For a lot of people, Cheers ended the time that Shelly Long left for the final time. And that’s fair, but for me the show didn’t really get started until Kirstie Alley walked through the door. No, I’m not saying Alley is so amazing that she saved the show. But when the Sam/Diane stuff was gone it meant that the rest of the cast were brought up and used more. I love the episodes after Diane left.
As an experiment of sorts I went back and watched every episode from that first one that began Season six. I wanted to catch up on what I had missed (I never watched regularly) and see what I had forgotten. And I discovered on simple thing–man this show is funny! And well written! It’s no shock it lasted as long as it did. So here are my ten favorite episodes from that era on the show. And since no show is perfect, we’ll do a few I hated also.
#10.One for the Road
The series finale and I did a whole article on it so feel free to find out mote there. I think the series finale, while not perfect, went out on a high note.
#9.The Stork Brings a Crane
This is the episode where Lilith and Frasier have their baby, but all the fun stuff happens during the first half when Rebecca tries to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cheers. Even inviting the real life mayor to appear. It doesn’t end well.
#8.Bar Wars VII: The Naked Prey
The stunt that Gary makes the guy do when they lose is a little, to much, but the way that the Cheers gang finally beats Gary in the end is very well done.
#7.Heeeeeere’s… Cliffy!
While the episode Cliff appears on Jeopardy is memorable, I don’t thing it works on several levels. It’s badly paced and not believable. This one is a bit stronger, as Cliff believes he has sold a joke to Johnny Carson. To bad the rest of the gang at Cheers have hardly anything to do.
#6.Death Takes a Holiday on Ice
The reasons that Jay Thomas was cut from Cheers aren’t that nice, but at least they gave his character a decent send off.
#5.Bar Wars
No it’s not just because Red Sox legend Wade Boggs appears as himself. This is first “real” Gary’s Olde Town tavern episode and manages to be really funny. With the best gags in any of the “Gary” episodes. And it’s nice to see, as Carla points out in a later episode, how Gary manages to make the bar form into a cohesive group.
#4.Cheers Has Chili
Pitting Rebecca and Sam against each other doesn’t always work. Here is one that does, when Rebecca tries to turn the pool room in to a tea room. I like how the B story of Woody making Chili is actually integral to the A plot for once.
#3.Bar Wars VI: This Time It’s for Real
I love the Halloween episode where everyone helps Gary play a gag on Sam. But I love even more this follow up which turns out to be a plan by Sam to get hsi revenge on his friends for there Halloween stunt. It’s so satisfying to see Sam really does have a head on his shoulders.
#2.Where Have All the Floorboards Gone?
How could I not love an episode which not only features Kevin McHale but actually had scenes filmed at the old Boston Garden? And McHale does a decent job at acting here when bar trivia about floorboards consumes him!
#1.The Little Match Girl
I’m not sure why I love this episode so much. It’s as atypical an episode you’re gonna get. When Rebecca burns down the bar and the characters basically have to deal with it. Especially with that scene where Sam yells at Rebecca. And I guess that explains why I like it, it’s a real character episode. No hijinks, No B story, no new characters walking in and stealing the episode. It’s just the main characters we love interacting off each other. I said before I loved the friendship Sam and Rebecca developed and it’s really apparent in this episode.
And since no show is perfect, here are five episodes I did NOT care for. And of course, this is opinion of if you liked them that’s cool.
Woody or Won’t He
Woody is pursued by Kelly’s mother. It’s as icky as it sounds! Even worst is the ludicrous B story of Cliff spending the whole episode off camera stuck on a mechanical bull.
Executive Sweet & One Happy Chappy in a Snappy Serape
I’m listing these for the most part in broadcast order, but my friends this is the worst episode(s) I’ve ever seen of this show. This was right after the writer’s strike and it really shows. Rebecca is sexually harassed, Sam is send to Mexico for no reason and stays–until Rebecca gets him back at gunpoint!, and the little perp Martin Teal has no comeuppance. It’s bad.
Cheers Fouls Out
Probably the worst of the Gary episodes, and I can’t help wonder if Kevin McHale’s later appearance was to make up for this awful one.
Honor Thy Mother
A Carla episode which you can tell will be bad from the first line of dialogue. It’s boring (we don’t care about her family!) and ends with a gag involving Sam which borders on..disturbing.
Get Your Kicks on Route 666
This isn’t the worst episode, but it is kind of a bore. What ruins it is the final gag which is not only cliche, it makes Norm look like a huge jerk! Some shows can get away with a gag like that that one, Cheers not as much.
Agree? Disagree? Comment and let me know. Cheers was one the best shows ever made and always will be. Maybe next year I should go back and watch those first five seasons, the Diane shows were classics after all and I have a lot of catching up to there too!
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