Cheers (season 9)

The ninth season of Cheers, an American television sitcom, originally aired on NBC in the United States between September 20, 1990, and May 3, 1991. The show was created by director James Burrows and writers Glen and Les Charles under production team Charles Burrows Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Television.

Cheers
Season 9
Region 1 DVD
StarringTed Danson
Kirstie Alley
Rhea Perlman
John Ratzenberger
Woody Harrelson
Kelsey Grammer
George Wendt
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes26
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 20, 1990 (1990-09-20) –
May 3, 1991 (1991-05-03)
Season chronology

Background

Cheers is a sitcom that started in 1982. Though it experienced early low ratings, the show became a part of mainstream culture. The sitcom is set in a Boston bar originally owned by Sam Malone, a retired baseball pitcher, but Sam sells the bar at the start of Season 6. Waitress Carla Tortelli, bartender Woody Boyd and manager Rebecca Howe, work at the bar and serve regular patrons Norm Peterson, Cliff Clavin and Frasier Crane. The show was a key part of NBC's "Must See TV" Thursday night lineup.

Cast and characters
Recurring characters

Episodes
Further information: List of Cheers episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1951"Love Is a Really, Really, Perfectly Okay Thing"James BurrowsPhoef SuttonSeptember 20, 1990 (1990-09-20)32.9[1]
Robin, returning from abroad and having realized that he loves her, finds Sam and Rebecca together in the office. They falsely convince Robin that they have not made love yet. Robin surrenders himself to authorities. The following day, Rebecca thanks Sam, who has become the bar manager again, about their time together, but then unenthusiastic Sam admits that the sex was not as great as he expected and tries to convince her that she still loves Robin. Angry, Rebecca assumes that he is implying about her being not great in bed and resigns from and then exits the bar. She returns to have her final paycheck corrected but also to apologize for storming out and to appreciate Sam's honesty and sincerity. As he assures her, Sam has great respect for their growing friendship, and the night they did together shall not affect it. After long delay, Sam and Rebecca try to tell the rest of the gang what actually happened that night, but the gang is not convinced.
1962"Cheers Fouls Out"
"Bar Wars IV"		James BurrowsLarry BalmagiaSeptember 27, 1990 (1990-09-27)28.4[2]

To beat Gary's Olde Towne Tavern in a $5,000-wager basketball game, Cheers acquires the Boston Celtics' Kevin McHale by claiming the game as a charity for orphans. Kevin eventually realizes the ruse and then relents when the Cheers gang does not want to risk losing their money. Kevin arranges the charity plan with a friend who is part of an orphanage's board of director. In the game, Kevin helps Cheers win by mostly scoring and then has a foot injury. After the game, a fake doctor sent by Gary (Joel Polis) falsely claims the injury to be more severe, prompting the gang to give the "doctor" $5,000 to cover the expense. Then, in contrast, Kevin appears walking healthily, so the gang realizes Gary's ploy. Gary is photographed with an oversized $5,000-check, Kevin, and a priest, devastating the Cheers gang.

Joel Polis and Robert Desiderio alternately reprise the role of Gary in other episodes. In this episode, Fraiser claims that both his parents are dead. However, his father Martin turns up alive in Frasier. The inconsistency is clarified in the episode "The Show Where Sam Shows Up".
1973"Rebecca Redux"James BurrowsStory by : Bill Steinkellner
Teleplay by : Phoef Sutton & Bill Steinkellner & Cheri Eichen		October 4, 1990 (1990-10-04)30.4[3]
Unable to secure another corporation job due to her relationship with Robin, Rebecca reluctantly becomes a model to test an automobile cleaning product against hazardous materials. Sam and Woody visit a car trade fair only to find Rebecca at her job and then rescue her. Sam, still unable to handle newly advanced office equipment, rehires Rebecca as his co-manager and then fires recently-hired Earl (Bryan Clark), whom everyone likes.
1984"Where Nobody Knows Your Name"Andy AckermanDan O'Shannon & Tom AndersonOctober 11, 1990 (1990-10-11)32.9[4]
When the press has not yet learned the name of Robin's true love, who has been the reason to give up his millions and then surrender himself, one of Robin's lovers Jeanne Marie Beaulier, a chargé d'affaires for a French consulate, falsely claims to be one, angering Rebecca enough to break a television and a billiard pool stick. Sam reluctantly visits Robin in prison on Rebecca's behalf to discuss Jeanne Marie. Robin corrects the press but still leaves his true love anonymous by having her described as "some Boston bar manager". Jeanne Marie still receives media attention. To placate Rebecca, Sam uses his past baseball career to exemplify how fame is not as "great" as it appears. Meanwhile, Boston's heat wave causes Carla to have an estrous cycle, prompting her to lock herself in the bar office. When Carla's tries to unlock the door, everyone evacuates from the bar.
1995"Ma Always Liked You Best"Andy AckermanDan O'Shannon & Tom AndersonOctober 18, 1990 (1990-10-18)31.7[5]
When Cliff denies Ma Clavin (Frances Sternhagen), who returns from her flight trip, a stay at his apartment, Woody lets Ma Clavin move into Woody's apartment, much to Cliff's chagrin. Woody and Ma Clavin increasingly bond. Then Woody and jealous Cliff challenge for Ma's affection, despite Ma's efforts to help them settle their differences. Meanwhile, Rebecca denies construction workers free beers and stops Sam from bribing them, causing the workers to slack off on constructing a trench outside the bar entrance. Norm reconstructs one of the bar's windows in the billiard room as an alternative entrance. While testing the results, he becomes stuck in the narrow gap of a modified window security. Rebecca has the police try to rescue Norm without avail. She becomes arrested when she tries bribing the police to excuse the lack of a building permit.
2006"Grease"James BurrowsBrian Pollack & Mert RichOctober 25, 1990 (1990-10-25)29.9[6]
Norm is devastated about the planned destruction of the Hungry Heifer. Inspired by Frasier's advice to take action, Norm petitions to save the Hungry Heifer, resulting in at least one hundred signatures. As it turns out, the Hungry Heifer is the only building on the city's eastern seaboard with "a giant red-eyed steam-snorting bull" and has a potential to become "a roadside landmark", leading to "a temporary injunction" halting the destruction. The place's owner Sid Nelson (Sheldon Leonard), wanting to retire with money from developers, becomes outraged and attempts to burn the place down. Norm stops Sid and refuses to continue the crime on his behalf. A while later, Sid has an employee do so instead. Meanwhile, Robin is sentenced to community service picking up refuse along the highway. Rebecca still insists her love for Robin, whom the gang has mocked.
2017"Breaking in Is Hard to Do"Andy AckermanKen Levine & David IsaacsNovember 1, 1990 (1990-11-01)33.2[7]
Rebecca receives Robin's explicit love letter and is unable to write such letter. Carla and Rebecca visit the prison holding Robin. Carla distracts the inmates amid one of them's birthday party. Rebecca tries to seduce Robin. However, he tells her that he will be paroled the following month or risk another year in prison if he does not abide the prison's restrictions on intimacy between prisoners and visitors. Rebecca leaves the prison devastated. Meanwhile, Frasier and Lilith are distraught over baby Frederick's "average" intelligence. In effort to trigger Frederick's higher intelligence, the Cranes decide to spend more time with him. Lilith has trouble setting up one of his diapers. Frasier takes him to the bar against her wishes, infuriating her. When Norm makes one of his signature entrances, Frederick shouts his first word, "Norm!" (normally used by bar mates), shocking everyone. Lilith happily mistakes it as "Mommy!"
Special8"Cheers 200th Anniversary Special"
James Burrows & Andy AckermanCheri Eichen & Bill Steinkellner & Phoef SuttonNovember 8, 1990 (1990-11-08)45.9[8]
A special recap of the first 199 episodes of Cheers, hosted by John McLaughlin, includes discussions with the cast (including former cast member Shelley Long), writers and directors of the series.
2029"Bad Neighbor Sam"James BurrowsCheri Eichen & Bill SteinkellnerNovember 15, 1990 (1990-11-15)34.1[9]
Melville's new restaurateur, John Allen Hill, reveals ownership of the area behind the bar's hallway, including its billiard room and restrooms—which was previously Melville's basement—per title deed but lets him use the area. Then Hill gives Sam more demands, like moving Sam's red Chevrolet Corvette out of Hill's parking space. Sam parks the same space again, prompting Hill to have the Corvette towed away. In response, Sam no longer allows Melville's and its customers, who predominate the bar one night while they await their tables, to use the stairs between Cheers and Melville's. In vengeance, Hill has the brick wall built the following week to block the hallway and the area behind it. Unable to win the battle, Sam reluctantly gives Hill rent money to regain access to the area. Hill then announces having the Corvette re-impounded for parking on a fire lane, affecting Sam's sanity. Meanwhile, Woody sees possibly a man's thumb in one of pictures of his girlfriend Kelly in Paris. Jealous, Woody accidentally dials a phone number of a chocolatier from Belgium, but Frasier purportedly mis-translates by falsely identifying an older French cleric, placating Woody.
20310"Veggie-Boyd"James BurrowsDan Staley & Rob LongNovember 22, 1990 (1990-11-22)29.1[10]
Woody tastes the Veggie Boy juice and finds it "disgusting", making him unhappy about appearing in its commercial. To make Woody like the juice more, Frasier puts Woody under hypnosis. The juice is discovered to be discontinued, devastating still hypnotic Woody. Meanwhile, Cliff is upset over "trivia napkins" receiving more attention and possibly outclassing him. Cliff tries to force bar mates to decide between the napkins and him. When they almost turn their backs on him, Cliff suggests having himself and the napkins co-live as an alternative, which everyone raves.
20411"Norm and Cliff's Excellent Adventure"James BurrowsKen Levine & David IsaacsDecember 6, 1990 (1990-12-06)32.7[11]

As one of their manipulations on others, Norm and Cliff pretend to be a credit card company claiming that a credit card used by Frasier to pay for drinks was reported "stolen". Sam destroys the card, causing a rift between Sam and Frasier. Feeling guilty, Norm and Cliff admit the scheme and then, as punishment, surrender their own credit cards, which are to be destroyed by Woody on Sam's behalf. Meanwhile, Woody repeatedly buys items from a shopping channel, making him shopaholic.

NOTE: This episode is dedicated to Al Rosen, who played Al in the show.
20512"Woody Interruptus"James BurrowsDan Staley & Rob LongDecember 13, 1990 (1990-12-13)33.8[12]

Kelly brings Henrí (Anthony Cistaro) with her to Boston after a trip to France. Unbeknownst to her, his plan is to steal her away from Woody, who in turn becomes jealous and worried. Hoping to improve the relationship, Woody takes Kelly out to a cheap motel, suggested by Sam, for premarital sex. However, Carla arrives to stop them and tells them that making out in the same motel, where she got pregnant at age sixteen as claimed, is a bad idea for their precious love. Then the couple decide to save their moment for the right time, while Carla occupies the room in order to seduce Henrí. Meanwhile, Cliff tells his friends that he plans to freeze his head after death, but they mock him and his plans. Cliff, Frasier, and one of Frasier's colleagues pull a prank on the other patrons by bringing a box with a frozen head to the bar, which turns out to be only a microcassette in a metal box. In return, Frasier, Norm, and Paul pull a counter-prank on Cliff by pretending to have Norm alive yet decapitated.

This episode marks Anthony Cistaro's first appearance as recurring character Henrí.[13]
Awards: Outstanding Directing - Comedy Series (Emmy Awards, 1991);[14] Outstanding Directing - Comedy Series (Directors Guild of America Awards, 1990)[15]
20613"Honor Thy Mother"James BurrowsBrian Pollack & Mert RichJanuary 3, 1991 (1991-01-03)38.6[16]
Carla refuses the family naming tradition, as it would result in her new son being named Benito Mussolini. Woody's plan to issue free coupons for Cheers backfires.
20714"Achilles Hill"Andy AckermanKen Levine & David IsaacsJanuary 10, 1991 (1991-01-10)36.3[17]
Woody brings in a foosball table, but Carla believes that it is evil. Sam begins dating Hill's daughter to get back at Hill. Guest star: Valerie Mahaffey
20815"The Days of Wine and Neuroses"James BurrowsBrian Pollack & Mert RichJanuary 24, 1991 (1991-01-24)32.3[18]
Part 1 of 3. Robin proposes to Rebecca shortly before he is released from prison, but Rebecca gets drunk because she has doubts. Frasier becomes obsessed with a karaoke machine.
20916"Wedding Bell Blues"James BurrowsDan O'Shannon & Tom AndersonJanuary 31, 1991 (1991-01-31)32.7[19]
Part 2 of 3. On the morning of her wedding, Rebecca finally realizes that she only loves Robin for his money, and he leaves with $6 million that he had hidden under her desk drawer. Guest appearance by Bobby Hatfield of the Righteous Brothers.
21017"I'm Getting My Act Together and Sticking It in Your Face"Andy AckermanDan Staley & Rob LongFebruary 7, 1991 (1991-02-07)31.5[20]
Conclusion. Two days after the canceled wedding, Rebecca is still locked in her office and then leaves town. When she returns, Sam sees an opportunity. Fraiser tries to get the gang interested in the works of Charles Dickens.
21118"Sam Time Next Year"James BurrowsLarry BalmagiaFebruary 14, 1991 (1991-02-14)31.9[21]
Sam has a date with an old valentine (Barbara Feldon) but injures his back when he slips down the stairs outside Cheers. Guest appearance by Michael Dukakis.
21219"Crash of the Titans"James BurrowsDan Staley & Rob LongFebruary 21, 1991 (1991-02-21)33.3[22]
Sam and Rebecca try to buy the bar's poolroom and restrooms from John Allen Hill. In the end, Rebecca pays for the majority of the cost, in exchange for part ownership of Cheers.
21320"It's a Wonderful Wife"James BurrowsSue HerringFebruary 28, 1991 (1991-02-28)35.9[23]
After Vera takes a job at Melville's, Norm looks for a new bar. Lilith has professional photos taken for Frasier's birthday.
21421"Cheers Has Chili"Andy AckermanCheri Eichen & Bill Steinkellner & Phoef SuttonMarch 14, 1991 (1991-03-14)30.3[24]
Rebecca turns the poolroom into a tea room and starts selling Woody's chili there after Sam dares her to make $500.
21522"Carla Loves Clavin"James BurrowsDan Staley & Rob LongMarch 21, 1991 (1991-03-21)28.8[25]
With the Miss Boston Barmaid contest held at Cheers, Sam is upset because the rules have changed, Carla enters to win a new car and Cliff is one of the judges. Rebecca hires Norm to paint Sam's office.
21623"Pitch It Again, Sam"James BurrowsDan O'Shannon & Tom AndersonMarch 28, 1991 (1991-03-28)30.8[26]
Sam is invited to pitch to Dutch Kincaid, an old nemesis, at Yankee Stadium. Woody becomes attached to a dog that Cliff found.
21724"Rat Girl"James BurrowsKen Levine & David IsaacsApril 4, 1991 (1991-04-04)33.4[27]
Sam strikes out with a girl who prefers Paul, Rebecca goes on a healthful-eating kick and Lilith has an unhealthy obsession with her dead lab rat.
21825"Home Malone"Andy AckermanDan O'Shannon & Tom AndersonApril 25, 1991 (1991-04-25)27.7[28]
Rebecca hires Kelly to work in the bar. Sam runs into trouble when he babysits the Cranes' son Frederick.
21926"Uncle Sam Wants You"James BurrowsDan Staley & Rob LongMay 2, 1991 (1991-05-02)31.3[29]
Sam becomes obsessed with Frederick and begins to wonder about becoming a father. Elvis Presley: Pete Willcox

Accolades

In the 43rd Primetime Emmy Awards (1991), this season won four Emmys: Outstanding Comedy Series of 1990–1991, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Kirstie Alley), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Bebe Neuwirth), and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (James Burrows).[30]

References
  1. Donlon, Brian (September 26, 1990). "CBS has its eye on first". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  2. Donlon, Brian (October 3, 1990). "NBC wins; CBS still surprises". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  3. Sloan, Eugene (October 10, 1990). "NBC tops in ratings, barely". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  4. Sloan, Eugene (October 17, 1990). "For CBS, baseball's a grounder". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  5. Donlon, Brian (October 24, 1990). "CBS slides easily into first place". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  6. Donlon, Brian (October 31, 1990). "CBS, no longer the long shot". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  7. Donlon, Brian (November 7, 1990). "NBC wins with fewer viewers". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  8. Donlon, Brian (November 14, 1990). "'Cheers' sweeps up for NBC". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  9. Donlon, Brian (November 21, 1990). "ABC pulls past CBS in sweeps". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  10. Donlon, Brian (November 28, 1990). "ABC's 'It' confirms competitors' fears". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  11. Donlon, Brian (December 12, 1990). "ABC wins a sub-par week". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  12. Donlon, Brian (December 19, 1990). "St. Nick can't lick TV lull". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  13. Bjorklund 2008, p. 415
  14. Bjorklund 1993, p. 462. "Emmy Nominations and Awards."
  15. "DGA Awards History". Directors Guild of America. Archived from the original on October 31, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  16. Donlon, Brian (January 9, 1991). "ABC News' winning streak ends". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  17. Donlon, Brian (January 16, 1991). "NBC wins with season best". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  18. Donlon, Brian (January 30, 1991). "ABC super-bowls over its rivals". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  19. Donlon, Brian (February 6, 1991). "Where are the dominant series?". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  20. Donlon, Brian (February 13, 1991). "A good Friday fuels ABC win". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  21. Donlon, Brian (February 20, 1991). "CBS mines past and hits gold". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  22. Donlon, Brian (February 27, 1991). "NBC has a week of ratings ups and downs". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  23. Donlon, Brian (March 6, 1991). "CBS gains ratings speed". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  24. Donlon, Brian (March 20, 1991). "Basketball sinks CBS". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  25. Sloan, Eugene (March 27, 1991). "'60 Minutes' is top hour again". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  26. Donlon, Brian (April 3, 1991). "Oscar wins big for ABC". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  27. Sloan, Eugene (April 10, 1991). "'Cheers', NBC rack up wins". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  28. Donlon, Brian (May 1, 1991). "'Switched' sweeps the week". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  29. Donlon, Brian (May 8, 1991). "Sweeps lure straying viewers". Life. USA Today. p. 3D.
  30. "CHEERS". Television Academy. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
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