CHEERS: SWEAR TO GOD (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about a group of regulars at a Boston bar. In this episode, Woody explains that he is an understudy in an original play about Moses, though sadly doubts that he will ever get onstage despite his hard work. Sam flirts with a pretty woman in the bar, Suzanne, but then receives a call from an ex, Denise, and decides to visit her in person. When he comes back, he is deeply disturbed and confesses to a highly amused Carla that Denise has had a baby and that he may be the father. He swears that he will be an involved parent if the child is in fact his, but desperately hopes otherwise and vows to God to abstain from sex for three months if he is not the father. He then receives a call from Denise and is extremely relieved to learn that he is off the hook, but when he immediately returns to Suzanne, Carla reminds him about his vow, urging him not to "mess with God." Sam tries to dismiss the promise as unimportant, but receives a scare when Woody barges into the bar dressed as a Biblical costume, and Carla tells him that it is a sign. Unnerved, Sam seeks advice from a priest about "his friend's" promise to avoid "sweets," but the father sees through his fable and admits that chastity is difficult, saying that there are no easy "tricks" and suggesting that Sam already knows the true answer.
Sam consults the Bible, looking for a loophole, but Carla tells him that there is no such thing. Woody excitedly rushes off to aid the ill Moses actor, and Sam confesses his troubles to Frasier, who suggests that he needs another outlet for his urges, such as piano. Rebecca is disturbed when Sam does not make his usual "sleazy remarks" to her, and Sam's desperation increases when the lovely Rachel surprises him at the bar and invites him to another romantic evening together. He gives in and leaves with her, and Carla observes that "the hound is loose," but he returns to Cheers and tells Carla and Frasier that he did not go through with it, as he discovered a Bible in the hotel room and felt that it was a sign from above. Carla and Frasier decide not to tell him that the Bible's presence was hardly a "miracle," and when Sam finds himself again tempted by Rebecca, Frasier ushers him onto the piano bench. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 3, 1988 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:70768
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1982-1993
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Glen Charles … Executive Producer, Created by
- Les Charles … Executive Producer, Created by
- James Burrows … Executive Producer, Created by, Director
- David Angell … Supervising Producer
- Peter Casey … Supervising Producer
- David Lee … Supervising Producer
- Bill Steinkellner … Producer
- Cheri Eichen … Producer
- Tim Berry … Co-Producer
- Phoef Sutton … Co-Producer
- Mary Fukuto … Associate Producer
- Tom Reeder … Writer
- Craig Safan … Music by
- Gary Portnoy … Theme Music by
- Judy Hart Angelo … Theme Music by
- Ted Danson … Cast, Sam Malone
- Kirstie Alley … Cast, Rebecca Howe
- Rhea Perlman … Cast, Carla LeBec
- John Ratzenberger … Cast, Cliff Clavin
- Woody Harrelson … Cast, Woody Boyd
- Kelsey Grammer … Cast, Frasier Crane
- George Wendt … Cast, Norm Peterson
- Eric Christmas … Cast, Father Barry
- Kim Johnston Ulrich … Cast, Rachel Patterson
- Shanna Reed … Cast, Suzanne Porter