The Executive's Executioner (7 Mar. 1985)

Norm gets a promotion as a "corporate killer," but he's not sure that he can handle being the guy at the office who fires people.

Director:

James Burrows

Writers:

Glen Charles (creator), Les Charles (creator),

Stars:

Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Nicholas Colasanto

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Ted Danson	...	Sam Malone
Shelley Long	...	Diane Chambers
Nicholas Colasanto	...	Ernie 'Coach' Pantusso (credit only)
Rhea Perlman	...	Carla Tortelli
John Ratzenberger	...	Cliff Clavin
George Wendt	...	Norm Peterson
Richard Roat	...	Mr. Hecht
Mark Schubb	...	Billy Richter
David Wohl	...	Phil Wagner
Raye Birk	...	Walt Twitchell
Warren Munson	...	John Parker
Randall Miller	...	Michael (as Randy Miller)
Larry Harpel	...	Larry

Storyline

Norm's boss, Mr. Hecht, comes into the bar looking for Norm. Norm's afraid that Hecht has come to fire him for slacking off. Hecht does indeed want to talk to Norm about being fired, but it's not quite what Norm thinks. Hecht wants him to the "corporate killer" i.e. the person who notifies employees that they're being fired. He states that the company wants to find someone as non-threatening as possible to do the job, as studies have shown that people having just been fired feel more humiliated when done by someone in power. Norm has nothing in his life that anyone could envy or resent, thus he's the perfect person. This job change is not a request from Hecht, but a directive, albeit one with a 300% salary increase. After doing his first firing with much difficulty which results in Norm in tears, Norm thinks that he isn't well suited to the job. A company henchman, who witnessed the firing incognito, disagrees, he who tells Norm that the way he did the firing was brilliant: the victim...

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 1985 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Sam Malone: What's wrong there, Cliffy?
Cliff Clavin: Ah, a couple moved in next door to me and Ma. They're just not our kind of people. They're loud, they're noisy, up to all hours playing their be-bop music. Automobile parts strewn all over the yard - nothing I can use.

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