1991-92: THE TENTH SEASON

Year-End Rating: 17.6 (4th place)

Although Sam and Rebecca indulge a sudden urge to become parents in the show's tenth season, it's Woody and Kelly who finally tie the knot in the season's grand finale. Les Charles, Glen Charles, and James Burrows continue to serve in their ongoing capacity as executive producers in season ten, when they are joined by fellow executive producers Cheri Eichen, Bill Steinkellner, and Phoef Sutton. Dan O'Shannon and Tom Anderson are supervising producers in the tenth season, which is produced by Tim Berry and co-produced by Dan Staley and Rob Long. Also returning to the show's masthead are creative consultants David Lloyd, Ken Levine, and David Isaacs and executive script consultant Bob Ellison.

221 Baby Balk    First Aired: September 19, 1991
Writers: Dan O'Shannon, Tom Anderson
Director: James Burrows
Guest Star: Bruce Wright

Prospective parents Sam and Rebecca seek pre-natal advice from Lilith and Frasier when they discover that the road to conception is somewhat rockier than anticipated.

222 Get Your Kicks on Route 666    First Aired: September 26, 1991
Writers: Dan O'Shannon, Tom Anderson
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Anthony Addabbo, Paul Willson

The guys embark on an ill-advised road trip; and Carla's cousin Frankie finds temporary employment at the bar.

223 Madame LaCarla    First Aired: October 3, 1991
Writer: Phoef Sutton
Director: Tom Moore
Guest Stars: Georgia Brown, Jeffrey Richman, Jim Brochu, Barry Zajac, Peter Schreiner

Carla is surprised to discover that her soon-to-retire mystic advisor has chosen the barmaid to serve as her successor in the fortune-telling trade.

224 The Norm Who Came to Dinner    First Aired: October 10, 1991
Writers: Dan O'Shannon, Tom Anderson
Director: Tom Moore
Guest Stars: Paul Willson, Peter Schreiner, Philip Perlman

Frasier and Lilith find themselves saddled with an unwanted house guest when Norm is laid low by a back injury while painting their living room.

225 Ma's Little Maggie    First Aired: October 17, 1991
Writers: Tracy Newman, Jonathan Stark
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Frances Sternhagen, Annie Golden, Paul Willson

Cliff's mother takes an unexpected shine to her son's girlfriend; and Rebecca's latest attempt to increase her fertility leaves Sam cold.

226 Unplanned Parenthood    First Aired: October 24, 1991
Writers: Dan Staley, Rob Long
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Jackie Swanson, Leah Remini, Josh Lozoff, Jarrett Lennon, Phillip Perlman, Paul Willson, Risa Littman, Thomas Tulak, Danny Kramer, Sabrina Wiener

Sam and Rebecca get a first-hand look at the harsh realities of parenthood when they babysit Carla's unruly brood; and Cliff volunteers to direct Woody's latest home movie.

227 Bar Wars V: The Final Judgment    First Aired: October 31, 1991
Writers: Ken Levine, David Isaacs
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Robert Desiderio, Rick Cramer, Paul Willson, Phil Perlman, Christopher and Kevin Graves

The gang wonders if the latest prank in their ongoing war with Gary's Old Towne Tavern might actually have scared arch-rival Gary into an early grave.

228 Where Have All the Floorboards Gone?    First Aired: November 7, 1991
Writers: Ken Levine, David Isaacs
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Kevin McHale, Lynn McHale, Glenn Ordway, Philip Perlman, Paul Willson, Tim Cunningham

The Boston Celtics' Kevin McHale is driven to distraction after the gang drags him into a barside debate over the number of bolts in the floorboards of the Boston Garden.

Basketball star Kevin McHale and his wife, Lynn, appear as themselves.

229 Head Over Hill    First Aired: November 14, 1991
Writers: Dan Staley, Rob Long
Director: John Ratzenberger
Guest Stars: Keene Curtis, Paul Willson, Jordan Lund, Ken Magee, Philip Perlman, Peter Schreiner

Sam accuses Carla of sleeping with the enemy after the randy barmaid enjoys a fling with John Allen Hill.

230 A Fine French Whine    First Aired: November 21, 1991
Writers: Dan Staley, Rob Long
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Jackie Swanson, Anthony Cistaro, Sonje Fortag, Jeff Heston, Paul Willson, Peter Foxon Miker, Nancy Arnold, Ron Ray, Bill Gratton

Woody is forced to put his engagement plans on hold while Kelly debates the wisdom of entering into a paper marriage with her French friend, Henri.

231 I'm Okay, You're Defective    First Aired: December 5, 1991
Writers: Dan Staley, Rob Long
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Paul Willson, Julie Lloyd, Donald Hotton, John Serembe, Rob Neukirch, Philip Perlman

Sam begins to doubt his own ability to deliver the goods when Rebecca returns from her fertility specialist with a glowing medical report.

232 Go Make    First Aired: December 12, 1991
Writer: Phoef Sutton
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Ric Coy, Gerry Gibson, Sharon Case, Stephen Preusse, Paul Willson

Sam and Rebecca re-evaluate their baby-making plans after they spend an eye-opening weekend at a honeymoon retreat.

According to Cheers producer Dan Staley, Sam and Rebecca's half-hearted run at parenthood was doomed well before the couple finally decided to throw in the towel at the conclusion of this episode. "Nobody liked that story arc," recalls Staley. "It was such a bizarre idea, that two people who weren't romantically involved would suddenly decide to have a baby together. It was hard to find the comedy in that situation--it just seemed like one of those ideas that might make sense in Hollywood circles, but went right over the head of everybody else in the country." Under the circumstances, it's hardly surprising that there was little debate over the producers' decision to jettison the storyline with this episode. "By that time," observes Staley, "it was obvious to everyone that the story arc wasn't going to work, so we just decided to end it there. It was over fast, but I still get chills thinking about some of those shows."

233 Don't Shoot . . . I'm Only the Psychiatrist    First Aired: January 2, 1992
Writer: Kathy Ann Stumpe
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Keene Curtis, David A. Levy, Steve Nevil, Harvey Evans, Paul Willson, Michael Holden, Philip Perlman, Richard Doran

Barber Woody bungles his attempt to give Sam a trim; and Norm and Cliff wreak havoc with Frasier's therapy group.

234 No Rest for the Woody    First Aired: January 9, 1992
Writers: Tracy Newman, Jonathan Stark
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Celeste Holm, Jackie Swanson, Richard Doyle, Sy Richardson, Paul Willson, Marc Epstein

Dead tired from working the graveyard shift, Woody practically has to be propped up for his first meeting with Kelly's grandmother.

Hollywood veteran Celeste Holm plays Grandmother Gaines.

235 My Son, the Father    First Aired: January 16, 1992
Writers: Dan Staley, Rob Long
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Keene Curtis, Josh Lozoff, Paul Willson, Philip Perlman, Neal Lerner

Carla is stunned when her son announces that he plans to enter the priesthood; and Cliff takes his stand-up act to a local comedy club.

236 One Hugs, the Other Doesn't    First Aired: January 30, 1992
Writers: Cheri Eichen, Bill Steinkellner
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Emma Thompson, Christopher and Kevin Graves, Paul Willson, Thomas Tulack, Danny Kramer, Edward Joseph Derham, Jonathan Daniel Harris, Jennifer Williams

Lilith is none too pleased when an old flame of Frasier's who has made good as a children's singer invites the psychiatrist and his family to one of her recitals.

Future Oscar winner Emma Thompson guest stars as the children's troubadour, Nanny Gee. The original material sung by Thompson's character was composed for the episode by Cheers musical director, Craig Safan, along with writers Cheri Eichen and Bill Steinkellner.

237 A Diminished Rebecca With a Suspended Cliff    First Aired: February 6, 1992
Writers: Dan O'Shannon, Tom Anderson
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Harry Connick, Jr., Raye Birk, Paul Willson, Jim Norton

Woody's visiting cousin finds himself hopelessly smitten by Rebecca; and Cliff protests the postal service's adoption of non-traditional uniforms.

Singer Harry Connick, Jr. guest stars as Woody's visiting cousin.

238 License to Hill    First Aired: February 13, 1992
Writers: Ken Levine, David Isaacs
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Keene Curtis, Paul Willson, Philip Perlman, Stephen Rowe, Frank M. Schuller, Lenny Citrano, Nancy Stephens, Robert Gossett, Ralph P. Martin

Rebecca struggles to placate a roomful of thirsty patrons after she discovers that the bar's liquor license has lapsed.

239 Rich Man, Wood Man    First Aired: February 20, 1992
Writer: Daniel Palladino
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Jackie Swanson, Jarrett Lennon, Vili Kraljevic

After spending a vacation in merrie olde England with Kelly, Woody returns to Cheers a changed man; and Sam shows no mercy when he agrees to act as Frasier's personal trainer.

240 Smotherly Love    First Aired: February 27, 1992
Writer: Kathy Ann Stumpe
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Marilyn Cooper, Wes Stern, Rebecca Staab, Fredd Wayne, Paul Willson

Frasier tries to convince Lilith to stand up to her overbearing mother; and Rebecca casts a dispassionate eye at Norm's bulging bar tab.

Lilith's domineering mother, Betty Sternin, is played by veteran stage actress Marilyn Cooper, whose long list of Broadway credits included starring roles in Woman of the Year, Brighton Beach Memoirs, and Broadway Bound, among many others.

241 Take Me Out to the Ballgame    First Aired: March 26, 1992
Writer: Kathy Ann Stumpe
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: John Finn, Anthony Starke, Paul Willson, Philip Perlman, Lance Slaughter, Michael Wiseman

Sam attempts a major-league comeback; and Frasier is in danger of winding up in the dog house after he misplaces Lilith's pet lab rat, Whiskers.

242 Rebecca's Lover . . . Not    First Aired: April 23, 1992
Writers: Tracy Newman, Jonathan Starke
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Harvey Fierstein, Jackie Swanson, Kirby Tepper, Peter Kelleghan, Ben Mittleman, Philip Perlman, Paul Willson, Joel Fredericks, Jana Robbins, Barry Zajac

Rebecca launches an ill-considered campaign to rekindle the very cold embers of an old high-school romance; and Sam mourns the loss of his stolen car.

Rebecca's high-school flame is played by Harvey Fierstein, the playwright and star of the acclaimed Broadway hit Torch Song Trilogy, which was later made into a film of the same name, with Fierstein reprising his leading role.

243 Bar Wars VI: This Time It's For Real    First Aired: April 30, 1992
Writers: Ken Levine, David Isaacs
Director: Rick Beren
Guest Stars: Harry Guardino, Senator John Kerrey, J.C. Quinn, Bari K. Willerford, Larry Brandenburg, Paul Willson, Larry Paulsen, Cleto Augusto

The Cheers gang wonders if the mysterious new owner of Gary's Old Towne Tavern might actually be an organized-crime boss.

Veteran actor Harry Guardino plays tough guy Frank Carpaccio. Also featured in a cameo role is U.S. Senator John Kerrey.

244 Heeeeeere's Cliffy    First Aired: May 7, 1992
Writers: Ken Levine, David Isaacs
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Johnny Carson, Doc Severinsen, Frances Sternhagen, Joshua Mostel, Paul Willson, Nicolas Mize, Angel Harper

Norm convinces Cliff that Johnny Carson plans to use one of the postman's one-liners on The Tonight Show, a bluff that backfires when Cliff books passage to Burbank to watch the taping.

Johnny Carson and Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen appear as themselves.

245 An Old-Fashion Wedding (one hour)    First Aired: May 14, 1992
Writer: David Lloyd
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Jackie Swanson, Milo O'Shea, Richard Doyle, Colleen Morris, Mark Voland, Daniel Gerroll, Richard Merson

Despite odds that seem hopelessly weighted in favor of disaster, best man Sam is determined to see that Woody and Kelly's wedding ceremony proceeds without a snag.