I Do, Adieu

"I Do, Adieu" is the fifth-season finale of the American television sitcom Cheers, written by Glen and Les Charles and directed by James Burrows.

Sumner Sloane (Michael McGuire), Diane's ex-fiancé who jilted her in the series pilot, surprisingly returns to Cheers.

Alone in the billiard room, Sumner tells Diane that he submitted one of her unfinished manuscripts against her will to one of his colleagues, who praised it and sent it to publishers, exciting her.

Moreover, Diane has not finished her novel but assures Sam that she has no regrets and that abandoning her talents does not affect their marriage and her happiness with him.

Now alone in the bar, Sam says in a monologue, "Have a good life", and then he fantasizes elderly versions of himself and Diane embracing and dancing.

The creators, in February 1987, decided to find a female lead replacement whose hair is not blonde and who does not resemble Shelley Long.

On December 15, 1986,[4] Shelley Long decided to leave Cheers as the regular character Diane Chambers, even though she and Ted "[had] done some really terrific work at Cheers", for her movie career and family,[5] while Ted Danson signed a contract for the next season (1987–1988), which led producers, the Charles brothers and Burrows, to separate Sam and Diane.

[9] Steve Giannelli is credited for his background appearance, and Walter Addison portrays the Justice of the Peace performing Sam and Diane's bar wedding.

[15] Monica Collins from USA Today called Diane a "snitty, selfish snob" and was relieved that the character left the series.

In 2005, David Hofstede in the guide 5000 Episodes and No Commercials and Jeffrey Robinson of DVD Talk found Diane's departure poorly done.