Saturday, July 04, 2009

CHEERS: Rat Girl

Here's another one of my favorite CHEERS. David Isaacs and I won a WGA award for this one. Rat Girl. It has my favorite last line from any script we've ever written.





11 comments :

Kate said...

Oh my god. When I heard Carla's response to Frasier's "why would Lilith carry a dead rat in her purse?" I fell out of my chair laughing. This is still one of my favorite episodes.

Rory L. Aronsky said...

That's exactly how I feel about...vegetables, was it?

WV: bilill - A potential sex change patient who can't make up his mind.

Max Clarke said...

One of my favorite episodes, lots of great lines. I like the structure of the episode, too, the way the writers kept three stories going -the dead rat, Sam's efforts to pick up Paul's date, and Rebecca's interest in healthful food- then wrapped them up. Very smart. My favorite line may be Frasier's, "...I know, he was the CEO of General Motors!"

gilliebean said...

Oh yes! That was a very satisfying last line! Such a great payoff! I love how the three story-lines contributed to the theme in comedic and subtle ways. This is great writing!

Matt Bird said...

Great episode, Ken.

But seeing the still frames pictured here makes my blood boil! Two of them have one ad onscreen for "High School Reunion" and the third has TWO ads onscreen for "High School Reunion".

How does it make you feel to have those ads onscreen the whole time, obscuring your work?

Do the cable networks think the ads don't distract from the quality of the viewing experience? They do! Do they think that viewers won't be infuriated? I am!

Frankly, if they must leave an ad onscreen the entire time, I'd prefer they just put up an ad for Coke or Luckies. Who made up this rule that it was okay to run a 22-minute long advertisement, but only if it's a "house ad" for your own show? That only makes it worse, because you're running a 22-minute ad and no even paid you to run it!!

Ive said...

I was in my teens when I saw this the first time it was on and to this day whenever I see something gross I will dare a friend to kiss it.

playfull said...

This could have been a pilot – every character is introduced – and we instantly know them from just a few lines of dialogue. Nothing is wasted and no fat to trim. Excellent example of the sitcom format! I predict a great future for young Ken...

Rory L. Aronsky said...

I predict a great future for young Ken...

Great future? All he does is sit around yakking during ball games. ;)

bella said...

I grew up with Cheers. I have a vague recollection of the teaser ads before the show ever started. Wasn't it just the logo, a little tag line and the music? I just remember it peaking my 12 year old interest and once the show started, I was a faithful viewer every week.

They just recently started reruns again locally and I watch it every night before I go to bed. It's like an old friend I haven't seen in years, and I always get a tiny bit melancholy at the sound of the end credits music.

Thanks Ken.

Joe said...

Were I a needlepointy sort of man, and statistics clearly indicate I am not, I'd have the last line embroidered on a pillow or something.

Anonymous said...

Haha, I'm fully ten years late with my contribution, but here goes...

Channel 4 here in the UK is currently screening two Cheers episodes on weekday mornings.

Snag is, because they're going out at 7am, today's first episode lost Lilith's half-line: "... that THIS bastard threw in the trash!!!"

I hate needless c@*sorsh!p, I gotta get me the series boxset!

Really, ya ever met anyone whose day was ruined 'cos they heard the B word before the commute to work?

Couldn't ruin the show, though - Cheers rules!

Andy :)

andysword2003@yahoo.co.uk