Hollywood star Ted Danson is speaking out this week to admit that he burst into tears when he first saw the first episode of his hit show Cheers decades ago.
Ted Danson’s Cheers Fears
Danson, 76, revealed this during this week’s episode of his podcast “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” which he hosts with his former Cheers co-star Woody Harrelson. Danson confessed that he “didn’t know how to play Sam Malone” when he was initially cast on the show, and that it took him a year and a half to learn the character.
“I did not know what arrogance meant. I had never been to a bar,” Danson explained. He added that he “did not pick women up. I was not a womanizer. Maybe I wanted to be, but I wasn’t.”
“That’s the opposite of Sam Malone.”
Danson went on to say that after the pilot aired, he pulled aside director Jimmy Edward Burrows and had a complete breakdown.
“It aired and, I said, ‘Jimmy, can I talk to you?’ and went behind the curtains… and broke into tears saying, ‘I’m really bad. I’m awful. I don’t know what to do,’” he recalled.
“He listened for a second, then broke into a huge laugh and walked off… so it was like, ‘Oh, all right. I’ll keep that one to myself,'” Danson continued.
Now, if you’re like us, you’re running to rewatch this episode and see what Ted Danson is talking about!
Of course, Cheers would go on to become one of the most popular shows of all time. Danson’s fears about his abilities to play Sam Malone were proven to be unfounded. During Cheers‘ run from 1982-1993, Danson won two Emmys and two Golden Globes for his work on the show.
Related: ‘Cheers’ Fans Rejoice – Sam Malone And Woody Boyd Are Back
Danson And Harrelson Announce Podcast
Cheers fans were ecstatic when Danson and Harrelson announced this podcast back in May.
“Each week on ‘Where Everybody Knows Your Name,’ Ted and (when he can find him) Woody will sit down with a special guest to dig beyond the career highlights and into the stuff of life that makes us who we are,” a press release about the podcast read at the time.
“While listeners can expect some fond reminiscences of their time on Cheers, the show will mostly serve as a freewheeling exchange of laughter and wisdom as the charismatic duo reconnect both with each other and with the talented friends they’ve made throughout their incredible careers,” it added.
Related: Woody Harrelson Gets In Motorcycle Accident – Then Ted Danson Comes To The Rescue!
Harrelson Speaks Out
As for Harrelson, he sees the podcast as “an excuse to hang out with Ted.”
“Sure we’ll talk with interesting guests, and sure we’ll share some laughs along the way, but the biggest win will be rekindling our romance, I mean friendship, after all this time,” Harrelson said with a laugh. “I’m glad listeners will be able to join us for that.”
Thank goodness Danson was able to overcome his initial insecurities about his performance in Cheers. This classic show definitely would not have been the same without him!
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