“The Norm you see in Cheers has been years in the making,” Wendt once said of his character. “I have some characteristics in common with him besides our fondness for beer. But I think I’m a lot happier than Norm.” He also added: “I was a beer drinker long before Cheers. When I put a couple of six packs on top of my grocery shopping cart, people are pleased. I tell ‘em I’m taking them home to rehearse.”