Character Source Material: Cheers (TV Series, NBC)
Sam Malone was a former baseball player who owns and operates a bar named "Cheers" in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a charming ladies' man with a quick wit and a sarcastic sense of humor. Throughout the show, Sam is often at odds with the intellectual bartender, Diane Chambers, with whom he has an on-again, off-again romantic relationship.
He has a love of sports and a competitive nature that is rooted in his past as a former professional baseball player. He is also a ladies' man, often seen flirting with and dating women who frequent his bar, although he does have a softer side that he occasionally shows. He can be stubborn and has a bit of a temper, but ultimately he is a loyal friend to those he cares about.
Trait | Percentile | Trait Disposition |
---|---|---|
Neuroticism | 95.74 | High |
Agreeableness | 62.23 | Average |
Extraversion | 94.22 | High |
Conscientiousness | 1.14 | Low |
Openness | 4.44 | Low |
This section displays the detail item responses that were used to generate the above personality summary. The methodology for selecting the item responses for this fictional character involved using research from a generative artificial intelligence tool to summarize a descriptive response to a question related to each item. The research was reviewed and a judgement was made on the most appropriate response on that item. You can view an example script for collecting these responses (see: Script for Automated Five Factor Assessment)
Trait | Item | Item Response | Item Score | AI-Generated Research* |
---|---|---|---|---|
Openness | Do not have a good imagination. | Neither Inaccurate nor Accurate | 3 | Sam Malone has a good imagination, but he does not use it very often. He is capable of creating stories, jokes, or fantasies that are entertaining or amusing. He may also use his imagination to escape from his reality or to charm others. However, he does not use his imagination very often because he is more interested in his own pleasures or problems. He may also think that imagination is not very important or useful for his life. He may prefer to rely on his charisma and humor more than his creativity. |
Openness | Am not interested in abstract ideas. | Moderately Accurate | 2 | Sam Malone is not very interested in abstract ideas, but he may have some exceptions. He is usually more focused on his own life, his bar, his friends, and his romantic pursuits. He may find abstract ideas boring, irrelevant, or confusing. However, he may also show some interest in abstract ideas when they relate to something he cares about, such as baseball, love, or morality. He may also learn about abstract ideas from other people, such as Diane, Frasier, or Rebecca. He may not always agree with them or understand them fully, but he may respect their opinions or try to impress them. |
Openness | Have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. | Neither Inaccurate nor Accurate | 3 | He seems to have some episodes where he shows curiosity and insight, such as when he learns about philosophy from Diane, when he goes to night school to get his diploma, or when he appreciates art or music. However, he also has some episodes where he is more ignorant and superficial, such as when he confuses geography with geometry, when he dismisses Diane’s intellectual interests, or when he judges people by their appearance. Therefore, I would say that Sam Malone does not have difficulty understanding abstract ideas, but rather he has difficulty caring about them. He may be able to grasp complex concepts or appreciate different perspectives, but he often chooses not to because he is more interested in his own pleasures or problems. He may use his lack of understanding as an excuse or a joke, but he sometimes reveals that he knows more than he lets on. |
Openness | Have a vivid imagination. | Moderately Inaccurate | 2 | He seems to have some episodes where he shows creativity and originality, such as when he does a commercial, when he visits his old baseball team, or when he makes up stories to impress women. However, he also has some episodes where he is more realistic and pragmatic, such as when he deals with his alcoholism, when he runs his bar, or when he faces his personal problems. Therefore, I would say that Sam Malone does not have a very vivid imagination, but rather he has some moments of imagination when he needs to escape from his reality or when he wants to have fun. He may use his imagination as a coping mechanism or as a way to charm others, but he often relies on his charisma and humor more than his creativity. |
Neuroticism | Seldom feel blue. | Moderately Inaccurate | 4 | He seems to have some episodes where he is happy and confident, such as when he does a successful commercial, when he visits his old baseball team, or when he meets a new love interest. However, he also has some episodes where he is depressed and insecure, such as when he breaks up with Diane5, when he faces his alcoholism, or when he realizes he is a sex addict. Therefore, I would say that Sam Malone does not seldom feel blue, but rather he has frequent mood swings depending on his life circumstances. He may try to hide his sadness behind his charm and humor, but he often struggles with his self-esteem and his relationships. |
Neuroticism | Am relaxed most of the time. | Neither Inaccurate nor Accurate | 3 | He seems to have some traits that could indicate a calm personality, such as being outgoing, talkative, and sociable. He also deals with problems as they happen, such as his alcoholism and his relationship issues. However, he also has some traits that could suggest a less relaxed personality, such as being selfish, untrustworthy, and argumentative. He also faces a lot of stress and conflict in his life, such as running a bar, dealing with his ex-wife, and coping with his failed baseball career. |
Neuroticism | Get upset easily. | Moderately Accurate | 4 | There is some evidence that Sam Malone gets upset easily. He seems to be a sensitive and prideful person, who can get angry or hurt by the slightest provocation or criticism. He often gets upset by his relationships, his work, his finances, or his reputation. He also gets upset by other people’s actions, words, beliefs, or opinions, especially if they challenge or contradict his own. He does not seem to have a lot of patience or tolerance for himself or others, and he sometimes lashes out or sulks. Some examples of Sam Malone getting upset easily are:
However, Sam Malone is not completely irritable or unreasonable. He does calm down and get over his upset sometimes, or at least tries to hide it. He also shows some humor and grace when he faces challenges or difficulties. He does have some respect and affection for the people he loves, and he sometimes apologizes or forgives them. |
Neuroticism | Have frequent mood swings. | Moderately Accurate | 4 | There is some evidence that Sam Malone has frequent mood swings. He seems to be a volatile and emotional person, who can change his mood quickly and unpredictably. He often goes from being happy and confident to being angry and insecure, or from being calm and relaxed to being excited and restless. He also has mood swings depending on his relationships, his work, his finances, or his reputation. He does not seem to have a lot of stability or consistency in his life, and he sometimes reacts impulsively or irrationally. Some examples of Sam Malone having mood swings are:
|
Conscientiousness | Make a mess of things. | Moderately Accurate | 2 | There is a lot of evidence that Sam Malone makes a mess of things. He seems to be a careless and reckless person, who does not think about the consequences of his actions or words. He often makes a mess of his relationships, his work, his finances, and his reputation. He also makes a mess of other people’s lives, such as his friends, his employees, his customers, or his lovers. He does not seem to have a lot of respect or responsibility for himself or others, and he sometimes hurts or offends them. Some examples of Sam Malone making a mess of things are:
However, Sam Malone is not completely hopeless or malicious. He does try to fix the mess he makes sometimes, or at least apologize for it. He also shows remorse and guilt when he realizes he has done something wrong or hurtful. He does care about the people he loves, and he sometimes sacrifices his own happiness or interests for them. Some examples of Sam Malone trying to fix the mess he makes are:
So, I would say that Sam Malone makes a mess of things often, but he does try to fix them sometimes. He makes a mess when he acts impulsively or selfishly. He tries to fix it when he feels guilty or sorry. He has his own sense of what is right and what is wrong, which may not always align with those of others. He is not a very good role model, but he can be a good friend or a good bartender at times. |
Conscientiousness | Often forget to put things back in their proper place. | Very Accurate | 1 | There is not much evidence that Sam Malone remembers to put things back in their proper place. He seems to be a careless and messy person, who does not pay much attention to the order or cleanliness of his surroundings. He often leaves things lying around, such as his clothes, his papers, his bottles, or his dishes. He also does not care much about the appearance or maintenance of his bar, his car, or his apartment. He relies on his employees and friends to help him with the cleaning and organizing, such as Carla Tortelli (Rhea Perlman), Norm Peterson (George Wendt), Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger), or Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson). |
Conscientiousness | Like order. | Moderately Inaccurate | 2 | There is not much evidence that Sam Malone likes order. He seems to be a spontaneous and adventurous person, who likes to have fun and enjoy life. He does not like to follow rules or routines, and he often breaks or bends them to suit his needs or desires. He also does not like to be controlled or told what to do by others, such as his boss, his girlfriend, or his customers. He values his freedom and independence, and he does not like to commit to anything or anyone for too long. Sam Malone is not very organized or disciplined, either. He often neglects his duties as a bar owner and a bartender, and he relies on his employees and friends to help him with the chores, such as cleaning, stocking, accounting, and managing. He also avoids doing chores that he does not like or that he finds boring, such as doing his taxes, fixing the plumbing, or studying for his high school diploma. He does not seem to have a lot of ambition or motivation to improve himself or his business, and he is content with his lifestyle as a former baseball star and a local celebrity. However, Sam Malone is not completely chaotic or reckless. He does care about the bar and its patrons, and he sometimes shows initiative and leadership when it matters. For example, he organizes a boycott against a rival bar that tries to steal his customers, he defends the bar from a hostile takeover by a corporation, and he helps his employees and friends with their personal problems. He also takes pride in his bartending skills and his ability to perform the “bar slide” - sending a mug of beer at a 90-degree angle to a waiting patron. So, I would say that Sam Malone does not like order, but he does like some order. He likes order when it benefits him or when it makes him happy. He does not like order when it restricts him or when it makes him bored. He has his own sense of order and disorder, which may not always align with those of others. He is not a very good role model, but he can be a good friend or a good bartender at times. |
Conscientiousness | Get chores done right away. | Moderately Inaccurate | 2 | There is not much evidence that Sam Malone gets chores done right away. He seems to be a procrastinator and a slacker, who often neglects his duties as a bar owner and a bartender. He relies on his employees and friends to help him with the chores, such as cleaning, stocking, accounting, and managing. He also avoids doing chores that he does not like or that he finds boring, such as doing his taxes, fixing the plumbing, or studying for his high school diploma. Sam Malone is more interested in having fun and pursuing women than in getting chores done right away. He often uses the bar as a place to flirt, drink, gamble, and watch sports. He also spends a lot of time chasing after women, both inside and outside the bar. He does not seem to have a lot of ambition or motivation to improve himself or his business, and he is content with his lifestyle as a former baseball star and a local celebrity. However, Sam Malone is not completely irresponsible or lazy. He does care about the bar and its patrons, and he sometimes shows initiative and leadership when it matters. For example, he organizes a boycott against a rival bar that tries to steal his customers, he defends the bar from a hostile takeover by a corporation, and he helps his employees and friends with their personal problems. He also takes pride in his bartending skills and his ability to perform the “bar slide” - sending a mug of beer at a 90-degree angle to a waiting patron. So, I would say that Sam Malone does not get chores done right away, but he does get them done eventually, with some help from others. He is not very organized or disciplined, but he is not completely careless or indifferent either. He has his own priorities and values, which may not always align with those of others. He is not a very good role model, but he can be a good friend or a good bartender at times. |
Agreeableness | Am not interested in other people's problems. | Moderately Inaccurate | 4 | Sam Malone is not a very empathetic person, as he does not share or feel the emotions of others very deeply. He also has poor emotional regulation, as he often acts impulsively and irresponsibly. However, he is not completely indifferent to the problems of his friends and customers at Cheers. He sometimes offers advice or support to them, especially if it benefits him in some way. He also has a sense of humor and can make jokes about other people’s problems. One example of Sam Malone being interested in other people’s problems is when he helps Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson) deal with his girlfriend Kelly Gaines (Jackie Swanson) breaking up with him. Sam tells Woody his problem-solving system, which involves ignoring the problem, drinking a lot of beer, and finding another woman. Of course, this is not a very healthy or effective way of coping, but it shows that Sam cares about Woody and tries to cheer him up. Another example of Sam Malone being interested in other people’s problems is when he helps Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley) get over her obsession with Robin Colcord (Roger Rees), a wealthy businessman who cheated on her. Sam pretends to be Rebecca’s boyfriend and confronts Robin at a party, where he punches him in the face and makes a scene. This is partly motivated by Sam’s attraction to Rebecca and his jealousy of Robin, but it also shows that Sam wants to help Rebecca move on and regain her dignity. So, I would say that Sam Malone is somewhat interested in other people’s problems, but not in a very empathetic or compassionate way. He is more interested in his own problems and pleasures, and he often uses other people’s problems as an opportunity to flirt, joke, or manipulate. He is not a very good listener or a good role model, but he can be a good friend or a good bartender at times. |
Agreeableness | Am not really interested in others. | Very Inaccurate | 5 | No, Sam Malone is not a character who is portrayed as being disinterested in others. In fact, he is known for his outgoing personality and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. As the owner of Cheers bar, Sam interacts with customers on a daily basis and is often shown engaging in conversations with them. He is known for his charisma and charm, and he often takes an interest in the lives of those around him. Additionally, in his personal life, Sam is portrayed as a ladies' man who is confident and comfortable in social situations. Overall, Sam is a character who enjoys interacting with others and is not portrayed as being disinterested in their lives or experiences. |
Agreeableness | Feel others' emotions. | Moderately Accurate | 4 | Sam is portrayed as an empathetic and caring character who is able to pick up on the emotional cues of others. He is often shown to be perceptive and sensitive to the moods of his customers and friends at Cheers, and he is able to offer comfort and support when they are going through tough times. |
Agreeableness | Sympathize with others' feelings. | Moderately Accurate | 4 | Yes, Sam Malone is a character who can sympathize with others' feelings. While he is often portrayed as a confident and sometimes even arrogant character, he also has a kind and caring side. Throughout the series 'Cheers,' Sam has shown compassion and empathy towards his friends and customers who are going through difficult times. He is a good listener and often provides support and advice to those who need it. Additionally, Sam has a close relationship with the other regular characters on the show and is always there for them when they need him. Overall, while he may not always show it, Sam Malone is a character who can sympathize with others' feelings and is there to provide support when needed. |
Extraversion | Keep in the background. | Very Inaccurate | 5 | No, Sam Malone is not a character who prefers to stay in the background. In fact, he is often the center of attention and enjoys being in the spotlight. |
Extraversion | Don't talk a lot. | Very Inaccurate | 5 | No, it's not true that Sam Malone doesn't talk a lot. In fact, he is known for being quite talkative and engaging in conversation with many different people. Sam is a bartender and the owner of Cheers, a bar where he interacts with customers on a daily basis. He is known for his charisma and charm, and he often engages in witty banter and playful teasing with his regular customers and friends. Additionally, in his personal life, Sam is portrayed as a ladies' man who is confident and comfortable in social situations. Overall, Sam is a highly sociable character who enjoys talking and interacting with others. |
Extraversion | Talk to a lot of different people at parties. | Very Accurate | 5 | Sam Malone is a fictional character from the television series 'Cheers,' and he is known to be very sociable and outgoing. At the bar where he works, he interacts with a wide variety of people, including regular customers, newcomers, and occasional celebrities. At parties, it's likely that Sam would continue to be a social butterfly and engage in conversations with many different people. |
Extraversion | Am the life of the party. | Moderately Accurate | 4 | Sam is depicted as a former professional baseball player who owns and operates a bar named 'Cheers' in Boston. He is known for being charismatic, confident, and charming, and he often engages in flirtatious behavior with his customers. While Sam is certainly a central figure in the show's social scene, it would be inaccurate to say that he is always the life of the party. There are many other characters in the show who are equally entertaining and engaging, and the dynamic between the various characters is what makes the show so memorable. |