This episode succeeds purely because of performance. There is nothing funnier on this show to me than the deadpan of Bebe Neuwirth combined with the quirkiness of Kelsey Grammer. The strangest couple of the series, they are also the most convincing. The scene near the end of the episode where Frasier uses an extensive vocabulary to show off his "suave" sophistication and exuberant intelligence only emphasizes his social aloofness, a point emphasized by Lilith time and time again. No wonder Ludlow wants a hamburger.
Ok, ok, what am I talking about? Carla's best and brightest kid Ludlow shows an interest in the arts and sciences, a fact quickly picked up on by Frasier and Lilith -- who are both interested in learning how well they are with kids (to determine if they would be suitable parents). So they take Ludlow to an opera, an artsy movie, fancy restaurants, etc. This makes Carla jealous and somewhat lonesome. She wishes she could be a better (and more intelligent) parent for her gifted son.
Sam encourages Lilith and Frasier to take Carla out with them to one of the exclusive restaurants in town. Frasier is not so enthusiastic, but Lilith believes they owe it to Carla. So the four of them enter the restaurant.
It becomes clear in the course of the meal that Frasier is not "father material", at least in Ludlow's sense. His desire to be socially elite and sophisticated come at the expense of Ludlow's enjoyment. Lilith and Carla pick up on this instantly. Lilith chides Frasier (Bebe Neuwirth is just terrific in this scene) while Carla (maintaining subtlety despite her growing impatience) prods Ludlow to leave with her to have a hamburger. Ludlow soon agrees.
Frasier concludes that he is not meant to be a father -- oh, but too late! Lilith reveals she is pregnant. Nice closer. Although not a funny ending, it sure is a whopper of a revelation -- and it begins a long story arc of some of the best Lilith-Frasier moments on the series -- something I still think is some of the best comedy ever committed to television screens.
Truth be told, this is not the funniest episode and far from the best from this one-of-a-kind series, but the performances from Neuwirth, Grammer, and Perlman are fantastic and make this episode well worth the watch. And the friendly Cheers ribbing (this time at Rebecca) certainly prompts a few laughs. That's good enough for me.moreless
Episode Summary
EDIT
Lilith and Frasier practice their parenting skills on Carla's precocious six-year-old son.
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GUEST STAR
Jarrett LennonLudlow Tortelli
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GUEST STAR
Peter Henry SchroederMaitre d'
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GUEST STAR
Charles TachovskyWaiter
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Rhea Perlman
Carla Lozupone Tortelli LeBec
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George Wendt
Hilary Norman "Norm" Peterson
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Ted Danson
Sam "Mayday" Malone
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Bebe Neuwirth
Dr. Lilith Sternin-Crane (1986-1993)
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Shelley Long
Diane Chambers (1982-1987)
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Kirstie Alley
Rebecca Howe (1987-1993)
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
See All-
TRIVIA (3)
ADD TRIVIA-
During the opening scene, Rebecca is wearing the same outfit she wore at the end of the previous episode. "Golden Boyd"
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Response: Never assume TV time is the same as real time.
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Ludlow is said to be 6, yet he was conceived in 1985 and this is 1989!
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QUOTES (4)
ADD QUOTES-
Woody: What just happened? Cliff: You got smarter. Woody: So that's what it feels like.
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Cliff: it's sad to say that kids unaccepted by their peers really never learn how to get along with people in the big grown up world. Norm: Why is that, Cliff? Cause they keep boring everyone an driving them crazy with long speeches filled with meaningless statistics. Cliff: Yep! 63% of them live lives of quiet desperation. Norm: How about those who sit next to them?
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Frasier: Lud, that's Carla's son by Bennett Ludlow. He's a cute little tyke. Lilith: Carla, bore a son to Bennett Ludlow, the eminent psychiatrist and you're mentor?! Oh this is prime dish. I can't wait to tell the girls in the sleep disorder lab.
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Cliff: You know any female that rides around with Sammy in the car ends up going straight to bed with him. Rebecca: I've ridden in that car. Norm: Right. Rebecca: Well I didn't go to bed with him. Norm: Right and they always deny it afterwards.
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NOTES (2)
ADD NOTES-
This episode is the first appearance of Jarrett Lennon as Ludlow Tortelli, Carla's son by Frasier's mentor Bennet Ludlow.
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At the end of the episode Lilith tells Frasier she's pregnant.
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ALLUSIONS (1)
ADD ALLUSIONS-
Sam: So you still cramming that high-Q stuff in your head? Carla: Sammy I don't have any choice! Ever since Dr. Cyclops and Morticia started introducing Lud to all this culture crap it's like I don't have anything to talk to him about! Carla refers to Lilith as Morticia, the matriarch of the popular sitcom "The Addams Family." Bebe Neuwirth would later play Morticia Addams in a Broadway adaptation of "The Addams Family" starting in spring 2010.
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Cheers quality in the later years
03/30/1219
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Cast a Cheers Movie
03/30/126
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Long version of the theme song.
03/30/128
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other characters from Cheers that would be good spinoffs
03/30/1229
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Frasier
03/30/1219
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One for the Road, Part 3
S 11 : Ep 28
(23:27)
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One for the Road, Part 2
S 11 : Ep 27
(23:27)
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One for the Road
S 11 : Ep 27
Aired 5/20/93
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The Guy Can't Help It
S 11 : Ep 25
Aired 5/13/93
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