Beloved TV Icon Reveals He Was Nearly Blacklisted From His Most Famous Role

Quick Smiles:

• Ted Danson almost didn’t get to play Sam Malone on the legendary sitcom that made him a household name
• A network memo tried to stop him from being cast after a previous show didn’t succeed
• The show became one of TV’s most beloved comedies, proving sometimes the best things happen when we give second chances

When you hear the word cheers, you might start to hear the theme song from the iconic NBC sitcom playing in your ear. Cheers was a place where “everybody knows your name.” Each week on Thursday nights, millions tuned in to watch the hijinks of a bunch of beer-drinking Bostonians.

The downstairs bar was a favorite for characters Norm Peterson, Cliff Clavin, Frasier Crane, and Lilith Sternin. George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, and Bebe Neuwirth brought the beloved characters to life. Cheers’ biggest character was Ted Danson’s Sam Malone.

During a recent podcast episode of Where Everybody Knows Your Name, Ted said Cheers nearly went on without him. He explained the heartwarming story to co-hosts Woody Harrelson and Harrison Ford.

A Second Chance That Changed Television History

Ted Danson revealed NBC didn’t want him on Cheers at first. The network had serious reservations about giving him another opportunity.

“I got blacklisted for ‘Cheers’ from NBC,” Ted recalled. “I mean, A memo to everybody: ‘Don’t hire him.’”

The network evidently blamed him for an ill-fated detective drama set in California that didn’t take off the way producers hoped. It’s a reminder that sometimes our perceived failures are just stepping stones to something better.

“We were supposed to be father-daughter detectives in San Francisco, and it just didn’t work,” Ted said. “It sucked, and he blamed me for that, and literally, there was a memo.”

Fans loved seeing the three legendary actors together sharing stories and laughing about the past. The genuine warmth between them was infectious.

“THIS!!! This right here, is probably the most iconic interview I can remember seeing. All 3 icons, all at ease with each other, and Harrison is very loose and genuinely having a ball. What a joy this was. Thank you to all three gentlemen for this,” someone wrote in the YouTube comments.

Cheers without Ted Danson simply wouldn’t have been the same. The show went on to become one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history, winning 28 Emmy Awards and running for 11 successful seasons. Thankfully, someone had a change of heart and gave Ted the second chance that would define his career and bring joy to millions of viewers.

It’s a beautiful reminder that setbacks don’t define us — and that sometimes the best opportunities come after we’ve faced rejection.

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