10 Cheers Episodes Better Than Anything Made Today

As a lifelong fan of classic TV, I truly believe Cheers is one of the greatest sitcoms ever made. Even now, some of those episodes are better than a lot of what’s being produced today! It really resonated with my generation – Gen X and Millennials – and it’s amazing to see it finding a whole new audience now that it’s available on streaming services.

Today, Cheers is competing with popular modern sitcoms that are well-established as great entertainment. But Cheers actually pioneered many of the storylines and characteristics that later made shows like Friends or Community so popular.

As a huge TV fan, I always come back to Cheers. It really nailed the idea of a found family, even if they were all a little crazy! And that will-they-won’t-they tension between Sam and Diane? Totally addictive. I love that it took place at a bar, making the coworkers the family instead of blood relatives. Plus, that theme song? It’s amazing even if you’ve never seen an episode! Cheers didn’t invent these tropes, but it definitely made them super popular in sitcoms from the 90s onward.

The classic sitcom Cheers had many episodes that were better than most shows made today. These ten episodes, especially, are surprisingly innovative and still feel exciting. While another comedy might eventually be even better, these ten represent the very best of television for now.

10. Give Me A Ring Sometime

The first season of Cheers didn’t do well with viewers and ratings, and the show almost got canceled. But looking back, it’s clear people underestimated it. Cheers actually has one of the strongest pilot episodes ever, and it’s better than many new sitcoms today.

As a film and TV buff, I just love how Cheers immediately feels like a warm embrace from the very first notes of the theme song right through to the end credits. The pilot does an amazing job of introducing you to the bar and all the main characters – you instantly feel like you’re part of the group! And honestly, it’s full of genuinely funny moments. It’s tough to launch a show so flawlessly, but Cheers somehow pulls it off. It’s a near-perfect start, in my opinion.

9. What Is…Cliff Clavin?

Okay, so high-concept sitcom episodes are usually a gamble, but Cheers absolutely stuck the landing with “What Is…Cliff Clavin?” It’s a brilliant episode where Cliff actually gets on Jeopardy! and unbelievably wins over twenty-two thousand dollars… only to lose it all in Final Jeopardy! The whole thing is hilarious, but it doesn’t stop there. Alex Trebek even tries to quit hosting, and it’s Cliff, of all people, who talks him out of it! Seriously, the writing is just top-notch and I was laughing out loud the entire time. It’s a classic for a reason.

This episode is definitely over-the-top, but that’s typical for Cheers. What’s even funnier is that the “What Is…Cliff Clavin?” segment actually inspired people to use the same (or similar) incorrect answer on Jeopardy! in real life.

Additionally, a secondary storyline sees Sam facing consequences for his past relationships. The women he’s been involved with all confront him, and while he wasn’t directly responsible for the resulting drama, his behavior certainly contributed to it.

8. Dinner At Eight-ish

In one of the funniest episodes of Cheers, titled “Dinner at Eight-ish,” Frasier and Lilith host a dinner party for Sam and Diane. The episode’s humor comes from a series of escalating mishaps – just as soon as one problem is solved, another one arises. Despite all the chaos, the storyline remains light and entertaining, reminiscent of classic I Love Lucy episodes.

Plus, this episode is a ‘bottle episode,’ which is challenging for any show to do well. Because all the action takes place in a limited location, the actors really have to rely on their skills to make it engaging. Fortunately, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelsey Grammer, Ted Danson, and Shelley Long are all incredibly funny and have great chemistry together.

7. One For The Road

Many popular sitcoms, like How I Met Your Mother and New Girl, struggle to deliver a good final season, often feeling hurried or lacking quality. But the series finale, “One For The Road,” is different. It’s a genuinely satisfying conclusion that captures the heart of what made Cheers so beloved.

The finale beautifully captured the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to a show like Cheers without becoming overly sentimental. It was full of humor and fondly referenced moments from the past. Each character got a satisfying conclusion, and the ending left the door open for potential future stories.

6. Bar Wars II: The Woodman Strikes Back

The ‘Bar Wars’ storyline in Cheers – spanning seven episodes from seasons 6 through 11 – is one of the show’s strongest and most memorable. It’s a perfect example of how a comedy can successfully use a running joke over several seasons. While all the ‘Bar Wars’ episodes are enjoyable, ‘Bar Wars II: The Woodman Strikes Back’ is arguably the funniest.

You won’t believe the latest drama at our bar! We’re locked in another epic Bloody Mary battle with Gary’s Olde Towne Tavern. It’s absolutely wild – a total rollercoaster of funny moments and unexpected turns. Seriously, you’ll be guessing until the very end!

As a film buff, I was completely hooked! This episode is just relentlessly funny, with the jokes and silliness escalating constantly. And honestly, the sequel actually improved on what was already a fantastic first part – it really exceeded my expectations!

5. Where There’s A Will

One of the most hilarious episodes from the second season of Cheers is called “Where There’s a Will.” It centers around Malcolm, a man who is very sick, and leaves a $100,000 inheritance to the Cheers gang after they help him fulfill a lifelong dream. The episode really highlights both the best and worst sides of everyone at the bar.

Fans often rally around characters they love, but inevitably, disagreements and conflicts arise within the fanbase itself. It’s challenging to reconcile these contrasting sides of beloved characters, but ultimately, it makes them feel more complex and believable.

The characters in Cheers become like a family over time, but like all families, they have their flaws and can be selfish and argue over small things. The episode “Where There’s A Will” highlights these less-than-perfect aspects of the group.

4. Pick A Con…Any Con

“Pick A Con…Any Con” is one of the best Cheers episodes because it leans into the show’s comedic nature without becoming completely chaotic. The story revolves around Coach being tricked out of money by a friend, leading him to help bail out a con man named Harry “The Hat” Gittes in an attempt to recover his losses.

This episode features a battle of wits between two con artists, essentially asking who’s the better swindler. A storyline this outlandish would likely feel forced or overly dramatic in a contemporary sitcom. However, it landed perfectly when this Cheers episode originally aired.

3. I Do, Adieu

Looking back at the TV show Cheers now, it’s clear that the on-again, off-again romance between Sam and Diane wasn’t charming—it was actually unhealthy and made both of them act at their worst.

The episode “I Do, Adieu” really highlights the potential Sam and Diane had as a couple. Diane makes the brave decision to focus on her own goals, while still leaving the door open for a future with Sam. Sam, in turn, fully supports her move to Boston to complete her writing, encouraging her to pursue her dreams.

“I Do, Adieu” stands out because it prioritizes the characters’ needs, even if it’s a difficult choice for viewers. The episode also offers a bittersweet look at what the characters’ future could have held. It didn’t feel like a compromise; instead, it provided a satisfying conclusion to a relationship that the audience had grown to care about over a long period.

2. Veggie-Boyd

Woody Harrelson is fantastic in Cheers, and the episode featuring “Veggie-Boy” is arguably his funniest. The story revolves around Woody landing a commercial for a terrible drink called Veggie Boy. He struggles with the idea of being dishonest when he has to say he enjoys it. To resolve this, Frasier hypnotizes him so he genuinely loves the drink.

This episode reminds me of classic ‘I Love Lucy’ moments, particularly the famous Vitameatavegamin commercial. However, instead of the humor coming from someone getting tipsy, this time Woody becomes incredibly upset when his favorite product is discontinued.

The show is also funny – it’s amusing to see the character Lilith strongly dislike Freud, especially considering the episode aired in 1990 and that kind of commentary feels very modern.

1. Endless Slumper

“Endless Slumper” is definitely my favorite episode of Cheers. It handled Sam’s struggle with alcohol in a sensitive way, without making light of the issue. He gives his lucky bottle cap – from the last bottle he drank – to a man who’s going through a hard time.

This situation creates problems for Sam, as he relied on it to cope with life. Without it, he feels intensely anxious and fears falling back into old patterns, and he nearly does. The episode specifically highlights the challenges of being a recovering alcoholic while also owning and managing a bar.

The “Endless Slumper” episode had the potential to miss the mark, but it actually excels at handling serious issues within a generally funny show. It doesn’t feel preachy or like the storyline was awkwardly added – it feels genuinely authentic.

2026-04-15 06:21