Diane Chambers was a central part of “Cheers” for five full seasons before Shelley Long decided to leave. Luckily, Kirstie Alley was just what the show needed to move forward. Not only did her austere businesswoman energy revitalize the show’s dynamic, over the course of the remaining seasons Alley was allowed to display her full range as an actor, with Rebecca revealing herself to be much more than a one-dimensional businesswoman type. In fact, the character revealed a downright zany side as the series progressed, shedding her hard exterior as a more neurotic and clumsy version of Rebecca began to show.
All of which led to continued success for “Cheers” (which is why it’s a shame that Alley was the only “Cheers” actor who never appeared on the spinoff, “Frasier”). It’s no wonder, then, that the cast and crew were eager to keep Alley around. But it seems even before the actor had solidified the show’s longevity, the cast and crew knew they had something special. According to People, when Alley arrived on set having donned a blond wig and a “goody-two-shoes” dress, she was immediately embraced by her co-stars. In fact, John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff Clavin on the show, reportedly spoke to his new colleague at a cast party after her first week of filming, telling her, “If you ever want to leave you’ll have to shoot your way out.”
This one phrase led to Alley being given what has to be one of the most bizarre welcome gifts ever gifted. According to People, Ratzenberger was so serious about his “shoot your way out comment” that he and co-star George Wendt, who played Norm Peterson, presented Alley with a shotgun to celebrate her addition to the cast.