Title: For Real Men Only
Directed by: James Burrows
Written by: David Pollock and Elias Davis
Air Date: November 16, 1989
Previous: Death Takes a Holiday on Ice
Next: Two Girls for Every Boyd
Guest Starring: Bebe Neuwirth, Michael Currie, Jay Robinson, Melanie Kinnaman
"For Real Men Only" is the 8th episode of the eighth season of Cheers.
There are three different plots in this episode. In the first, one episode after the demise of Eddie LeBec in "Death Takes a Holiday on Ice", Carla is campaigning for the Bruins to retire his number, despite the fact that he wasn't a very good goalie. In the second, Rebecca once again has to throw a party for a Lillian Corporation executive, this time a fellow named Larry, who is pretty down in the dumps about being forced to retire. In the third, it turns out that Lilith is Jewish! This is relevant because it's time for little Frederick Crane to have his bris. Frasier, who doesn't subscribe to any religion, is more than happy to have Frederick circumcised—until it's time for the ceremony, when he freaks.
Tropes:
- Ambiguously Jewish: In previous episodes Lilith was shown celebrating Christmas ("Christmas Cheers") and eating shellfish ("I Kid You Not"). But now she's Jewish (like Bebe Neuwirth), and it's time for Frederick to have his bris.
- Bottle Episode: One of the rare non Season 1 instances where the Episode is set entirely in one set piece: the bar's counter.
- Circumcision Angst: Frasier freaks out and kidnaps Frederick from the bris, leading to a confrontation when he flees with the baby to the bar. At the end however it's Lilith who has to be carried out of the ceremony by Frasier.
- Conspicuous Trenchcoat: The trench coat that Frasier is wearing is made conspicuous by the large baby-shaped lump underneath it.
- Hates Being Nicknamed: Lilith on her son's behalf. Sam asks what her son's name is and she says "Frederick." Sam greets the baby with "Hey Freddy, Freddo, the Fredderman!" Lilith gives him an icy stare and says "Frederick."
- Reluctant Retiree: Larry is a worn-down sad sack middle manager who is being forced to retire because he's 65, even though he says he's got another 10-15 years left in him.
- Severely Specialized Store: With Larry's party a complete dud, Sam suggests a wet T-shirt contest. When Rebecca scoffs that you can't just conjure up a wet T-shirt contest to order, Sam says that yes you can, and he gives Rebecca the number of a business.Rebecca: Hello, is this Jiggly Party Queens?
- Suspiciously Specific Denial: When Frasier shows up wearing a trench coat with a baby-sized lump, he's asked how Frederick is after the bris. Frasier confidently replies that his son "is happy, healthy, and nowhere in the vicinity of this bar!"
