CHEERS: FATHER KNOWS LAST (TV)

Summary

One in this comedy series about a group of regulars at a Boston bar. Carla is visibly pregnant, and although it is obvious to everyone else they are afraid to talk to Carla about it. Diane spurs them to reach out and give Carla support. Finally Sam confronts Carla about her pregnancy and she officially reveals it for everyone, who act as though they are surprised. She explains that she wanted to tell the father before anyone else, and notes that she wants the child despite the fact that she is unmarried and already has four children of her own. Carla claims that the father is Marshall Lipton, an M.I.T. professor, who enters the bar to join Carla. Sam and Diane lead everyone in a toast to the new couple, although Carla goes into the back room to lie down for a while. Diane discovers from Marshall that the circumstances of his one date with Carla were quite brief, and that Carla didn't speak to him again until the previous day, when she told him about the pregnancy. Diane becomes suspicious and goes into the back to speak with Carla. Diane confronts Carla and says that she realizes that Marshall is not actually the father of her child. Carla admits this and says that a few months ago she was having a miserable day when she was visited by her ex-husband Nick on what would have been their anniversary. They got to reminiscing, and soon found themselves having sex. Diane is incredulous as to how Carla could allow herself to sleep with Nick despite her hatred of him, but Carla points out that despite his attitude Nick is adept at seducing her. Diane correctly guesses that Carla realized that Nick wouldn't provide for her child and so she seduced Marshall in order to convince him that the child was his and get him to support her. Diane is disgusted by Carla's scheme, but Carla responds that she is finding it too difficult to raise her children by herself and wants help. As Carla and Diane return from the back room, Diane relates the story of the Telltale Heart, about a murderer haunted by the sound of his victim's heartbeat. The moral she tries to get across is that "you can never escape your conscience," and to drive her point home she follows Carla around making exaggerated heartbeat sounds. Marshall tells Carla that he intends to re-draft his will to include Carla's children as his beneficiaries, and Carla is surprised and touched at this gesture. Soon Carla feels guilty enough to tell Marshall the truth, spurred by Diane's remarks about her conscience. While Carla is in the back with Marshall, Diane tells Sam that Nick is the father of Carla's child. Marshall tries to leave the bar but Sam takes him into the back with Carla and tries to convince him that if he stays with Carla and her family he'll experience real happiness. However, Marshall remains unconvinced and leaves. Sam leaves Carla alone in the back and everyone feels terrible about what has happened to her. Diane gets the idea to take up a collection to help Carla care for her child, and that Cheers could "adopt" the child and help to raise him. Carla comes out and they give her their collection money, and she is very appreciative of their kindness. The episode ends as Diane gets into the spirit of things and leads everyone in the bar in a rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" as Carla walks out of the bar. Commercials deleted.

Details

NETWORK: NBC
DATE: January 20, 1983 9:00 PM
RUNNING TIME: 0:24:07
COLOR/B&W: Color
CATALOG ID: B:70764
GENRE: Comedy
SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Bars; Boston
SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1982-1993
COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

James Burrows … Producer, Director, Created by
Glen Charles … Producer, Created by
Les Charles … Producer, Created by
Ken Levine … Co-Producer
David Isaacs … Co-Producer
Tim Berry … Associate Producer
Heide Perlman … Writer
Craig Safan … Music by
Judy Hart Angelo … Theme Music by
Gary Portnoy … Theme Music by
Ted Danson … Cast, Sam Malone
Shelley Long … Cast, Diane Chambers
Nicholas Colasanto … Cast, Ernie "Coach" Pantusso
Rhea Perlman … Cast, Carla Tortelli
John Ratzenberger … Cast, Cliff Clavin
George Wendt … Cast, Norm Peterson
Mark King … Cast, Marshall Lipton
Jack Knight … Cast, Jack
Herb Mitchell … Cast, Tom
Mary Ellen Trainor … Cast, Mary