Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Rebecca Howe

Rebecca Howe is a fictional character from the American television sitcom Cheers, portrayed by actress Kirstie Alley from 1987 to 1993.^[1] Introduced as the ambitious corporate manager of the Cheers bar in Boston, she replaces the departing Diane Chambers and brings a mix of professional drive and personal vulnerability to the ensemble, evolving from a straight-laced executive into a more relatable, neurotic figure central to the show's later seasons.^[2] Howe debuts in the season six premiere episode "Home Is the Sailor," where bar owner Sam Malone sells Cheers to the Lillian Corporation, installing her as manager to oversee operations.^[2] Initially depicted as confident and career-focused, with a background in business and aspirations for corporate advancement, her character quickly reveals insecurities, clumsiness, and comedic tendencies that humanize her interactions with the bar's regulars, including Woody Boyd, Norm Peterson, and Carla Tortelli.^[1] Over the course of 150 episodes across seasons six through eleven, Howe's role shifts from manager to waitress and eventual business partner with Sam, highlighting her growth amid farcical mishaps and unrequited romantic pursuits.^[2] The character's development was influenced by Alley's improvisational energy during rehearsals, transforming an originally harsher, less comedic version into a high-functioning yet perpetually frazzled personality on the verge of a nervous breakdown, which endeared her to audiences and revitalized the series' dynamics.^[3] Key storylines include her crushes on superiors like Evan Drake and wealthy suitors such as Robin Colcord, as well as a notable arc where she considers having a child with Sam Malone outside of marriage, underscoring themes of independence and self-discovery.^[2] Alley's portrayal earned critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1991, contributing to Cheers' sustained popularity and its status as a landmark sitcom.^[2]

Character Overview

Introduction and Description

Rebecca Howe is a fictional character on the American television sitcom Cheers, portrayed by actress Kirstie Alley from the show's sixth season in 1987 through its conclusion in 1993.^[4] She assumes the role of manager at the Boston bar Cheers after the departure of waitress Diane Chambers, whose actress Shelley Long left the series to pursue film work.^[5] As a corporate executive dispatched by the bar's new ownership, Rebecca enters as an outsider tasked with overseeing operations and reporting to higher-ups.^[1] Initially presented as a strong, authoritative figure who reverses the traditional power dynamic by making former owner Sam Malone her bartender, Rebecca contrasts sharply with Diane's intellectual and pretentious demeanor.^[5] Beneath her confident facade, however, she is neurotic and often flustered, grappling with career ambitions, failed romances, and personal vulnerabilities that lead to comedic mishaps.^[6] Her whip-smart sarcasm and hard-drinking tendencies fuel banter with the bar's ensemble, including tense flirtations with Sam and clashes over authority.^[7] Alley's performance as Rebecca propelled her to stardom, earning Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1991 (which she won), 1992, and 1993, and helped sustain Cheers' popularity during its later seasons.^[8] The character's arc explores themes of professional pressure and self-doubt, making her a "lovable loser" in the bar's quirky ecosystem.^[1]

Family and Background

Rebecca Howe was introduced in the sixth season of Cheers as the bar's new manager, appointed by the Lillian Corporation after it acquired the establishment from owner Sam Malone. Eager to advance in the corporate world, she initially clashes with the bar's laid-back staff while navigating her professional ambitions. Her family ties to the corporation stem from her father, Navy Captain Franklin E. Howe, a stern military figure who owned the company and placed her in the role to gain experience. Her mother was a concert cellist.^[9]^[10] Howe's upbringing in San Diego, California, reflects a disciplined military household under her father's influence, which shaped her driven yet insecure personality. This background is highlighted in the episode "Daddy's Little Middle-Aged Girl," where Captain Howe (portrayed by Robert Prosky) visits Cheers unexpectedly, criticizing her career choices and urging her to abandon Boston for a more stable life back home. His visit reveals the ongoing tension in their relationship, with Howe resenting his controlling nature while grappling with her own failures in corporate climbing.^[9] Howe also has a strained sibling relationship with her younger sister, Susan Howe, an aspiring actress specializing in horror films. The sisters' estrangement, rooted in years of rivalry and resentment, comes to the forefront in the episode "Sisterly Love," where Susan arrives in Boston to film a commercial. Sam Malone attempts to mediate a reconciliation, exposing Howe's insecurities about her sister's perceived success and beauty, though their reunion ultimately falters amid old grudges. Susan is played by Marcia Cross.^[11]

Development and Portrayal

Creation Process

The departure of Shelley Long, who portrayed Diane Chambers, after the fifth season of Cheers in 1987 prompted significant concerns among the show's creators, Glen and Les Charles, who described experiencing "sheer panic" due to the central role Diane played in the series' dynamic, particularly her romantic tension with Sam Malone.^[12] To address this, the writers restructured the narrative by having Sam sell the bar to a large conglomerate, introducing Rebecca Howe as the new corporate-appointed manager, a role designed to shift the focus from intellectual sparring to a more ambitious, career-driven character with external romantic pursuits rather than an immediate love interest for Sam.^[13] This conception positioned Rebecca as a "meltdown-prone striver," emphasizing her professional aspirations and vulnerabilities in a high-stakes business environment.^[13] Casting for Rebecca began with the producers seeking an actress capable of bringing both dramatic depth and appeal to the role; Glen Charles recalled spotting Kirstie Alley in a stage production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, impressed by her acting prowess and sex appeal, though her comedic timing emerged later in the process.^[12] Alley was cast for the sixth season premiere, but early rehearsals revealed issues with the initial script, which portrayed Rebecca as a stern, unfunny antagonist lacking comedic resonance, prompting director James Burrows to note that her entrance felt "crazy and not funny."^[14] A turning point occurred during these rehearsals when Alley improvised a moment of frustration: unable to open an office door in a scene, she ad-libbed lines like "I locked myself out, no I didn’t," leading to an emotional breakdown that highlighted her character's underlying vulnerability.^[15] This unscripted vulnerability, witnessed by cast members including Ted Danson, inspired Burrows and the writers to overhaul the character, transforming Rebecca into a high-functioning yet frazzled professional on the verge of a nervous breakdown—a "lovable loser" whose tough exterior masked deep insecurities, particularly in her unrequited infatuation with her boss, Evan Drake.^[14]^[15] Les Charles later reflected on this as a key revelation of Alley's comedic potential, allowing Rebecca to evolve into a multifaceted figure whose neurotic ambition provided fresh humor and relational tension within the ensemble.^[15]

Casting and Performance

Kirstie Alley was cast as Rebecca Howe for the sixth season of Cheers in 1987, following Shelley Long's departure from the series after five seasons as Diane Chambers. Alley, who had previously appeared in films such as Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), was selected to portray the new bar manager, a role intended to introduce a fresh dynamic to the ensemble. Her debut episode, "Home Is the Sailor," aired on September 24, 1987, marking her entry as the uptight corporate executive sent to oversee the bar.^[16] The character's initial conception was as a stern, "dragon lady" figure, but early rehearsals revealed this version as unengaging and unfunny. During one such session, Alley encountered a stuck office door while preparing for a scene, leading her to improvise a moment of frustration and tears that exposed vulnerability beneath the tough exterior. This "happy accident," as described by director James Burrows and co-star Ted Danson, prompted a complete rewrite, transforming Rebecca into a high-functioning yet frazzled and ultimately lovable character whose neuroses fit seamlessly with the bar's quirky patrons.^[14] A key improvised line in an early sixth-season episode further unlocked Rebecca's comedic potential: as she fumbled with a doorknob while rushing for a phone call, Alley ad-libbed, "I locked myself out, no I didn’t," highlighting her character's dithering incompetence. This moment shifted the writers' approach, evolving Rebecca from a distant antagonist to the bar's "biggest, saddest loser," with unrequited crushes and a prickly rapport with Sam Malone adding layers to her portrayal. Alley's performance emphasized a blend of sass, vulnerability, and physical comedy, distinguishing Rebecca from her predecessor and sustaining the show's chemistry.^[15] Alley's embodiment of Rebecca earned critical acclaim, including three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (1988, 1990, and 1991), with a win in 1991.^[17] She also received a Golden Globe Award in 1991 for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, recognizing her contributions to the series' enduring success through its final season in 1993.^[18]

Role in Cheers

Managerial Duties

Upon her introduction in the sixth season premiere "Home Is the Sailor," Rebecca Howe was installed as the manager of Cheers by the Lillian Corporation after Sam Malone sold the bar, tasking her with overseeing its operations to ensure profitability under corporate guidelines.^[2] In this capacity, she handled administrative duties such as rehiring Sam as head bartender to leverage his popularity for business gains and implementing changes like new staff uniforms to align with company standards, often prioritizing efficiency over the bar's traditional laid-back vibe.^[2]^[15] Rebecca's management style began as no-nonsense and corporate-driven, reflecting her ambition to climb the Lillian ladder by impressing superiors like executive Evan Drake, whom she secretly admired.^[15] She enforced policies rigorously, such as dress codes that clashed with the staff's comfort, creating tension with employees like Woody Boyd and Carla Tortelli while maintaining a flirtatious yet professional dynamic with Sam.^[19] However, her approach frequently unraveled into neurotic outbursts, as seen when she delegated tasks like hiring Norm Peterson to paint her office, only for the situation to expose her vulnerabilities and lead to comedic breakdowns.^[15] As the series evolved, Rebecca's duties extended to crisis management amid the bar's chaos, including navigating staff disputes and corporate pressures, though her hyper-focused efforts often highlighted her insecurities, such as dismissing positive thinking as ineffective after failed initiatives.^[20] When Sam repurchased Cheers in season eight, her role shifted to waitress, but her foundational tenure emphasized balancing authority with the ensemble's eccentricities, contributing to the show's dynamic.^[2]

Key Story Arcs

Rebecca Howe was introduced in the sixth season of Cheers as the new corporate manager of the bar after Sam Malone sold it to the Lillian Corporation, immediately establishing her as a stern, ambitious businesswoman who frequently rebuffs Sam's romantic advances while focusing on her career ladder climb.^[21] Her early storylines revolve around her unrequited infatuation with her boss, Evan Drake, whom she pursues both professionally and personally, leading to humorous setbacks such as being overlooked for promotions and romantic rejections.^[22] For instance, in episodes like "Yacht of Fools" and "Backseat Becky, Up Front," Rebecca's attempts to impress Drake culminate in awkward encounters that highlight her neurotic drive for success and vulnerability in relationships.^[22] One of Rebecca's most prominent arcs spans seasons eight and nine, centered on her whirlwind romance with British multimillionaire Robin Colcord, whom she meets through social connections at the bar. Colcord's condescending demeanor and wealth initially captivate Rebecca, leading to a passionate but tumultuous relationship marked by delayed intimacy and jealousy from Sam; key episodes such as "The Improbable Dream" and "A Bar Is Born" depict her preparing for their first night together while grappling with emotional doubts.^[22] The storyline escalates when Colcord schemes to buy Cheers using insider information, drawing Rebecca into ethical dilemmas, and reaches a climax with his arrest for financial crimes, after which he proposes marriage from jail in "Cry Harder," forcing Rebecca to confront her patterns of seeking security through affluent partners.^[22] This arc underscores her growth from a gold-digging archetype to someone questioning her choices, though it ultimately ends in heartbreak when she rejects his proposal.^[23] Throughout her tenure, Rebecca's dynamic with Sam evolves from antagonism to mutual attraction, fueled by flirtations, jealousy over her other suitors, and shared bar management stresses, as seen in episodes like "The Big Kiss-Off" and "Love Is a Really, Really, Perfectly Okay Thing."^[22] Their tension peaks in season nine when, following Colcord's downfall, Rebecca and Sam consummate their long-suppressed feelings in the bar office, wrecking the furniture in the process, though she later regrets it and reaffirms her independence.^[22] This brief romance highlights Rebecca's internal conflict between professional poise and personal desires, without leading to a lasting commitment. In later seasons, Rebecca's arcs shift toward personal vulnerabilities and reintegration into the Cheers ensemble, including job instability after the corporation's collapse, where she is demoted to waitress upon Sam's repurchase of the bar.^[24] A significant storyline in season ten involves Rebecca and Sam attempting to conceive a child together without marriage, sleeping together multiple times in pursuit of this goal before ultimately deciding against parenthood, further exploring her desires for independence.^[22] She battles addictions like smoking, attempting hypnosis and other methods in episodes such as "The Little Match Girl," and navigates family dynamics, including tensions with her father in "Daddy’s Little Middle-Aged Girl."^[22] These storylines portray her gradual acceptance of a simpler life at Cheers, exploring themes of self-worth beyond corporate success and romantic conquests, culminating in her role as a core, if eccentric, bar regular by the series finale.^[24]

Reception and Legacy

Popularity Among Fans

Rebecca Howe's introduction to Cheers in the sixth season elicited a mix of anticipation and apprehension among fans, as she replaced the iconic Diane Chambers. However, the character quickly won over audiences with her blend of ambition, vulnerability, and sharp wit, helping to sustain the show's momentum after Shelley Long's departure.^[14] Fans appreciated Rebecca's evolution from a corporate manager to a more relatable, neurotic figure, which allowed for comedic depth without relying on romantic tension with Sam Malone.^[2] The character's popularity contributed to Cheers achieving some of its highest ratings during Kirstie Alley's tenure, with the series ranking No. 1 in its final 1992-1993 season and drawing massive viewership for its finale.^[25] According to co-creator Les Charles, a significant portion of viewers preferred Rebecca to Diane, viewing her as a better foil for the ensemble and less disruptive to Sam's character arc.^[13] This fan favor was evident in the show's continued commercial success, as Cheers maintained top-tier status in Nielsen ratings throughout Rebecca's six seasons.^[26] Post-series tributes underscored Rebecca's enduring appeal, with fans and cast alike celebrating Alley's portrayal for its emotional range and humor. Ted Danson, who played Sam, highlighted how her performance elicited laughter and empathy from audiences, cementing Rebecca as a beloved addition to the bar's roster.^[2] Alley herself received widespread acclaim, including a 1991 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, reflecting the character's resonance with viewers who tuned in weekly for her antics.^[25]

Critical Analysis

Critical analyses of Rebecca Howe's character in Cheers often highlight her evolution from a competent, ambitious businesswoman to a figure of neurotic incompetence, interpreting this arc as a commentary on gender expectations in 1980s corporate culture. Introduced in season six as the bar's new manager, Rebecca was initially portrayed as a no-nonsense professional foil to Sam Malone, embodying the era's yuppie archetype with her corporate aspirations and resistance to romantic entanglements. However, over subsequent seasons, her character devolved into a source of slapstick humor, marked by failed schemes and emotional vulnerability, which scholars argue undermines the show's potential for progressive gender representation. In Cheers: A Cultural History, Joseph J. Darowski and Kate Darowski describe this trajectory as "the no-nonsense businesswoman becomes all nonsense," suggesting it reflects broader cultural anxieties about women's professional autonomy amid shifting economic roles.^[27] This devolution has been critiqued through the lens of gender performativity, positioning Rebecca as a "feminized counterpart" to Sam's hyper-masculine persona. Steve Craig's analysis in "Selling Masculinities, Selling Femininities" frames her as a parody of traditional femininity: voluptuously attractive yet aspiring to marry a tycoon rather than succumb to Sam's advances, which creates comedic tension through her rejection of objectification. This dynamic, Craig argues, serves the economic imperatives of network television by balancing appeals to diverse audiences—reinforcing masculine conquest narratives while nodding to feminist ideals of independence—without fully challenging patriarchal structures. Rebecca's repeated romantic failures and professional mishaps, such as her ill-fated obsession with executives like Evan Drake, underscore a pattern where female ambition is subordinated to male-centered humor.^[28] Feminist scholars further contend that Rebecca's portrayal perpetuates sitcom tropes that punish women for disrupting male pleasure, aligning her with predecessors like Diane Chambers as a "fun-killer" who faces harassment and diminishment. In "Feminism Ain’t Funny," Jack Simmons and Leigh E. Rich examine Cheers as exemplifying post-second-wave feminism's superficial role reversals, where women like Rebecca emulate male behaviors only to be bullied—often by Carla Tortelli—or reduced to emotional chaos, as seen in arcs involving her unrequited crushes and workplace blunders. This reinforces a narrative where female agency threatens communal harmony, ultimately restoring the status quo of male dominance in the bar's social ecosystem. Despite these critiques, Rebecca's tenure contributed to the show's enduring appeal, earning Kirstie Alley an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1991 and a Golden Globe in 1991, signaling her performance's impact on blending vulnerability with resilience.^[29]^[30] Overall, Rebecca Howe's arc encapsulates Cheers' ambivalence toward gender progress, offering a modern female lead whose initial empowerment gives way to conventional comedic diminishment, mirroring the era's contested feminist gains. While the Darowskis note how this evolution sustained the series' ratings through relatable neuroses, critics like Craig and Simmons/Rich argue it prioritizes commercial viability over substantive equality, limiting the character's potential as a vehicle for deeper social critique.

References

[1]
Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe on Cheers - Hallmark Channel
Kirstie Alley rose to prominence in her role as the neurotic corporate executive Rebecca Howe on the long-running hit TV sitcom Cheers.
[2]
Kirstie Alley Added A Hilarious Character To Cheers When It Need It ...
Dec 7, 2022 · Playing the role of businesswoman Rebecca Howe, the actress added a new dynamic for the womanizing Mayday Malone. Instead of sexual tension ...
[3]
Cheers' Ted Danson Reveals How Kirstie Alley's Character Came to ...
Apr 2, 2025 · From that moment, the writers rewrote Rebecca entirely around that energy, a high-functioning, slightly frazzled, and endlessly lovable. “It was ...
[4]
Kirstie Alley Dead: 'Cheers,' 'Look Who's Talking' Star Was 71 - Variety
Dec 5, 2022 · Kirstie Alley, an actress known for her role as Rebecca Howe on "Cheers" and for starring in "Look Who's Talking," has died from cancer.
[5]
TELEVISION; Can Kirstie Alley Keep the 'Cheers' Bar Open?
Sep 20, 1987 · Almost the first actress they auditioned was brown-haired Kirstie Alley, who had made her screen debut with pointed ears as the half-Vulcan ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[6]
Cheers (TV Series 1982–1993) - Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe, Self - IMDb
### Summary of Rebecca Howe from Cheers
[7]
https://ew.com/cheers-cast-then-and-now-11738870
[8]
"Cheers" And God Created Woodman (TV Episode 1988) - IMDb
Rating 8.1/10 (575) of the corporation - which by the way is called Lillian - asks her to ... Rebecca Howe · Rhea Perlman · Carla LeBec · John ...
[9]
"Cheers" Daddy's Little Middle-Aged Girl (TV Episode 1992) - IMDb
Rating 7.5/10 (451) Top Cast26 ; Ted Danson · Sam Malone ; Kirstie Alley · Rebecca Howe ; Rhea Perlman · Carla Tortelli ; John Ratzenberger · Cliff Clavin ; Woody Harrelson · Woody Boyd.
[10]
"Cheers" Sisterly Love (TV Episode 1989) - IMDb
Rating 8.2/10 (576) Sam is on the make big time. Rebecca's estranged sister shows up and she is a knockout, a B-movie actress. So Sam gets greedy and begins to work the two of ...Full cast & crew · Ted Danson as Sam Malone · Quotes · Trivia
[11]
Cheers Creators Felt 'Sheer Panic' When Shelley Long Left
Feb 26, 2025 · Glen and Les Charles, brothers who co-created Cheers, opened up about her departure, and what she meant to the series, on the Feb. 26 ...
[12]
Cheers: The Best TV Show That's Ever Been - GQ
Sep 27, 2012 · The writers came up with Sam selling Cheers to a megaconglomerate, and introduced meltdown-prone striver Rebecca Howe, who would briefly manage ...
[13]
Cheers' Ted Danson and James Burrows Reveal How Kirstie Alley's ...
Apr 2, 2025 · The two revealed that Rebecca was originally written so differently that the cast and crew had to completely rework her character.<|control11|><|separator|>
[14]
The Improvised Kirstie Alley Moment That Unlocked Rebecca For ...
Feb 11, 2024 · Kirstie Alley had big comedic shoes to fill when she replaced Shelley Long's Diane on Cheers as a new character, the tough-as-nails bar ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[15]
https://www.slashfilm.com/1506713/cheers-kirstie-alley-rebecca-improv-comedy-potential/
[16]
How Kirstie Alley helped 'Cheers' remain one of TV's biggest hits
Dec 7, 2022 · Alley was nominated for an Emmy Award five times for playing Rebecca, winning once, while “Cheers” continued to dominate the ratings and collect ...
[17]
Kirstie Alley, Emmy-Winning 'Cheers' Actress, Dies at 71
Dec 7, 2022 · Kirstie Alley, who took on the challenge of replacing a beloved character on one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1980s, “Cheers,” and made her own mark, ...
[18]
Kirstie Alley - Golden Globes
Golden Globe Awards ; 1998 Nominee · Veronica's Closet ; 1995 Nominee · David's Mother ; 1993 Nominee · Cheers ; 1992 Nominee · Cheers ; 1991 Winner · Cheers ...
[19]
'Cheers' Finale at 25: Untold Stories From Inside the Writers Room
May 20, 2018 · Created by director James Burrows and writer-producers Glen and Les Charles, Cheers ... The introduction of Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley) ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[20]
How Kirstie Alley saved Cheers from closure - The Telegraph
Dec 6, 2022 · A typical Rebecca moment was her announcing “I tried that positive thinking stuff, and I knew it wouldn't work and sure enough it didn't!” ...
[21]
How 'Cheers' Survived Its Major Casting Shake-Ups - Collider
Apr 6, 2024 · Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley) was introduced as the bar's new manager, after Sam sold the bar in between seasons. Often stern and unpredictable, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[22]
Episode Guide | Cheers - Hallmark Channel
Daddy's Little Middle-Aged Girl Rebecca's father attempts to make her return with him to San Diego while Woody tries to exert his will over Kelly, to make her ...
[23]
The 15 Best Episodes of 'Cheers' - IndieWire
Jan 9, 2023 · Most of Rebecca Howe's storylines involve rich men because that's a defining characteristic for Rebecca Howe: She's a gold digger. In the ...
[24]
Cheers | Cast, Characters, & Facts - Britannica
Sep 19, 2025 · The bar's manager and Sam's boss when Cheers was taken over by a corporation, Howe was later reduced to being a waitress when Sam bought back ...
[25]
Kirstie Alley Buoyed 'Cheers' With Comedic Charm and a Lit Cigarette
Dec 5, 2022 · Kirstie Alley pulled it off. This was the fall of 1987. Shelley Long had just left Cheers, the wildly popular, influential NBC sitcom.<|control11|><|separator|>
[26]
Has 'Cheers' aged like fine wine? Or has it gone bitter? - NPR
Jan 24, 2023 · But when Long left the show, "Cheers" continued to be popular. Kirstie Alley joined the cast in Season 6. She played Rebecca Howe, who brought ...
[27]
6 The Devolution of Rebecca Howe - ResearchGate
Download Citation | 6 The Devolution of Rebecca Howe | A fascinating look at one of the greatest shows of all time. For eleven seasons, Cheers was a ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[28]
(PDF) Selling masculinities, selling femininities: Multiple genders ...
is predicated on his attempts to rationalize and justify his version of masculinity. A major female character, Rebecca Howe, is Sam's feminized counterpart. As.
[29]
[PDF] Feminism Ain't Funny: Woman as “Fun-Killer ... - Semantic Scholar
the bar's patrons in harassing and bullying other women (par- ticularly Diane Chambers and her successor Rebecca Howe).14. Carla, like Roseanne, bears little ...