Episode 5 of The Bad Batch saw the titular batch of misfits from Clone Force 99 seeking out an old friend of the Jedi order to help them find some information about the bounty hunter on their trail. After their contact, Cid, initially conceals her identity from them only to be deduced by the clever young Omega, she sends them on a rather unorthodox rescue mission in exchange for finding the information they seek. Naturally, hijinks ensue, because this is Star Wars and hijinks seem to be the most popular form of ensuing, right next to chaos.
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What many fans didn’t realize is that the trandoshan informant Cid was actually voiced by an alum from the hugely popular classic series Cheers. Rhea Perlman, who played the opinionated and occasionally violent server Carla Tortelli on Cheers, lent her distinctive vocal talents to the guest character of the week on The Bad Batch, and looking back, many fans of both series will likely be surprised they didn’t pick up on it. Cid’s no-nonsense attitude is conveyed perfectly by Perlman’s distinctly New York-style mannerisms.
Perlman charmed audiences with her abrasive server character Carla through all 11 seasons of the Boston-based Cheers, constantly clashing with other bar staff and patrons alike while always finding time to maintain her turbulent family and love life. She was loud and proud of it, and while she wasn’t exactly the sensitive or compassionate type, everyone knew her heart was usually in the right place.
Bringing in Perlman for a character like Cid was an inspired decision, but it’s not as if she was just plucked out of obscurity. In the years since Cheers went off the air, she’s kept her own steady career going with supporting roles and guest spots alike. She even appeared on an episode of the truly excellent HBO Max animated series Harley Quinn as Golda, former CIA operative and former lover of Jason Alexander’s geriatric half-metal man Sy Borgman.
It’s just the latest in interesting developments for The Bad Batch, and there are sure to be plenty more on the horizon. Who knows? Maybe a guest spot from Ted Danson is in the cards now. They’ve finally got a precedent for it, after all.
Star Wars: The Bad Batch releases new episodes Fridays on Disney Plus.
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Source: Inside The Magic
