Simpler Times seeks to excavate and luxuriate in the pop culture relics of yesteryear by sifting through the staticky depths of the Internet Archive’s VHS Vault.
Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the world knew two things: It loved catching up with the affable drunks of Cheers, and it loved to see cartoon characters interacting with real human actors. This was the era of Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Cool World, of Paula Abdul dancing with MC Skat Kat in “Opposites Attract,” and of Arnold Schwarzenegger starring alongside yet another anthropomorphic cat in Last Action Hero.
It makes a certain kind of sense, then, that 1988 would give us a television special where Mickey Mouse in all his animated, falsetto-voiced glory, would take his sorrows over to Cheers, where, of course, everybody knows his name.
It’s best to watch the scene without too much context, if possible. An ideal viewing should astonish and delight with the dreamlike experience of hearing Woody Harrelson, having just watched a news report about Mickey Mouse being missing, deliver a straight-faced, “Well, his birthday’s coming up. He’s gotta show up for his presents!” before a living cartoon walks into the bar. It only gets weirder as Mickey orders a “double” root beer float, finds himself unable to pay (the billionaire degenerate), and ends up singing happy birthday to Kirstie Alley before, uh, flirting with her and leaving on a date as the cast sings his theme song.
Having absorbed this, know that Mickey’s journey into the fleshrealm didn’t stop at Cheers. As part of the Mickey’s 60th Birthday TV special, the dejected rat, tasting humility for once in his charmed life, ended up visiting a real who’s who of 1988 American pop culture. According to the show’s Wikipedia summary, Mickey was cast out into our world by a mean sorcerer and soon met up with celebrities like Bette Midler, Cheech Marin, Phil Collins, and Burt Reynolds as well as cast members from Family Ties, Hunter, The Golden Girls, and L.A. Law.
These were truly simpler times. Now, looking back on Mickey’s tour of the late ‘80s network TV landscape, we can see that he was simply scouting for more intellectual properties to absorb. He may have pretended at humanity with the cast of Cheers, but, really, it’s likely that the greedy little rodent was actually sizing them up for acquisition into his ever-hungry empire. Maybe, in hindsight, they shouldn’t have been glad he came.
12 Comments
Well that was pretty slight but anything “Cheers” (or “Mary Tyler Moore”) makes me unabashedly warm and fuzzy so thanks. I’ve actually been inching toward a long planned year or two “Cheers” entire series binge so this was a nice appetizer. Thanks.
and in contrast, this trashed all my fuzzy memories.
It’s a little surprising how straight up “Cheers-y” that clip feels. No overly cutesy line readings one might expect in a Mickey Mouse crossover.
“What does that little guy have that I don’t?”“At the moment, Rebecca” is exactly the sort of real banter that was on the show, so yes.
Are we not going to mention John Ritter as the news anchor?
Ah, the simpler times. When every AVC article wasn’t an excuse for bored hipster shitbags to bitch about Disney.
Mickey orders a “double” root beer float, finds himself unable to pay (the billionaire degenerate)Mickey just works for Disney; I know (especially in Florida) “The Mouse” is shorthand for Disney, but in-universe he’s never been presented as wealthy.
he IS, though.
Mickey rockin’ that sweet, high-waisted, baggy 80s suit. Fashion sure seems weird in hindsight.
I need this outfit
You can only wear this outfit with LA Gear shoes, possibly Reebok pumps as well.
Ah Cheers, the Fraiser Prequel.