Irish-speaking television channel TG4 in Ireland has won the rights to the American classic sitcom ‘Cheers’ and has plans to reproduce it ‘as Gaeilge.’
The Irish Sun reports that Dublin-based production company Sideline won the rights to the CBS-owned program. Casting and translation is already underway at Sideline to bring the show, with the working title, Teach Sean, (Sean’s House) to the Irish market.
Sideline is also behind the Irish formats of Mastermind, Take Me Out and Family Fortunes.
Billy McGrath, creative director at Sideline, said “Is reproducing Cheers any different than us producing a version of Mastermind, Take Me Out or The Great British Bake Off for Irish viewers?”
“With a scripted format we have a lot more freedom and have access to the original 275 Cheers scripts and the OK to adapt the ten or 12 we need and change them for the Irish market.”
“The decision to option Cheers is also a strategic one as the deal gives us a brilliant insider education on the execution, casting, writing and top class production values of one of the most celebrated studio shows in TV comedy history.”
The beloved 80s sitcom made stars out of Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer and Woody Harrelson.
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