Title: Fools and Their Money
Directed by: James Burrows
Written by: Heide Perlman
Air Date: December 19, 1985
Previous: Don Juan Is Hell
Next: Take My Shirt...Please
Guest Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Al Rosen
"Fools and Their Money" is the 12th episode of the fourth season of Cheers.
Woody, despite not knowing all that much about football and not even paying attention to the point spreads, has shown a knack for winning the Cheers Sunday football pool. The gang encourages him to find a bookie and make a parlay bet, which requires betting on a series of games and getting them all right, but offers a handsome payoff. Woody thinks this is a great idea, but when he decides to bet $1000—his entire savings—the guys are shocked. When Woody insists on making his bet, Sam makes a rash decision.
In the B-plot, Frasier (making his first appearance since episode 4-5, "Diane's Nightmare") still can't get over Diane. He invites her to go away on a vacation with him, and when she doesn't, he resorts to ruthlessly insulting her intelligence.
Tropes:
- Bait-and-Switch: The gang is trying to talk Woody out of betting a thousand bucks on an NFL parlay. Frasier intercedes in the conversation.Frasier: Excuse me. I've been observing what's been going on over here and I have something to say....Do you realize that in the course of the evening, Diane has made 17 errors in the areas of grammar etiquette and statement of fact?
- Grammar Nazi: A seething Frasier spends the whole episode nitpicking Diane's grammar after she refuses to go out with him again.
- Hit Me, Dammit!: Sam's guilt is so much that Woody being a Nice Guy about it after Sam admits his mistake just makes it worse.
- Knows a Guy Who Knows a Guy: The gang discuss contacting a bookie so Woody can place his NFL bet.Sam: I got a friend who's got a friend who's got a friend...
Woody: And he's a bookie?
Sam: No, but his friend is. - No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Woody makes a very risky parlay bet and puts his whole life savings on the line. Sam, trying to look out for his young friend, holds on to Woody's money and doesn't place the bet—and naturally, the parlay hits. Sam looking out for his buddy costs Woody $10,000.
- Well, Excuse Me, Princess!: Frasier seems to want to encourage this dynamic between Diane and himself—presumably thinking it's a turn-on for her. It leads to her storming off, and Frasier inevitably invokes the trope:Frasier: Oh! Well, I'm so sorry to disappoint you, Miss "God's gift to men!"
