In a recent episode of Conan O’Brien‘s talk show, D’Arcy Carden, known for her role in “The Good Place,” shared an amusing story about her grandmother’s crush on none other than Ted Danson. Carden revealed that her grandma, Anita, was a devoted fan of the hit sitcom “Cheers,” where Danson played the iconic character Sam Malone.
Carden explained that she was too young to watch the show when it originally aired, but during the pandemic, she and her husband decided to revisit the series. They watched one episode each night, savoring the experience and using it as a way to break up the monotony of lockdown life. For Carden, watching “Cheers” was like going back in time and experiencing a beloved childhood memory.
But why did Carden’s grandma have a crush on Danson? Well, according to Carden, her grandma was captivated by Danson’s charm and charisma on the show. She even admitted that her grandma had a crush on both Danson and his co-star, George Wendt. It’s no wonder Carden developed an 80s crush on Danson herself. As a four-year-old, she attended her first concert, which happened to be a Huey Lewis and the News show, where her dad’s connection to the music industry allowed her to meet the band backstage. Carden even became close with Lewis, holding his hand and unintentionally brightening his mood after a disappointing performance.
Carden’s love for the performing arts didn’t stop at musical concerts. She found her passion for acting at a young age, participating in community theater and local productions. She explored her comedic side through musical comedy, always harboring a desire to make people laugh. Eventually, Carden realized that comedy was her calling, and she wanted to pursue it professionally.
The experience of working on “The Good Place” with Ted Danson solidified Carden’s love for acting and comedy. She recalled fond memories of their time on set, especially the scenes where it was just the two of them. Carden found Danson to be incredibly kind and a true lover of acting, which only deepened her admiration for him.
For Danson, the journey to playing Sam Malone on “Cheers” wasn’t without its challenges. In fact, he initially doubted his own performance and went as far as fearing he was bad in the pilot episode. Danson shared a hilarious anecdote about his initial reaction, where he pulled producer Jimmy Burrows aside, expressing his concerns. Burrows, instead of consoling him, burst into laughter and walked away, leaving Danson to question his abilities as an actor.
Despite any doubts, Danson’s portrayal of Sam Malone remains iconic, and to this day, fans like Carden continue to be enamored by his work. As for Carden, she feels incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Danson and have him reshape her understanding of acting. She expressed immense gratitude for their time together on “The Good Place” and the joy they brought each other on set.
In the end, Carden’s story about her grandma’s crush on Ted Danson highlights the lasting impact of beloved TV shows like “Cheers” and the power of comedy to bring people together. Whether it’s revisiting nostalgic shows during a pandemic or pursuing a career in making others laugh, the world of entertainment continues to shape and inspire us all.
