Ep 10. The Bar Stoolie
- TVPG
- December 5, 1985
- 25 min
-
7.3 (539)
Sam Malone is the proprietor of Cheers, a Bostonian bar frequented not only by neighborhood locals but also by Boston's most eccentric characters. His romantic counterpart is Diane Chambers, an intelligent and sophisticated woman with a questionable past. The show's cast includes Carla Tortelli, a sarcastic waitress with a brood of children; Norm Peterson, a regular patron with a love for beer and a fondness for barstools; and Cliff Clavin, a mailman known for pontificating about trivial facts.
In season 4 episode 10, titled "The Bar Stoolie," Norm is on the verge of losing his job at the accounting firm, causing him to become increasingly agitated and paranoid. Things only worsen when a man named Victor Grazzini starts frequenting Cheers and sitting in Norm's beloved bar stool.
Norm begins to fear that Victor is a corporate spy sent by his company to gather information about him. He enlists the help of Cliff, who prides himself on being an expert in all things trivial, to investigate Victor's background. Meanwhile, Diane becomes enamored with Victor's charming personality and intellect, much to Sam's chagrin.
As the episode progresses, Norm's suspicions about Victor become increasingly outlandish and irrational. He goes to great lengths to try to discover Victor's true intentions, including following him home and recording his conversations with a hidden tape recorder.
In the end, it is revealed that Victor is not a spy at all, but rather an old friend of Diane's from graduate school. Norm is embarrassed by his behavior and apologizes to both Victor and Diane. However, it is revealed that Victor has ulterior motives of his own; he was actually trying to win Diane's heart by insinuating himself into her social circle.
Overall, "The Bar Stoolie" is a classic episode of Cheers that showcases the show's beloved cast of characters and their quirky personalities. The episode also touches on themes of paranoia, jealousy, and the lengths that people will go to in order to protect their sense of security.