Other gift items from various shows include baseball caps, sweaters, dart boards, bicycles, watches, record albums, jackets, sweatshirts, T-shirts, binders, coffee mugs, embossed glasses, and ties.
Of all my gifts, the best was the satin jacket I received from CHEERS the first year. It was very slick looking, but that’s not the reason I loved it.
At the time, CHEERS was doing horribly in the ratings. We aired a new episode on Thanksgiving night, 1982 and it finished dead last in the ratings. We got our pick up for the back nine, but just barely. And we were told that if things didn’t pick up we’d likely be canceled at the end of the season.
Needless to say, it was disheartening because we all felt we were doing out best work. It’s not like we could stay an extra half-hour and the ratings would go up.
But on the weekends I started wearing that jacket. And people would stop me to say how much they loved the show. It was my first indication that people were watching (maybe not enough at that point) and we were connecting with them.
Despite the ratings, we were on to something. And could build from that.
Two follow up points: I’ve worn show garb from other shows over the years. Never have I received the reaction I got from that CHEERS jacket. The few fans we had were passionate about the show.
And two, in looking online for a photo of that jacket I see that one is selling on eBay for $950. Pretty good for a last place show.
I’d wear mine again but I’m still on lockdown.
from By Ken Levine
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