'Cheers' Earns Most Emmy Nominations For a TV Series

CHEERS,' the most Emmy-nominated comedy series in television history, began production this week on its 10th season with the filming of episode No. 222, directed by James Burrows and written by Dan O'Shannon and Tom Anderson. The series was also the No. 1 rated series for the 1990-91 television season, according to the Nielsen Television Index."Cheers" has received 103 Emmy Award nominations over its nine-year history, surpassing previous records set by programs such as "MASH" which had 99 nominations during its 10-year run, and "Hill St. Blues" with 94 nominations over seven years. For the 1990-91 season, "Cheers" earned a total of 15 Emmy nominations - 13 for the series itself and two for "The Cheers 200th Anniversary Special." This year's nominations included: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor/Comedy (Kirstie Alley), Supporting Actor/Comedy (Woody Harrelson), Supporting Actress/Comedy (Rhea Perlman), Supporting Actress/Comedy (Bebe Neuwirth), Directing/Comedy (James Burrows), Guest Actor/Comedy (Sheldon Leonard), Guest Actress/Comedy (Frances Sternhagen), and Guest Actress/Comedy (Sada Thompson). Glen Charles, Les Charles, and James Burrows are the creators and executive producers of "Cheers," with Cheri Eichen, Bill Steinkellner, and Phoef Sutton as executive producers and Tim Berry as producer. Entering the new season, the producers say they have created new twists that will affect the lives of the tightly knit group that surrounds the popular Boston tavern. "Cheers" stars Ted Danson as Sam Malone, Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe, Rhea Perlman as Carla Tortelli, and John Ratzenberger as Cliff Clavin. The season will focus on Sam and Rebecca's rocky relationship, Carla's second job as a psychic, and Cliff's conflict with the two women in his life. Other stars include George Wendt as Norm Peterson, Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd, Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane, Bebe Neuwirth as Dr. Lilith Sternin Crane, and Roger Rees as Robin Colcord. The storyline will follow Norm's search for the meaning of life as he reaches his 40th birthday, Woody's pending nuptials, and the child-rearing worries of Frasier and Lilith.