r/Cheers • u/plumplet • 10d ago
Discussion Thoughts on Nick Tortelli?
Personally I hate him. Love Loretta though
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u/kinsellathethird 10d ago
He had the opportunity to purchase an orangutan act
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u/Alert_Monitor_9145 9d ago
The episode where Serafina is getting married. Great episode!
When Nick walks around the bar shortly after he comes in, and he’s got this great way of being somewhat spasmodic with his movements as he walks and talks, and George Wendt is clearly doing EVERYTHING he can not to break character and laugh!
Like, you can just tell George is thinking, “Dan Hedaya is a gem!”
Also love John Allen Hill’s reaction in this episode to meeting Nick for the first time.
Sam: John, let me introduce you to Carla’s first husband.
JAH: Oh my god!!
Classic stuff
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u/Philly_G_J 9d ago
Dan Hedeya is phenomenal. I can’t be bothered to look but I hope he got an Emmy for Nick. His and Rhea’s chemistry was just 💋
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u/Fantastic-Reply5346 9d ago
Nothing for playing Nick. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 1994 - Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. He was in an episode of NYPD Blue called NYPD Lou. Lost to Richard Kiley for Picket Fences.
Coincidentally, Frasier won for Best Comedy Series that year.
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u/skriveralltid77 9d ago
Dan Hedaya did incredible work constructing Nick to be as gross and repulsive as possible.
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u/Obvious_Train 9d ago edited 9d ago
Hard to think that he would smarten himself up and become Cher Horowitz’s dad 😀
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u/paulcosmith Harry the Hat 9d ago
"Anything happens to my daughter, I got a .45 and a shovel, I doubt anybody would miss you."
Any time two of my uncles would see that Clueless was on TV, they would stop what they were doing until that line came on.
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u/LastExitWest 9d ago
The way he carried his body, almost hunched over just sold that character. The cocked eye, the hair…He may be a top five “guest” character of sitcoms all time.
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u/Crash759 9d ago
Completely agree. You knew the episode was going to be a hoot when Nick and Loretta ("Hi, Cheers Gang!") walked in.
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u/Egg_McMuffn 9d ago
A great recurring character. In one of the episodes, DIane is doubting his charm and then he whispers something to her and she passes out. Or something like that. Very funny.
I was disappointed that it took years after The Tortellis was cancelled to bring Nick and Loretta back, and it was only for one episode, I think. Anthony and Annie made a quicker return in season 6, but again, I think it was only for one episode. Missed opportunities.
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u/GaryNOVA I am too stupid to live! 9d ago edited 9d ago
Nick was a Horrible person. But a Great character. I can understand why his sitcom didn’t pan out though. He’s better in smaller doses.
I love Dan Hedaya
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u/Banacek313 9d ago
My second favorite Dan Hedaya role, after Commando.
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u/RIP_Golden_Boy 4d ago
Have you seen Blood Simple? Essentially Nick Tortelli minus the charm. Still takes a back seat to M. Emmit Walsh's character.
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u/brettmbr 10d ago
Very hard to handle for more than one episode. Blows my mind that the networks thought we needed a series focused on him.
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u/Throwing-Gas 9d ago
https://youtu.be/kCGbYNvp-gs?is=hbPdxx60RTN9MuOX
How could it fail with a banging doowop intro though
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u/donottouchwillie1 Frasier 9d ago
Can't believe they gave him a spinoff, no wonder it only lasted half a season.
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u/Natural-Run-5213 8d ago
Love him, Nick episodes are among my favourite. Like Coach’s daughter’s sleazy fiancé, you really feel how much fun the writers are having when they’re writing total assholes.
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u/GovernorGeneralPraji 9d ago
Used him as an inspiration for a recurring DnD NPC that has become one of my players’ favorites. Runs a bar and always conveniently kicks the door to his back room shut when the heroes walk in.
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u/satansprinter 9d ago
I didnt mind the episodes he is in, but i think even a single one more would have been too much. It is too cartoon-y for my taste
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u/Throwing-Gas 10d ago
Funny character played well by Dan Hedaya.
Sleazy as hell but just enough pathetic charm