Random Observations

[Janice]

Becker often wipes the counter, in front of him, in the diner with a napkin.

Margaret hangs her pen around her neck when she arrives at work, and the pen always matches the color of her outfit.

When Linda says or does something really out there, Becker puts his palm to his eye, as if to soothe a headache.

When Linda feels stupid or ashamed, she often hangs her head down.


Got any observations of your own?

[Tiger32]

How about when Bob enters the Diner, he always says something like:

"Hello Losers"

[Janice]

Linda always calls him Dr. Becker. Margaret, Jake and Chris call him John. Reggie calls him Becker while Bob alternates between John and Becker.

The 'Cash Only. No Checks Accepted' sign on the register in the diner is there for the entire run of the show.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Tiger32

How about when Bob enters the Diner, he always says something like:

"Hello Losers"

You never know what Bob's going to say next. He said, with pride, that nobody can go any lower than him. "I'm the Mayor of the bottom!"

[Tiger32]

Bob was very funny. Did you notice that the writers never gave Bob or Linda last names? All of the other cast members had last names.

[Janice]

That's right Tiger, about Bob and Linda not given last names. I had never thought of that.
I'm watching the first season now, and like all shows, the characters haven't quite found their footing yet. Linda was a complete spaceshot. Not the coy but ditzy Linda we grew to love. Margaret was real hard on Becker. Her character softened up as time rolled on. The diner served coffee in cups and saucers, and I know they switch to mugs. Becker's wearing a bomber jacket, and his grey coat hasn't made its debut yet.

Becker's office was always very crowded with patients, and he saw a lot of patients, more than he did later on. I watched Bob make his first appearance today. It was great. He came in to rag on his high school classmate, Reggie. He started off right away, referring to himself in the third person.

[Janice]

Beckerisms...

Bob always referring to himself in the third person.

Becker's fear of midgets (little people), and his belief that they bring him bad luck.

Becker's obsession with Watergate.

Becker's constant battles with the neighbors in his apartment building.

Never seeing Margaret's husband, Louis.

One of Becker's patients, Mrs. Racino, would always come in his office and ask stupid long, drawn out questions.

Linda's parade of insane boyfriends, although we saw only a handful.

The endless cracks on Reggie's cooking in the diner.

[Dr. John Becker]

Ted Danson has to clear his throat alot between lines.
He also did this on later seasons of Cheers.

Becker hated Nixon.
Becker was a tightwad who drove a car that was falling apart, although he claims his ex-wives took all of his money.

[Tiger32]

Originally Posted by Janice

That's right Tiger, about Bob and Linda not given last names. I had never thought of that.
I'm watching the first season now, and like all shows, the characters haven't quite found their footing yet. Linda was a complete spaceshot. Not the coy but ditzy Linda we grew to love. Margaret was real hard on Becker. Her character softened up as time rolled on. The diner served coffee in cups and saucers, and I know they switch to mugs. Becker's wearing a bomber jacket, and his grey coat hasn't made its debut yet.

Becker's office was always very crowded with patients, and he saw a lot of patients, more than he did later on. I watched Bob make his first appearance today. It was great. He came in to rag on his high school classmate, Reggie. He started off right away, referring to himself in the third person.

Interesting observations Janice. One thing about the early episodes, Bob was not considered a regular cast member until the second or third season. The first two seasons he was given reoccurring guest appearances, but fortunately the producers found out how talented he was, and made him a permanent cast member.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Tiger32

Interesting observations Janice. One thing about the early episodes, Bob was not considered a regular cast member until the second or third season. The first two seasons he was given reoccurring guest appearances, but fortunately the producers found out how talented he was, and made him a permanent cast member.

Wise decision on the part of the producers. I laugh before Bob even opens his mouth, lol. I was screaming laughing recently when he's telling the gang that he can get Reggie a deal on a "new" freezer for the diner. He broke into a routine of, "I know a guy who knows a guy who wishes he knew these guys that I know, but the guy I know......"

Major paraphrasing there, but it was a riot.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Tiger32

Bob was very funny. Did you notice that the writers never gave Bob or Linda last names? All of the other cast members had last names.

We learned that Bob's middle name is Benito.

Another observation. Shawnee Smith was pregnant during the first season, so with every show, you can see the clever ways they cover her up. I read an interview where she said that after she had the baby, during the second season....her chest was huge, and they took full advantage of showing her off, lol.

[Tiger32]

Another Beckerism is Becker keeping his cigarettes in Reggie's cash register. I guess that was his way of trying to wean himself off smoking.