In the realm of comedy, I have lost two of my favorite Norms in recent years. Norm Macdonald—and George Wendt, who sadly passed away at his home in Los Angeles on May 20th. Some might not be familiar with that last name. Yet all fans of Cheers, NBC’s iconic, long-running sitcom (1982-1993), know his name.
The Boston bar “Cheers” is owned by Sam Malone (Ted Danson), a former relief pitcher for the Red Sox who now spends his days flirting with women, ordering vermouth, and bickering with employee Carla (Rhea Perlman), the famously rude and wise-cracking barmaid. Norm is a regular at the bar, often found sitting beside his buddy Cliff (John Ratzenberger)—a U.S. postal worker and the bar’s resident know-it-all. While all these characters have deservedly secured their spot in TV history, it is the easy-going, beer-loving Norm who truly shines as the standout of the show.
Norm was adored not only by the gang of eccentrics who frequented the Boston bar, but also by the millions of viewers who tuned in each week for his sage and sardonic observations. As the show progressed through its eleven series, his name took on a proprietary quality. Like that of Laverne and Shirley’s Squiggy before him and Seinfeld’s Kramer after him, Norm’s entrance was the highlight of every episode. In his trademark suit, sweaty shirt and loosened tie, he brought a comforting and familiar presence to all 275 episodes of Cheers—sharing this impressive achievement with only Ted Danson and Rhea Perlman. As he walked into the bar and ambled to his favorite stool for the first of many beers, he was greeted with a loud shout of “Norm!”. Each walk to the seat was accompanied by one of his classic one-liners. “What’s shakin’, Norm?”. To which he would reply, “All four cheeks and a couple of chins.”
In his trademark suit, sweaty shirt and loosened tie, Norm brought a comforting and familiar presence to all 275 episodes of Cheers.
Written by James and Les Charles, the dialogue is pure Bukowski. The characters primarily consist of working-class Americans trying to survive in the daily grind, and in the low-wage world of the hospitality sector. The only character in the ensemble cast who stands out from this group is Diane (Shelley Long), an idealistic and cultured graduate student attending Boston University. A class dynamic is evident throughout the show, in the on-and-off relationship between Sam and Diane. Her upper-class sensibilities are satisfied by men like psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane—a comic treat himself, with his uptight way of trying to come across as relaxed. Brilliantly portrayed by Kelsey Grammer, the psychiatrist was initially intended as a side character, but became a regular by the fifth series and the eponymous protagonist of one of the four spin-offs Cheers produced from the early 1990s.
Norm was far from your average barfly. His witty comebacks to Cliff’s dull, meaningless trivia showcase true comedic brilliance. The pair resemble classic comedic duos like Abbott and Costello. Norm himself connected with fans because he embodied the average American man: principled, enjoying life’s simple pleasures, striving to act with honour and integrity. His dedication to doing what’s right resulted in frequent job losses, such as the time he confronted his new employer for making advances toward Diane. His lines perfectly encapsulated his life story: bad luck and a tragedy occasionally brightened by brief moments of tranquillity or joy. A consistent theme throughout the series is Norm’s tumultuous relationship with his wife Vera, an unseen character, though she is occasionally heard.
Norm himself connected with fans because he embodied the average American man: principled, enjoying life’s simple pleasures, striving to act with honour and integrity.
In their unique ways, almost everyone in Cheers is on a quest for love, friendly intimacy, and friendship (remember the theme song, “Where everybody knows your name”). It’s a motif that fuels modern entertainment more broadly.
Erich Fromm strongly disagreed with this story of a “quest for love”. In his 1956 book The Art of Loving, the psychoanalyst argues that we suffer from a fundamental misunderstanding about what love truly entails. According to Fromm, one of the key issues with contemporary culture’s view of love is the inclination to see it as an object. No one exemplifies this more than Sam. The charming ladies’ man uses his good looks and popularity to seduce women, but for Fromm, this “orgiastic state” is ultimately fleeting and meaningless. Sam became well-known for his hedonistic tendencies, but viewers are taken on a compelling journey of self-discovery and personal growth alongside him. As the show progresses, Sam comes to a powerful realization: his years of chasing instant gratification have left him with a hollow existence, devoid of true purpose.
As Fromm writes, “Most people see the problem of love primarily as that of being loved, rather than that of loving, of one’s capacity to love. Hence the problem to them is how to be loved, how to be lovable”. Fromm posits that love is a skill we must learn, a process that requires commitment, discipline, and patience; it is a selfless endeavor focused on giving, rather than receiving. Norm is among the few characters in Cheers who grasp this concept. While he persistently teases and jokes about Vera to the guys at the bar, he repeatedly expresses his undying love for his wife and fiercely defends her honor. In one episode, he refused to cheat on her, even though it would free him from a tax evasion charge. Norm might be a bad husband, but he is not a bad person.
One of the reasons Cheers achieved such success was that its creators grasped the importance of friendship. In the final episode, as the group gathers one last time, Sam realizes that he loves the bar and his friends, and that he needs nothing more. Though we all seek meaning in our lives, it can often be found in the simplest of places. After a lifetime spent chasing women, Sam concludes that genuine happiness stems from the love he has for his friends, who have stood by him through everything. These characters played and joked around with each other because, deep down, they genuinely cared for one another.
As the characters depart for the last time, Norm is the last one to leave. Heading to the exit, he turns to Sam and says:
“You know what I think the most important thing in life is? Love.
“I don’t think it matters what you love Sammy, It could be a person. It could be a thing. As long as you love it totally, completely … without a judgment”.
Rest in peace Norm. I hope there’s a barstool waiting for you in heaven.
