Big Bang Theory Passes Cheers As Longest Running Multi-Cam Sitcom

Big Bang Theory Passes Cheers As Longest Running Multi-Cam Sitcom

29 Mar, 2019

The Big Bang Theory knocks out Cheers to become the longest-running multi-cam sitcom. Debuting in 2007, the hit CBS show centers around a group of nerdy friends living in Pasadena. As the years went by, fans have grown to love Sheldon (Jim Parsons), Leonard (Johnny Galecki), Penny (Kaley Cuoco), Howard (Simon Helberg) and Raj (Kunal Nayyar), and eventually Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) and Amy (Mayim Bialik), but despite continued popularity, the series' current season 12 will be its final after Jim Parsons' reluctance to return for another year. However, before it bows out, the project has nabbed another accolade to the delight of its fans.

NBC's Cheers debuted in 1992 and ran for 11 brilliant seasons with 275 episodes. The Good Place's Ted Danson played the lead role Sam Malone - a former baseball player and ex-alcoholic who owns the titular bar "where everybody knows your name." His dynamic with Shelley Long's Diane is regarded as the golden standard when it comes to on-and-off again love affairs. Woody Harrelson also got his first shot at fame via the show playing the midwestern bartender, Woody Boyd. It was a great ensemble cast with Rhea Perlman's Carla, John Ratzenberger's Cliff, and George Wendt's Norm. It's no wonder it lasted that long, but now, it no longer holds the top spot for the longest running multi-cam sitcom as The Big Bang Theory takes its place.

The Big Bang Theory is currently on an extended hiatus and won't return until April 4. But behind-the-scenes, work never stops for the cast and crew as they move on with scheduled filming and as revealed by series regular Kunal Nayyar, confirming they've just filmed their 276th episode on his official Instagram. This makes the show the longest-running multi-cam sitcom in history. Meanwhile, Kaley Cuoco shared on her own account a celebratory image to commemorate this special milestone. Check out the photos below:

Since The Big Bang Theory has already aired 17 of its last 24 episodes, the 276th outing is not scheduled to air until May 2. Nayyar's post didn't reveal the title of the episode just yet, but it will be the current season's 21st offering before it airs its penultimate episode the week after that and the the hour-long series finale on May 16. It's hard to gauge what the episode will be about considering the show has taken a more episodical form of storytelling instead of serializing its final season. Nonetheless, fans are nothing but excited to know about what lies ahead for the Pasadena gang.

Cheers and The Big Bang Theory couldn't be any more different in terms of story and characters, but it shares a similar reason for ending. As mentioned, Parsons (who's regarded as the true lead of the show) reportedly no longer wants to return past season 12, the same with Danson back in 1993 prompting its creators to end the series. Given this, Cheers was able to craft a satisfying, albeit anti-climactic ending. Throughout its final year, all characters had something going for them. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said with The Big Bang Theory.

After the show ended, Cheers led to a successful spin-off Frasier (which may be revived). Centering around Kelsey Grammer's psychiatrist-turned-radio-show-host, Frasier Crane, it's curious if CBS will take a page from their book and do the same. Of course Young Sheldon's already doing well, but it's controversial among The Big Bang Theory fans. Perhaps they can launch another spin-off, this time a sequel and with a couple of the original show's cast.