
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.

Cliff announces his raise at the post office; Woody and Sam want a raise, but the bar's takings have been declining for three months, risking closure; to increase takings, Sam and Woody raffle a Caribbean cruise, attracting many customers.

Rebecca and Lilith throw a slumber party for depressed Carla.

Sam tries to get Rebecca her job back after she is fired as manager, and he is hired to replace her.

Sam vows a year of celibacy if he is not the father of an ex-girlfriend's baby.