Cheers (TV Series) Simon Says (1987) User Reviews

It took John Cleese for the truth to come out

[edward-a-bowden · 9/10 · 13 May 2020]

The only reason this episode doesn't get a ten is because the character of Diane is just so tiresome you want to kick the TV.

Cheers was floundering by the end of season five, mainly because anyone could see that Sam would never marry the ridiculously pretentious and annoying Diane. It took John Cleese to say this out loud, and boy did he say it!

I couldn't do justice in this review to Cleese's masterful performance, so you just have to watch it.

A very entertaining roller-coaster ride, and John Cleese is screaming along (on the inside)

[uruseiranma · 9/10 · 12 January 2012]

When Frasier Crane's friend (acclaimed marriage counselor Simon Finch-Royce) stops by Cheers to visit him, Diane requests that Simon analyze her and Sam. However, after a few questions, Simon tells the couple that their chances for a happy marriage are close to nil. What follows are several well-placed comedy scenarios that would just be giving away too much if I said any more.

John Cleese won a Golden Globe award for his guest-spot as Frasier Crane's friend Dr. Simon Finch-Royce, and watching him in "Simon Says," it soon becomes pretty easy to see why. Cleese's portrayal of Simon has him acting a bit snooty, but pretty 'mild' if his acting in Monty Python springs to mind. The humor in his role comes more from asides than all-out sight-gags.

In a way, Shelley Long as Diane Chambers is probably the most 'excitable' role in the entire piece, and she plays Diane's over-analytical nature here so well, that you can't help but look at Sam Malone's face and say, "I understand, man. I understand." A format very similar to this episode's was later reused (a tad) in an episode of "Frasier" entitled, "A Lilith Thanksgiving." I won't say anymore, but if you see both that episode and "Simon Says," you will most likely draw the same conclusion that I did and feel someone possibly looked to this episode for 'inspiration.'

Sam Should Jump Off a Bridge

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 24 August 2019]

Frasier meets his old college friend, played by John Cleese, at the bar. He is a world famous marriage councilor who has written numerous books on the subject. Diane, hearing of this, insists on a couple sessions from him. Frasier offers to pay for them and off they go. After hearing from from pompous Diane and lustful Sam, it is his recommendation that they not get married (or even see each other again). This leads to a sort of French farce with the couple coming and going from the doctor's hotel room.

One of the greatest Cheers episodes of all time

[floydianer · 29 January 2006]

John Cleese from Monty Python plays Dr. Simon Finch-Royce in this episode and his acting performance plus Peter Casey and David Lee's wonderful script make this one delight to watch, even almost twenty years after the original broadcast and after repeated viewings. Finch-Royce is a marriage consultant and as Sam and Diane plan to marry they want to hear his opinion first. The results differ from what they expected....

Both Ted Danson and Shelley Long are quite simply brilliant in this episode and the script is one of the best in the whole show. In the final scenes Finch-Royce gets very angry about Sam and Diane because they keep disturbing him at his hotel room and don't allow him either peaceful dinner or sleep. Because John Cleese is such a fine actor, the results are endlessly funny. "Sam and Diane are officially the most perfect couple that ever existed on this planet". He was rightfully awarded a best guest star Emmy for his performance and it remains of the best guest performances I've seen in an American sitcom.

Isn't it a pity all those great shows like Cheers or Seinfeld are not on the air any more? Anyway, this is one episode of Cheers you really should see, even if you're not a fan of the show, or simply to see the brilliant John Cleese.

Monty Python meets Cheers

[wrushrd · 10/10 · 16 August 2022]

Not only is this episode of Cheers one of the best ever, but it might just be one of the greatest sitcom episodes of all time. I love Rebecca mainly because she's the polar opposite of Diane (whom I hate), and John Cleese proves my feelings towards her are mutual.

Simon Says (#5.21)

[ComedyFan2010 · 10/10 · 22 May 2014]

Dr. Frasier's friend Dr. Simon Finch-Royce is in town and comes to see Frasier. He is a famous marriage therapist and Diane asks him to talk to her and Sam. Frasier offer it as his wedding gift. Only Dr. Simon says that they are a bad couple. Diane is very upset by it and keeps on taking Sam to Dr. Simon's hotel room until he finally has it enough and pronounces them the most perfect couple that ever existed.

Wow, after watching the previous episode that was perfect I didn't expect it to be such an excellent episode as well. they sure should have more of Frasier and his friends on the show! It is all hilarious. Diane starting with her womb memories, Frasier sending Diane and Sam to the hotel as he is mad about the amount charged and of course the final scene where Dr. Simon just had it. A perfect dialogue as well as brilliant performance by John Cleese. But I must say every character was awesome in this episode.

Cheers Classic

[rclusby · 9/10 · 8 March 2023]

Love the episode, but Frank Robinson did not play for the Baltimore Orioles in 1973...traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers following the 1971 season. Surprised the writers made that error...pretty lazy on their part. Diane was growing tiresome as season 5 progressed & this episode highlighted her obnoxious behavior, but in a positive way. John Cleese was terrific with his character and was the perfect foil for Ms. Chambers...wish he had made a return visit before the series concluded. I always enjoy Frasier's so called friends 😂. Cheers is such a gem of a show & this was one of it's best episodes.

When did the writers give up on Diane??

[s6ullys · 5/10 · 10 March 2023]

This just feels ridiculously over the top and out of character for Diane. I've viewed this episode a few times and am always so shocked by how wrong it feels that I cannot possibly understand the praise it gets. Maybe I'm too big of a fan of Sam and Diane, but in this episode Diane at least seems to have far strayed out of character simply in favor of a funny plot. Diane's writing in season five is iffy overall, but for me this episode just really summarizes her writing in the season as a whole. It's just so obvious that the writers didn't know what to do with her character after awhile. I think Shelley Long is phenomenal as Diane, however, and she clearly does a good job with the material she was given. Maybe if I could see past the writing of Diane's character here I'd enjoy it more, but for now, I really don't like this episode.