That time we saw the fourth wall of the "Cheers" set.

I've watched the entire series multiple times over, but this is the first time I've noticed this oddity. It's from Kirstie Alley's first episode, "Home Is the Sailor" (Season 6, Episode 1).

 

I just googled US Postal Service patch images and most, but not all are the same orientation as Cliffy's.

 

Plus the writing on the wall is not reversed in that shot.

 

Here's what Cheers writer Ken Levine said on his blog:

By Ken Levine: The CHEERS set

I don't remember the fourth wall being used in the first season, and he doesn't mention it being used in the sixth.

 

Like you I've seen the entire series at least 10 times over, and I never noticed that wall either. I did shout out "Screaming Viking" the second I saw the pic, though. What a full life I live

 

My guess is the eagle is meant to be facing/flying forward, like the canton of the US flag. So, if the patch had been worn on the right sleeve, the bird would be flipped the other way (like in post #2).

I don't know if they ever wore that patch on the right sleeve, though. However, if you search for photos of old US Mail jeeps, the position of the emblems on the doors kind of supports this theory.

 

Do you want the cucumber bruised?

 

Slightly.

 

One reason you rarely saw the fourth wall is that there were four Panavision cameras and a bunch of lights and wires there (plus the audience seats).

 

I figure the fourth wall could be rolled away pretty easily.

 

Pretty cool. Great show.

 

M

Nice!

Cheers had the best set in sitcom history.

 

One of my top sitcoms in history. Still makes me laugh. The set was gorgeous and hope I'll one day be able to visit it. It'd be a moving experience for me.

 

Checked out their website and there doesn't seem to be any mention of Cheers. I personally emailed Mr Comisar directly asking him about it. I'll be sure to post his reply in this thread.

 

Um, you guys do know that Cliff is a fictional character played by John Ratzenberger, and not a real Post Office employee, right?

 

Wait. All these years I thought Cheers was a documentary with a live studio audience. Mind blown!

 

Seriously.

Captain Obvious to the rescue.

 

If the cops on "The Bill" can wear real police uniforms, then Cliff can wear a real post office uniform.

 

No, this is an actual picture from Stage 25 at Paramount. Or is it...

 

Looks like a mini to me.

 

It's obviously a mini set. Any Vidiot can see that.