TV & VIDEO - June 3, 1987

The long search for a new “Cheers” lady--to replace the departed Shelley (Diane) Long--appears to be over. NBC Entertainment president Brandon Tartikoff announced Tuesday that Kirstie Alley, of “North & South” fame, will join the “Cheers” irregulars--but there’s a twist, naturally. Sam Malone (Ted Danson) has the bar bought out from under him by a nameless corporation, which installs its own manager--Rebecca Howe, played by Alley. Business and pleasure are scheduled to mix for Sam and Rebecca . . . but slowly.