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CHEERS: Rhea Perlman as Carla Tortelli, Woody Harrelson as Woody Boyd, John Ratzenberger as Cliff Clavin, Kirstie Alley as Rebecca Howe, George Wendt as Norm Peterson, (front, l-r) Ted Danson as Sam Malone, Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane

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The2023 Emmy Awardsdelivered on nostalgia with many cast reunions — and though producers accomplished a major feat with the number of stars they brought together, inevitably some actors had to miss out.

Woody Harrelson, for one, couldn’t make it for theCheerscast reunionat the award show that included other his costarsTed Danson,Kelsey Grammer,Rhea Perlman,John RatzenbergerandGeorge Wendt.

Emmys’ executive producers Jesse Collins and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay explained that the prolific actor’s absence was simply a scheduling conflict.

“Woody Harrelson couldn’t makeCheersbecause he’s in a play [calledUlster Americanin London],” Collins toldThe Hollywood Reporter.

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Woody Harrelson attends HBO’s “White House Plumbers” New York Premiere at 92nd Street Y on April 17, 2023 in New York City.

More unexpectedly,American Horror StoryalumConnie Britton— who had planned to take the stage withMurder HousecastmateDylan McDermott— had to cancel at the last minute because “she was on a job somewhere the weather wouldn’t allow her to make it.”

Collins added, “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.”

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Actors and cast of “Cheers” Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt speak onstage during the 75th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on January 15, 2024.

“Anthony, thank you for getting us all here,” said Danson, 76. “Ah, this feels so nice to be here in front of all of you, thank you.”

Ratzenberger, 76, asked: “Ted, don’t you just think about it as a long-overdue class reunion, huh? Being together brings back some great memories from show we’re all very proud of.”

ActressShelley Long, who playedDiane Chambers, was also missing from the tribute, as wasKirstie Alley, whodiedin December 2022 and was honored inthis year’s In Memoriam tribute.

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Other reunions featured on the broadcast includedGrey’s Anatomy,The Sopranos,Ally McBealandMartin.

According to Collins, producers also had early conversations “early on" about bringing together the stars ofFriends, butMatthew Perry’s unexpecteddeathat age 54 on Oct. 28 changed things.

“I can imagine, from their side, they’re mourning someone who was still very close to them,” she said. “I can’t speak for them, but we all have to respect that they were their own family. It was probably just a little too soon.”

source: people.com