Cheers (TV Series) The Visiting Lecher (1989) User Reviews

The Visiting Lecher (#7.22)

[ComedyFan2010 · 8/10 · 6 June 2014]

Frasier's friend Dr. Lawrence Crandell comes over. He has been away from his wife for 10 months because of work and was celibate all this time. Now he comes on to Rebecca but nobody wants to believe her. She brings Sam to Dr. Lawrence Crandell's hotel room to prove it to him. But there is also a chambermaid Dr got for his date and a violinist. And then his wife comes and all 4 of them have to hide in the closet.

A pretty funny episode. This is why I like Rebecca way more than Diane. Diane was almost never funny. She was bearable most of the time but Rebecca is fun and in some episodes like this absolutely hilarious. Cheers got lucky by getting her

Not aged well

[andrewpanariello · 6/10 · 1 April 2019]

Boy this episode is not a good look in 2019. Although it had a lot of funny lines, it is very problematic now. The visiting doctor harasses and comes on to Rebecca, then spends the entire episode gaslighting her. Worse, every other character believes him instead of her because he is a famous, distinguished man. Even his wife, who should be suspicious, completely takes his side.

I Came On To You!

[Bolesroor · 6/10 · 1 May 2011]

Yikes. This episode is like some cocaine-powered, sugar-fueled fever dream. It's about as funny as a surprise punch to the stomach after drinking a day-old Luke-warm bottle of Yoo-Hoo. It's like taking a shower with your clothes on after you catch your girlfriend eating pizza with your Father. It's like sticking your finger in the electrical socket just to see the look on your four year-old's face as you sizzle and smolder. Maybe it's not that bad... but it's close.

As many of you might know this episode was originally written for John Cleese... he was supposed to reprise his role as Dr. Simon Finch-Royce from the Season 5 episode "Simon Says." Mr. Cleese- who won an Emmy for his first appearance- had committed to return- that's why the episode went into production in the first place. But then, at the last minute, he backed out, so the writers just changed the Doctor's name and re-cast the part. Remember when Sam and Diane keep bothering Cleese at his hotel? You'll notice the parallel story here, as Rebecca comes to the Doctor's hotel to get him to confess the truth.

There's no excuse for John Cleese not coming back. Let's take a look at some of the fine quality work he's done since refusing to come back to Cheers: George Of The Jungle, Rat Race, Shrek The Third, The Pink Panther 2, The Magic Pudding, and recurring guest appearances on "Third Rock From The Sun," and the obnoxious "Will & Grace." Well played, friend.

Anyway, John McMartin steps in as Dr. Lawrence Crandall, and the episode becomes some sort of sexual harassment practical joke, as Dr. Pervo does his best to bang Rebecca while hiding behind his role as author and therapist. The finale is a bit over-the-top, featuring a madcap farce and zany physical humor. Fabiana Udenio plays the voluptuous Chambermaid... this doll was Alotta Fagina in "Austin Powers" and Anna-Maria in "Summer School." She's the most luscious Italian goddess you'll ever see on film.

Am I being rough on this episode? Sure. I'm still angry at Cleese for backing out and this is a rather rough Season Finale, but when I watch "The Visiting Lecher" I still grin from ear to ear. This is the heart of a great run for the show, and even episodes like this are good enough to be called classics. See you in Season Eight!

GRADE: C

Marx Brothers Redux

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 30 August 2019]

I agree that Rebecca's plight, if evaluated in 2019, would seem extremely harsh. No one listens to her. That jackass psychologist deserves anything he gets. But it wasn't made in 2019. What it does is make for some of the most amazing sight gags I've seen. When the wife opens the closet door and out walk Sam, Rebecca, the Chambermaid, and a violinist, I just about fell out of my seat. I mean, not a word was spoken and it was so insane.

Bad way to finish the season!

[nowrozefarhan · 3/10 · 16 August 2021]

This episode was ewww. Worst. I mean,come on , it's a season finale and the writers couldn't come up with anything more than this?? And the topic was also sensitive: glorifying sexual harassment to some extent.

Also this episode shows Rebecca as a crazy person just because she's reluctant to get the truth out. Another glaring flaw is that Sam is shown to be unhelpful while Rebecca's needing him, which goes way off against Sam's personality. Overall so mamy things seem out of the place here.