Cheers – “No Help Wanted”

Original Air Date: January 12, 1984
Directed by: James Burrows

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: Norm (George Wendt) continues to be unemployed until Diane (Shelley Long) suggests Sam (Ted Danson) hires him as his accountant.

Cat Cattle Call: At the beginning of the episode the gang in the bar is speculating on Norm’s current employment. It is rumored that he is currently scrubbing dishes at Melville’s Fish Emporium. Cliff (John Ratzenberger) points out that if that were the case there would be evidence to support it. At that moment Norm walks down the steps to the front door with dozens of cats chasing after him.

Cheers - No Help Wanted - cats running down stairs outside bar
Cheers - No Help Wanted - cats running down stairs outside bar animated gif

Norm manages to squeeze through the door without letting any of the cats in, but they continue to stream down the steps. “That proves it,” Sam states, “He’s either washing dishes at Melville’s or he’s driving a herd of cats to Dodge City.”

Cheers - No Help Wanted - Norm squeezing through door as cats run down stairs outside bar
Cheers - No Help Wanted - cats outside bar window

Norm finally admits he’s working in the fish house. Diane speculates that he must be depressed. “Last night I went home so depressed I almost jumped out my window. So many cats down there they would have broken the fall.” The cats are still milling around outside the window. “Those guys out there are only a scouting party.” Norm then growls at them.

Cheers - No Help Wanted - cats outside bar window
Cheers - No Help Wanted - cats outside bar window
Cheers - No Help Wanted - Norm yells at cats through bar window animated gif

Final Mewsings: Cats go where the fish smells are.

Many thanks to Stevie Holcomb for letting us know about the cats in this episode!

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