Shelley Long on The Phil Donahue Show discussing why she quit Cheers

[@lindanoble7047]

I love listening to Shelley Long. I'm re watching Cheers after 30 plus years and laughing more than I did then

[@troybingham6426]

Every interview I've ever seen with her I've been struck by what an eloquent and classy lady she is.

[@josephjoel9199]

She's one of the best lead actresses, like Valerie Harper.

[@flenif2247]

She is Diane!

[@carinhall4508]

She's a narcissist and sociopath. Congratulations, you fell for it.

[@raymondrocha797]

She was so breathtaking beautiful back then!

[@DarthVader1977]

breathtakingly*

[@bethr8756]

Just average looking really

[@DarthVader1977]

@@bethr8756 The average female is not that thin.

[@PABWECG]

She sounds like a very grounded and thoughtful person. Making decisions because it feels like the right next step (instead of doing what producers or fans might want) is a very mature and healthy thing to do. I know I watched all the seasons of Cheers when they aired, but when I watch them now, I can never bring myself to watch beyond Season 5, because I do so love Sam and Diane together, and I adore the character of Diane. It breaks my heart every time when Shelley leaves.

[@sexobscura]

The REAL reason she left was because she thought she was going to become an international movie star

[@TruSoulDj]

I get that. But Kirstie Alley was magic. And to see them share the screen in the final episode was amazing.

[@lnl3237]

Both Shelley and Kirstie were outstanding comedic actresses. One's preference is a bit of a Rorshach test. From a variety of accounts, Kirstie Alley's personality probably gelled more with the work culture of Cheers, however, without Shelley Long's brilliant portrayal of Diane, I don't think Cheers would've ever made it that far. A good many commenters after Cheers videos can be cruel when talking about Ms. Long's post-Cheers career and her "tepid success" in other ventures. Compared to others in the cast like Ted, Kelsey and Woody, that is a valid observation. But as she points out in this Donahue appearance, decision-making is fraught with unknowns. She did have a budding movie career and by Season 5 of Cheers, she was in her late 30's. Leads in romantic comedies for women start to dry up. I believe she also had a young child at this point in her life. She remained a working actress throughout her life and that in itself, is no small accomplishment. She caught "lightning in a bottle" early on with Diane Chambers; now in her mid-70's, I hope she knows that she is still making people laugh and talk about the fate of fictional characters introduced to us more than 40 years ago. That's something. And who knows, Sam and Diane might get together yet... Frasier's heading back to Boston! 😉

[@Hard_Boiled_Entertainment]

So, Shelley had a contract with Disney...and they didn't even THINK to offer her a voice role for a Disney Princess? It was no secret she had a beautiful singing voice.

[@disturbedone8731]

The hell are you smoking?

[@CaptainSpalding72]

They werent the same Disney then. Dumb ass

[@007beck9]

@The Wraith she was in Disney's Freaky Friday TV remake

[@roknrony]

They got Maude instead

[@gabelogan5877]

Pre-Little Mermaid, Disney animation studios was a crapfest. They hadn't found their creative voice much less had the time to cast stars in qnity projects.

[@edjucat]

Shelley Long has one of the most pretty and feminine speaking voices I think I have ever heard.

[@videox222ify]

+edjucat she is very graceful

[@edjucat]

True, but I was as commenting on her voice, not her face.

[@edjucat]

Then don't read them.

[@benvad9010]

Aeonflux93 Ha Ha!!

[@CaptainSpalding72]

j v no she didnt. STFU

[@allknowingoracle3277]

When Shelley left Cheers we mourned the loss of a irreplaceable force in intelligent comedy history who was Miss Diane Chambers. No female sitcom character in the 33 years since has come even remotely close to her greatness.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Really? How about Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Seinfeld? Huh, forgot about her, no?

[@robertskinner6487]

@@jamesanthony5681 I second that "emotion"

[@jerrywoods4066]

I wouldn't say that

[@avasdad12]

I think Kirstie Aleey brought the show to another level personally .

[@waynedurning8717]

@@jamesanthony5681great but nowhere near the depth of character.

[@calalilygirl]

I have to think she may have regretted leaving. Kirstie was good but very different and the chemistry with Diane and Sam was palpable. The Diane character was great.

[@mordecaiesther3591]

I have said this before and I’ll say it again. Even Donahue had his mind blown about it. She should of NEVER left. Don’t know if it was family, money or scripts . But for some unknown reason she left.

[@bobbyproulx5688]

When Kirste Alley entered the cast, the show died, in my opinion,

[@ghost_rider2809]

@@mordecaiesther3591 Yeah, she shouldn't have left. I like Rebecca, but Diane will always be the better character imo

[@SonnyGTA]

Bobby Proulx well, you’re pretty fucking stupid then.

[@landreaulover]

@@SonnyGTA I didn't like that she left, but if she had stayed -- and she and Sam married, that would have been the end of the show. And if they broke them up -- it would just be prolonging the show. Look at that last couple of years wasted on 'Friends' because they didn't want to get Ross and Rachel back together until the end. Cheers was never as good without Shelly, but it was still funny -- just not as smart a show as it was when she was there.

[@RaymondLayzell]

I enjoyed the programme so much, despite some of the comments here, she was and is a star, held cheers together for 5 years, and explained her reasoning. I sincerely hope that she continues to enjoy her career and other people happy with her charismatic charm.

[@pippiecarr9378]

@Michael Richmond Jr We get it, she had an opinion you didn't agree with, hense why you think she's a bitch

[@lnl3237]

I sincerely hope so, too. All an actor owes an audience is the best performance they know how to give. If there were some unpleasant behind-the-scene scenes, I hope the actors have since put their grievances to rest and now take great pride in what they did professionally.

[@2taggs2]

If you think about it, her character on the show made sense for her to leave. She was an intellectual that was basically "too good" to continue to be working or hanging around at Cheers any longer. From that aspect, I think it made sense.

[@rayoflight6505]

Maybe at first it felt far far fetched for Diane to hang around Cheers but she did loosen up as the seasons went on and almost become one of the gang. I think her heart belonged at Cheers but not her brain.

[@mikearchibald744]

From other stuff it seems also that there was really not much place for her character to go. Frasier was getting a lot of her jokes, by the time she did the Frasier episode she was a caricature of the character she was. Ted Danson seems like a nice guy that most people love now, but after she left he was even MORE one dimensional. And lets face it, 'good' on TV doesn't mean squat. Until Cosby came in and brought their ratings up they were an also ran. Timeslot meant as much to Cheers as it later meant to Seinfeld.

[@HenryBloggit]

The on again off again relationship between Sam and Dianne had been totally played out after 5 years. There was nowhere else for them to go at that point besides her leaving him for good, or them getting married and having a baby. Obviously they couldn’t get married without ruining the show by changing it into a husband and wife family sitcom and neutering Sam’s character, so it was time for her to leave him for good. The show wouldn’t have lasted 6 extra seasons and gone out as the #1 show on television if she had stayed. It would have declined and limped to an unceremonious finish like so many other sitcoms.

[@ariellegolas4508]

@@HenryBloggit They were annoying, specially Diane. Too much camara on her and very little of the others. I do not like cheers the first 5 seasons but I enjoy the rest.

[@lnl3237]

​@@HenryBloggitAgree wholeheartedly. Actually, wish they didn't even bring her back in the finale-seemed gratuitous and forced. For me their relationship ended with their tender good-bye and Sam's fantasy of them growing old together in the new house they had just bought.

[@kimbarling4213]

What a sweetheart. Class all the way. No modern actress diva complex. Loyal to her contract ,and followed her instincts what was right for her. And...so pretty and feminine back then.

[@l.h.2543]

Nah…she was a bitch on wheels to staff and co-workers.

[@supmojo]

Shelley Long is so charming. She's the kind of woman that you would introduce to your family.

[@doodooclowney1518]

Cheers was always good, but it just wasn't the same to me once Diane and Coach were no longer on it.

[@lenworth11]

Agree completely. They & the show was magical

[@Oceanmachine27]

The first five seasons were it, for me. After that it seemed like a totally different show.

[@hijodelaisla275]

Woody was a good choice but Rebecca was a dumpster fire.

[@jamesmcinnis208]

@@hijodelaisla275 Agree. Trashy and boring.

[@Alamyst2011]

@@hijodelaisla275 Indeed. Woody was funny, had charm and likeability. Nothing about Rebecca was enjoyable. She was crude, selfish and spoiled.

[@nemesisut8793]

Amazingly eloquent lady.. not cookie, crazy, nutty, weird.... just normal n down to earth.. what a breath of freah air.

[@Zabs_Mcgee]

shelley long cute as a button

[@monicapowers3208]

I loved her and the way she played Diane Chambers. I know the cast hated her (except Woody), but I related so much to her nerdy, bookish, articulate, feminine ways. She validated me. She gave many strong, amazing performances on Cheers

[@stristan6302]

She was sooo beautiful. Love her.

[@patriciomontalvo]

I LOVED SHELLEY SINCE 1985... AND I'M STILL IN LOVE WITH HWR

[@mikesalois3028]

I love her honesty. Admirable.

[@FanFanBessie2]

Yeah, she surprisingly just laid it out. No sidestepping or beating around about it.

[@patrickramirez8433]

This was our loss When she left

[@girliboi]

she took a lot of crap for leaving 'cheers', but she TOLD them she wanted a 5 year contract when she signed on (7 year contracts being the standard).. i guess they just assumed she would extend if/when it became a hit, but it shouldn't have been any surprise to anyone when she did EXACTLY what she always said she would do, and left after 5 years.

[@woohooboy]

Shelley Long's decision to leave "Cheers" was the right thing - for the show. Her character had gone as far as she could in the series and what the program needed was a fresh face who could add something new into the mix. Enter Kirstie Alley. Whilst the show would continue successfully for several more years, Long's career however would never reach the same level it did when she was on "Cheers"......

[@Charmedone9805]

woohooboy well Long bounced back the Brady Bunch movies had some success and she has a recurring roll on Modern Family. Kirstie Alley's character was much better for the show pretty much everything that could go wrong would happen to her lol so it always made for good storyline's and she played them well.

[@woohooboy]

Charmedone9805 - But nothing long standing like the success she had with "Cheers". I always wanted her to have another shot at a hit show (as a leading lady). Sadly it just never happened......

[@Charmedone9805]

woohooboy true but she still managed to keep herself busy. She also guest started on Frazier a few times playing Diane again in the 1990's

[@Hard_Boiled_Entertainment]

woohooboy Oddly enough, she DID get a leading role on another sitcom ("Good Advice") and it was very highly rated and quite good. Sadly, after the second season she got struck with a bad flu, and they put the show on hiatus. And as anyone who knows anything about the basic injustices of TV knows...when a show's put on hiatus, it as a rule never comes back. And so, when she recovered, she was left without a show. By then, I suppose Hollywood considered her "too old" to be considered for leading roles, and so she was relegated to guest appearances and TV movies on Hallmark, while the industry moved on to lesser starlets. *sigh*

[@woohooboy]

RushLimborg - I do remember "Good Advice" and was sorry that it never enjoyed a lengthy run like "Cheers". Given the recent issues that have happened to the actress over the last several years, I'm happy she's still able to get work such as her recurring role on "Modern Family"......

[@flenif2247]

Another person who left a hit show was actress Farrah Fawcett. I think she is the only actor who has ever left a mega hit show that she was starring in and recovered in a new career so beautifully.

[@barryfoster453]

Everyone thought she was mad to leave, but the on/off relationship had run its course. As much as I loved her, it was time. She was right to leave even if the producers and writers couldn't see it themselves. Cheers would have suffered with the same old storylines, and Rebecca was a new line for the writers. Cheers wouldn't have been the same without Diane from the start - she was perfect. Thanks, Shelley, you made my Friday evenings here in England a lovely and special time. I have a lovely wife, but in some parallel universe, I met and married you.

[@sexobscura]

The *entire* series should have stopped when she left

[@user-bl6ne3hc6n]

@@sexobscura well that's the stupidest comment I've ever read but I respect your comment no way because the ratings pretty much doubled after she left it got better this goes down as the greatest sitcom in history if Shelly was still there it would probably only last a couple more years because the stories were getting worse and she knew it that's why she's brilliant of leaving at that time she saved all those people's careers by leaving and her own she was probably worried about getting Typecast

[@user-bl6ne3hc6n]

I know your comment is about a year ago boy do I agree with it ,I'm rewatching it now I'm on season 9 after Shelly left the show got better it was different a little but it was better ,it wasn't the same storylines, Shelly's a pro she knew her characters not going anywhere my opinion her leaving ,she saved a bunch of careers cuz the show last another 6 years and the ratings just about doubled but it doesn't have to do anything with Shelly it was her her character because by season 5 I was getting sick of her, when they brought in Rebecca if you remember she didn't have that many lines they slowly brought her in it was an outstanding move, probably the greatest sitcom in history

[@obbzerver]

No! If Shelley had stayed Cheers would have lasted for 100 years!

[@theUroshman]

What a WOW, first-rate, extraordinary blend of smart, stylish, adorable, and beautiful! I seem to remember that combination being first personified by Audrey Hepburn and afterwards by Shelley Long.

[@vitameatavegimin3]

Fair enough. Talented lady. Ive been watching Cheers reruns, and she really was a riot, and made a character that could have been too much just terrific

[@julianlewis1792]

One of my favorite scenes was where Diane said "I was up all night finishing of Kirkeggard", and Sam s aid "I hope he thanked you for it."

[@otomicans6580]

It's a great dynamic. Diane says something pretentious and either Sam or Carla knock the wind out of her sails. The jokes (and plot lines) write themselves.

[@STONESGAM]

Yeah, it is sad Shelley left Cheers but after 5 seasons the "will they or won't they" storyline had sort of run its course. The first few seasons with Kirstie were very good too. It gave the show new blood and became more of an ensemble but it wasn't the same. I'm a big Cheers fan and tend to return to the Dianne Years episodes more often. It was still very good but became a different show after Shelley left. My favorite seasons are 3-5 with Shelley and season 6 the first one with Kirstie. Would have been cool if they kept Kirstie but brought Dianne back in like season 9 or something....it would have been interesting.

[@Hard_Boiled_Entertainment]

You have to give Shelley her props. When she discusses the reasons for her leaving the show, the first one she brings up is her family--she first and foremost wanted to devote more time to her daughter, and it was probably easier to do that with a movie career than with a TV career. You can't really fault her for that. Still, I can't help but mentally link her leaving Cheers with, say, David Tennant leaving Dr. Who. He felt he had to, so he wouldn't tire of the role (he wanted all his memories of doing the show he'd loved to be good), but still..."I don't want to go!" (Shelley's eyes welling up in the big goodbye scene in "I Do, Adieu" REALLY invokes that sort of line, I think....)

[@SheldonHelms]

Ya, but isn't that what they ALL say? Every politician who resigns from office in disgrace says, "I've decided to spend more time with my family." I think the truth is that she thought she was too big for the show. Pretty much every other actor in the cast has gone of record saying (some guardedly so) that she was difficult to work with.

[@tonyhoward7004]

Seems the stability and hours of a regular TV schedule would be a whole lot easier on the family than a movie career - where you have to go out on location, sometimes for months at a time.

[@Hard_Boiled_Entertainment]

@@tonyhoward7004 Thing is, that's more the case nowadays when most movies are NOT made in LA. Way back when, they were...so it was a whole lot easier.

[@garryharrington8255]

GREETINGS I JUST LOVE THIS GIRL LLAP

[@drxcreatures]

And she made some good movies afterwards. My God She's Beautiful.

[@Nate-tw4zi]

Yea Troop Beverly Hills was a real Oscar contender

[@olie171]

@@Nate-tw4zi LOL!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@markherring3513]

name 3

[@danc3693]

I always saw her as pretty in a more ordinary everyday way - not movie star, leading lady beautiful. I loved her on Cheers. People should be careful with the criticisms of her as none of us were part of that central cast and the dynamics of it. Just loads of hearsay.

[@michaelvanderkley1]

Don’t diss TBH, it was a fun movie and she was awesome in it

[@mseti1]

I love Cheers and I think she was great portraying her character Diane !!!!

[@johnrockhard5932]

I miss Cheers :-(. What a stunningly beautiful lady she was, just a bit nuts! ;-p.

[@NortonsNestMonthly]

There is always conflict between creative people and the work Shelley did was remarkable. She generally had the most dialogue and the most pressure week to week. Her acting was excellent. She made you believe and empathize with the complex and insecure Diane Chambers. The insults Carla hurled at Diane were often truly hateful and Cheers might be called a hostile work environment today. After Shelley left, her character was described as having failed as a novelist in spite of the big advance she received. She was then said to be trying to work in television. Ouch.

[@mikearchibald744]

@David Powell Now the producers claim it was THEM who didn't renew her contract.

[@mikearchibald744]

@David Powell There was probably some of that, but like other cast has said, it was becoming unpleasant. However, it could well be that getting paid less than Danson would make a person unpleasant.

[@zapkvr]

@@mikearchibald744 yeah and Danson only got bigger after Cheers. His work on The good place is his best yet

[@mikearchibald744]

@@zapkvr I'm not sure a show on netflix is 'bigger'. Cheers was a number one show at a time when there was only three networks. You DON"T get 'bigger' than that. But certainly he's kept working. But then Hollywood is often a lot more tolerant of male egos than female ones. I think most actors and people in the business have admitted that Long was or is a pretty exceptional talent, because you aren't working on TV doesn't mean that changes.

[@robjohnson8861]

@@zapkvr I need to watch The good place but until I do, Becker was his best. Right next to Frasier as 2 of my best ever.

[@princeicio]

I gotta admit I loved this actress!

[@floydmayweatherjr.5357]

Cheers was great show and Shelley Long was and is a great actress!

[@briantreadwell2206]

One of many great characters in Cheers

[@1925eddie]

I think she could have made a movie or two while doing the show Cheers. Sadly, her choice was not the best for her or us. I really missed her character and never felt Kirstie Alley filled the bill.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

She had a kid at the time. It's no ones business why she did what she did. She gave the series 6 more years on a plate by leaving instead of 2 or 3 by staying.

[@natalieps2387]

She did make movies during cheers the money pit & irreconcilable differences . Her movie career started actually dwindling after cheers. After outrageous fortune she did two bombs hello again & troop Beverly Hills. So I think she left bc she wanted to devote all her time to movies but the gamble didnt pay off bc she was pretty much done in 89. Cheers went on another 4 years. It was never the same without her even with that hof cast. Even the producers & writers felt kirstie was good but it did not compare to the chemistry diane had with sam.

[@superstarreviews9937]

She was awesome in thr Brady Bunch movies!

[@brianfauteux7711]

Shelley had/has one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen!!

[@calilifepaul]

She is sooooo classy. I love her.

[@Jantv81]

She had a young daughter at this point, and I believe wanted to explore other avenues. Nothing wrong with that. While I enjoyed the dynamic of Sam and Diane, I can't imagine how it would've all played out had she stayed. The character of Rebecca Howe was refreshing.

[@John-kv7jo]

I think she was having an off screen affair with Danson. This is why she left so abruptly. The show revolved around their on again off again romance.

[@kflow1379]

They could've casted that part better.

[@bobbyproulx5688]

Rebeccaa howe was revolying, not refreshing.

[@missmakebyjoanna]

@@John-kv7jo wait she was having an affair with him??? Please tell more! Hahahaha

[@John-kv7jo]

@@missmakebyjoanna You don't think that their on screen chemistry at some stage became an offscreen romance? I'm confident to say that they had lots of sexy time outside of work.

[@thefakenewsnetwork8072]

Long live freedom and democratic equality

[@darrellsturrock5795]

For me the show improved in season 6 as it become more of an ensemble cast and less of a Sam and Diane focused show. No disrespect to Shelly Long as she was great in Cheers but with her departure the writers had more freedom to do more varied stories.

[@petergianakopoulos4926]

Good insight

[@a.b.sproductionsllc]

But then the shift switched to Sam and Rebecca.

[@MrAitraining]

Show def got better at mid point. Kirstie was very funny as well.

[@trawlins396]

@@a.b.sproductionsllc not for long

[@a.b.sproductionsllc]

@@trawlins396 I was happy they eventually stopped having Sam chase after Rebecca. It was comedy but it started making the ladies man seem pathetic. Lol

[@jimburnsjr.]

incredible lady

[@bellmeisterful]

As someone whos made a bad career choice, which I regret, I can empathize with her

[@Lava1964]

What a gorgeous lady! Bad career move, though.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

Lava1964 no it wasnt. She had made plenty of money and had a kid to raise.

[@A.Melebeck]

@@CaptainSpalding72 this is true family first because look how the cast did coach. Only 1 person from the cast came to his funeral.

[@CaptainSpalding72]

I think the show would have died by season 7 anyway so good on here. I think her years are the best.

[@memadelrey5099]

She can make money anywhere. Talent, beauty and everyone likes her. She is wonderful

[@Chekmate99]

@@A.Melebeck true but the entire cast went to his memorial service in Los Angeles; keep in mind NBC forbid the cast to attend the funeral (in Rhode Island) as it would’ve interrupted filming.

[@ObscuredByTime]

Best comedic actress of the 80's, period.

[@NortonsNestMonthly]

***** Shelley was great on Cheers but Kirstie Ally was as good or better and the writing on Cheers was excellent every year the show ran.

[@NortonsNestMonthly]

NortonsNestMonthly I retract my earlier comment about Kirstie being as good or better than Shelley. Long was much better.

[@yankee2666]

If you say so. (fool)

[@brandonreina5450]

Shelley Long also appeared in The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) as Carol Brady

[@SilentKnight43]

Cheers is/was one of those magical and timeless creations that you never grow tired of watching and re-watching over the years. So many great moments over the course of its history. The writing was brilliant. The performances were incredible. The casting was spot-on. Every ingredient made a wonderful recipe. And it morphed nicely over the years - although the humor got somewhat silly with the Rebecca character towards the end in my humble opinion. I liked Kirstie's presence but it got a little over-the-top and a bit too slapstick and juvenile for my liking. The final episode (which I still have on VHS from the night it aired) was a tearjerker - the final sequence in the bar. I especially loved Frasier's poignant soliloquy on the meaning of life. Sam straightening the portrait on the wall as a quiet homage to Nick Colasanto. The show was a class act that entertained a generation...and others to follow.

[@zoogz800]

She made a few appearances back on Cheers. Life goes on.

[@MrCraigblaze]

There was talk about her coming back in 1989.

[@julieb7785]

She was ...and probably still is...wonderful. So talented

[@gary6754]

I'm in the midst of rewatching Cheers. Thoughts 1) I was in high school during the late 80's/early 90's and I thought Rebecca was smoking hot. I didn't care much for Diane. However, now I find Diane much more attractive. And overall, Diane was 100000 times better than Rebecca in terms of a character. 2) Cheers was really two different shows. 1) Diane era 2) post Diane Diane era the show revolved around Sam Diane. It was a "better show" during this era. It was a sitcom with a well grounded story... like All in the Family, Mash, Taxi Post Diane - Sam was the focus; however it was an ensemble, everyone got their share of spotlight. The show became more of a farce and in many ways it was funnier. The comedy was the main focus, much in the way of Seinfeld or even Threes Company. Not saying Cheers, Seinfeld or Threes Company are similar shows, it was really all about the comedy. 3) I'm not sure which era I like better. Both were great. Its a credit to everyone involved that the show was great during both eras. Again, I will state Diane is far better than Rebecca but Rebecca didn't have to be as good. 4) In retrospect, I think Diane should have returned for season 10. It would have been fresh and it would have setup a great conclusion to the show.

[@lnl3237]

Enjoyed your "thoughts." Honest and insightful.

[@classyco9789]

I like Cheers, and I've seen a good bit of it. I liked Diane's seasons, but had she stayed I don't think the show would've been on as long. Shelley Long left at the right time, I think. What else could be done with Diane? The on/off romance with her and Sam was getting old by year five, and if they had gotten married, it would've killed the show. Kirstie Alley was a precise replacement; she was different than Shelley, but she did fit in. Speaking of Shelley's movie career, I've seen only a few of her films. I've seen her in The Brady Bunch Movie, where she does justice to Carol Brady, and the better-than-I-thought-it-would-be Outrageous Fortune. I know many people like her in Money Pit (I haven't seen it), and some others.

[@shanefolan]

i don't agree, the writers could have branched the show out so that the sam and diane thing did not over dominate as the show evolved. Shelley's big problems on leaving the show had 3 big obstacles- 1. Typecasting-because she was so famous as Diane it can be very hard to make that transition. 2. Her age[the worst enemy of actresses]- she left she show when she was almost 38[near 40], typically an age where it is harder for actresses to get work in Hollywood. Had she left the show at say 27 rather than 37 it would have been easier. By the time she left, younger and cheaper actresses like Meg Ryan,Demi Moore and Julia Roberts were the up and coming women Hollywood wanted to hire. They were bagging roles Long could have potentially got a decade earlier. 3. Her choice of films- Alot of her post Cheers choices were poor, Troop BH and Hello Again were her make or break roles and they were certainly not worth leaving America's top show for.

[@zt1053]

The fall after she left cheers she was in a movie called hello again which was a box office bomb and pretty much ended her as a high profile film star

[@trawlins396]

@@shanefolan you make great points. Her age held her back. When she left Cheers actresses like Julia Roberts were dominating. Long didn't have that type of sex appeal. And she didn't have the depth of a Glenn Close.

[@otomicans6580]

Yeah, I agree that the Diane character will-they/won't-they bit was getting old and she was likely worried about getting typecast. As an actress she was racing against a ticking clock as well. Deciding to take a leap wasn't a terrible choice on her part even if it didn't work out perfectly.

[@techiefan1986]

Not sure if Shelly regret her decision, but the show was a lot better when she was on it and Ted Danson was the owner of the bar.

[@shanefolan]

i think she did regret it, let's be honest she had faded into oblivion by the early 90s whilst Ted had become the highest paid actor on tv.

[@russelldrew]

She reminds me somewhat of the way Kim Cattrall answers questions about her tenure on sex and the city.

[@tomjones8610]

The whole Sam/Diane dynamic had gotten stale by Season 4 but they managed to resurrect it for some real laughs and poignant moments in the 5th season. And there were still some good laughs to be had in the 'fish out of water' or 'rarefied hot-house flower' dynamic between Diane and the rest of the motley crew at the bar. The arrival of Rebecca Howe brought a whole different dynamic whereby she very quickly became 'one of the boys'. There were some good laughs to be had over the years, but the show was really missing something without the 'point-counterpoint' dynamic Diane brought to the group. And the writing went really DOWNHILL after about the 7th season. In fact, they should have called it quits a couple of years earlier than they did, but nobody - cast and audience alike - wanted to see that show go off the air. It was a regular viewing ritual for me and my dear Dad - coincidentally he passed away about a year after Cheers went off the air.

[@superlex611]

season 7 was not downhill

[@tomjones8610]

alex kanyima Perhap not - but after that things definitely deteriorated. The last 3 seasons had the odd good moment - Kelly and Woody's wedding and Rebecca mistaking being hired as domestic help by Mr. Gaines as him inviting her to a fancy soiree - but even certain cast members like Woody Harrelson admitted it probably should have ended after the 8th or 9th season.

[@superlex611]

Tom Jones 8th or 9th season ? we don't even know if 1990 or 1991 was the year that Cheers should have ended, we might not have Frasier in 1993, or Seinfeld was getting huge

[@tomjones8610]

I remember those last few seasons of Cheers from 90 - 93 and they weren't great. Interesting point about Seinfeld and Frasier, though. Seinfeld benefitted hugely from being on after Cheers in its early years and then when Seinfeld took off, Friends benefitted greatly from being on directly afterwards in ITS early years. I think they had the idea for Frasier a couple of years before Cheers went off the air, so that still might have made it, but just a couple of years earlier.

[@superlex611]

Tom Jones but what if Cheers would have maybe ended in 1990 or 1991 ? do you think it will end on a high or having a equal series finale to end with millions people to watch it, by the time the 90's were getting started, i don't see losing of steam, but Seinfeld was just getting on the map, and Frasier making a debut in 1990 or 1991, i don't see in the early 90's to have a Emmy win for Frasier in 1992, but still 1993 was the perfect year to end Cheers and it was a actual torch passing moment

[@carlozabbia1157]

A classy lady. I also enjoyed her in movies.

[@JesusChristIsLord__]

Wow, she really talks that way in real life.

[@bigfund]

What a lovely and elegant lady

[@pam0626]

I always got the sense that the Cheers cast never forgave her for leaving.

[@johnmoore4714]

Kirstie alley was better

[@robf6105]

I think the show leaned a little too much on the Sam and Diane dynamic for a while there. I love the Diane and Rebecca eras equally. I think that Shelley leaving was a blessing in disguise. I think that the rest of the cast was jealous of her moving on to star in feature films. The Star Trek cast was similarly resentful of William Shatner for being the main focus. I call it Supporting Actor Syndrome.

[@danc3693]

Funny, I never had that “sense”.

[@pam0626]

@@danc3693 People born under the sign of Cancer have that sense. It’s a blessing and a curse. ✌️

[@lifebyjensvagina7611]

They said they were relieved when she left. Do your research.

[@kflow1379]

Diane Chambers was the perfect role for Shelley Long. I fell in love with Cheers partially because of her, now in season 8 I realize she made the show. The writers did what they could to make me hate her but I wish she didn't leave.

[@pietjebel9130]

Because she left, the Cheers show could make more seasons, coz they introduced a new main character (Rebecca) I don't think Cheers would have lasted 11 years with Shelley Long included The whole thing with Sam Malone would have gotten somewhat boring during these years

[@superlex611]

i think they could have lasted 11 years, if the ratings is not low

[@pietjebel9130]

The Internet Killed Music even if Shelley Long stayed, it would still be 10 times better than any sit-com nowadays

[@superlex611]

The Internet Killed Music but it work

[@superlex611]

pietje bel 10 times better ?, but it was significant how cheers continue after 1987

[@avengersdx]

Cute girl. She behave as her character :)

[@thehowards6]

She seems like a very sweet lady.

[@timmccarthy5353]

"Welcome to Oblivion" starring Shelley Long

[@trawlins396]

😂😂😂😂

[@ripperduck]

She was gorgeous back in the day. Weird, but bangin hot....

[@KishorTwist]

We all do when youth is on our side.

[@mikekillagreen9432]

@@KishorTwist Halle Berry looks smoking hot old so does Jennifer Aniston and no not everyone. There are some young ugly muthafuckas

[@shanefolan]

@@KishorTwist Not really, youth does not equate to beauty-. It is just that physical beauty[if you are lucky enough to have it] naturally declines with age so people make the misleading assumption that all young people are good looking when no they aren't. It is just that youth works best with beauty,afterall a handsome 22 year old is going to always be preferable to a handsome 50 year old. In actual fact, physical beauty/good looks are rare-that's what makes them stand out. If the entire population suddenly became attractive then the attractive criteria we know and recognise would lose its effect and attractive would become the average/unattractive so in order for there to be attractive people the rule of thumb is that they must be in the minority in which they are and that depends on the majority being average/unattractive. Go into any large public area like a nightclub/football stadium /a bar etc fill of people and out of hundreds/1000s usually only a handful will stand out for their attractiveness.Even uplevel the experiement and go to a place with mostly young adults-like a university. The same rule will apply hence diminishing the notion that youth=attractiveness. Most of us are average/unattractive looking at all stages of life and while youth might make us look better it still does not mean we are 'gorgeous' or attractive.

[@mmcost]

id luv to watch the whole episode.do u have it?thanks

[@gonzalog.4669]

Esta mujer es una de las mas hermosas del mundo, mi admiración para ella te amo

[@mikeef747]

Sam, Norm and Carla made the show for me. I loved Sam's skirt chasing, Norms hilarious lines and Carla's insults. The proof that Diane didn't make or break the show was the fact the show got even better ratings with Rebecca Howell. In fact, the show went on to be the number show in the entire country a couple of seasons after Shelly left. The only thing I disliked was how they turned Rebecca Howell from a tough sexy business woman to a whiny failure.

[@trawlins396]

LOVE Norm and Cliff. And Sam was definitely the heart of the show. It survived without Shelley because of Sam.

[@addi543]

@@trawlins396 its what made the finale so fitting (that and his small tribute to Coach)

[@Kira-rh1qu]

So upsetting. Diane brought Cheers together. Without her Cheers is just boring. I can't bare Kirsty Alley in Cheers.

[@OnlyGreatness007]

She's lying. She was a total bitch on the set. They couldn't wait for her to leave. Funny how her career never took off, yet the people she looked down on, like Kelsey Grammer, went on to be very successful, so successful she needed to make an appearance just to get a paycheck.

[@OnlyGreatness007]

Look at the clip on youtube entitled, "Cheers takes a shot at Shelley Long"

[@officeaddict33]

OnlyGreatness007 - We've all heard that too. If it is true then it's pretty much the same as the Katherine Heigl situation.

[@joemckim1183]

Shelley leaving Cheers was bad for her career but honestly it was able to keep the show fresh by shaking things up with Sam selling the bar and now he just works at the bar in the later seasons before buying it back in the final season.

[@akxmedia0]

Sam bought the bar back at the end of season 8. Cheers lasted 11 seasons total.

[@destineydevereux4722]

Shelley had a Disney contract and she's wearing a snow white/ princess dress!🥰🇨🇵💋

[@garygerard4290]

'what a sweetheart 'both on the show and in life

[@sunspot42]

People don't seem to understand why she left, and why it was probably a good move for her. It's no secret she wasn't especially happy on Cheers, in particular the last couple of seasons she was on. She didn't get along with Kelsey Grammer (she's not the only one) and was somewhat removed from the rest of the cast, especially after Nicholas Colasanto died (she was close to him). She clearly thought the show was great and was proud of their work, but she wasn't getting paid what Ted Danson was making, and she should have been. Shooting a weekly show like that is a real grind, and year after year of it can really wear somebody down, especially a mother who wants to spend more time with her daughter. She'd never done series television before, having mostly appeared in movies or as a one-off guest on TV shows. Her film career wasn't going great at the time she signed up for Cheers but it wasn't dead, and when The Money Pit and Outrageous Fortune kicked up her profile during the run of Cheers she probably saw that as an opportunity to get out of something she wasn't really enjoying. Also, how long could they really keep the "will they / won't they" Sam & Diane relationship fresh? When you read between the lines, you clearly get the impression Long thought that trope was just about worn out, and she's not wrong. What would that have done to the quality of the show one, two or three seasons down the line? Better to bow out and leave the audience wanting more. She was also about to turn 40, which is ancient for a woman in Hollywood. If she was ever going to have a big movie career, it was now or never. The fact that Troop Beverly Hills and Don't Tell Her It's Me were both flops was unfortunate, but if she wasn't happy on Cheers and worried that it might be close to wearing out its welcome, leaving for a film career was a risk worth taking. It didn't really pan out, but by that point, she didn't really need the money, either. If she'd rolled into a hit film post-Cheers - she was originally offered the lead in Working Girl - we'd all be praising her wisdom for bailing out of Cheers when she did. She's worked ever since by the way, in television as well as occasional parts in films, including a screamingly hilarious turn as Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie and A Very Brady Sequel, which managed the nifty feat of being both a parody and an homage to the original Florence Henderson portrayal. 99% of actresses would kill to have her career.

[@lnl3237]

I have such a soft spot in my heart for Shelley Long. Even if there were a good deal of Shelley in Diane, the execution of the words in the script was perfection. Presently enjoying Season 2 on a local cable channel and still marveling at her delivery.Your defense of her decision was honest and fair. Thank you.

[@kellyharper8072]

I love The Money Pit. Hanks and her were fantastic.

[@MrSyCoe]

Leave while you're on top! They went from one of the lowest rated pilots and 1st season, to the absolute No.1 spot. I think it would have been a huge challenge for the writers to have been able to continue on with the Sam and Diane drama in such a high quality manner. I'm not saying they couldn't have, just that it would have been tough.

[@fredmciverslovechild]

There was little more mileage left in the Sam and Diane storyline; you can only break up and make up so many times. And a life of domestic bliss, with both of them still working in the bar, wouldn't have seemed right. The storyline helped make Cheers; if it had started at Season 6 I just don't think it would ever have made it big. But give credit to Shelley for her decision. It was brave and at the same time sealed her greatness so far as the show is concerned. Any my, what a simply beautiful lady she was.

[@lnl3237]

Little know fact is that Shelley did put her toe back in the sit-com waters with a comedy in '93-94 called "Good Advice." She starred as a marriage counselor having to share office space with a divorce lawyer played by Treat Williams... shades of a Sam/Diane dynamic. The terrific Teri Garr played her sister. It was a mid-season series that was picked up for a full season, but unfortunately, Shelley contracted the flu which delayed the season premiere in '94. It was canceled after 13 episodes. It had potential but the stars (and probably the writing) were just not in alignment-never given a chance to find its legs. Shelley also had a recurring role as the crazy mother of Claire and Mitchell on "Modern Family." Think she navigated a career in a very tough and uncertain business as best she could.

[@bigslav5043]

her and sam thing had run its course. so nice to see norm and cliff getting some airtime . when she left . kirsty was a breath of fresh air.

[@Marchant2]

I had to watch this twice because I wanted more of that cute face.

[@dangabor8585]

I remember her doing the John M. Smyth's Homemakers commercials for many years before Cheers. Her tag line was, "Not low priced furniture, Good furniture at low prices".

[@stev1963hit]

A huge mistake & i'm sure she knows it by now-the only reason the show remained unmissable was the writers took their game to a new level.

[@pauledwards9416]

She is dead she doesn’t no shit

[@superameric8]

Loved her in Nightshift!

[@dshadow3173]

Nightshift was a great movie.

[@legendofgood4278]

She was so good on cheers one of my favorite characters of alltime

[@jamergamer0076]

What a beautiful lady, inside and out.

[@MauriceRivers415]

Apparently, Long was looking to transition to become a movie star, and she thought that her widespread popularity in the TV landscape was enough to propel her onto the big screen. It's worth noting that at that point, this wasn't an exactly new practice: both Michael Douglas and Tom Hanks left their budding career in television to try their hand with films: a massive gamble which obviously paid off. Immediately, it seemed to be a great career move for the actress. Fresh from her exit in "Cheers", Long already had a hit in 1987 in "Outrageous Fortune", but it wasn't exactly a smooth ride from there, as her movie career never really took off the way Douglas's and Hanks's did. Aside from her aspirations to be a movie star, Long's decision to leave Cheers was bolstered by having constant conflicts behind-the-scenes with her co-stars, particularly Danson and Kelsey Grammer, who played Frasier Crane. It's an open secret in Hollywood that, just like her character, Diane, the actress didn't really fit with Cheers' ensemble cast, which famously got along quite well. After abruptly being offered the opportunity to finish her novels in the season 5 finale titled "I Do, Adieu," she chose to pursue her dreams of becoming a published author and only postponing her supposed wedding to Sam. While she promised that she'd be back, both Sam and the viewers knew that she wouldn't. As for the show itself, her departure didn't affect its popularity at all, with some arguing that its best years were after Diane left.

[@mrnashvilletalkslarryfergu2640]

Please post the entire show. I’d like to see the entire show.

[@5664788]

None of you ever,..ever better forget "CAVEMAN" Her best performance in a movie

[@softwater88]

With Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach. His wife in real life.

[@onyourmarkphoto]

Ahhhh if everyone just had a crystal ball. Cheers was not quite the same after she left and who knows if her career would've been different had she stayed. Did not realize she was with Disney. She has such a nice voice I'm surprised they didn't use her as a one of the princesses in animation. I loved her in the Movie Money Pit.

[@trawlins396]

Her voice wasn't young sounding enough to voice a Disney princess.

[@tristanlaferriere5194]

She was originally offered the part of Mary, the mother, in E.T., but had to decline because she had already signed on to another project.

[@trawlins396]

Oh wow. Never knew that.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

While I understand she played viola for her role as Anna Crowley in the 1986 film _The Money Pit_, did she ever do so _aside_ from that effort?

[@martyc2637]

Evident by the comments, her decision to leave as time goes by have tempered. One of the best sitcoms ever made.

[@trawlins396]

Definitely. Time has been forgiving to her. When she first left Cheers public opinion of her was VERY low. I remember it well. A lot of ppl thought she was putting Cheers down and saying she was too good for it. Ppl were rooting for her to fail.

[@officeaddict33]

Kirstie is/was great in her own right but Shelley had EXACTLY the right chemistry with Ted Danson. Hard not to feel let down when she left. I've heard several rumors that she did not get along with most of the cast or vice versa. Not sure if this is true but can you think of any other reason to leave a mega-hit show?

[@davenelson4334]

I loved her so much

[@tilesetter1953]

She was my fantasy!

[@tonygrooove]

Always had a crush on her!

[@akampfer]

She was dealing with a hostile atmosphere from her cast members & when you hate having to go to that everyday, if doesn’t really matter what they offer. I guess the old saying “if you don’t like your job, go find another” applies here. That’s what she did.

[@hoagymapleton2206]

Bingo baby

[@zapkvr]

Thats not an old saying. Its not even a saying. Its common sense.

[@trawlins396]

@@zapkvr exactly. Since when is that an "old saying"?? 😂

[@trawlins396]

The atmosphere was NEVER hostile.

[@HyperCupcake88]

I think she's a very talented actress.

[@targetdemographic1257]

I loved Diane in cheers.

[@facebookcom-ej7dm]

She really blew it when she left Cheers.

[@jacobjames1171]

...but she did Troop Beverly Hills.

[@trawlins396]

@@jacobjames1171 and? That wasn't exactly Oscar worthy.

[@trawlins396]

It was right to leave but to expect to be a big Hollywood actress was very unrealistic.

[@spibes01]

To me,the show was Sam an Diane with her taking most of the honours.Been watching reruns last few weeks BUT this week bad shock,no Diane.

[@shanefolan]

i totally agree, she was mad to ever leave such a hit show considering how hard it is for an actor to become the star of a hit global never mind been a movie star. It's funny how Long will talk about leaving here for career reasons yet later when after career flopped she said it was to spend time with her family and she thought her character in cheers had ran her course...