Title: Bar Wars
Directed by: James Burrows
Written by: Ken Levine and David Isaacs
Air Date: March 31, 1988
Previous: Slumber Party Massacred
Next: The Big Kiss Off
Guest Starring: Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Desidero, Wade Boggs, Al Rosen
"Bar Wars" is the 23rd episode of the sixth season of Cheers.
The gang is celebrating the two-year anniversary of their triumph at bowling against Gary's Olde Towne Tavern, in Season Four's "From Beer to Eternity". It seems that this is the only time that Cheers has triumphed against Gary's, with the Olde Towne Tavern having a record of 173-1. They call Gary's to taunt them, only to realize soon after hanging up the phone that someone from Gary's stole the bowling trophy. They eventually get it back—broken.
The war is on. Rebecca initially tries to broker a peace deal, but after Gary sends some fake rat exterminators over to Cheers, she joins the war with a vengeance. A series of pranks ensues that culminates with a guest appearance from none other than Boston Red Sox superstar Wade Boggs.
Robert Desidero was the second of two different actors to play Gary. The Bar Wars became a once-a-season event for the rest of the run of Cheers.
Tropes:
- As Himself: Wade Boggs appears as himself.
- Batman Gambit: Gary's final prank involves his understanding of the psychology of his enemies. He sends the real Wade Boggs over to Cheers to sign autographs, knowing that the paranoid Cheers game will think it's a trick and throw Boggs out. As Frasier says once the truth dawns, "He got us to get ourselves."
- The Cameo: Wade Boggs makes the mistake of coming over to Cheers to sign autographs.
- Continuity Nod: Reference is made to Cheers beating Gary's at bowling two years ago.
- Cross-Referenced Titles: Starting with this one, every subsequent episode that focused on the rivalry with Gary's Olde Towne Tavern would have "Bar Wars" in the title.
- Cycle of Revenge: The format of every "Bar Wars" episode, in which the two bars would go through a cycle of pranks.
- Do Not Adjust Your Set: Carla hacks in to the cable at the Olde Towne Tavern, so instead of watching the boxing championship fight, Gary and company see a video of Cliff and Norm talking about poetry.
- Escalating War: The format of all the "Bar Wars" episodes. Steal a bowling trophy...replace the champagne glasses at Gary's with dribble glasses...put a flock of sheep in Rebecca's office...
- Once a Season: The battles with Gary, which, after a prelude in Season 4, would happen once per season in Seasons 6-11.
- A Round of Drinks for the House: Rebecca offers this in a desperate effort to keep the customers from leaving after Gary's fake exterminators show up at Cheers and start talking loudly about rats.
- Shout-Out: Carla trusts Eddie to be faithful when he's touring with the ice show, but she's also taking him to see Fatal Attraction.note
- Sitcom Arch-Nemesis: Gary's Olde Towne Tavern, the cooler, hipper bar that always beats Cheers at everything.
- Your Costume Needs Work: The gang decide that Wade Boggs is a Wade Boggs impostor, and they rob him of his pants.
