When Cheers debuted in 1982, it finished last in the ratings. Narrowly escaping early cancellation, it continued to row in popularity, and eventually became #1 in the ratings. When the last episode aired on May 20, 1993, 80.4 million people tuned in, making it one of the most watched episodes of a sitcom, ever. The 90-minute finale had a long-anticipated return of Diane Chambers (Shelly Long) to the Boston bar for one last go-round with Sam (Ted Danson) and ends with the group of regulars discussing the meaning of life.

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