Paul Willson Movies

This underrated teen-revenge horror film starring Stephen Geoffreys (Fright Night) was the directorial debut of Robert Englund, best known as Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street series. Geoffreys plays Hoax, a picked-on nerd who lives with his religious-nut mother Lucy (the marvelous Sandy Dennis). One day Hoax calls a 976-line for a "Horrorscope," and the demonic voice at the other end starts giving him wicked advice. Before long, he has killed his brother's girlfriend with tarantulas, slashed the face of a teen tough with his newly-sprouted talons, and gutted several of his tormentors. Only a well-meaning journalist and a sexy schoolmarm can stop the now-demonic Hoax before he sends the whole neighborhood straight to Hell. Granted, the screenplay is rather confused and slow-moving, but Geoffreys and Dennis are great, the effects work by Kevin Yagher is skillful, and this is one of the few teen-horror films with characters that are actually interesting. Look for Robert Picardo (The Howling) in a fun cameo as the diabolical Mark Darke. After a brief stint as a teen star, Geoffreys went on to appear in gay porn films as "Sam Ritter." ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

Harry Connick Jr. guest stars as Russell Boyd, cousin of Cheers bartender Woody (Woody Harrelson). Smitten by Rebecca (Kirstie Alley), Russell begins composing special songs for her; but his ardor doesn't stop there. Meanwhile, Cliff (John Ratzenberger) angrily protests the new postal uniforms, little realizing he's being set up for an elaborate practical joke. This is the episode in which Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) first appears with his trademark beard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Halloween sparks yet another war of practical jokes between the gang at Cheers and the folks at Gary's Olde Towne Tap. Sam (Ted Danson) has come up with a particularly nasty prank, guaranteed to scare anyone -- especially Gary (Robert Desiderio) -- out of a year's life. Unfortunately, the scheme backfires when it appears that Sam has brought about Gary's untimely demise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Harry Anderson returns as impish scam artist Harry the Hat. Sam (Ted Danson) enlists Harry's aid to avoid an embarrassing situation stemming from a wager made between Cheers and Gary's Old Towne Tap on the occasion of St. Patrick's Day. Since this may be the last time that Sam has an opportunity to win out over Gary's, Harry will have to pull more than a rabbit out of his celebrated hat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

There's a rumor afloat that Cliff (John Ratzenberger) has been chosen as one of the judges for the Miss Boston Barmaid contest. With a Mazda Miyata as first prize, Carla (Rhea Perlman) swallows her pride and makes nice with Cliff. Meanwhile, Norm (George Wendt) speeds up the painting of Rebecca's (Kirstie Alley) office in spectacular fashion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

One year before he was reunited with Cheers regular Kelsey Grammer on Frasier, John Mahoney guest starred on Grammer's earlier series as Sy Flembeck, a hack songwriter hired by Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) to compose a jingle for Cheers. As for the main plot of this episode, a pregnant Maggie (Annie Golden) returns and insists that Cliff (John Ratzenberger) is her baby's father. Meanwhile, mercurial ex-convict Andy (Derek McGrath) pops up at the bar, looking for the long-departed Diane Chambers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Restauranteur John Hill (Reid Shelton), the pompous bête noire of Sam Malone (Ted Danson), suffers a heart attack. Much to everyone's surprise, Hill's current amour Carla (Rhea Perlman) seems sublimely indifferent to her lover's condition. But Cliff (John Ratzenberger) can't be bothered with this emotional intrigue; he's convinced that his new neighbor is Adolf Hitler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to find their "inner masculine selves" (or is it "inner hairy selves"?), the guys at Cheers join Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) on a cross-country odyssey of self-discovery. Unfortunately, the boys are literally stopped in their tracks, somewhere in the middle of the desert. Back in Boston, the girls at Cheers are fascinated by the new temporary bartender, Carla's cousin Frankie (Anthony Addabbo). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Determined to get even with snooty landlord John Hill (Keene Curtis) once and for all, Sam (Ted Danson) pulls out his secret weapon of mass destruction by unleashing Carla (Rhea Perlman) on the hapless Hill. Things don't work out quite as planned, however, when Carla falls in love with the shiny-domed landlord. Meanwhile, Cliff (John Ratzenberger, who also directed this episode) tries to overcome his fear of four-legged locomotion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Sam (Ted Danson) is unprepared for the adventure awaiting him when he agrees to babysit for the son of Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth). Meanwhile, Woody (Woody Harrelson) frets and fusses when wide-eyed Kelly (Jackie Swanson) goes to work at Cheers as part of a school project. Twin children Christopher and Kevin Graves make their first joint appearance as little Frederick Crane. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Although it's his duty as a husband and father, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) balks at the notion of making out his will. Meanwhile, back at the Big Conception, Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) is convinced that Sam (Ted Danson) is entirely to blame for her non-pregnant status. What is needed is a trip to Rebecca's fertility specialist -- something that Sam (and Sam's macho ego) would sooner do without. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Now that Woody (Woody Harrelson) has been elected city councilman, Carla (Rhea Perlman) offers to tend bar at Cheers. What follows is a long night of drunken revelations thanks to Carla's mystery mixture of strong stimulants. When the sun comes up, Carla knows that she's slept with someone at the bar -- but can't remember who. This is the episode in which ubiquitous supporting player Paul Willson finally takes center stage. "It's Lonely on the Top" was the last Cheers episode produced, but not the last to be shown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

With Carla (Rhea Perlman) on maternity leave, Sam (Ted Danson) hires her sister Annette (also played by Rhea Perlman) as a temporary replacement. Outwardly shy and modest, Annette quickly proves that appearances are deceiving -- in fact, she's even hotter to trot than Carla, if such a thing is possible. But though practically everyone at Cheers sees right through Annette's innocent act, Cliff (John Ratzenberger) remains smitten by the "sweet kid." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide