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Television Wed Sep 21 2011
Sitcom Cast Change Countdown #2: Ladies of Cheers
When everything changes on one of TV's most popular shows, it can be pretty harrowing.
That's what happened when Shelley Long left Cheers, putting an abrupt end to the show's primary continuous plotline -- Diane and Sam's tumultuous romance. Rather than create a Diane Redux, the show's producers introduced the sweeter, much less self-assured Rebecca (Kirstie Alley). Most of the show's old fans were won over, and some hold-outs who were turned off by the haughty Diane became Cheers converts.
Those of you who watched Monday's premiere of Two and Half Men will recognize this "let's make the new character nicer" tactic in the swap from Charlie Harper to Ashton Kutcher's Walden Schmidt. The show is no doubt hoping their big twist will be blessed with the same success it brought the Rebecca-era Cheers.