User Reviews

Two characters that will appear at times are Fred Dryer and Harry Anderson. The first is an all-looks and little brain sports reporter and the second a magician/con man (who will appear in one of my favorite episodes later). Sam doesn't realize he is being lied to and has to deal with Diane's analyzing him. Here we see the beginning of attraction between the two of them.

If you've read the extensive IMDb trivia section for Cheers, you already know that Fred Dryer was the runner up for the part of Sam Malone. The writers created the part of Dave Richards as a consolation prize, and Dryer does a pretty good job of it.

Dave Richards isn't just a carbon copy of Sam, but it's clear why the producers suggested Ted Danson observe Dryer to see how an ex-athlete would act. Dave has the swagger and confidence we associate with Sam, combined with a Ted Baxter pomposity. It's not a simple as saying Dave is Sam if he never met Diane, but Dave is an inflated, more smug and (let's face it) stupider version of Sam.

This is actually a stealth "relationship" episode, and the most dramatic moments revolve around Sam & Diane, including their first (sort of) kiss. What's interesting is that it's clear that Diane is concerned for Sam's well being because she already likes him. She sincerely doesn't want to see him get hurt.

This episode introduces another character, Harry Anderson as Harry The Hat Gittes. As a kid I loved the kind of practical jokes/bets Harry pulls off here. Harry will become a more important character later in the season, but that's for another episode...