
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.

Diane uses Sam as the subject of her psychology term paper, but makes an insulting picture of him.

Carla plans to marry Eddie but wants to quit waitressing due to Eddie's career; Rebecca refuses to allow the wedding reception in the bar until Sam persuades Rebecca that the reception will impress her boss Mr. Drake.

Sam tries to protect Woody from the evils of gambling when he bets compulsively on football.

Rebecca puts Sam in charge of Carla's wedding plans; Sam orders Woody to tell the church that the couple are late, Cliff to retrieve Eddie and Frasier to pick up Carla's gown.