
Laid-back Sam Malone, a former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, owns and runs Cheers, a cozy bar in Boston. He hires smart, uptight -- and jilted -- Diane Chambers as a server, out of sympathy, but their attraction causes constant bickering. Wacky characters fill the bar: sarcastic waitress Carla, beer-loving accountant Norm, know-it-all postman Cliff. When Diane leaves Boston much later, Sam sells the bar, buys a boat and sails the world, but his boat sinks, so he returns. New, ambitious manager Rebecca Howe hires him back, but they love to hate each other too.
Rebecca is upset when the press has a field day with her former rival, who identifies herself as Robin Colcord's true love.
Cliff has his visiting mother (Frances Sternhagen) stay at Woody's place.
Norm campaigns to save his favorite eatery, the Hungry Heifer, which is slated to close.
Lilith and Frasier are shocked to discover that their son is only of average intelligence; Rebecca grows desperate for her jailed lover, Robin (Roger Rees).