Each Big Slick ends with ‘Cheers’ song. It’ll be loud this year for George Wendt
It’s become tradition at the end of the Big Slick Celebrity Weekend party for the local organizers and their famous celebrity guests to stand together on stage and sing the theme song to “Cheers.”
The audience sings along, because who doesn’t know the words to one of TV’s most iconic songs?
Sometimes you wanna go
Where everybody knows your name
And they’re always glad you came
You wanna be where you can see
Our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows your name.
The Big Slick crowd has reason to sing louder this year.
On Tuesday, beloved “Cheers” star George Wendt, a Big Slick supporter from its first year and uncle to co-host Jason Sudeikis, died peacefully at home. He was 76. The news hit the Big Slick family hard.
“We are deeply saddened to lose a member of our Big Slick family, George Wendt — beloved actor, comedian, friend, family man… and forgiving Big Slick umpire,” the charity event posted on its Instagram.
“George stood with us on stage at the very first Big Slick in 2010 and again last year in 2024, where he stole the show performing a remake of his iconic ‘Superfans’ sketch alongside his nephew, Jason Sudeikis.
“He always generously gave his time, and he never failed to make us laugh. Over 15 years and $25 million raised for Children’s Mercy, George — alongside his family: Jason, sister Kathy and brother-in-law Dan — was a constant presence and passionate supporter of this event.
“George, we were so lucky to know you. You will be forever missed. Cheers.”
“Oh man. George was everyone’s favorite face to see in KC,” comedian and Big Slick regular Samm Levine (“Freaks and Geeks”) wrote on Instagram. “He was like the Big Slick Godfather. We’re gonna sing the Cheers theme song extra loud this year for him.”
The event takes place next week, May 30 and 31.
Levine was named to the guest list Wednesday along with newcomer Bill Glass (“St. Denis Medical”) who plays self-help coach Dr. Rick in those Progressive commercials where he teaches new homeowners how not to become their parents.
Comedian Martin Starr (“Silicon Valley,” “Freaks and Geeks”) and actor Richard Kind (“Spin City,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Only Murders in the Building”) will return this year, too.
Here’s the guest list so far:
- Becky Ann Baker, actor, “Girls,” “Freaks and Geeks,” returning guest
- Dylan Baker, actor, “The Good Wife,” “Spider-Man 2.” returning guest
- Philip Bowen, fiddle player, returning guest
- David Cook, Blue Springs native, singer, returning guest
Chris Daughtry, singer, “American Idol,” returning guest
Jay DeMarcus, Rascal Flatts, new guest
- Fortune Feimster, comedian, returning guest
Will Forte, actor, “Saturday Night Live,” “The Four Seasons,” returning guest
- Anthony Hill, KC native, actor, “Grey’s Anatomy,” returning guest
- Travis Kelce, KC Chiefs tight end, returning guest
- Johnny Knoxville, actor, stunt man, returning guest
Darren Leader, drummer, Steel Panther, new guest
Kendell Marvel, songwriter, new guest
- Patrick Mahomes, KC Chiefs quarterback, returning guest
- Kat McNamara, KC native, actress, returning guest
Curt Menefee, longtime FOX NFL Sunday host, returning guest
Logan Mize, Kansas native, country singer, returning guest
James Murray, “Impractical Jokers,” returning guest
Tom Pestock, KC native, former WWE star (Baron Corbin) now TV chef, returning guest
- Kevin Pollak, actor, comedian, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” returning guest
Brian “Q” Quinn, “Impractical Jokers,” returning guest
- Adam Ray, comedian, new guest
- Andy Richter, comedian, new guest
- Al Roker, “Today Show” co-host, returning guest
Robert Smigel, actor, voice of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, “Happy Gilmore 2,” returning guest
- Kenan Thompson, “Saturday Night Live,” new guest
- Sarah Tiana, comedian, writer, returning guest
Blake Vogt, illusionist, returning guest
Sal Vulcano, “Impractical Jokers,” new guest
Sudeikis co-hosts with Eric Stonestreet, Heidi Gardner, Paul Rudd, Rob Riggle and David Koechner. The weekend includes two main events.
The Big Slick Celebrity Classic Softball Game will take place on the main field at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, May 30, before the Royals play the Detroit Tigers. Everyone with a Royals ticket can watch the softball game, which begins at 5 p.m.
The Big Slick Party & Show, the weekend’s main event, is Saturday, May 31, at T-Mobile Center. The raucous event includes musical performances, skits and an auction for big-ticket items.
Tickets, starting at $75, are available at bigslickkc.org or T-MobileCenter.com.
This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM.
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