Buzz
In 1990, viewers across America were introduced to the charming island of Nantucket through Wings—a comedy series centered around two pilot brothers running a small airline. As we mark the 20th anniversary of its finale, here are 13 intriguing details about this Emmy-nominated show.
1. WINGS SHARES A UNIVERSE WITH CHEERS AND FRASIER.
The connection between Wings and Cheers is no accident. Created by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee—who also worked on Cheers—the show shares a universe with both Cheers and Frasier. While not a direct spinoff, Wings included appearances by beloved characters like Rebecca Howe, Norm Peterson, Cliff Clavin, and Frasier and Lilith Crane.
2. GEORGE CLOONEY ASPIRED TO PLAY BRIAN HACKETT.
Before his breakthrough role as Dr. Doug Ross on ER, George Clooney auditioned for the part of the charming and carefree Brian Hackett. Other contenders included David Duchovny and Hank Azaria, but the role ultimately went to Steven Weber.
3. BRYAN CRANSTON AUDITIONED FOR JOE HACKETT.
Before becoming Walter White, Bryan Cranston tried out for the role of Joe Hackett, the meticulous owner of Sandpiper Air. Daniel Stern and Nick Cassavetes also auditioned, but Tim Daly secured the part.
4. TIM DALY ONLY CAME TO VALUE THE SHOW YEARS AFTER.
In a 2014 interview with The A.V. Club, Daly confessed, “Like many, I didn’t truly appreciate Wings until recently.” While he enjoyed filming and collaborating with talented individuals, he felt disheartened by the show’s lukewarm reception. “It wasn’t as trendy as Seinfeld or Friends, and it lacked a ‘hot’ reputation,” he said. Reflecting years later, he realized, “The show was fantastic! It’s hilarious, and we were really funny. I don’t know why we didn’t get the credit we deserved back then. Now, people see it as a classic, even if critics didn’t at the time.”
5. DALY’S SISTER, TYNE, IS ONE OF ONLY TWO ACTORS HONORED FOR THE SHOW.
Daly’s observation about the show’s initial reception holds weight. Despite its excellent acting and writing, Wings garnered only three Emmy nominations: one for Outstanding Makeup in 1996, and two in 1992 for guest stars Kelsey Grammer (as Frasier Crane) and Tyne Daly, Tim’s sister, for her single-episode role as Mimsy Borogroves.
6. THE CLUB CAR IS A REAL LOCATION.
The Club Car, a popular hangout for the Wings characters, is an actual place you can visit in Nantucket (during the season, of course), though the show didn’t film there.
7. TOM NEVERS FIELD IS REAL, BUT IT’S NOT AN AIRPORT.
Tom Nevers Field exists on Nantucket, but it’s a park, not an airport. For air travel, visitors use Nantucket Memorial Airport.
8. YOU CAN STILL FLY ON SANDPIPER’S PLANE.
The N121PP plane, featured in the show’s opening and closing credits, remains operational as part of Cape Air’s fleet. The airline’s slogan fittingly echoes the show: “We’re Your Wings.”
9. HELEN’S CHARACTER WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED FOR PERI GILPIN.
Helen Chapel, played by Crystal Bernard, was initially conceived as Helen Trionkis, a character of Greek descent, and intended for Peri Gilpin. “In the first draft, Helen was a dark beauty named Helen Trionkis,” David Lee revealed in 2010. “Peri Gilpin was our first choice, but [NBC President Brandon] Tartikoff felt she wasn’t ready to lead a series.”
10. TARTIKOFF LET THE PRODUCERS HANDLE HELEN’S ACCENT.
Despite being a native islander, Helen Chapel’s Southern accent stood out for a New Englander. “[Tartikoff] suggested Crystal and left us to explain the accent,” David Lee remembered. “We came up with a weak explanation that no one believed, and it was eventually dropped. I recall her meeting us the morning after nearly dying from a CO2 leak in her trailer during a movie shoot. That’s dedication.”
11. PERI GILPIN’S FRASIER ROLE HAS A WINGS LINK.
When Frasier debuted in 1993, Angell, Casey, and Lee successfully convinced the network of Gilpin’s leading potential. Her character, radio producer Roz Doyle, was named in honor of a Wings producer who passed away from breast cancer in 1991.
12. LOWELL’S CHARACTER WAS CRAFTED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THOMAS HADEN CHURCH.
Despite his lack of fame at the time, the creators of Wings designed the role of Lowell Mather, the quirky mechanic, specifically for Thomas Haden Church, who later became an Oscar nominee. In 1995, Church stated that he didn’t want to be forever typecast as Lowell, revealing that the character was inspired by Gordie Brown, a role he played in a single episode of Cheers.
13. JOHN RITTER PORTRAYED THE EX-HUSBAND OF HIS FUTURE REAL-LIFE WIFE.
In 1996, John Ritter guest-starred on Wings as Stuart Davenport, the ex-husband of Helen’s sister, Casey Chapel Davenport, played by Amy Yasbeck. The two actors later married in real life three years after their on-screen connection.
