CHEERS: FIFTY-FIFTY CARLA (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about a group of regulars at a Boston bar. In this episode, Woody prepares to audition for a part at his theatre company, and Robin and Frasier fall into a dramatic-monologue competition as they advise him. Later, Woody reveals that he has been cast in the chorus of "Hair," but refuses to believe that the musical contains a famous nude scene. Carla tells the others that her late husband Eddie's will has finally been read and that she received far more than his other wife Gloria did and even stole the woman's coat, but when Gloria arrives, she agrees to split everything fifty-fifty with her, as Eddie had very little of note anyway. Woody discovers the truth about the show's explicit nature and, on Frasier's advice, takes to working in varying states of undress, trying to get accustomed to being naked in front of others. Sam is surprised to notice that Carla and Gloria are becoming friends, comparing them to Cliff and Norm, though Norm seems thoroughly disinterested when his drinking buddy undergoes minor surgery. Carla is then stunned to learn that she is to receive $50,000 from Eddie's accidental-death insurance policy and is elated at the sudden windfall. The others remind her that she promised to split everything with Gloria, but she distracts them by buying several rounds of drinks and tries to pretend that she does not feel bad about it.
Woody heads off to the "Hair" dress rehearsal, encouraged by Frasier, and Carla experiences physical manifestations of her guilt, especially when Gloria shows her excessive kindness. Sam sends Woody a rather underwhelming present for his opening night and Frasier and Norm attend the show, but Woody is highly distressed when he turns out to be the only person onstage who goes through with the nude scene. Carla tries to find ways to ignore her guilty feelings and tells Sam that Gloria has a "fiendish plan" to drive her crazy by being nice to her, believing that she secretly knows about the money. When Gloria arrives and offers to finish her shift for her, Carla finally breaks down and hysterically confesses the truth, handing over Gloria's share of the insurance payout, of which Gloria was in fact unaware. Carla realizes that her feelings of guilt have dissipated, and she and Gloria immediately return to their usual contentious relationship. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: March 8, 1990 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:70689
- 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
- Cheri Eichen … Co-Executive Producer
- Bill Steinkellner … Co-Executive Producer
- Phoef Sutton … Co-Executive Producer
- Tim Berry … Producer
- Andy Ackerman … Co-Producer
- Mary Fukuto … Associate Producer
- David Lloyd … 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 Tortelli
- John Ratzenberger … Cast, Cliff Clavin
- Woody Harrelson … Cast, Woody Boyd
- Kelsey Grammer … Cast, Frasier Crane
- George Wendt … Cast, Norm Peterson
- Roger Rees … Cast, Robin Colcord
- Anne DeSalvo … Cast, Gloria
- Steven Devorkin … Cast, Murray
- Michael Holden … Cast, Joe
- Peter Schreiner … Cast, Pete