Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin take their seats at ‘Cheers’ … in Dallas | CPT PPP Coverage

Cryptopolytech (CPT) Public Press Pass (PPP)
News of the Day COVERAGE

200000048 – World Newser
•| #World |•| #Online |•| #Media |•| #Outlet |

View more Headlines & Breaking News here, as covered by cryptopolytech.com

When Troy Aikman heard the news that the actual Cheers set was at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, he knew he had to check it out.

A big fan of the sitcom that ran from 1982 to 1993, Aikman saw an opportunity not only to see the set but to meet two of the show’s biggest stars, George Wendt and John Ratzenberger, in person.

Aikman also sensed a marketing opportunity. While waiting on Wendt and Ratzenberger to show up, he got behind the bar, as Sam Malone would, ready to pour them a cold can of Eight, his light beer.

“I brought the beer,” Aikman said, grinning. “I’m gonna get a shot with them. I think it would be kind of cool.”

News Roundups

Catch up on the day’s news you need to know.

But the shot didn’t happen. Wendt and Ratzenberger arrived late and Aikman was on a tight schedule with a charity event the same day.

Still, the two actors, now in their mid-70s, who played Norm Peterson and Cliff Clavin, bellied up to their familiar spots around the bar to regale visitors and news media with what it was like to be cast members on the Boston-set sitcom.

“This is amazing,” Wendt said when he saw the bar.

As Ratzenberger approached it, he told Wendt: “I’m going to go verify this bar, George.”

The Cheers bar and nearly 1,000 other pieces — including the original All in the Family and Johnny Carson sets — will be auctioned June 2-4 at Heritage Auction as part of the James Comisar Collection.

Comisar, who started his career in show business writing jokes for standup comics Joan Rivers and Howie Mandel, acquired more than 10,000 historic television artifacts since 1989. He spent millions of dollars collecting sets, props and costumes, enough material to fill a TV museum he’d dreamed of opening.

The museum didn’t become a reality, and Comisar decided to put a portion to auction.

“I have this theory that all important art finds its curator,” Comisar said. “I feel like I’ve taken this as far as possible, but I am excited to find out who takes the baton and cares for and celebrates these objects.”

The bar is made of Luan wood and split into three sections so cameras could shoot scenes from multiple angles. The winning bidder will receive the counter, the brass railing and six burgundy bar stools.

Carved into the bar where Cliff settled in for a drink was the name “Kirstie,” left by actress Kirstie Alley, who played Rebecca Howe.

On Friday, the bid was $100,000 with the price expected to rise when the live auction takes place. The vintage brass cash register had a $10,000 reserve bid.

“It’s so great to see the bar,” Wendt said. “It’s quite a piece.”

Ratzenberger said he’s happy to see TV artifacts preserved.

“To see this, meant a lot,” he said.

Their take on North Texas

Wendt, 74, and Ratzenberger, 76, have been in North Texas for various functions in the past.

Wendt was in the cast of Twelve Angry Men during a national tour that stopped at the Majestic Theatre in 2007. Ratzenberger said he has been to American Airlines’ headquarters several times for his work with the Honor Flight program.

And a question that had to be asked: Mr. Ratzenberger, as Cliff, who is a master of obscure facts, what would be your most obscure fact about Dallas?

Ratzenberger: You talking to me? I thought you said Cliff-y. You see Cliff is make-believe. He lives in the TV set.

The Dallas Morning News: I have to get that straight.

Ratzenberger: In your profession, I would hope you would.

TDMN: What is the most obscure fact about Dallas that your character would come up with?

Ratzenberger: This was the actual site of the Garden of Eden. It’s in the Rosetta Stone where it says that. I thought everyone knew that.