Just a few months ago, both NBC and Paramount expected "Cheers" to return for its 12th season in the fall of 1993.
But neither the network nor the studio had reckoned with the decision star Ted Danson was about to make. And Danson's decision was that he would not return.That, effectively, was that. There was momentary speculation that "Cheers" might continue without Danson's character, Sam Malone, but it was fleeting. Everybody involved decided it was time to close the bar down.
With an attempt at light-heartedness, Danson had a quick answer for why he made his decision.
"Money," he said. "I was making too much money."
(Indeed, Danson's weekly salary is reported to be between $450,000 and $500,000.)
"I don't really know," Danson continued. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."
But the actor's tone and expression didn't come close to matching his words. In a recent session with television critics, Danson seemed more pained than anything else. He admitted to having regrets since deciding to leave "Cheers."
"Yes. Of course," Danson said. "Now you've made the decision and here comes the sadness and the fear.
"Pick me up out of the gutter next year and interview me and ask me how I feel."
The chances of finding Danson in the gutter are, of course, nil. But over and over again he says "I really don't know" when asked what he's going to do next.
"One thing I'm definitely not doing is leaving this show for the promise of something bigger and better," Danson said. "It's not a career move.
"I'm never going to find anything like `Cheers' again. I know that. But after 11 years, even the best job loses some of its appeal.
"I want to act. I'm excited. I look forward to it."
THEY'RE BAAACK: "The Brady Bunch" looks more and more like The Show That Would Not Die.
The series ran for five very successful years (1969-74). And, during that time, there was also a Saturday-morning cartoon called "The Brady Kids" (1972-74).
After the "Bunch" was canceled by ABC, reruns of the series were even more successful than ever. That led to a bizarre, very unsuccessful variety show in early 1977 titled "The Brady Bunch Hour."
But even that disaster couldn't kill the Bradys. In 1981, a TV movie and short-lived sitcom titled "The Brady Brides" arrived, following the adventures of sisters Marcia (Maureen McCormick) and Jan (Eve Plumb) and their new husbands. Various family members showed up occasionally.
Despite another less-than-successful outing, by 1988 the whole family was back in the astoundingly successful TV movie "A Very Brady Christmas." Which, unfortunately, led to the astoundingly unsuccessful, mercifully short-lived hourlong drama series titled "The Bradys" in 1990.
Lately, the Bradys have been fodder for a successful stage show, "The Real Live Brady Bunch."
Now, we might have thought that with the death of Robert Reed, who played Brady dad Mike, we'd seen the last of the Bradys.
But no. On May 19, ABC will present "Bradymania: A Very Brady Special."
ABC says the hourlong show, hosted by Florence Henderson (Carol Brady), will feature "behind-the-scenes insights and recollections" of the show, which has "swept into American culture."
Now, I've seen every episode of the show several times over the years, but I have an excuse - I was only 9 when it first appeared.
But the thought that this show is a "beloved slice of American culture" that "captured and influenced a generation and continues to attract a whole new legion of fans" sort of makes you worry about American culture.
DARN: Appearing at a press conference, General Electric chairman Jack Welch said, "NBC is not for sale. GE wants to be a part of NBC and I guess some might feel that's bad news."
Only those of us who've seen the decline and near-fall of NBC under GE's ownership.