Cheers In Cheers, Shelley Long plays Diane, an erudite graduate student who becomes a waitress at a bar after her engagement with a snooty literature professor falls apart. At the bar, Diane befriends local barflies and coworkers, though they sometimes make her the butt of their jokes. Her will-they-won't-they relationship with bar owner Sam drives most of the romantic tension of Cheers. Watch it now! Image Source: Everett Collection