44 Years Later, Norm's Best Cheers Line Is Still One Of The Funniest Sitcom Quotes Ever

As one of the best sitcoms of all time, Cheers was only as good as its regulars, which is why viewers resonating so strongly with Norm Peterson's (George Wendt) greatest line over 40 years later isn't a surprise. Throughout Cheers' 11-season run, which lasted from 1982 to 1993, viewers got the chance to know the staff and regulars of the show's titular bar, which was a Boston institution. With Sam Malone (Ted Danson) behind the bar, the customers he served most were Norm and Cliff (John Ratzenberger), and the conversations the group had ranged far and wide, running the gamut.

Norm, who was always greeted by the entirety of the bar shouting his name, was an accountant always in need of a beer after a tough day. While Norm's character shifted through the years, his marriage to his wife, Vera, remained steady despite some troubles, and his presence at Cheers was non-negotiable. Over the course of the series, Norm became as synonymous with Cheers as the other major players, and Wendt's performance was able to ground the sometimes silly character, making him a massive part of the show's success. While Norm's stories weren't often serious, Cheers gave him great one-liners.

Throughout the run of Cheers, one of the show's running jokes came from the bar greeting Norm with his name, and when he was asked about his day, Norm responded with a quip. As Cheers continued on, some of the show's funniest work came from Norm's funny, sometimes self-depreciating responses.

Norm's Line About Hearing Beer Perfectly Sums Up His Character

Norm's quick one-liners were the perfect way to introduce his character into the episode, and his best were always jokes that got the live studio audience to laugh. In an early episode of the series, when Norm walks into the bar, Coach asks, "how's a beer sound, Norm?" and Norm's response is a hilarious, "I don't know I usually finish before they get a word in." While the joke needs no explanation, the way that Wendt delivers the line is perfect, and the quickness with which Norm responds to Coach distills his character wonderfully, making it clear who he is.

Although Norm's home life isn't often shown on Cheers, viewers get glimpses of who he is with every single one of his introductory lines and quick jokes. With a great sense of humor, a quick wit, and the ability to come up with something clever nearly every day, Norm is someone who can be relied upon to keep spirits high at Cheers. The quick joke he lobs back to Coach may be a simple one-liner, but his ability to turn a general question into something entirely different proves that Norm is a deeper, more intuitive person than viewers may expect.

You Don't See Characters Like Norm In Sitcoms Today

Although sitcoms today often build on the archetypes that shows like Cheers built up, viewers don't get the same style of character as they did from Norm on modern TV shows. Norm, a barfly who appeared to have a difficult home life but always managed to be there for his friends at Cheers, isn't often the subject of the episode, but typically has memorable moments that stick with viewers long after the plots themselves have faded. Norm's ability to anchor the series with comedy and charm is unparalleled, and in a side role, makes for a distinct character.

While there are definitely great side characters in modern sitcoms, the way that Cheers treated Norm throughout its run feels different than the way that most sidekick characters are treated on TV today. The warm welcome that Norm got every time he entered Cheers mixed with the fact that viewers always knew he was good for a joke made the character reliable, someone who the audience could expect to stick around. The modern sitcom has its strengths, but nothing compares to the classic way Cheers used characters like Norm to make viewers feel like they were part of the gang.