Title: Call Me, Irresponsible
Directed by: James Burrows
Written by: Dan O Shannon and Tom Anderson
Air Date: April 13, 1989
Previous: The Gift of the Woodi
Next: Sisterly Love
Guest Starring: Bebe Neuwirth, Jay Thomas
"Call Me, Irresponsible" is the 20th episode of the seventh season of Cheers.
It's the second anniversary of Carla's marriage to Eddie, and Boston's surliest barmaid is giddy with anticipation as to what her man will do to celebrate the event, speculating an evening of wild romantic gestures. However, as the evening passes, there are no romantic gestures to be had. Eddie's a no-show, and Carla sees through Sam's attempt to convince her otherwise.
At the very end of the evening, a pissed-off Carla is about to storm home and make life hell for Eddie if and when he shows up, starting with destroying every photo of him she has, when Eddie calls. Turns out scheduling at the ice show was changed at the last minute. Her faith in her husband apparently restored, Carla calms down... then she takes Sam into the office and asks him whether he phoned Eddie to remind him of their anniversary, threatening him with the one power of the Lozupone family - any curse they make becomes true.
Meanwhile, everyone else at the bar is having a bet on the basketball game on the quiet, since gambling is meant to be illegal, and the Cranes have hired Norm to paint their unborn child's bedroom gender neutral colors.
The last appearance of Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec.
Tropes:
- The Alleged Car: Anthony Tortelli's car has no brakes, so he either parks it by swerving into hedges or just letting it run out of steam until he can stop it with his foot.
- Blatant Lies: Gambling? No, no-one's doing that. They're just playing a game. Oh, and incidentally, Norm's repaying Sam some money he owes him, apropos of nothing.
- Can't Get Away with Nuthin': Rebecca ultimately wins the betting pool, but is immediately caught out by a Boston cop who just happens to be in the bar, and has to pretend she's giving up the money.
- The Ghost: Anthony Tortelli gets a mention, and tosses a box down the Cheers stairwell, but doesn't put in an on-screen appearance.
- Given Name Reveal: How Carla sees through Sam's attempt to send flowers to her under Eddie's name. She knows his first name isn't actually Eddie, but Guy (pronounced, as she puts it, "geek").
- The Heckler: The opening gag has Sam meeting one from his pitching days.Marge: Say, aren't you Sam Malone?
Sam: Guilty as charged.
Marge: Small world. Marge Thornhill here. Don't you remember me?
Sam: Ah, boy, you know, I can't quite place the face. Where did we meet?
Marge: Oh well, we didn't actually meet, but I know you remember me. I went to every home game you ever played.
Sam: Ah, Marge, there are a lot of people up in the stands there.
Marge: Sure, but you got to remember me. I always sat behind first base, five rows up, remember? I used to get there early so that I could watch you warm up in the bullpen.
Sam: I'm sorry.
Marge: I know you couldn't forget this. (stands up) "HEY MALONE, YOU PITCH LIKE MY SISTER! WHY DON'T YOU GO HOME AND MAKE A DRESS?"
Sam: (delighted) Was that you? Well, how have you been? (to barflies) Guys, guys, I want you... (to Marge) Do the one where you say I couldn't get the ball across the plate if I drove it there in my car.
Marge: No, no, that was then, and this is now. By the way, I'm really sorry for all those shots I gave you over the years. No hard feelings?
Sam: No, of course not, it's all part of the game.
Marge: (toasts Sam with martini) You're a real sport, Malone. (sips martini and makes a face) YOU CALL THIS A MARTINI?! WHAT DID YOU USE FOR VERMOUTH, TURPENTINE?!
Sam: (admiringly to Norm) The great ones never lose it. - Parental Neglect: Frasier's idea of parental love and affection sounds... pretty danged robotic, consisting of love and affection delivered at regular intervals. Norm snarks that their child will probably come back to "thank" Frasier for that when they're grown up. Probably while he's asleep.
- Repeat After Me: Carla demands the entire bar repeat "I am a very stupid person" after Eddie calls her.
- Spiteful Spit: Carla not only tosses the flowers in the trash, she spits on them too.
- Unsportsmanlike Gloating: Woody indulges in it when he's apparently won the betting pool. Sam has to inform him to stop if he wants to stay alive past the evening, but the gang get just as irritated by his lack of gloating as well. When Rebecca wins, she's even more ungracious.Rebecca: READ 'EM AND WEEP, FARMBOY!
- What Kind of Lame Power Is Heart, Anyway?: According to Carla, her family have no real skills, no real talent, but one: Any curse they make becomes real. She tells Sam if he's lying about having given Eddie a head's up, his tongue will swell up. Sam is dubious, until Carla leaves the room...
- Yank the Dog's Chain: The evening is a long string of yanking for Carla, as it becomes apparent Eddie isn't going to show up and isn't going to make any sort of romantic gesture.
- Your Mom: After finding out that Cliff's mom sent him $5 for his birthday, Norm starts making jokes about how Ma Clavin is sending him love letters.
