When 'Cheers' Fans Met Rebecca Howe
When Cheers introduced Kirstie Alley’s character, Rebecca Howe, fans were both excited and a little apprehensive about who could possibly step into the shoes left behind by Shelley Long’s Diane Chambers. It was a tall order, and no one could have predicted how iconic Rebecca would eventually become. But here's the thing—her magic wasn't there from day one. In fact, it almost didn’t happen at all. The character's journey was far from smooth, and it took some unexpected twists and turns to make her the unforgettable part of Cheers history that she is today.
The Early Days of Rebecca Howe
On the Wednesday, April 2, episode of SiriusXM’s “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast, hosted by Cheers legend Ted Danson, the actor sat down with the show's long-time director James Burrows to reflect on the early days of the show. They revealed that Rebecca was originally written in a way that was so different from what we eventually came to love. In fact, the cast and crew had to completely rework her character after realizing something wasn’t landing quite right. It all came down to one unscripted, emotional moment on set that changed everything.
The Turning Point: A Moment of Vulnerability
“I think I got the story right,” James, now 84, said during the podcast episode. “In the rehearsals for the first show with her, she walks into the bar, and she’s so mean. It wasn’t funny—it was just crazy and not funny.” Despite rewrites and adjustments, something still wasn’t clicking until a moment of unexpected vulnerability changed everything. “She tried to go into the office door, and it wouldn’t work,” James recalled. Frustrated, Kirstie suddenly began to cry. “And everybody went, ‘Oh my God… there you are.’”
Read also:Savannah Guthrie Warns Craig Melvin About Late Nights On Today
“There you are,” Ted, 77, echoed. “Woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”
A Happy Accident That Changed Everything
From that moment, the writers rewrote Rebecca entirely around that energy, transforming her into a high-functioning, slightly frazzled, and endlessly lovable character. “It was a happy accident,” James recalled. “You [Ted] jumping over the bar. I get teared up when I think about it, because it was a seminal moment in my life. And we wrote to that.” It was this unscripted moment that helped Rebecca Howe become the character we all know and love.
Woody Harrelson Brings New Energy
Kirstie wasn’t the only cast member who shook things up. Woody Harrelson, who joined the show in season four, brought a different kind of chaos to the mix—the fun and lively kind—and his presence lit a competitive fire under Ted. “My relationship with Woody for a long time was trying to outdo him at anything,” Ted shared. “And failing miserably.”
A New Generation of Energy
As the cast got older, most of them were approaching 37 at the time, while Woody was in his mid-20s and full of youthful energy. “We wanted to beat him,” Ted recalled. “When it became clear we couldn’t, it became all about practical jokes. You’d go, ‘This one’s too good, I have to save it to try to mess with Woody.’”
James added, “There was this inner athlete trying to get out. But you had the ability, your great ability was to throw away a joke.” He also credited Woody’s presence with keeping the cast from getting bored. “He introduced a challenge and a way of life that was just great for the show.”
Woody Reflects on the Experience
Even Woody, now 63, chimed in on the interview and got emotional reflecting on the experience. “That time is still the most idyllic, amazing experience. I can’t imagine a better experience for an actor. Period.”
Read also:John Travoltas Daughter Ella Bleu Rising Star Shines In Music And Acting
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
This behind-the-scenes moment is just one of many heartfelt stories being shared on SiriusXM’s “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” where Ted and James sit down with beloved cast and crew from Cheers to celebrate the show’s legacy and give fans a deeper look into what made it so timeless. New episodes of SiriusXM’s “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” premiere every Wednesday on the SiriusXM app and wherever podcasts are available.
