January 22, 1987 - The Tortellis Premiered on NBC

[Pete]

​

On this day, January 22, 1987, The Tortellis premiered on NBC. A spin-off of the beloved sitcom Cheers, the series centered on Nick Tortelli, played by Dan Hedaya, the sleazy ex-husband of Carla Tortelli, and his new wife Loretta, played by Jean Kasem. The show followed their comedic misadventures as they relocated to Las Vegas, balancing family dynamics with their quirky lives.

Despite its connection to the hugely successful Cheers, The Tortellis struggled to resonate with audiences and lasted just one season with 13 episodes. While short-lived, it remains a nostalgic piece of the Cheers universe for fans of the franchise.

Fun Fact: Dan Hedaya’s portrayal of Nick Tortelli first appeared on Cheers, where his over-the-top sleaziness made him a standout recurring character, inspiring this spin-off.

Trivia Question: What was the name of the bar in Cheers, the show that spawned The Tortellis?

 

[Linda Ann]

The who?? I never heard of this show.

 

[Marianne S.]

Isn’t that like a pasta salad?

 

[Pete]

I take it you weren’t fans of Cheers? That was Carla’s ex husband or boyfriend I forget. A pasta salad lol.