Why Audience Complaints Forced Cheers To Change Its Iconic Intro

Cheers changed its iconic opening after it received backlash from viewers at home. The iconic NBC sitcom introduced Sam Malone and the regulars at his Boston establishment in 1982, and for more than a decade, it tackled the nightly shenanigans at the eponymous pub. Cheers had a fairly straightforward premise and its brand of humor was also simple. Despite that, it continues to be widely regarded as one of the best comedies of all time. Aside from the critical acclaim, it was also massively popular when it aired, with its finale watched live by an estimated 93 million viewers, which is almost 40% of the US population in 1993.