Cheers co-creator and director James Burrows speaks candidly about how Ted Danson made the seminal sitcom work. A two-time Emmy winner, with multiple other nominations under his belt, Danson is an icon of television. He’s had memorable performances in both comedies and dramas, even briefly leading the CSI franchise. In a career that’s spanned decades, he’s just about done it all. His breakout role as Sam Malone in Cheers started it all, and Burrows’ recent remarks put a spotlight on how integral Danson was to the project.
Reflecting on his long career behind the camera in comments to The Guardian, Burrows talked about how important it was that Danson was a “nice person.” Burrows further adds that Cheers had no egos in terms of the cast, explaining that he would have left if that were the case. The director’s quote is below:
If Teddy Danson was not a nice person, Cheers would have been a difficult show. But because he’s one of the sweetest men I know, and I’m a sweet man, there were no egos. If I’m on a show where that isn’t the case, I’ll leave – life’s too short.
Burrows’ Comments Highlight Danson’s Nice Guy Reputation
Emma Thompson, who originally played Nanette Guzman on Cheers, before the role was recast, also highlighted Danson’s nice-guy reputation. What’s notable, however, is that Danson maintained the person even at a time when Thompson knew how desperate he was to leave Cheers. The actor wanted to try his hand at different roles and characters and was frustrated as a result.
Still, even with his unhappiness on Cheers, Thompson noted: “I just remember meeting Ted Danson, one of the nicest people in the world, and one of the most unhappy because he’d been doing it for so long.” She essentially echoes what Burrows says, though it’s all the more notable because Danson seemed to maintain the sitcom’s positive energy even at a time when he might have been feeling the opposite.
Danson looks back fondly on his time as Sam, joining in with reunions. He credits Cheers for his career after 40 years, and there’s no doubt that the upbeat remembrance is partially owed to the lack of ego and collaborative nature that Danson alludes to with his remarks. It’s helped the legacy of the series, which is thought of as a top-tier sitcom.
