Cheers UK Re-Make: Will Bebe Neuwirth (Lilith Sternin) Make a Cameo Appearance?

It was recently announced that the classic American sitcom Cheers is being remade for British television by production company Big Talk Studios. The remake will be written by Simon Nye, known for creating the BBC sitcom Men Behaving Badly.

While American remakes of British shows are common, the reverse is rare. However, Big Talk Studios CEO Kenton Allen says the endangered British pub is the perfect setting for a modern Cheers remake. However, he acknowledges the challenge of updating the show’s 1980s attitudes for today’s audiences.

The original Cheers ran for 11 seasons between 1982-1993 and starred Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Woody Harrelson, and Kelsey Grammer. It spawned several spinoffs, including the recently revived Frasier starring Grammer.

With an all-new British cast, the remake will likely attract both nostalgic Cheers fans and viewers unfamiliar with the American source material.

The big question is whether any original cast members will make cameo appearances.

Why Lilith May Not Return

One original cast member fans would love to see is Bebe Neuwirth as Lilith Sternin, Frasier Crane’s ex-wife. The characters’ combative chemistry resulted in some of Cheers’ funniest moments. Lilith already made a brief return on the Frasier revival, sparking hope she could reprise the role again for the Cheers remake. However, there are good reasons why Neuwirth is unlikely to make a cameo.

Neuwirth guest starred in one episode of the Frasier reboot, appropriately titled “Freddy’s Birthday.” The episode revealed Lilith also relocated to Boston but was deliberately avoiding contact with Frasier at the request of their son. When they finally reunite, old habits kick in as they compete over who knows Freddy better.

In the end, Frasier and Lilith recognize they bring out the worst in each other. For Freddy’s sake, they agree to keep their distance. Neuwirth’s single-episode appearance seems to close the book on her character’s story.

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A New Lilith?

Showrunner Nye may opt to create an original British version of Lilith rather than bring back the American actress. Even if approached, Neuwirth’s availability could be a factor depending on other projects. The Frasier experience showed the difficulty of coordinating busy actor schedules for short cameos.

While a Lilith cameo would provide instant recognition for fans, an all-new cast allows the show freedom to reinvent itself for British audiences. Fans will have to wait eagerly to see if any original stars make surprise appearances when the show is eventually released.

Opportunities without Lilith

If Lilith doesn’t return, the remake can take the Frasier relationship in a totally new direction. Her presence often dictated his romantic storylines, so her absence opens up possibilities. A completely clean slate gives British writers freedom to develop an innovative take on the beloved bar-set comedy.

Frasier’s ex-wife brought a unique antagonistic energy that will be difficult to replicate. However, her prickly persona limited narrative options. A new female foil could push Frasier in unexpected ways that better suit modern storytelling.

While longtime fans undoubtedly hope to see Lilith, future viewers with no preconceptions may embrace and appreciate an original British cast. Cameos certainly generate buzz but could also prove distracting if overused.

Ultimately, the Cheers remake will succeed or fail based on the strength of its new vision and chemistry between its core cast. Nye’s team should have creative license to reinvent the show on their own terms. If the remake can capture the warm, character-driven spirit that made Cheers an enduring classic, then missing cameos will hardly be a dealbreaker.