The beloved Cheers stars Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson continue to captivate fans with their enduring friendship, now manifested in their podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name. While the show’s subtitle jokingly includes “(sometimes)” next to Harrelson’s name, Danson recently confirmed that his co-host’s legendary unpredictability often means he’s a no-show, sparking fond recollections of Harrelson’s past whimsical adventures, from watching the Berlin Wall fall to leading a memorable psychedelic boat trip.
For fans of the iconic sitcom Cheers, the reunion of Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson in their podcast, Where Everybody Knows Your Name, promised a nostalgic trip down memory lane. However, as Danson recently revealed, the podcast’s playful subtitle — With Ted Danson & Woody Harrelson (sometimes) — has proven to be a stark reality, with Harrelson’s frequent absences becoming a running gag that perfectly encapsulates his unique, free-spirited persona.
The Podcast Paradox: ‘Sometimes’ Becomes ‘Rarely’
The producers of Where Everybody Knows Your Name likely foresaw a degree of unpredictability from Woody Harrelson, given his well-known nature. Yet, even Ted Danson admits he never anticipated just how often his co-host would miss recordings. During a conversation with guest Jimmy Kimmel, Danson humorously confessed, “one of the reasons you were doing it was because you don’t get to see Woody Harrelson anymore,” a sentiment that, he added, remains true today. Danson even joked about changing the podcast logo’s “SOMETIMES” to “RARELY,” indicating the extent of Harrelson’s no-shows.
Harrelson’s sporadic appearances have become so notable that listeners were “startled to learn Harrelson was still part of the enterprise” when he finally popped in via Zoom for an episode featuring Mark Ruffalo, as reported by AOL.com. His absence has been conspicuous across numerous episodes, including conversations with a roster of celebrity guests such as Kathryn Hahn, Chelsea Handler, Howie Mandel, Patton Oswalt, Rob Reiner, Kate Mara, Tony Hale, Charlie Day, Judd Apatow, Seth MacFarlane, Greg Kinnear, and Octavia Spencer.
Jimmy Kimmel offered a lighthearted defense for his friend, noting that “Woody’s all over the place… He doesn’t like to be pinned down.” Danson added that Harrelson is also “working nonstop,” an observation made without elaborating on how Danson himself manages to film the second season of his Netflix show, Man on the Inside, alongside his hosting duties.
A History of Whimsy: Harrelson’s Unpredictable Charm
Harrelson’s tendency to follow his own drum is hardly new, and Danson has countless stories that highlight his friend’s enduring, “whimsical” nature. This unpredictable charm is a cornerstone of their decades-long friendship, dating back to their days on Cheers.
The Berlin Wall Adventure
One legendary anecdote Danson shared on Yahoo Entertainment involves Harrelson skipping a Cheers rehearsal in 1989. The cast waited for half an hour, puzzled by his absence, when someone finally burst in with the explanation: “Woody called, he’s in Berlin, the wall is coming down and he didn’t want to miss it.” Danson marvelled at this, describing it as “the whimsical side of Woody, but also the magnificent side! He bites off these big chunks of life, he’s just astounding.”
The Mushroom Mayhem
Another classic tale, recounted by Danson and Harrelson themselves on their podcast and covered by Fox News Digital, involves the Cheers cast playing hooky. During the show’s run, cast members including Danson, Harrelson, John Ratzenberger, and George Wendt decided to skip work to go boating on Ratzenberger’s new vessel, the “Boston Whaler.”
Already “stoned” when they met, Danson and Harrelson infamously called into the show from a pay phone, faking illness, passing the phone to each person to share their “symptoms.” While aboard, Harrelson, ever the instigator, turned to Danson and asked, “Have you ever had mushrooms?” He then proceeded to share “an extraordinary amount” of magic mushrooms with Danson.
What followed was a harrowing experience for Danson, who felt “panicking… having trouble breathing… [and] like I was dying” as they cruised through rough waves. He recalled looking at Harrelson, who appeared completely relaxed, thinking his friend was simply “used to this.” Meanwhile, Danson said he “looked like a skeleton” to Harrelson, who in turn claimed Danson “looked like a hologram.” Despite calling it “the worst four hours” of his life, Danson admitted he would take “magic” mushrooms again, a testament to the wild experiences Harrelson often brings.
First Impressions: Unpigeonhole-able from the Start
Even Danson’s first encounter with Harrelson, who joined Cheers in its fourth season, painted a picture of an utterly unique individual. Danson recalled Harrelson getting into a bar fight and being carjacked on the very same day. Yet, moments later, he presented Danson with a beautiful poem and a brilliant play he had written. This stark contrast led Danson to conclude, “You cannot pigeonhole that guy.”
Friendship Forged in Laughter: The Dominoes Incident
The bond between Danson and Harrelson is clearly one of deep affection and shared laughter, even through Harrelson’s more eccentric moments. Jimmy Kimmel shared a particularly hilarious story that perfectly illustrates Harrelson’s charming unpredictability.
When Harrelson and Owen Wilson visited Kimmel’s home, Kimmel, an avid cook, decided to prepare gourmet vegan pizza in his outdoor oven, knowing Harrelson’s dietary preferences. Mid-cooking, Harrelson approached Kimmel’s wife, Molly, asking for the address because he wanted to “order Domino’s.” Molly, thinking he meant Domino’s Pizza, gently tried to dissuade him, concerned about upsetting Kimmel’s efforts.
It turned out, to everyone’s amusement, that Harrelson and Wilson weren’t interested in ordering fast food pizza, but rather “the game dominoes.” Kimmel laughed at the misunderstanding, musing, “There’s a place that delivers children’s games in an hour? But if anyone has a connection to get a good time delivered, it’s probably Woody Harrelson.”
What’s Next for the Dynamic Duo?
Despite Harrelson’s elusive podcast appearances, both actors remain highly active. Ted Danson continues to film Man on the Inside, while Woody Harrelson has multiple film projects slated for 2025, including the James L. Brooks-directed comedy Ella McKay. Their individual careers thrive, yet their friendship and occasional collaborations like the podcast remain a beloved fixture for fans.
The Enduring Appeal of Unpredictability
Ultimately, Woody Harrelson’s “sometimes” presence on Where Everybody Knows Your Name isn’t a flaw, but rather a characteristic that makes his appearances all the more anticipated and special. It’s a reflection of a man who lives life on his own terms, chasing adventures, and always keeping those around him (and his fans) delightfully on their toes. For enthusiasts of Cheers and the enduring friendship of Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson, this charming unpredictability is exactly why they wouldn’t have it any other way.
