Written by:
Eric Zicklin

Directed by:
Pamela Fryman

Skyline: The Space Needle is decorated with Christmas lights.

Plot: It's Christmas, and that means the televised Christmas Parade. For Frasier, this is his dream come true. One of the co-hosts has fallen ill and the other, Kelly Kirkland, is trying to find another one. Frasier has always wanted to host this since he was a boy watching the original host, Bob Vernon. He invites her over and cooks various recipes from her cooking show to impress her. He gets the job.

At KACL though, Frasier finds out that Dr Mary Thomas has returned. Her ratings at KEZW were so good that Kenny has bought her back to KACL. Frasier isn't too pleased although Kenny says they won't be working together. Later Frasier hears that Kelly has had food poisoning and won't be able to host the parade. Frasier is prepared to do it alone until he hears that he has a new co-host - Dr Mary.

At the parade Frasier sticks to the script, but Mary is improvising parts of it. Frasier tells her to cut down as it sounds more professional if you stick to the script, and she agrees - but the producers like it and ask her to continue. This goes on until the interview with Santa, which Frasier begs Mary to let him do alone. She does - but Santa's more interested in Mary. Frustrated, Frasier accidentally hits Santa.

After the parade, Frasier apologises to Mary for being so rude, and she apologises for spoiling his dream. They make friends again and later Frasier meets Bob Vernon, the original host 42 years ago, who says that he and his original co-host, Sgt Michelle the traffic lady, argued the first year but got on well every year after.

Meanwhile Martin, Niles and Daphne take the "let's only open one present" a bit too far.....

Subtitles: Mary Christmas