Cheers decadent old-money WASPs," but, to meet producers' demands, they rewrote the lyrics to be about "likeable losers" in a Boston bar. The show's producers rejected this song, as well. After they read the script of the series pilot, they created another song "Another Day". When Portnoy and Hart Angelo heard that NBC had commissioned thirteen episodes, they created an official theme song "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" and rewrote the lyrics. On syndicated airings of "Cheers", the theme song was shortened to make room for commercials. "Cheers" was critically acclaimed in its first season, though it landed a disappointing 74th
Daniel A. Portnoy Foundation, and numerous honorary keynote lectures. In 2013, Portnoy's contributions were recognized by his election to the National Academy of Sciences. In 2017, Portnoy became an Elected Fellow in the National Academy of Inventors. Dr. Portnoy has three children, Eleanor Sophie Portnoy (born 1996), Herschel Michael Portnoy (born 1999), and Anna Rose Portnoy (born 2001). His wife, Anna, is a conservation biologist. His father, Bernard Portnoy, M.D. (1929-2015) was a Professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases at USC; his mother, Roslyn Portnoy (born 1931) lives in Dana Point, CA and sister, Deborah Brown (born 1953) lives in Sherman Oaks, CA.