Is this bar slide trick shown on Cheers real or a visual effect?
In the Cheers episode "Endless Slumper" (S01E10)" there are a couple of scenes where Sam (Ted Danson) displays a bar slide trick where he is able to curve the glass around the corner of the bar. The scene where he first demonstrates this can be seen below. Its actually really quite amazing.
My question is, is this a real trick? Is he actually able to curve a glass like that or was there some kind of visual or special effect in play to make it do that?
Best Answer
Practical effect
Funnily enough, the answer is the fourth comment on the YouTube link you posted. This comment links to Ken Levine's blog (Cheers screenwriter) describing how this trick was performed.
This is referring to the “Endless Slumper” episode of CHEERS from season one, written by Sam Simon and directed by James Burrow. I’ve included the video of the show. Well worth watching the whole thing.
Anyway, here’s how Jimmy and his crack crew did it:
A thin clear plastic filament was attached from the corner of the bar to the handle of the mug. Ted slid the mug. As it reached the elbow the filament tugged at the handle and swung it around the counter. Needless to say, the studio audience went nuts. Physics -- a comedy writer's best friend.
http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-we-did-that-cool-stunt-on-cheers.html
Pictures about "Is this bar slide trick shown on Cheers real or a visual effect?"
Is the Cheers bar slide real?
Anyway, here's how Jimmy and his crack crew did it: A thin clear plastic filament was attached from the corner of the bar to the handle of the mug. Ted slid the mug. As it reached the elbow the filament tugged at the handle and swung it around the counter.Did Sam Malone ever drink on Cheers?
A person's character. Sam worked as a relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox before joining Cheers. As a recovering alcoholic and a womanizer, Sam has a lot to be ashamed of. before he stopped drinking and holds on to the bar because of its sentimental value.How do you slide glass in a bar?
Stand parallel to the bar, at arm's length away, wrap your hand around the bottom third of the glass and in a smooth, sweeping motion. Gently push the glass towards your pal with little or no spin to keep the flight path on point.Why do bartenders slide drinks?
The bartender slides the cup, mug or shot glass across the bar to a patron. Sometimes, the patron may fail to catch it and it falls off the bar, revealing that he has never visited a bar before. Variations include: Sliding other items and/or objects directly into somebody's hand across a bar or other flat surface.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Isabella Mendes, ELEVATE, Maria Orlova, ELEVATE