chambersandmalone:
“Shelley acknowledges that Diane is a royal pain in the posterior to Cheers’ patrons, employees and even Sam. But she also is endearing and, of all things, sexy.
We are not dealing with a Bo Derek here. Diane is not the stuff of which posters are made, as Shelley would be first to admit.
But Diane, like Shelley, is utterly feminine, especially in those moments when she is most earnestly and painfully on a feminist kick.
This is an almost impossible trick to turn for male viewers, but Shelley plays it with the virtuousity of a concert artist. Betty Friedan could take notes.
‘The sexuality is something I don’t consciously set out to do,’ Shelley said, musing aloud as is Diane’s wont. ‘I think it’s the chemistry between Sam and Diane.’”
—excerpt from Vernon Scott, “Bolstered By Summer Showing, ‘Cheers’ Off to Second Season”, UPI, September 22, 1983.
