NORM! 10 Hilarious ‘Cheers’ Greetings for the Show’s Most Lovable Loser

Gerry Strauss September 6, 2024

For 11 seasons and 275 amazing episodes, Cheers delivered laughs on a weekly basis, largely because of the relatable, well-written characters that inhabited Sam Malone’s (Ted Danson) Boston-based bar. Of that crew, no character was more endearing than Norm Peterson, the admittedly overweight patron who walked a fine line between joy (tied to his love of beer and hanging out at Cheers) and misery (fueled by almost every other aspect of his life).

Actor George Wendt gave Norm a unique blend of teddy-bear likeability and dourness that made you root for him, even if he’d given up on his hopes and dreams in favor of helping Cheers beat rival Gary’s Olde Town Bar in one of their annual competitions. Wearing his embittered heart on his sleeve from the moment he walked in the bar’s front door each day, the other customers came to know, love and greet him by yelling “Norm!” in unison. In fact, his first line upon entering the bar became not only his calling card, but genuine highlights of each episode. Here we’ve gathered up a sampling of some of his most memorable callouts!

>>The Cast of ‘Cheers’: Where Are They Now?

1 “Snow Job” (Season 2, Episode 18)

CHEERS, from left: George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, 'Give Me a Ring Sometime', season 1, ep. 1, aired 9/30/1982,

NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection

Coach: What’s shakin’, Norm?

Norm: All four cheeks and a couple of chins.

2 “No Help Wanted” (Ssn 2, Ep 14 )

Coach: Can I draw you a beer, Norm?

Norm: No, I know what they look like. Just pour me one.

3 “The Executive’s Executioner” (Ssn 3, Ep 21)

Sam: What’ll you have, Normie?

Norm: Well, I’m in a gambling mood, Sammy. I’ll take a glass of whatever comes out of that tap.

Sam: Looks like beer, Norm.

Norm: Call me Mister Lucky!

4 “The Heart Is a Lonely Snipe Hunter” (Ssn 3, Ep 14)

Sam: What’s new, Normie?

Norm: Terrorists, Sam. They’ve taken over my stomach. They’re demanding beer.

5 “The Peterson Principle” (Ssn 4, Ep 18)

Sam: Hey – what’s happening, Norm?

Norm: It’s a dog-eat-dog world, Sammy, and I’m wearing Milk Bone underwear.

6 “Diane’s Nightmare” (Ssn 4, Ep 5)

Norm (Coming in from the rain): Evening, everybody!

Everybody: Norm!

Sam: Still pouring, Norm?

Norm: That’s funny, I was about to ask you the same thing.

CHEERS, Kelsey Grammer (center), George Wendt (right), (Season 5), 1982-93.

Paramount Television/Courtesy: Everett Collection

7 “Strange Bedfellows, Part 3” (Ssn 4, Ep 26)

Woody: How’s it going, Mr. Peterson?

Norm: Poor.

Woody: I’m sorry to hear that.

Norm: No, I mean pour.

8 “Let Sleeping Drakes Lie” (Ssn 6, Ep 18)

Woody: Can I pour you a beer, Mr. Peterson?

Norm: A little early isn’t it, Woody?

Woody: For a beer?

Norm: No, for stupid questions.

9 “Bar Wars III: The Return of Tecumseh” (Ssn 8, Ep 21)

Sam: What are you up to, Norm?

Norm: My ideal weight if I were 11 feet tall.

And finally….

10 “The King of Beers” (Ssn 11, Ep 3)

Norm: Boy meets beer. Boy drinks beer. Boy meets another beer. In this performance, the role of the boy will be played by Norm Peterson.

You can watch Cheers today on Hallmark Channel (weekdays at 6amET/PT) and Catchy Comedy (weeknights at 11pET/8pPT), and stream on services like Hulu and Paramount+.