Cheers: Where The Liquor Flowed…And So Did The Drama!

No Contract for Kirstie

When Kirstie Alley was hired as the replacement for Shelley Long, playing the character of Rebecca Howe, Alley refused to sign the typical contract that all the other Cheers cast members had signed. The typical contract lasted five years, but Alley decided against this. Instead, Kirstie Alley would only sign a one-year contract. This enabled her to negotiate a better contract with more money each year if the producers of the show wanted her character to continue on in the series. Many people would chastise the actress for this, but she is now a very rich woman. That’s just good business!

Alley Lasted Longer Than Long

Kirstie Alley’s character of Rebecca Howe on Cheers had a rocky start. Alley was brought in to replace the ever popular character of Diane Chambers, played by Shelley Long after Long left the show. After Rebecca first started to appear on the show, audience members did not like the character. Because of this, the show’s producers were in talks to find a replacement for Kirstie Alley and kick her character to the curb. However, the audience soon warmed up to Rebecca and she became one of the most beloved characters on the show. She even lasted one season longer than Shelley Long’s character.