Very few sitcoms have left as lasting an impression on American television as Cheers. Set in a Boston bar where everybody knows your name, this beloved series ran for 11 seasons. It entertained audiences with witty banter, lovable characters, and heartfelt moments.
We counted down the top 10 funniest episodes of Cheers. Each episode captured this iconic series’s spirit, humor, and charm. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the show, these episodes showcase why Cheers remains a timeless classic television comedy!
“Give Me a Ring Sometime”
First up on our list, “Give Me a Ring Sometime” earned its well-deserved place among the top 10 episodes of Cheers. This pilot episode kicked off the series with a bang, setting the stage for 11 seasons to come.
The plot of this episode introduced us to the cast of characters at the Boston bar. Sam Malone, the ex-baseball player turned bar owner, met Diane Chambers, a pretentious graduate student who her fiancé stood up. The duo’s instant chemistry and witty banter set the tone for one of TV’s most memorable on-and-off-again relationships.
What made this episode truly special was how it established the show’s unique blend of humor. We met the main characters Norm, Cliff, and Coach, each bringing their own brand of comedy to the table. The writers created a dialogue that felt natural yet hilarious, making viewers feel like they were eavesdropping on real Boston bar conversations.
Undoubtedly, “Give Me a Ring Sometime” laid the perfect foundation for what became one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history. It also showcased Cheers‘ ability to blend clever comedy with genuine character moments.
“Simon Says”
Next up, “Simon Says” deserved its spot among the top 10 episodes of Cheers with good reason. This episode from season 5 of the series packed a comedic punch from start to finish.
The plot of this episode unfolded as Diane tried to prove she had psychic powers to Sam. To do this, she brought in her mentor, Simon Finch-Royce, a famous British psychiatrist. Simon looked at Sam and Diane’s relationship and said that they were all wrong for each other. Obviously, Sam didn’t like this one bit. He set out to prove Simon wrong, leading to many funny mishaps. Another iconic part of this episode was their dinner party that went hilariously wrong. Ted Danson played Sam, showing off his excellent comic timing. John Cleese guest-starred in this episode as Simon, adding his own unique brand of humor to the mix. His dry wit played perfectly against the humor of the Cheers gang.
Without a doubt, this episode had it all, from truly brilliant writing to big laughs and a focus on the characters we all knew and loved. It showed why Cheers was such a hit, mixing clever jokes with the ups and downs of its lovable bunch.
“Dinner at Eight-ish”
Next up on our list is “Dinner at Eight-ish,” another memorable episode of our top 10 episodes of Cheers. This episode, coming from season 5, served up the perfect recipe for comedy. Frasier and Lilith invited Sam and Diane over for dinner, hoping to show off their “perfect” relationship. But things quickly went off the rails.
The evening started with awkward small talk and forced politeness. Soon, though, old tensions came to the surface. Sam and Diane bickered, as usual. At the same time, Frasier and Lilith’s facade of their perfect marriage crumbled. Kelsey Grammer and Bebe Neuwirth played Frasier and Lilith. Meanwhile, as usual, Ted Danson and Shelley Long brought their A-game playing Sam and Diane.
Another thing that stood out to me about this episode was its use of tight spaces. As the characters became increasingly frustrated, the apartment seemed to shrink around them. This clever directing choice added to the comedic effect and made it stand out amongst other episodes.
“Dinner at Eight-ish” mixed sharp dialogue with physical comedy and character-driven humor. The episode proved that sometimes the funniest and most iconic moments come from putting familiar characters in new situations.
“One for the Road”
Next on our list of Cheers‘ greatest hits is “One for the Road.” This three-part series finale aired in 1993, bringing back all of the familiar faces and wrapping up the characters’ storylines.
The episode started with Sam getting an unexpected call from Diane, his old flame (from the episodes I referenced before this one) in earlier seasons. Her return to Boston stirred up old feelings and shook things up at the bar.
At the same time, Woody scored a seat on the city council, and Rebecca finally found love with a plumber. As the story unfolded, Sam and Diane reconnected, even making plans to leave Boston together. But in classic Cheers style, things didn’t go as smoothly as planned. The pair ultimately realized they were better off apart, giving a bittersweet yet fitting end to their rollercoaster of a relationship.
The writers of the series juggled multiple storylines, giving each character their moment to shine. The final scene of the episode, with Sam closing up the bar, became an unforgettable TV moment. This episode allowed fans to say goodbye to their favorite characters, making it a standout in the series and a shoo-in on our list of the top 10 episodes of Cheers.
“Thanksgiving Orphans”
Our next stop on memory lane is “Thanksgiving Orphans,” a true classic in the top 10 episodes of Cheers. This episode is yet another season 5 standout, except it brought the gang out of the bar and into Carla‘s house for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner.
With nowhere else to go, the Cheers crew gathered at Carla’s for the holiday. What started as a well-intentioned meal quickly spiraled into chaos. Norm‘s turkey refused to cook, tensions rose, and frustrations boiled over. All of this led to the episode climaxing in an epic and messy food fight, allowing the characters to let loose in a way that was rarely seen on the show.
“Thanksgiving Orphans” emphasized the dysfunctional nature of the Cheers family. It entertained viewers as they watched the Thanksgiving feast turn into a full-on food fight. The changing setting from the bar to a home environment added a fresh and new dynamic to the characters’ interactions. The episode remains a fan favorite, even today, as it highlighted the warmth and humor that made Cheers a television comedy classic.
“Endless Slumper”
Sliding into our next pick, we’ve got “Endless Slumper,” an early gem from Cheers‘ first season. This episode hit it out of the park with its blend of comedy and character development.
Within the episode, the story revolved around Sam’s lucky bottle cap, which he lent to a struggling pitcher for the Red Sox named Rick Walker. It was clear that Sam’s generosity backfired when Rick’s performance improved dramatically, leaving Sam feeling both conflicted and superstitious. The episode dug deeper into Sam’s backstory as a former player and highlighted his internal struggles between helping a fellow athlete and holding onto his past glory.
“Endless Slumper” highlighted that Cheers could also tackle more serious themes while keeping the laughs coming. It balanced humor with heart, setting a high bar for future episodes. This early standout helped establish the show’s unique comedic charm, earning its spot among the top 10 episodes of Cheers.
“Pick a Con…Any Con”
Another classic in our lineup of the top 10 episodes of Cheers is “Pick a Con…Any Con,” another fan-favorite from the show’s first season.
The plot of the episode kicked off when Coach lost a large sum of money to a con man in a card game. Sam, determined to help his friend, tracked down Harry the Hat, a lovable trickster and con man played by Harry Anderson. Sam convinced Harry to help them win back Coach’s money in a high-stakes poker game.
This episode highlighted the characters’ loyalty to each other, especially Sam’s protective nature towards Coach. Usually, we don’t see male characters taking on such a genuine and protective role over their friends, so this was refreshing for the audience and broke down typical gender roles portrayed in media at the time. It also proved that Cheers could pull off more complex storylines without sacrificing laughs.
“What is… Cliff Clavin?”
Stepping up to the bar next is the classic episode “What is… Cliff Clavin?” This season 8 gem made its way into the top 10 episodes of Cheers. Highlighted on many other lists of top episodes, we had to include it in our list with its perfect blend of humor and character development.
The episode focused on Cliff Clavin, the bar’s resident know-it-all, who fulfilled his lifelong dream of appearing on Jeopardy! The entire Cheers gang gathered around the TV, rooting for their friend as he showcased his unique knowledge of obscure facts. Cliff’s performance was initially impressive, building up audience expectations. However, true to his character, he stumbled spectacularly in Final Jeopardy with an obscure answer that left even the iconic host Alex Trebek speechless.
John Ratzenberger‘s performance captured Cliff’s mix of confidence, excitement, and disappointment. The episode brilliantly played with Cliff’s personality, taking his interest in trivia to its extreme. This episode remains a fan favorite, demonstrating why the show’s character-centric humor resonates with audiences years later.
“Home is the Sailor”
Sailing into the next spot, “Home is the Sailor” won its place among the top 10 episodes of Cheers. This season 6 premiere marked a turning point for the series, bringing Sam Malone back after his absence and introducing Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe.
The plot revolved around Sam’s return to the bar after failing to sail around the world. He found out that Cheers had been sold to a corporation, with Rebecca now in charge of the bar. Sam struggled to adjust to this change, providing plenty of laughs, especially as he tried to flirt with his new boss. Another standout factor from this episode was how well it handled significant cast changes. Alley’s debut as Rebecca created a fresh dynamic, while familiar characters kept the classic Cheers spirit alive.
A memorable highlight is Woody’s creation of the “Screaming Viking,” a fictional cocktail that became an instant classic in the Cheers universe.
Ultimately, this episode proved Cheers could evolve while maintaining its appeal. It successfully rebooted the show’s dynamic, welcoming viewers to a familiar yet new chapter in their favorite bar’s story.
“Bar Wars”
Last but definitely not least on our list is “Bar Wars,” one of Cheers’ most memorable episodes of all time. This episode featured Sam and the gang facing off against their long-time rivals from Gary’s Olde Towne Tavern in an escalating prank war. What started as harmless fun quickly spiraled into an all-out conflict, with each side trying to outdo the other.
As the pranks intensified, so did the laughs. The Cheers crew really didn’t hold back, from mixing prune juice into Gary‘s Kahlúa to pouring sneezing powder into a bar vent. Although their pranks were intense, Gary proved a worthy opponent, matching them prank for prank. Gary retaliated by filling Rebecca’s office with sheep and sawing off Cheers‘ bar stools. The episode showcased the cast’s comedic talents, with each character contributing to the complete mayhem in their own unique way.
Despite their bickering, the Cheers gang united against a common enemy, demonstrating the strong bonds they’d formed over the years. This blend of hilarity and camaraderie made this a standout episode, earning it a well-deserved spot on our list. The legacy of “Bar Wars” lived on, leading to several sequel episodes later in the series that became fan favorites.
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