Cheers 2.8: “Manager Coach”

Airdate: 11/24/83

Coach volunteers to be the new coach of a floundering little league team, and turns into a tyrant! Despite an improved record, no one on the team seems to be having any fun, and so Sam and Diane agree to talk to Coach to get him to cool his temperament. He gathers the team together and tells them a story – the wrong story – but turns back into Mr. Nice Guy, for the benefit of both the team and the bar.

Average episode, which means by Cheers standards it’s still pretty good. Fun to see a different side of coach. Funniest scene involves sublot: Carla attempts to breastfeed her newborn in front of everyone at Cheers, until they boo her out, calling the spectacle “indecent.” They then proceed to ogle women’s breasts in Playboy! An interesting topic, presented years before it became such a hot button subject.

Cold open: On the phone, Carla calms her baby with a rendition of “Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral,” which everyone at the bar joins in on.

Norm’s opener: Norm’s already at the bar. It’s actually Cliff who has the opening entrance here, announcing his raise.