The Last Angry Mailman (12 Nov. 1987)

Frasier finds out some juicy information about Rebecca from her college days, specifically that she was the party girl on campus and that her nickname was Backseat Becky. Although ... See full summary »

Director:

James Burrows

Writers:

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

Stars:

Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, Rhea Perlman

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Ted Danson	...	Sam Malone
Kirstie Alley	...	Rebecca Howe
Rhea Perlman	...	Carla LeBec
John Ratzenberger	...	Cliff Clavin
Woody Harrelson	...	Woody Boyd
Kelsey Grammer	...	Dr. Frasier Crane
George Wendt	...	Norm Peterson
Frances Sternhagen	...	Esther Clavin
Kevin Dunn	...	Jim McNulty
Don Sparks	...	William Cronin
Tim Cunningham	...	Tim
Hugh Maguire	...	Hugh

Storyline

Frasier finds out some juicy information about Rebecca from her college days, specifically that she was the party girl on campus and that her nickname was Backseat Becky. Although embarrassed by the information albeit one where how the nickname arose not divulged, Rebecca ultimately uses the nickname to her advantage. Meanwhile, Cliff and Ma Clavin, who is just like Cliff in the "know-it-all" department, are on a roller-coaster of emotions regarding the possible selling of their house to commercial developers. Cliff wants to sell in the name of progress, whereas Ma Clavin wants to preserve the memories of their lives in that house and not sell. Cliff and his Ma have to come to a consensus, but someone else or something else may beat them to the punch.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 1987 (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?

Trivia

This is the first episode starring Kirstie Alley to feature the Geronimo portrait commemorating deceased cast member Nicholas Colasanto that usually hangs on the bar's back wall. It appeared in all of season four and five and will stay until the show's end.

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Quotes

Dr. Frasier Crane: All right, stop everything. I've got a major news flash. I just had lunch with Miss Howe's former college classmate, and it seems that she had a nickname at UConn.
Sam Malone: Give, give.
Dr. Frasier Crane: Well, he wasn't sure how she came by this appellation, but it seems that at some point during her little sojourn there, she became known as
[pause]
Dr. Frasier Crane: Backseat Becky.
[general laughter among the crowd]
Woody Boyd: Boy, what do you suppose that means?
Cliff Clavin: Woody, what that means is...
Carla LeBec: Cliff, Cliff, why don't you let someone who's been there ...
[...]

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Connections

References The Way We Were (1973)

User Reviews

Nut Butt McNulty

If you love Cliff like I do you will love this episode. He refuses to sell his house to developers looking to build on the land, while Frasier discovers Rebecca's sordid college nickname.

John Ratzenberger is one of the most under-rated actors in sitcom history... just because his character was eccentric people took him for granted, but he is nothing short of brilliant in his eleven seasons on Cheers. Cliff Clavin is one of the most original- and realistic- characters in the history of television. I have personally known people like Cliff, and Ratzenberger's subtle portrayal keeps him likable in spite of the insanity. Frances Sternhagen returns as Ma Clavin, a perfect match for Ratzenberger, and the scene in which she changes Cliff's mind about selling the house is an all-star show for both of them. Believable, engaging, and truly funny... they could have had their own show.

The sequence in which the gang teases Rebecca about being "Backseat Becky" is classic, and so are the stories she tells to try to explain it. A wonderful episode.

GRADE: A