Woody Harrelson’s noticeable Emmys 2024 ‘Cheers’ reunion absence explained

It was not quite as cheerful as one would hope.

Monday night’s Emmys saw the cast of the beloved sitcom “Cheers” reunite, with acting legends Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger and George Wendt gracing the Peacock Theater’s stage in Los Angeles.

However, one person from the 1980s show sadly did not visit the reconstructed Bull & Finch Pub, where the former castmates discussed their “long overdue class reunion.”

Woody Harrelson, who appeared in the show’s fourth season as bartender Woody Boyd, was noticeably absent from the stage. However, the awards show’s producers have since explained his absence.

“Woody Harrelson couldn’t make ‘Cheers’ because he’s in a play,” Jesse Collins, an executive producer for the Emmys, revealed to the Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday.

“So there were a few people where there were just logistical challenges. But we were lucky to get so many people who were willing to participate,” Collins added.

Harrelson, 62, is currently starring in a play in London’s West End called “Ulster American” opposite “Star Wars” and “Lord of the Rings” alum Andy Serkis and “Derry Girls” star Louisa Harland.

Also absent from the tribute was actress Shelley Long, who played Diane Chambers on the show.

Collins did not comment on the “Troop Beverly Hills” star’s absence.

The reunion led into the awards show’s emotional in-memoriam segment, where “Cheers” actress Kristie Alley, who died in 2022 at 71, was honored alongside others such as Norman Lear and “Friends” actor Matthew Perry.

This is not the first time the cast has reunited since the show ended in 1993.

In June, the entire cast gathered in Austin, Texas, at the annual ATX Television Festival ahead of the 30th anniversary of the show’s series finale.

While assembled, it was revealed that several of Harrelson’s castmates vomited with him “out of solidarity” after the “Zombieland” actor accidentally ingested pork.

“[One night] we had catered Chinese food, and Woody found out after about 20 minutes that he was eating pork,” said Wendt, 74, according to IndieWire. “And he decided to go purge. So I told him, ‘Out of solidarity, I will purge with you.’ And Ted said, ‘I’ll purge, too.’”

According to Wendt, the trio had a wonderful time puking.

During the panel, Danson, 75, also revealed that the entire cast attempted to haze the “Hunger Games” star.

“We were all, like, 37 when Woody, at age 25, joined us, and it was like, ‘OK, let’s kick his ass,’” joked Danson. “So we took him to the basketball court because we fancied ourselves pretty good basketball players — he killed us.”

After he then beat everyone in an arm wrestling competition, Danson and the others attempted to outsmart the actor in chess.

“Then we decided clearly we don’t have the physical edge. We’ll play chess,” the “Good Place” star continued, “and he killed us.”

The show’s producer, Glen Charles, also claimed that the Texas native was almost not cast.

“We were looking for a strong American boy with a Midwest background who comes to the big city and works at the bar,” said Charles. “We almost signed this gentleman, and our casting director came in and said, ‘I know you like this guy, but I want you to see somebody.’ And in walks Woody.” 

Charles said that even though the casting director wasn’t “right on the money,” there was something “so interesting” about Harrelson.

Danson was immediately taken with him.

The producer recalled that after meeting Harrelson, Danson said, “I know you think you got your guy, but there’s something I really like about this guy.”