Norm Peterson - Casting and Creation

Casting and Creation

In the original script of the 1982 pilot, "Give Me a Ring Sometime", there were no Norm Peterson (contrary to beliefs that Norm is an original character). George Wendt and John Ratzenberger originally auditioned for the same role, George Wendt was hired. George was Diane Chambers's first customer, appeared at the end of this episode, could not bear her long explanation of becoming a waitress, and had only one line consisting of only one word: "Beer!" The writers expanded Wendt's role, and the character evolved into Norm Peterson, the first onscreen customer to enter the bar and who " Diane rather than the other way around". Show co-creator Les Charles stated that the character was based on a frequent customer he met in a bar when Les was its bartender during college.

Meanwhile, Ratzenberger suggested to the producers that a know-it-all character should be added, resulting in Cliff Clavin.