There are so many sitcoms nowadays that it might be hard to keep track of them all. And while there are a top two or three that beat the rest in each decade, the 80s had one of the best around: Cheers. With 11 seasons and over 270 episodes, Cheers ran from 1982 to 1993.
The sitcom is named after a bar in Boston where a group of locals meet to drink, relax, socialize, and escape from their day-to-day issues. And from the long-running show came several memorable quotes from Cheers that die-hard fans still think about to this day. If you want a glimpse at what the show is like or just want some nostalgia, then check out these top quotes from Cheers that will make you snicker. Watch Cheers now on Pluto, Hulu, or Paramount!
6. “His Fingerprints Grew Back” Carla
In “Battle of the Exes”, season 2 episode 13, Carla is the source of one of the best quotes from Cheers. After coming into the bar in a huff because her ex-husband is getting remarried, Diane offers help by advising her to go to the wedding with someone who would make him jealous. But finding the right person is a little tricky.
Carla is one of the many main characters in Cheers, and interestingly enough, one of three (alongside Sam and Norm) who has appeared in every episode. She’s known for being sarcastic and confrontational to others and often pokes fun at their problems.
She’s also known for having frequent love affairs. When she and Diane talk about her most recent guy in hopes of finding someone to take to the wedding, Carla gives us this absolutely hilarious line that sums up her dating life and the kind of guys she goes after, saying “His fingerprints grew back. He had to leave the country.”
5. “How’s Life Treating You, Norm?” Coach
A running joke that spans the series is asking Norm how he’s doing, and getting crazy responses. Die-hard fans love these quotes from Cheers because while the responses tend to be grittier and cynical than other sitcoms, it’s also relatable.
Norman, or Norm, is another one of the main characters and has also been in every single episode of the show. He’s known for being at the exact same spot at the bar every day and is the most loyal Cheers customer.
Every time he enters, he’s greeted by all employees yelling his name, and then being asked how’s he doing, to which he responds with something witty. Some of the best lines come after “How’s life treating you, Norm?”, with replies spanning from “Like I just ran over its dog” to “Cut the small talk and gimme a beer.”
4. “I Described You in Terms Which Were Absolutely Glowing” Lilith
In season 9, episode 25, “Home Malone” features one of the best quotes from Cheers. In this episode, Frasier asks Sam to babysit Frederick, despite Lilith’s hesitation. Sam and Frederick have a great time until Frederick locks himself in the bathroom. And without a bathroom key, Sam has to figure out how to get Frederick out before Lilith and Frasier get back home.
For this episode, Lilith Sternin is the one who produces such a memorable quote from Cheers. The psychiatrist is very logical and shows almost no outside emotions. When she insults people, it’s very direct and straight to the point. That’s why her argument with Frasier is hilarious when she simply says “I described you in terms which were absolutely glowing, which is exactly how I would like to see you in hell.”
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3. “If Ignorance is Bliss, This is Eden” Diane
Diane Chambers is a waitress at Cheers who eventually marries Sam, who she first thought was a brute and disrespectful. Since she starts the series, she gets a look at everything that happens at Cheers and the shenanigans that come about.
And like other sitcoms, there’s usually a level-headed person in the midst, and Diane usually thinks she’s that person, even though that can’t be farther from the truth. Diane has several quirks, but it’s funny to see her annoyance as she’s surrounded by idiots all day. She says as much in one of the best quotes from Cheers, saying “If ignorance is bliss, this is Eden.” She makes these observations in hopes of putting everyone in their place, but it doesn’t usually work.
2. “I Suppose You Could, But I Doubt It” Sam
Another one of the best quotes from Cheers involves Diane and Sam. Sam, like Norm and Carla, is another main character who has been in every single episode. He’s a retired relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and bought the bar during his alcoholic days, even though he’s sober now.
While his relationship with Diane didn’t start out well, it quickly became adorable. One moment shows how well Sam knows Diane while also offering a witty comeback. When Diane asks for a brief word, Sam replies “I suppose you could, but I doubt it.” Diane is a long-winded person who doesn’t know how to be brief, and it’s a great line that pokes fun at her for it.
1. “It’s a Dog Eat Dog World and I’m Wearing Milkbone Underwear” Norm
As mentioned, Cheers is very cynical. A lot of sitcoms try to bring out laughter by creating wacky moments, happy endings, and lighthearted dialogue. But Cheers has people laughing and agreeing at the same time, which is why the show is so great. One of the best quotes from Cheers is with Norm once more.
Norm is unemployed and constantly complains about his terrible marriage, even though viewers never once see his wife. In his complaining, he captures his feelings in one single quote that is both sad, hilarious, and rough to image: “It’s a dog-eat-dog world and I’m wearing milk bone underwear.” That’s just a sad image. But also how does he come up with such hilarious remarks?
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