Frasier (1993-2004)
Cast:
Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, Jane Leeves, Peri Gilpin, John Mahoney (and not forgetting the late, great Moose as Eddie the dog).
Synopsis:
Frasier is the ultimate sitcom. And no, it’s not just us who think that. On 2 January 2006, the show was voted by comedy writers, producers and actors as the greatest sitcom of all time, in the aptly titled Channel 4 show, The Ultimate Sitcom. So there!
A spinoff of the much loved Cheers, Frasier follows the life of its title character, the lovably pompous Dr Frasier Crane (Grammer), as he uproots himself from Boston and begins a new life in Seattle as a radio psychiatrist. Newly divorced, he’s all set for a life of undisturbed sherry drinking and piano playing in his airy penthouse bachelor pad, when his dad Martin (Mahoney) falls over in the shower and basically scuppers his plans. A retired cop who was shot in the line of duty, Martin can’t live alone anymore and so, father and son, each chalk to the other’s cheese, try to work out a way to live together without, well, killing one another.
Added to the mix is Daphne Moon (Leeves), Martin’s live-in physical therapist. Quirky, English and just a little bit psychic, Daphne instantly wins the heart of Frasier’s equally pompous younger brother Niles (some guy), sparking one of the greatest “Will they, won’t they?” romances in television history. Last, but by no means least is Roz Doyle (Gilpin), Frasier’s sassy producer at KACL, whose razor sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude keep Frasier in line.
A darling of the critics, Frasier won a total of 37 Emmys across its eleven season run, including four for our boy David. Whether the humour is sophisticated or just downright silly, the writers never fail to keep the laughs coming. It’s a sitcom with a brain and a heart and therein lies its appeal.
David's role:
Niles Crane, the fine boned enigma with the strong chin and the swimmer’s build. The man with the Armani suits and the calf skin shoes, whose nose bleeds whenever he tells a lie. The ever-eclipsed younger brother.
David’s name will always be synonymous with the uptight psychiatrist, his best loved and most highly acclaimed alter ego. The character, as fans will know, was created especially for him, due to his striking resemblance to a young Kelsey Grammer.
“One [producer] brought in a tape of David Hyde Pierce from his canceled show, The Powers That Be, and said, 'Hey, look at this guy. He looks so much like Kelsey Grammer. If you ever decide to have a brother for Frasier, this guy would be perfect.’ There was something about David that just jumped out on the tape. The way he was so understated. His comic timing and his delivery. We were instantly taken with him.”
[Peter Casey on casting David Hyde Pierce]
The fans were just as smitten and of all the characters on Frasier, Niles was arguably the one who they really took into their hearts. Despite his snobbery and his condescension, his catty remarks and his obsession with neatness, Niles’s humanity and his vulnerability was captivating to watch.
David’s nuanced portrayal, a combination of quirky physical mannerisms and clipped verbal precision added dimensions to the character that no-one could have predicted. Fans tuned in week after week to watch Niles as he fought to save his marriage, and struggled with his feelings for Daphne.
Throughout the seasons, Niles changed, grew less uptight, but without ever losing that ability to have the viewer laughing one minute and crying the next. He remains one of TV’s greatest characters. And yes, we have another handy Channel Four poll to prove it.
What the critics said:
"There's not a weak actor (or canine) among them, but the real wonder-boy is Pierce, who gets more laughs out of morose longing than anyone has a right to. The first impression of Pierce was amazement at how right he looked with Grammer. By now, he could look like Eddie and it wouldn't matter; he's just that good."
- Robert Bianco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 1993
"David Hyde Pierce, a veteran stage actor, has attracted some of the season's best reviews in the US ... Pierce, perhaps the biggest scene-stealer after Eddie the dog, can score serious points while being steadily hilarious.”
- John J O’Connor, Irish Times, 1994
"Pierce gets the most spectacular results from the subtlest of movements and reactions; they might as well start engraving next year's Emmy now."
- Tom Shales, Washington Post, 1994
"It is always acceptable to watch Frasier in reruns, or – even better - on tape, so you can review David Hyde Pierce's exquisite reaction takes."
- Liam Lacey, the Globe and Mail, 1995
"A supremely vulnerable mouse of a man, Niles is rendered with endless variety by the peerless Pierce."
- Matt Roush, USA Today, 1995
"Niles is a brilliant comic creation, a small, impeccably dressed snob with clipped diction, for whom the phrase 'anal retentive' might have been invented. He's also acerbicly honest about his brother's faults and the social shortcomings of his friends and colleagues. David Hyde Pierce's genius is to play the part as if he's almost always on the verge of tears at the general uncouthness of the world."
- Hugh Linehan, Irish Times, 1995
"Niles may seem all-confident in his pampered schoolboy way, but he is at heart a gloriously repressed personality, whose quivering lips and flickering eyes speak volumes about his conflicting desires. Pierce is a constant delight to watch, if only because as a supporting actor he knows that he has to make his mark before the camera moves on."
- John Allemang, the Globe and Mail, 1997
"Pierce's performance is nothing short of spectacular, built on dialogue that sounds completely natural despite having been meticulously constructed to set up subsequent punch lines."
- Eric Mink, New York Daily News, 1998
"David Hyde Pierce, who plays Niles, is a comic-pathetic actor of genius, a sort of modern-day Buster Keaton for TV. His doggish look of longing, his clumsily unself-knowing version of lust, and his Woody Allenish (that is, early Woody Allenish) fear of rejection have been the stuff of many sight gags. More poignantly, the few moments over the years when Niles has almost told Daphne how he feels about her have raised the show out of the realm of good-but-standard sitcom and into the region of classic romantic comedy - you know, those moments when Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, or Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne, or Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck seemed to be communicating with each other on a level even they couldn't understand."
- Wendy Lesser, New York Times, 2000
"Pierce is a gifted comic actor, fearless in his devotion to the physical demands of light comedy and he has always had impeccable timing."
- David Bianculli, New York Daily News, 2004
"It was easy to see the cast's real emotions beneath the surface as their characters said farewell and Frasier left the building. The handshake between Kelsey Grammer's Frasier and David Hyde Pierce's Niles was particularly warm, the culmination of 11 years of brilliant comic tag-teaming that resulted in two of TV history's funniest and best-cast siblings. They'll probably miss each other, and we will definitely miss them."
- Matthew Gilbert on the season finale, Boston Globe, 2004
Must-see episodes:
HEART AND SOUL…
He spent years admiring her from every angle. Often poignant and always hilarious, these episodes showcase the best of Niles and Daphne.
1.17 A Midwinter’s Night Dream
It’s a dark and stormy night, Maris can’t get home and Daphne is stranded at Niles’s. Will he be able to resist temptation?
3.13 Moon Dance
Daphne teaches Niles how to dance and they attend the elegant Snow Ball. Watch out for the tango scene. Oh mama!
4.06 Mixed Doubles
Joe breaks up with Daphne and who does she start dating? A Niles doppelganger! Sides shall split, so be warned.
4.21 Daphne Hates Sherry
After a fight with Sherry, Daphne seeks comfort over at Niles’s. But is that all she wants? Maybe it’s just the heat wave ... or is it?
7.23/7.24 Something Borrowed, Something Blue
He’s kept his feelings a secret for seven years. Will Daphne marry Donny or will Niles finally get his girl? Ooh, this is riveting stuff, kids.
‘TIL DIVORCE DO US PART ...
One of the great story arcs of Frasier followed the marriage and subsequent divorce of Niles and Maris. These episodes really allowed David to flex his acting muscle. Or in the case of 'An Affair To Forget', his duelling skills!
2.21 An Affair To Forget
Could Maris be having an affair with her fencing instructor? Surely not!
3.08 The Last Time I Saw Maris
Niles is worried when Maris is missing. (Turns out she went shopping in New York and never told him.) Stuff happens, Niles smashes lots of ugly ornaments and Maris wants a divorce. Gasp!
4.22 Are You Being Served?
Just when things appear to be getting back on track, Maris serves Niles with divorce papers. But will he sign?
5.13 The Maris Counsellor
Niles discovers that Maris has been doing the wild thing with Dr Shenkman, their marriage counsellor! Ew!
11.07/11.12 Maris Returns/Murder Most Maris
Maris is arrested for the murder of her Latin lover and Niles could be named as an accomplice! Oh and Niles strips naked in Café Nervosa but we’re sure no-one is interested in that ...
HE AIN’T HEAVY ...
The Crane boys at their competitive best. And worst.
1.22 Author! Author!
Frasier and Niles attempt to write a book together. Hilarity ensues.
1.24 My Coffee With Niles
Frasier and Niles just hangin’ out in Nervosa. The glorious real-time finale to season one.
2.18 The Club
The brothers Crane compete for membership in an exclusive, hoity toity club.
5.02 The Gift Horse
It’s Martin’s 65th birthday. Which son can get him the best present?
6.19 IQ
Niles has the higher IQ. Which doesn’t bother Frasier in the slightest. *cough*
THE HUNG SPECIALIST HIMSELF ...
Check out these comedic gems, with Niles at his ... Nilesiest.
2.04 Flour Child
Is Niles ready to become a father? Only one way to find out! He pretends a sack of flour is his baby. As you do.
4.05 Head Game
Niles is hailed as a hero when he helps a formerly great basketball star gets his game back in just a two minute therapy session. But is it really Niles’s psychiatric skills that did the trick? Or is it that peachy-smelling hair of his?
4.14 To Kill A Talking Bird
Niles is hosting a dinner party for his new neighbours and um ... ends up with a parakeet stuck on his head. It’s hilarious, trust us.
6.14 Three Valentines
Niles sets his pants on fire. Enough said!
8.15 Hooping Cranes
Watch out, it’s Half Court Crane! Niles defies all odds and makes a seemingly impossible shot during a basketball game.
AND NOT FORGETTING ...
10.07/10.08/10.09 Bristle While You Work/Rooms With A View/Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
Our poor, dear Niles undergoes open heart surgery! Not very sitcommy at all, these episodes. In fact, they really yank on the old heartstrings. Don’t die Niles!
Best lines:
"I must go, I'm hosting a seminar on multiple personalities and it takes me forever to fill out the name tags."
[Frasier disapproves of Niles buying Maris a car]
FRASIER: I happen to think that bribery is the wrong way for couples to resolve their conflicts.
NILES: And during which of your failed marriages did you hone that theory?
[About Daphne]
"She deserves a doctor, a lawyer - someone for whom a T-shirt is an undergarment."
NILES: [referring to a song that Martin is writing] I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I don't mean to quibble but it seems like your heart is always going heidi-heedi, ringy-dingy, or scooby-dooby.
MARTIN: Look, I don't need another critic.
NILES: Fine, perhaps just a cardiologist.
NILES: You don't realize how desperate I am. Ever since our separation, I've been paying women to touch me.
FRASIER: Oh, Niles.
NILES: Manicurists, pedicurists, facialists. Whenever you see a man who's well groomed, you can bet he's not gettin' any.
[After a waiter brings him his coffee]
"Can you believe the incompetence of that man? I very clearly asked for a whisper of cinnamon, he's given me a full-throated shout! There are countries in this world where they would lop off his sprinkling hand!"
FRASIER: Is that your idea of appropriate baseball-watching attire?
NILES: Obviously you failed to detect the subtle diamond pattern in my tie!
[On death]
"I've always liked the thought of meeting the great people of history, but then I think, what if it's like high school and none of the really cool dead people want to talk to me? Mozart'll tell me he's busy, but then later I'll see him out with Shakespeare and Lincoln!"
MARTIN: Take my word for it. You're sticking a fork in the toaster here.
NILES: Well, my muffin's stuck!
[Niles sees Roz and Martin having coffee together]
NILES: I'm not interrupting anything personal, am I?
ROZ: [sarcastically] Yeah, Niles, we just eloped. I'm your new mom.
NILES: Well, I'll be a son of a bitch.
DAPHNE: Beautiful job carving that turkey, Dr. Crane.
NILES: Well, I picked up a thing or two in medical school. In case you're wondering, this bird appears to have died of a massive head trauma.
[After Daphne has just kissed him passionately]
"I think you can call me Niles now."
DVD extras:
Slim pickings unfortunately! You’d think with Frasier being such a huge hit (37 Emmys people!) that the DVD guys would’ve said to themselves “Hey let’s give the fans lots of juicy extras!” But alas, no.
Okay, the first three seasons aren’t bad. Season one has a rather nice audio commentary for 'The Good Son' by Peter Casey and David Lee, as well as a couple of featurettes. The second season has a great 'Matchmaker' commentary by David Lee and Joe Keenan and another few featurettes, and season three has a neat two-handed interview with Kelsey and David. (And apparently the S11 box has some cool 'farewell' featurettes, but we haven't seen them yet since it's not out on R2. Sigh ...)
It all goes horribly wrong after that though, and seasons 4-10 have no special features at all. Nothing at all! Zilch! Nada! Squat! It really is quite disappointing for diehard Frasier nerds like ourselves.
We live in hope however, of a shiny, eleven season boxset being released some day, filled to the brim with indepth interviews, character analyses, promo spots, behind the scenes footage, deleted scenes, blooper reels and all round special featurey deliciousness.