Cheers: The Complete Second Season

If the second round of Cheers isn't quite as intoxicating as the first, it is perhaps because it was more fun to watch Sam and Diane hook up rather than break up. Their volcanic sexual tension was more entertaining than the "violence and hostility" that scars their dysfunctional relationship, in which Sam struggles to be Diane's intellectual equal ("Sumner's Return") and wrestles to reform his womanizing ways and commit to Diane ("Old Flames" and "How Do I Love Thee?…Let Me Call You Back"). Diane's patronizing attempts to broaden Sam's cultural horizons have a potent payoff in the devastating two-part finale that centers on a portrait of Diane. The "gang at Cheers" enjoy some of their finest half-hours though. Rhea Perlman is hilarious in a dual role as Carla's prim, but not so proper, sister in "Little Sister Don't Cha," and recruits Sam to make her ex-husband jealous at his wedding in "Battle of the Exes." John Ratzenberger's know-it-all Cliff (now a full-fledged cast member) is challenged to a fight in "Cliff's Rocky Moment." Nick Colasanto's Coach must eulogize a former teammate who, he discovers, had an affair with his wife in "Coach Buries a Grudge." Memorable guest stars include Fred "Hunter" Dryer (an original candidate to play Sam Malone) as Sam's sportscaster buddy, who bets he can break-up Sam and Diane; Markie Post as Diane's flirtatious friend; Dick Cavett as himself; Dan Hedaya as the repellant Nick Tortelli; and Christopher Lloyd as the artist who drives a wedge between Sam and Diane. Although audio commentaries are once again absent, this four-disc sophomore season set features an overview of season two with the show's creators and cast, and montage segments devoted to Cliff's disinformation, Carla's insults, and Diane's intellectual posings, as well as a gag reel. Highly recommended. (D. Liebenson)