Sun Sep 15 13:38:06 UTC 2024: ## Cheers Star Ted Danson Initially Doubted Sam and Diane’s Pairing
**Los Angeles, CA** – Ted Danson, the iconic star of the beloved sitcom “Cheers,” has revealed he had reservations about his character, Sam Malone, being romantically involved with Shelley Long’s Diane Chambers.
Danson, who was previously known for his role in the medical drama “The Doctors,” expressed his initial hesitation in a recent episode of the podcast “SmartLess.” He admitted to being surprised by the pairing, given Sam’s womanizing reputation and Diane’s sophisticated persona.
“My first reaction to Shelley while we were auditioning was, ‘Oh, no. No. That’s a bad, bad idea. I just, I don’t know. We were so different,” Danson said on the podcast. “Our styles, our approach, our everything is really different, which is why I think it worked because it was, like, this fair fight.”
Despite his initial doubts, Danson acknowledges the undeniable chemistry between the two actors and their characters. “It was great,” he said of working with Long. “It was hard for us sometimes to be in a room together, but when we started working, it was just fantastic. Because you’d smack her, and she’d smack you back harder. She was brilliant.”
Diane’s departure from the show at the end of season five allowed Long to pursue film opportunities and focus on her family. The iconic “Cheers” pairing continued to tease fans with their on-again, off-again romance, culminating in a final reunion in the 1993 series finale.
Danson currently hosts a podcast dedicated to the series, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” with his former co-star Woody Harrelson. In the full interview, Danson credits Long for his Emmy wins in 1990 and 1993, showcasing the lasting impact of their dynamic on-screen partnership.
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