So far as sitcoms go, no different long-running sequence has fairly the repute that Cheers has. Whereas exhibits like Seinfeld took a while to search out their approach, Cheers knew precisely what it was from the bounce and virtually by no means faltered thereafter. It’s about as good as any TV present ever was. And but, there are three — and solely three — Cheers episodes that downright suck. Right here they’re…
‘Sam Ahoy’
Cheers was actually a present about individuals sitting round, sipping beer and speaking, and its razor-sharp writing notably flourished inside these bar partitions. On the flip aspect, the present by no means labored fairly as properly when it ventured outdoors the bar into some far-fetched “journey.” The one outside-the-bar episode that suffers probably the most is “Sam Ahoy” from Season Eight, when Sam, Norm and Carla enter into a ship race on Robin’s boat (Robin, in the event you want a refresher, was Rebecca’s wealthy boyfriend performed by Roger Rees).
The entire contrived story about why Sam, Norm and Carla are racing Robin’s boat is weak sufficient, however then the episode turns into downright absurd once they discover a bomb onboard (the bomb is meant for Robin, who has been receiving dying threats). Particularly annoying is the “Abandon” operating gag with Norm and Carla. First, once they discover the bomb, they shout “Abandon ship!” solely to search out sharks within the water. Then it turns into “Abandon water!” Lastly, when Robin provides Sam cash to apologize for the entire ordeal, Sam refuses, however Carla and Norm run after Robin shouting “Abandon Sammy!”
The gag wasn’t humorous in any respect, and the entire episode simply sank like a stone.
‘The Reward of the Woodi’
The principle characters of Cheers had been all fantastically acted with all types of distinctive quirks and subtleties. There was, nonetheless, the occasional visitor star that hammed it up. Probably the most notable instance is Carla’s ex-husband Nick, however the supremely gifted Dan Hedaya makes the considerably cartoonish character work. Much less profitable is Jackie Swanson as Woody’s entitled, dim-witted girlfriend Kelly. The episodes primarily based on their romance had been normally forgettable, however one particularly is memorable for precisely the mistaken motive.
In “The Reward of the Woodi,” Woody writes a music for Kelly, and the lyrics are characteristically dumb, culminating in a bit the place he simply sings, “Kelly, Kelly, Kelly” time and again for what appears like eternally. The music is probably the most cringey, ear-wormy second in your complete sequence.
‘Bar Wars’
For those who had been a devoted Cheers watcher, you already know that there’s a rival bar close by referred to as “Gary’s Olde Towne Tavern.” The primary time they ignited their rivalry was in Season 4’s “From Beer to Eternity,” the place the Cheers gang bowled in opposition to Gary’s employees. It labored properly sufficient, however beginning in Season Six, as soon as a season — and twice in Season 10 — a prank battle would ignite between the 2 with all types of juvenile “hijinks” erupting between them. For a half hour, everybody on Cheers appeared to change into a baby with the outcomes at all times being much less humorous than they had been alleged to be. Truthfully, any of the “Bar Wars” episodes may take this slot, however I’m giving it to the very first one because it received this unfunny prepare rolling.
