The Time Cheers Almost Turned Into a Gay Bar

In early 1983, the show "Cheers" was brand new, getting terrible ratings, and close to getting cancelled. So what did they do? Ran an episode entitled "The Boys in the Bar" that was all about how homophobia threatened to destroy the bar. It was a huge risk and could have turned off what few viewers Cheers had -- but it may actually have helped save the show.

[wingedfish]

I love the irony that people leave in fear of cheers becoming a gay bar when straight people leaving is exactly what leads to the bar being predominantly gay

[Spookybluelights]

"All highs fives are gay."

This makes so much sense now.

[quirkyblackenby]

A gay black guy invented the high five. We love to see it.

[endlessnoise]

The irony is that Cheers did get ferns in season 6 when Rebecca owned the bar. But by that point the ferns were associated with yuppies.

[jayviescas]

Michael Kearns, an openly gay actor at the time of the airing of this episode, played the non-gay patron, the one in the long sleeved golden shirt and black leather vest, that the Cheers regulars thought was gay. I got to meet him in 1986 after inviting him to Albuquerque Pride that year to give a talk about being a working/openly gay actor in Hollywood and present his one man show about his early exploits of being The Happy Hustler on a Phil Donahue show, his alcoholism and subsequent recovery process.

[goncharov]

"all high fives are gay" 😂👏👏👏

[kenlevine]

Thank you for your salute to Boys in the Bar. As one of the writers of that episode along with David Isaacs I appreciate it. But it would be nice to give the writers credit.

[FatNorthernBigot]

🎶"Where Everybody Knows You're Ga-e-ay" 🎶

[Anachronismgorl]

Diane low-key stole the entire show though.

[Mallory-Malkovich]

I would 100% watch a gay _Cheers_ reboot.

[ezb]

Great episode! Here’s a small correction: it wasn’t a college friend, but a friend/fellow player from Sam’s time playing professional baseball. Sam didn’t go to college. He didn’t even finish high school: later in the series, there’s an episode in which he decides to get his GED.

[KrisLovesMoviess]

Matt, I always get excited when I see a culture cruise sail into my youtube stream feed. It always brightens up my day. Thank you! 🥰😭

[losttribe]

As a hetero male who likes Cheers...thanks indeed for saving it! 😆😆

Edit; I have ferns in my house so I don’t need to bother anyone at a gay bar to see them. 😉

[asyrantvs]

Love how in depth and detailed your videos are. Learning about such historical episodes and shows in cute and witty ways. Hi from Singapore

[bn]

"the nobbelest preposition you have ever dangled"

[johnneuman]

Come for the content, stay for the sailor outfit ❤️😘

[carn]

Another interesting episode. I'm hetero myself but have found these vids about the progression of gay acceptance in TV shows over the years very interesting especially when it's about my fave shows and Cheers is one and I hadn't realised they did this way back in 83 before they even had the huge following. I'd only see odd episodes of Cheers when I was a younger but binged the whole lot a few years ago (good times) so often didn't realise when each episode was broadcast. Hm. As you mention, it's very possible the success of this episode led to Cheers continuning past that first season and becoming the iconic and legendary sitcom it's regarded as today. So yeah, thank you. :)

[pinnipes]

"...which means that all high fives are gay" made me laugh so hard. great episode as always!

[dmc]

The "straight" patron with the mustache was played by openly gay actor Michael Kerns who's still around and active in LA.

[sknywhtboy]

honestly, while I see how it's not perfect, the message of inclusivity here and for 1983? this brought me to tears.