Frasier

A well-meaning, but egotistical, radio psychiatrist devotes most of his energy to solving the problems of those around him, while managing to create most of the problems that plague his own life

    Type of Series: Sit-Com; Farce.

    Similar Shows: Cheers is the one that springs to mind. But nothing else has been quite so "classy" as Frasier. It really is something of a treat. And while I solemnly believe that "Seinfeld" is the Best Sit-com of all time, I can well understand while Frasier was the one that won the Emmy year after year. And I can likewise well understand why Frasier was the one selected to take over from Seinfeld when the former show went off the air at the end of it’s very successful run. And a worthy successor it proved to be (eventually!!).

    Typical Episode: A typical episode will have a misunderstanding at it's core. And, usually, the episode will hinge on Frasier trying to help someone in some way.

    Which, for me, is the central appeal of the show. Frasier's goodness.

    Even the episode's that highlight his flaws serve to illustrate his charm.

    The Inner Light: Frasier is a good man. His heart is in the right place. Time and time again we are reminded of the fact. And the writing does that in a skilful way.

    But he's also a bit of a boob. Pompous, long-winded, self-important, snobbish… The list goes on and on.

    The combination makes him human (and quite adorable). Which is probably the deepest message we can take from the show: none of us are flawless. Even the best one among us is tainted in some way. Likewise, from Frasier we can see that a Heart Of Gold can beat under the most unlikely of exteriors.

    Strengths: Incredibly witty scripts and top notch performances.

    Weaknesses:

    Impressive Characters: Frasier himself, and his brother Niles.

    One of the things that always impressed me a lot about Cheers was the contrast between Sam and Woody. Both were stupid, yeah, but there was degrees of stupidity there and the two characters were different. Jokes that would work with one, would not suit the other.

    Surely a sign of good writing.

    Now, on Frasier, you have Frasier and Niles.

    Snobs, yeah, but there are degrees of snobbery and jokes that that work with one, won't work with the other.

    Aside from that, both of them are remarkable characters.

    Frasier is utterly loveable. We (the audience) absolutely love him. He's pompous and self-important and full of failings that he fails to see.

    But his heart is good.

    And that, ultimately, is what motivates him.

    And the quality of writing is such that we can see that, without feelings that it is being rammed down our throats and - therefore - we believe it.

    With Frasier, there's Niles, who's most endearing characteristic is surely his long-term unrequited love for Daphne.

    Impressive Actors: Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce.

    At this stage it's virtually impossible to imagine one without the other.

    Surely they are destined to go down in history as one of the all-time great comedy duos.

    If there is justice out there, then they will.

    Impressive Episodes: Impossible for me to list them all, really, without turning this page into an Episode Guide. However, these are the ones that stand out for me:

"BELOVED INFIDEL"

(008)

The boys think their father might have had an affair with a family friend when they were kids.

It works because like all the very best Cheers episodes, it writes to character and story. Rather than to easy laughs. Emotional and special.

"CAN'T TELL A CROOK BY HIS COVER"

(016)

Frasier and Niles rush to Daphne's rescue, when she dates an ex-convict.

Which is brilliant because it shows the boys totally out of their depth. But not for selfish reasons. Both of them are expressing their concern for their friend. Who (of course) doesn't need their help, and (almost) ends up saving them instead.

"THE MATCHMAKER"

(028)

Trying to help Daphne (who's feeling a bit lonely) Frasier brings a man home for a blind date. But the man is actually gay, and he assumes that Frasier is interested in him.

A classic in anyone's book, and the first TV appearance of Eric Lutes, one of the shining lights of Caroline In The City. The scripts utilises one of the template situations of sit-com: The audience knows something that the characters don't and plays it for all that it's worth. We know that Eric Lutes' character is gay. Frasier doesn't.

"DAPHNE'S ROOM"

(041)

For a variety of reasons Daphne keeps finding Frasier in her bedroom (apparently snooping).

Hilarious. Poor Frasier is a victim of circumstances in this one. Time and time again, everything that can go wrong for him, does go wrong for him and Daphne repeatedly finds him trespassing.

"THE INNKEEPERS"

(043)

Frasier and Niles acquire a restaurant.

Hilarious. Possibly my all-time favourite. This time Frasier and Niles are hapless victims. Of their own shortcomings.

"SHE'S THE BOSS"

(050)

Frasier's hilarious love-hate relationship with the new station manager Kate Costas, dominates these episodes. Mercedes Ruehl is my favourite guest star from the show, and she was the perfect foil for Kelsey Grammar. I wish she (and her character) could have stuck around a while longer.

"SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY"

(055)

"THE ADVENTURES OF BAD BOY AND DIRTY GIRL"

(056)

"IT'S HARD TO SAY GOODBYE IF YOU WON'T LEAVE"

(059)

"THE FRIEND"

(060)

Frasier's on-air appeal for friendship backfires when a complete bore calls.

Again, a wonderful episode born from the characters. Frasier realises that he hasn't made any new friends since arriving in Seattle. So he sets out to do something about it. And finds himself saddled with a dreadful man. To Frasier's credit he stays with the chap for a long as humanly possible. Getting closer and closer to breaking point, all the time!

"MOON DANCE"

(063)

Niles and Daphne dance.

And heart-breaking it is, too. In an effort to fool ex-wife, Maris, and various society types, Daphne and Niles dance up a storm. He pours out his heart. And she reciprocates. As part of the "the act". I'm not sure how funny this episode actually is, but I know that it is very touching. Very romantic. Very sad.

"THE SHOW WHERE DIANE COMES BACK"

(061)

Diane Chambers (who jilted Frasier in Cheers) makes a surprise visit to Seattle.

A wonderful ending to the Frasier-Diane relationship. Like "Moondance" this is an episode that really gets you where you feel. But (with it's in-built spoof of Cheers) it is also a hilarious episode. We start out focusing on Frasier's flaws, as he desperately tries to out-do Diane and make her jealous and hurt. But, the real Frasier soon rises to the surface and deals with the situation is a much more mature way.

"THE FOCUS GROUP"

(072)

A focus group evaluates Frasier's radio program. And gives it a resounding thumbs-up. Well, all except one man who "doesn't like" Frasier.

And Frasier, of course, misses out on the fact that he's considered a hit and concentrates all his energy on the one guy who dislikes him. His quest for understanding takes on epic proportions and he's eventually responsible for (accidentally) destroying the man's livelihood in one the most side-splitting moments of the series thus far.

"TO KILL A TALKING BIRD"

(086)

 Niles throws a dinner party.

While a talking bird is attached to him!!

Side-splitting.

"HAM RADIO"

(089)

Frasier and the gang perform a radio play. Live. 

And everything goes wrong, of course. But it all goes wrong because of the characterisations. Frasier, in particular, is the instrument of his own downfall.

"THE 1000th SHOW"

 (100)

Frasier has a day named after him.

I love this episode.

It highlights everything you would need to know about Frasier Crane (the character).

Frasier's radio show has reached 1000 broadcasts. Frasier desperately wants a big fuss to be made. But he acts as if he doesn't. Unfortunately, his bosses listen to him and nothing big is planned. Until Frasier schemes to make it look as if the big day will be for Roz (more than for him) and an event is organised. Once the day arrives, Frasier is insufferable. Totally fully of himself and all set to bask in the glory of a special rally at the Space Needle. On the way to the event he spents too long picking out nice shoes and (while taking a short-cut to make up time) is mugged. There follows a mad-cap dash round Seattle as Frasier desperately tries to get to his rally before it is over.

Having flagged down a taxi (for which he has no money) he is finally at the Space Needle when the driver drops some comments about his ex-wife remarrying and the heartache this is causing him, as he fears the thought of his kids slipping away.

With that, Frasier's thoughts of his Big Day slip away and he leans in, encouraging the man to talk for a while.

It's an absolutely lovely moment and easily my favourite of the entire series.

"THE SKI LODGE"

(114)

The gang vacation at a ski lodge. Everyone there has romance in mind, but the object of their desire is looking elsewhere.

A prime example of Frasier at its farcical best. Lots of misunderstandings, lots of running around from bedroom to bedroom and lots of hastily thought-up cover stories.

"THREE VALENTINES"

(134)

Three vignettes. Valentine's Day for (1)Niles, (2) Frasier, (3) Martin & Daphne.

The first hint that things were back on track after a dreadful lull. The Frasier segment is particularly funny (with Frasier constantly changing his mind about whether or not his dinner-date has romance in mind).

 

 

    Impressive Writers: David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee created the show. According to Jefferson Graham's excellent book, these three gentlemen were largely responsible for writing Dr. Crane's early appearances on Cheers. Three years worth, in fact, before they departed for their own show: Wings.

    Less-Than-Impressive Characters:

    Less-Than-Impressive Actors:

    Less-Than-Impressive Episodes: The first half of season six was dire. Unfunny and embarrassing in many instances. From the first five seasons, there's really nothing that stands out as bad.

"GOOD GRIEF"

F1

Frasier has lost his job.

The rot sets in. Not funny at all, and rather strange. I watched in absolute horror as the credits rolled and I realised that wasn't just a one-episode thing.

"DIAL M FOR MARTIN"

(F3)

Frasier is getting on everyone nerves (especially mine) so Martin and Daphne move in with Niles.

The scenes where Martin thinks Niles is trying to hurt him should be funny. But they are not.

"HOT TICKET"

(F4)

The boys pretend to have tickets to an important event, so as to avoid losing social standing. Mind you, this involves standing outside the theatre all evening and faking enjoyment when they meet their friends at the interval.

On paper this sounds good. And in theory it is. But the gags just aren't there.

"FIRST, DO NO HARM"

(F5)

Is Frasier's girlfriend only interested in him for his free psychiatric advice.

Who cares?

Not only is this not funny, it is easily the most god-damn awful episode of the series. Embarrassing to watch.

"HOW TO BURY A MILLIONAIRE"

(F7)

Niles is living beyond his means.

Yawn.

"OUR PARENTS, OURSELVES"

(F12)

Martin dates Roz's mother.

And behaves dreadfully.

I wouldn't mind. If is was funny.

But it's not.

Following that, the show picked up again. Three Valentines is easily one of the best ever episodes. And all of the episodes with (new supporting cast member) Saul Rubinek are very good (equal parts hilarious and touching).

    Less-Than-Impressive Writers:

    Continuity: Until Season Six there was minimal continuity from episode to episode. But the first half of Season Six was one long (dreadful) arc, and the latter episodes (although funny again) have maintained the week-to-week aspects of the early ones.

    I wonder if the move to Thursdays to 9 has precipitated this. Since Seinfeld, the previous occupant of this slot was (rightly) renowned for healthy doses of continuity.

    Episode Guide: The Episode Guide Pages is a great place to go for Episode Guides.

    Reviews:

    Other Info: Jefferson Graham is the author of a wonderful book covering the first three seasons of the show is great depth.

Three Things I Really Like About This Series:

    The relationship between Frasier and Niles.

    The relationship between Frasier, Niles and Martin.

    

Three Things I Really Don't Like About This Series:

    The under use of Daphne.

    The under use of Roz. This is particularly criminal. Daphne, at least, is part of Frasier's home life and gets the occasional plotline of size. Roz rarely appears outside of the work setting. A dreadful waste of a talented, and funny, actress.

    

    Miscellaneous Comments:    September 28, 1999

    Oops! I wrote this review during the summer and forgot to upload it.

    Basically, I started it just after the Season Finale. It was a very impressive, very classy episode and it prompted me to start thinking about the show.

GRADE: A

Review by Michael Leddy

Comments are welcome: rikerdonegal@hotmail.ie

 

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