was a godsend to “Cheers” when she joined the storied NBC sitcom in 1987, famed director-

find those two things together too often,” Burrows told Variety of Alley, who died

she was naturally “bawdy” in a way that endeared her to the comedy community, Burrows

from the show after Season 5 prompted the shakeup that brought in Alley

hire made a strong impression on her colleagues when Alley showed up on the first

the tone for her on the show,” Burrows remembered

walked into that bar, everybody’s eye went with her

five Emmy nominations and one win (in 1991) for her work on “Cheers” as aspiring corporate

co-creator, exec producer and primary director of “Cheers” for its 271 episodes, also recalled Alley as

‘one of the boys’ literally, almost overnight,” Burrows said