Maybe He Just Had To Protect Himself

Kelsey Grammer elaborates on his rift with Cheers co-star Ted Danson that lasted for 30 years. In the NBC sitcom set in a Boston bar, which aired for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993, Grammer played the psychiatrist Frasier Crane and Danson played the former MLB pitcher turned bartender Sam Malone. Grammer’s character eventually headlined his own spinoff series Frasier, which originally aired for 11 seasons from 1993 to 2004 before returning for a revival in 2023, though it was canceled after two seasons.

After originally opening up about it in October 2024, Grammer recently elaborated on his rift with Danson that lasted for 30 years. During an interview with the New York Post promoting his new movie Wish You Were Here, Grammer downplayed his rift with Danson, attributing it to his heavy drinking at the time and revealing that there was no real argument, just Danson expressing frustration over his lack of preparedness. Read Grammer’s full comments below:

It got a little blown out of proportion. There really wasn’t an argument. It was at a time in my life when I was actually going through a lot of self-doubt, self-loathing, honestly.

It was when I was drinking a lot. Ted had just come up and said, “You know, I’m kind of mad at you that sometimes you don’t show up ready to go.” And I said, “Ok, I respect that.” And that actually was sort of it.

Now, maybe what happened for Ted was he stepped away from what might have been a better friendship. Maybe he just had to protect himself. I don’t really know. But, I said, “Thanks.” We were fine with that.

The Frasier Star Downplayed His Rift With Danson

In October 2024, Grammer and Danson reunited on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast and candidly reflected on their time on Cheers. During their conversation, Danson remembered a moment when he upset Grammer and though he kept the details private, he acknowledged that the incident may have strained their relationship, prompting him to offer a long overdue apology. Grammer graciously accepted, expressing his respect for Danson despite their past differences. Their initial exchange on the podcast went as follows:

Danson: I feel like I got stuck a little bit with you during the Cheers years. I have a memory of getting angry at you once.

Grammer: Yeah, you came and told me that one day.

Danson: It’s stuck in both of our memories. But I feel like I missed out on the last 30 years of Kelsey Grammer and I feel like it’s my bad, my doing, and I almost feel like apologizing to you. No, I don’t feel like — I apologize to you and me that I sat back, you know, and didn’t. And I really do apologize.

Grammer: My love for you has always been as easy as the day. As easy as the sunrise.

During his most recent comments, Grammer downplayed any major rift with Danson, explaining that their tension stemmed from his difficult period of heavy drinking and self-doubt. He admits that Danson confronted him about his lack of preparedness on set, which he understood and accepted. Grammer suggests Danson may have distanced himself for his own well-being, but emphasized there was no major argument. Despite the situation, Grammer acknowledges Danson’s feelings were valid and was ultimately fine with how things unfolded.

Our Take On Kesley Grammer & Ted Danson’s Rift On Cheers

It’s Been A Little Overblown

Despite some tension behind the scenes, the reported rift between Grammer and Danson on Cheers seems to have been somewhat overblown. While there may have been moments of frustration, the two remained professional and were able to coexist in one of the best sitcoms of all time. Whatever issues that existed have now been fully resolved, with both stars looking back on their time together with mutual respect. Any past conflict is firmly behind them, and their legacy on Cheers remains untarnished.

Source: New York Post

TV Show

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Cheers

9/10

Release Date

1982 – 1992

Showrunner

James Burrows, Glen Charles, Les Charles, Ken Estin, Sam Simon, David Angell, Peter Casey, David Lee, Bill Steinkellner, Cheri Steinkellner, Phoef Sutton, Tom Anderson, Dan O’Shannon

Directors

James Burrows, Andy Ackerman

Writers

James Burrows, Glen Charles, Les Charles