Airdate: 2/18/88
Evan Drake (now becoming a semi-regular on the series) has
his house painted by Norm, who offers the chance to see the millionaire’s
bedroom to Rebecca, who gleefully accepts. Only hitch – Drake’s back from his
trip to Europe early, trapping Rebecca in his closet and evicting Norm so he
can get some desperately needed slumber. Of course, the closet door creaks so
she can’t escape; only Norm can be her savior, and he exploits every
opportunity, and hatches every crackpot scheme in the book, to try and devise
an exit plan for the poor girl. Finally, after making a complete fool of himself
by carrying Drake across his lawn (a second time), Norm succeeds – although his
dignity sure takes a beating. Subplot: Sam exploits information about one of
Frasier’s patients – that she’s sexually turned on by men dancing – asking her
out as if he were the second coming of Fred Astaire. Only problem is he’s got
the wrong one – she’s a pyromaniac, and she’s in Sam’s apartment alone – and
likely a book of matches.
And the broad bedroom antics keep a’ coming, almost as if
the writers received a visit from the muse of Three’s Company. Norm’s endless array of schemes and Rebecca’s
crafty physical maneuverings are nothing short of… hilarious! (Even though the
situation could be easily rectified if Norm returned to oil the hinges.) Hey,
the beauty of Cheers is that it’s so
artful in both the cerebral and slapstick realm of comedy, often mixing the two
like a painter blends pigments. And speaking of painting, it looks like this is
Norm’s main job now – a clever, unpredictable idea, lending itself to a host of
possibilities – like having sole access to people’s houses!
Subplot highlight is clearly the sight of Sam limbering up
and pirouetting in front of a baffled young woman.
Cold open: Cliff vows silence so Carla will stop insulting
him, Sounds like a plot startup that never materialized.
Norm’s opener: Woody: “Can I pour you a draft, Mr.
Peterson?” Norm: “A little early, isn’t it, Woody?” Woody: “For a draft?” Norm:
“No, for stupid questions!”
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