This is an annual post. "The Lost CHEERS" scene. Season one of CHEERS and my partner David Isaacs and I were asked to write a scene to be aired during the pre-game of the 1983 Super Bowl (carried that year on NBC). We wrote it, they filmed it, and it aired right before the game. 80,000,000 people saw it. Nothing I've ever written has been seen by that many people at one time.
The scene was never re-run and never showed up in any DVD package. I did not have a copy and I thought it was lost forever. But the late sportswriter, Joe Resnick, had recorded every Super Bowl. I asked if I could see that one. Sure enough the scene was aired close enough to kick-off that it was included in his tape. I managed to digitize it, and every Super Bowl weekend I feature it.
So enjoy. Monday I'll have my review on this year's Super Bowl.
16 comments :
My 7th birthday
This clip is so old the Redskins were good. And were still called the Redskins!
Ken,
I know you've said how good Kevin McHale was as a non-actor doing a cameo, but I have to tell you, Ax was really good in this scene. I don't know how many takes it took, but he's good and, well, the cast was always good.
Looking at the wardrobe for Diane and Carla it looks like this filmed when they did DIANE’S PERFECT DATE...
Wednesday — to confuse people — Questions
Mr Levine, how much of your writing that was filmed/broadcast no longer survives ?
How many of your appearances on radio or TV, including your work as sportscaster or DJ, survives ?
Are you aware of any / many sportscasters / DJS who maintained a large archive of their work?
Sports Illustrated- or perhaps What's Left of Sports Illustrated- has a feature by Jon Wertheim remembering Pete Axthelm, who died 30 years ago this week (at the age of 47).
https://www.si.com/media/2021/01/29/pete-axthelm-30-years-out-daily-cover
I like that Cliff is wearing his "work uniform" early on a Sunday morning. Very much in character.
I remember it well. Not the game. But this scene. Bravo!
I love the Superbowl Mass too.
FQ: credits frequently include “written by” and “story by.”
How little can one contribute to earn a “story by”?
Will “the gang perform a talent show for charity” qualify?
If not (which I hope is true), how close to a final script does the “story” have to be at minimum? Maximum?
Does a producer get special consideration if he or she doesn’t also write the final script?
What about another CHEERS "lost episode," the promo produced for the U.S. Payroll Savings Plan? Is that available to view anywhere?
A bear versus a dolphin? That's not even a fair fight!
I'm going with the team from the city that has a foreign born symphony conductor.
Monday I'll have my review on this year's Super Bowl.
There was a ball, some burly men, and a singer named after the last two days of the week.
There! Done!
Ken, if you share this video every year, you are probably tired of answering this question, sorry, but was there any particular reason Coach wasn't a part of the scene?
In those days when the Super Bowl was usually a snoozer, that Miami-Washington was a pretty good one. The outcome wasn't sealed until well into the fourth quarter.
No rooting interest in this year's game, however. Six Nations rugby kicks off this weekend, I'll watch those games on my DVR instead.
Was this filmed after another episode had been shot?
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