Ep 14. What is... Cliff Clavin?

In the season 8 episode 14 of Cheers, titled "What is... Cliff Clavin?", the legendary Cliff Clavin becomes the star of his very own game show. Cliff's vast knowledge of trivia and his captivating personality have caught the attention of producers, who have created a new game show dedicated to his skills.

The episode opens with Cliff obsessively studying books and encyclopedias, preparing himself for his upcoming appearance on the game show. For weeks he has been tuning in to the show and aggressively competing with the contestants, answering questions before they can even press the buzzer. This intense preparation has left Cliff feeling invincible and ready to take on the game show's challenges.

As the day of the game show approaches, the Cheers regulars eagerly gather around the bar television to watch as Cliff competes. He starts off strong, flying through the questions with ease and confidently boasting about his abilities. But as the game progresses, the questions become increasingly difficult, and Cliff begins to struggle.

The tension in the bar grows as Cliff falters, getting question after question wrong. His confidence wavers as the competitors begin to pull ahead. The regulars, who were once cheering Cliff on, start to lose faith in his abilities, voicing their doubts and frustrations.

Despite the mounting pressure, Cliff refuses to give in. He digs deep into his knowledge base and begins answering the questions with renewed energy, determined to prove himself as one of the greatest minds in the game.

The climax of the episode occurs during the final question, where Cliff is asked to name the number of bolts and nuts used in the construction of the Normandy beachhead Mulberry harbors used during World War II. With the entire bar at the edge of their seats, Cliff recalls an obscure fact that he learned long ago, answering the question correctly and bringing the game to a tie.

The tiebreaker question is an intense moment, with both Cliff and his competitor answering incorrectly multiple times. Finally, Cliff manages to answer the question, correctly identifying the first American president to visit China - Richard Nixon.

The Cheers regulars erupt into cheers, lifting Cliff up on their shoulders in celebration. Cliff has truly proven himself as the trivia king, and his glory is celebrated by his friends and colleagues at the bar.

Overall, the episode is a heartwarming tribute to Cliff Clavin, one of the most beloved characters in Cheers history. It is a testament to the power of friendship, perseverance, and a deep love of knowledge and trivia. The episode is sure to delight Cheers fans old and new, reminding us of the glory days of this television classic.