44 Years Later, Sam Malone's Best Cheers Line Is Still A Top 5 Sitcom Quote

Published Aug 5, 2026, 12:45 PM EDT Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV. Originally premiering in 1982, Cheers became one of the most-beloved sitcoms of all time because of its quick wit and tremendous writing, including Sam Malone's (Ted Danson) best line, which still hits over 40 years later. A sitcom that redefined what TV could look like, Cheers centers on Sam's Boston bar where a group of regulars find themselves consistently blowing off the steam of the day. While Sam, a former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, doesn't drink himself, he always makes sure that his customers are happy with his service as they relax and take the edge off. While Sam's arc on the series, which ran for a lofty 11 seasons spanning 275 episodes, isn't necessarily a linear one, his personality remains consistent throughout Cheers' run. Always good for a one-liner or a bit of advice, Sam's best known for his womanizing ways and his ability to help others through their issues despite running from his own. With Cheers beginning by establishing Sam and Diane's (Shelley Long) relationship, the beats of which ebb and flow throughout the series, viewers are quick to realize their connection is one of the most important of the show's entire run. Though Sam has many lines that could be considered his best, one early Cheers line helps establish the entire long-running series and winds up revisited throughout the show. Showing off Sam's sense of humor, blunt nature, and setting the stage for his series-defining relationship, his best Cheers line is an unexpected one. Sam's Best Cheers Line Sets The Scene For The Entire Series Credit: MovieStillsDB Although there are dozens, if not hundreds, of memorable lines delivered by Sam to all different characters throughout the series, an iconic line from the Cheers pilot is the best of the series. Setting the stage for what's about to come for the duration of the first several seasons, Sam makes it clear when he meets Diane that he doesn't like her. Diane's pretentious nature and intense personality clash with Sam's casual, even-keeled temperament, but he can't seem but have a soft spot for Diane as the first episode of Cheers wears on, especially after seeing her get abandoned. Unfurling what will ultimately be the tug between himself and Diane for years to come, Sam makes Diane an offer during Cheers season 1 episode 1, "Give Me a Ring Sometime" when he lays things out plainly. "I need a waitress. You need a job," Sam explains, then continues, "You like the people here. You think they like you." Infusing his offer for a job with some patented sarcasm and a great read of the situation, Sam makes it clear that he knows he and Diane could mutually benefit from each other. As the line is the onus for the rest of the show's antics, Sam's best line on Cheers is still one of the show's most important nearly 45 years after its initial airing. With Sam Steering The Ship, Cheers Became An All-Time Great As Cheers continued on its epic 11-season run, establishing itself as one of the best sitcoms of all time by maintaining a high level of quality throughout its long haul, Sam was one of the most constant pieces of the show's puzzle. While the rest of the show's central characters were consistent, too, the weight of the show rested on Sam's shoulders. Although he wasn't the most morally sound, Sam was the moral center of the Cheers universe, with the other characters on the show all having a specific attachment to him. Without Sam, Cheers wouldn't have worked so seamlessly. With some record-breaking viewership throughout its run, two incredible will they/won't they relationships, and running jokes that have managed to continue for forty years and counting, Cheers is one of the best sitcoms of all time. Balanced, endlessly watchable, and consistently hilarious, keeping Sam in the foreground while the rest of the show's cast moved through their own stories was the best formula for the long-running show. With Sam's best line being such an early piece of the show's identity, Cheers was able to continue building on its fun premise and exploring relationships for years to come. Release Date 1982 - 1993-00-00 Network NBC 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 Cast Shelley Long Rebecca Howe