Cheers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Cheers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 22, 2023

CBS/Paramount has released the classic 1980s TV staple 'Cheers,' starring Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Kirstie Alley, and Woody Harrelson, among others, to Blu-ray. This massive 31-disc set includes every episode from all eleven seasons. Every episode is presented at the 1080p resolution with DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless audio. Supplements start off strong in early seasons but essentially disappear for mid and late seasons.

Official synopsis: Wander in... pull up a stool... and make yourself at home "where everybody knows your name." Ted Danson stars as Sam Malone, former relief-pitcher for the Boston Red Sox turned sober saloon owner of a popular neighborhood spot. From snooty, erudite Diane (Shelly Long)—a chronic academic forced to become a waitress when her fiancé dumps her—to ruthless corporate careerist Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley)— relegated to riding herd over this unruly bunch—Sam remains a (somewhat) calming presence. Add to the mix wise-cracking Carla (Rhea Perlman), suds-slurping regular Norm (George Wendt), know-it-all letter carrier Cliff (John Ratzenberger), gentle-spirited Coach (Nicholas Colasanto), and freelance shrink Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) and you're all set to raise a glass to the legendary, Emmy Award-winning series, which GQ Magazine calls "pretty much perfect."

It's difficult to throw a word like "iconic" around when so many television shows could arguably, and many of them rightly, claim that title, but Cheers is certainly one of those that would be defined in that way without much contemplation or complaint. The show aired for eleven seasons, a good, long, healthy run that forged forward with freshness while maintaining familiarity in its faces and the facility. Cheers stood apart -- and stands apart today -- because of its faithful hold to simplicity. The confined location was used effectively and the characters' stability allowed for a significant relational rapport amongst themselves and with the audience. Cheers welcomed audiences into the door and onto a barstool for a weekly gathering of life that was sometimes shallow, sometimes profound, but always speaking not to, but with, the audience over a drink and with a smile.

Cheers is populated by a host of unforgettable characters who would come to define the careers of every major star on the show. One of the keys to the show's success rate was both character retention and introduction. Stalwarts Ted Danson, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt, and Rhea Perlman navigated the entirety of the run, but the steady stream of newcomers who would emerge season after season -- Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, and Kirstie Alley -- would help maintain a freshness through new voices and perspectives, though certainly while remaining within the quintessential Cheers structure that they only reinforced rather than redefined. Shelly Long's absence in mid- and later-seasons is certainly felt, but the show did a fine job of organically filling that gap.

This cross-section of humanity represents a significant swath of everyday people who, throughout the series, observe and react to the world around them, albeit through the filter of a glass before them and almost exclusively within the walls around them. One of the show's strengths is its ability to balance sameness with difference: the characters evolve but do not necessarily change; the world outside the bar changes but the atmosphere inside remains the same. This sense of grounded perspective allows for significant opportunity to build both concise stories and larger character narratives throughout the show, supported by the underlying humor and character camaraderie, both of which are significant. Characters bring their lives into the bar, but the show doesn't often venture outside the bar. The bar is a much a home for them as it is a sanctuary. They are not merely comfortable there, they really, in many ways, belong there.

The iconic theme song says it best: "Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came, you want to be where you can see, our troubles are all the same. You want to be where everybody knows your name." Those lyrics absolutely define the show's cadence and purpose, and Cheers more than lives up to both the simplicity and profoundness of those lyrics, inviting the characters, and the audience, into this cozy world of comfort and warmth, humor and heart, up and down, purpose and aimlessness, love and hate, and so many other contrasting emotions and perspectives with uncanny balance and direction. Cheers, in many ways, is the opposite of the old adage: the more things change, the more they stay the same." Here, it's the more things stay the same, the more they change. It's often brilliant Sitcom stuff.

Cheers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

CBS/Paramount serves up Cheers on Blu-ray with a fine, at times bordering on wonderful, 1080p transfer. The image rightly retains the 1.33:1 aspect ratio from the first episode to the last, holding to the original broadcast aspect ratio that faithfully reproduces the picture as it originally aired.

However, the similarities to any original broadcast run presentations end there. This is certainly the best the show has ever looked for home consumption, clearly superior to the vintage SD broadcasts from decades past. What is here looks excellent. First, viewers will note that the picture holds true to its filmic roots. It's handsomely grainy, and the grain is even and organic for the duration. There are no signs of unwarranted scrubbing or other processing maladies that would rob the picture of its natural elegance. No, what is here is very true and pleasing to the eye. The result is a sharp, efficient picture that maintains excellent detail and definition throughout. This is especially true of various clothing, such as Cliffs mail carrier uniform, for example as one of the regular mainstays, and of course through the revolving door attire that other characters wear throughout the seasons and series. Facial complexities are healthy in close-up, and the various odds and ends around the bar -- wear and wood texturing on the bar itself, various adornments on walls, brick facades, glasses hanging above the bar -- are very sharp and clearly detailed. Viewers will come to know the Cheers bar location more intimately than ever before thanks to this excellent Blu-ray presentation.

Color reproduction is very good, too. The action takes place almost exclusively in the bar, where warm wooden tones dominate, so the depth of browns and the variations and nuances of the shades throughout the bar area are critical, and the Blu-ray delivers these tones with all of the necessary depth and accuracy to bring the location to life. Of course, the browns are offset by various signs and memorabilia on walls that add some distinctive color flair, which is nicely handled, while clothing offers the most color bounce and life in the series. All of the clothes are appropriately vivid and well saturated. Black levels and shadow detail rate as excellent. Whites are adequately crisp. Skin tones look healthy. Color is handled very well throughout the series run.

The icing on the cake is rock-solid compression. The episodes are spread out just enough to allow them to breathe. There are no serious examples of compression problems of note, and the source is in great shape, too; the odd pop or speckle are in evidence but never to a distracting, never mind debilitating, level. All in all, CBS/Paramount did a first-class job with this set. Fans are going to be delighted! Cheers!

Cheers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Paramount brings Cheers: The Complete Series to Blu-ray with a very satisfying DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack. From the outset the track proves its excellence with good frontal separation and fine distinct clarity to the various instrumental elements that greet audiences as the first episode opens. The theme song is joyously detailed, full and rich with positive depth and front speaker engagement. It's never sounded so satisfying. Ambience in the bar is well defined, and even with the lack of back-channel support there's no mistaking a very real sense of space and place at work. The laugh track is probably the weakest link for clarity, but it's still nicely spaced and supportive. Dialogue is perfectly clear and images nicely to the front-center location. This is a great track and easily a match for the fine video work.

Cheers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Before diving into the supplemental content, here are a few words on the packaging: each season ships in its own individual Amaray case and each disc appears on its own side or leaf so there is no disc stacking. Each season offers unique artwork, spine colors, and rear text content. It ships in a very flimsy outside box that is a touch too big. Mine is already creased and tearing at a corner from very simple use.

As for the supplements proper, the set includes quite a few through the first three seasons but extras essentially disappear after season three; the final season offers "episodic promos" which are basically narrated previews for the episode. Certainly, much more would have been welcome, but what's here is by-and-large fine.

Season One, Disc Three:

• Setting the Bar: A Conversation with Ted Danson (480i, 8:11): Danson discusses auditions, his character, working with other cast, and more.
• Love at First Sight: Opposites Distract (1080p, 4:03): A fun look at some highlight reel moments between Sam and Diane.
• Coach Ernie Pantusso's "Rules of the Game" (1080p, 4:17): This piece offers favorite clips featuring Coach Pantusso.
• I'll Drink to That: Stormin' Norm-isms (1080p, 4:24): Lightning-quick clips featuring Norm's best moments.
• "It's a Little Known Fact..." Cheers Trivia Game (1080p): A series of multiple choice questions. Answers are proceeded with a clip from the show that reveals the answer or a "no" clip, which varies (characters laughing, saying "no," "wrong again," etc.).

Season Two, Disc Three:

• Strictly Top Shelf: The Guys Behind the Bar (480i, 9:34): Cast and crew explore plot, characters, relationship dynamics, the show's success, and more.
• Cliff's Notes: The Wisdom of Cliff Clavin (480i, 3:59): Looking closely at John Ratzenberger's character and work on the show.
• Carla the Comeback Queen: Insults for Every Occasion (480i, 3:28): Exploring Carla Tortelli character basics and Rhea Perlman performance specifics.
• Di Another Day: Diane Chambers from A-Z (480i, 3:35): A look at Shelley Long's work as Diane Chambers through character highlights.
• Gag Reel: Bloopers from Season 2 (480i, 4:23): Humorous moments from the shoot.

Season Three, Disc Three:

• Virtual Vera (1080p, 2:53): Various references to the unseen "Vera."
• Shrink-Wrapped: Introducing Frasier Crane (1080p, 2:49): An all-too-quick look at one of the most popular characters who was introduced in season three by means of various character clips.
• Carla's Whipping Boy (1080p, 3:23): Some scenes featuring Carla's greatest quips.
• Nicholas Colasanto: His Final Season (480i, 6:34): Looking back at the character and the late actor who portrayed him.
• Cheers Bar Tour (480i): Art Director Dahl Delu hosts an interactive tour of the famous set.

Season Eleven, Disc One:

• Episodic Promos (480i, 0:33 each): "Next time on Cheers previews for upcoming episodes.

Season Eleven, Disc Two:

• Episodic Promos (480i, 0:33 each): "Next time on Cheers previews for upcoming episodes.

Season Eleven, Disc Three:

• Episodic Promos (480i, 0:33 each): "Next time on Cheers previews for upcoming episodes.

Cheers: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Cheers' popular culture impact cannot be denied, and it should not be ignored. The show maintains a timelessness even now several decades removed from its original airing and final episode. The content maintains freshness, approachability, likability, and authenticity. The setting helps disguise the period setting, but it is the humanity that holds the show as a constant for its, this, and many generations to come. CBS/Paramount's boxed set, featuring all eleven seasons, is excellent. Picture and sound are first-rate, and the supplements, while nonexistent through mid- and late-season sets, are solid for what's included. Highly recommended!