stool. To keep it, this yuppie put himself in potential danger as Norm, seething behind him, swayed and struggled to catch his breath.

‘A Screaming Viking Would Do It’ (Season 6 ‘Home Is The Sailor’)

If you want to deal with an unpopular bartender, one strategy could be to send in someone like Norm as a regular patron who requests a drink that isn’t on the menu. In a certain Season 6 episode, this is exactly what happens when Norm orders a “Screaming Viking,” a fictitious cocktail only he and Woody are familiar with (or at least pretend to be). This interaction helps to restore order in the bar.

‘The Veggie Boy Taste Test’ (Season 9 ‘Veggie-Boyd’)

In the ninth season episode titled “Veggie-Boyd,” there’s one of the most ridiculous yet heartwarming instances involving Woody that stands out in the series. When he lands a job in a juice advertisement, the young barkeeper (who dislikes vegetables) gives it a shot before spraying the drink everywhere across the bar.

Harry The Hat’s Floating Coin Trick (Season 1 ‘Sam At 11’)

Harry The Hat (Harry Anderson) is a TV side character you can’t help but have mixed feelings about, as you both adore and dislike him due to his knack for having unexpected tricks up his sleeve or hidden in his bag of mischief. This was clearly shown right from the start when he deceived Norma with his floating coin trick, a skillful sleight-of-hand that turned the bar regular into an unwilling target of a cruel joke.

‘You Are The First People That I Have Ever Served’ (Season 1 ‘Give Me A Ring Sometime’)

In the series “Cheers,” it’s apparent that Diane had a knack for getting deeply involved. This was evident from the start, when she served her initial customers at the bar. Much like every encounter in her life, instead of focusing on their drink orders, Diane found herself engaged in conversations with the couple about various topics.

Carla Gets A New Trainee (Season 11 ‘Always Greener’)

Toward the finale of “Cheers”, Carla accepts a position at another bar that pays well but drives her up the wall. Initially, she intends to keep this job, but her mind swiftly changes when her new trainee resembles and behaves like a former college-educated waitress she had known in the past. Does anyone recall flashbacks?

Rebecca Marries A Plumber (Season 11 ‘One For The Road Part 2’)

Rebecca Howe (played by Kirstie Alley) made quite an entrance when she joined Cheers midway through its run. Her time on the show was filled with one amusing scenario after another, and one of the most memorable moments came during her wedding to a plumber in the final season, which ended in a rather comical meltdown. Summing up the situation, she herself admitted that he was simply too good for her.

‘Table Ready For The Blubberbutts!’ (Season 2 ‘Homicidal Ham’)

The coach was never shy about providing a good chuckle, particularly when he’d slip up behind the bar. In an episode of Season 2, our cherished bartender found himself with two reservations upstairs under the same name. When he contacted the restaurant to clear things up, they described them as “Blubberbutts,” which he announced aloud.

‘I Know You Think It’s Kind Of Crazy, But I Bang My Head On The Bar’ (Season 1 ‘Truce Or Consequence’)

On the show “Cheers,” Coach wasn’t just known for his witty jokes, but also for his impressive physical comedy. For instance, in one early episode, when giving Diane advice, he humorously demonstrated his method of hitting his head against the bar – a gesture that he actually carried out right after making the comment.

Lilith Scares Frasier (Season 9 ‘Honor Thy Mother’)

In a chilling manner, Lilith (portrayed by Bebe Neuwirth), with her cold persona and straightforward disposition, was undeniably one of the most fear-inducing characters on “Cheers”. A reminder of this terror surfaced for Frasier in a Season 9 episode, as Lilith unexpectedly appeared behind him at the bar. The expression on his face during that moment makes watching the entire episode an absolute treat.

‘Is There An Ernie Pantuso Here?’ (Season 1 ‘Give Me A Ring Sometime’)

One hilarious memory from the TV show Cheers is when Coach momentarily forgot his own name during a phone conversation – a scene that’s often revisited when discussing the late bartender. What makes this moment so amusing is its simplicity, as the exchange consists of only a few lines of dialogue.

Rebecca Hiding Something In Her Mouth (Season 6 ‘My Fair Clavin)

Rebecca Howe, much like other characters portrayed by Kirstie Alley during her career, stood out due to her ability to achieve much despite having limited resources. In the sixth season, there’s an episode where she conceals something that appears to be a pack of Lucky Strikes.

Sam’s Meta Joke About The Three Stooges (Season 11 ‘The Magnificent Six’)

Sam Malone frequently pays tribute to The Three Stooges, an iconic comedy group, during the 11-season span of “Cheers”. This homage is evident on numerous occasions, with one example being towards the end of the series when Sam likens Henri (Anthony Cistaro) to a character that joined the Stooges later in their career.

Carla And Betty Trade Insults (Season 10 ‘Smotherly Love’)

In the Season 10 episode “Smotherly Love”, I came face-to-face with a formidable rival when Betty, Liith’s mother (played by Marilyn Cooper), walked into the bar. From the get-go, we exchanged sharp words that grew increasingly intense as the encounter unfolded.

The Russian Poetry Conversation (Season 1 ‘ Any Friend Of Diane’s’)

It’s surprising how a brief consideration of Russian poetry could result in such a barrage of laughter! That’s exactly what transpired during an episode of Cheers in its first season, when Diane and a regular customer found themselves veering off course with their animated discourse on some esteemed poets. Despite the verbosity, it packed quite a punch.

‘Are You Saying I’m Too Dumb To Date Smart Women?’ (Season 1 ‘Sam’s Women’)

The early seasons of Cheers were significantly enhanced by the intriguing tension surrounding Sam and Diane’s relationship, a dynamic that gave rise to countless memorable scenes. One particularly noteworthy exchange occurs when Sam queries, “Are you implying I’m too simple-minded to date intelligent women?” during their dialogue about his romantic preferences.

Cliff And Norm Discuss The Hungry Heifer (Season 3 ‘Behind Every Great Man’)

Although The Hungry Heifer may not rank among the top TV show-inspired fictional restaurants, it holds significant appeal for fans of “Cheers.” In the Season 3 episode titled “Behind Every Great Man,” Cliff and Norm discuss a meal at this charming establishment and voice their less than flattering opinions about the “meat” they consumed. Indeed, they refer to it as “beff.

‘It Was Really Itchy, George’ (Season 1 ‘Coach Returns To Action’)

In this particular episode of “Cheers”, Coach, along with the other bar staff and patrons, collaborate with Harry the Hat to outsmart a renowned poker player. The climax of the story unfolds when Coach attempts to signal his supposed friend about Harry’s cards, but their scheme seems to fail – or so it appears until the complete trickery behind the con is unveiled.

Sam’s Little Black Book (Season 1 ‘Father Knows Last’)

Would it surprise you to learn that Sam Malone from “Cheers” maintained a “little black book”? If not, then you’re correct since this was a part of the series’ early storyline. The ensuing conversation offered many memorable scenes.

The Bolts In The Garden Floor Conversation (Season 10 ‘Where Have All The Floorboards Gone?’)

As a movie critic, I can’t help but reminisce about the legendary Boston Garden, a global icon that graced our screens in the beloved sitcom “Cheers”. In an intriguing Season 10 episode entitled “Where Have All the Floorboards Gone?”, the characters found themselves embroiled in a captivating debate over the number of bolts securing the arena’s cherished floor. And just like that floor, the conversation only grew more fascinating as it drew more viewers in.

‘The Kelly Song’ (Season 7 ‘The Gift Of The Woodi’)

In my opinion, when Woody sang and performed “The Kelly Song” for his soon-to-be wife on Cheers was an heartwarming moment, but things took a turn for the humorous when she inquired about her gift’s whereabouts, unaware that the song itself was the present she had received.

2025-04-10 00:39