One of the best sit-coms of all time (Frasier)

Member Name: millwallcris1885

Product:	Frasier
Date:	03/11/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Kelsey Grammer's eloquent and sartorial comedy

Disadvantages: Its finished!!!

Since his days as a bar stool regular on 'Cheers', Frasier Crane has now graduated to his own immensely popular sit-com. Following his move west from Boston to Seattle, 'Frasier' picks up Crane's life post-'Cheers'.

The hit show ran for 11 series and in my opinion has gone from strength to strength.


The Cast

Frasier Crane - Kelsey Grammer
Niles Crane - David Hyde Pierce
Martin Crane - John Maloney
Daphne Moon - Jane Leeves
Roz Doyle - Peri Gilpin



My Verdict

One of my favourite aspects of the show is the interaction between Frasier and his dad Martin. Much of the shows comedy is derived from the conflict that arises from the interactions between this mismatched pair. Frasier is irritated by his father's unrefined taste and penchant for baseball, beer and chilli burgers. Similarly, Martin is bemused by the fine wines, French cuisine and frequent trips to the opera that his son revels in. Throw Martin's pet dog Eddy and Frasier's Channelle couch into the equation and much comedy ensues. For all the laughs and gags that arise from this situation, the show also displays a sensitive and sympathetic heart. One of the great joys of watching this series in its entirety is watching the relationship between father and son blossom. From the fractious bickering at the shows inception, Frasier and Martin work towards a mutual accepting and an understanding of what makes the other tick. Despite their numerous differences the pair eventually bring each other much happiness.

Frasier's refined and comically pompous manner is more than matched by that of his brother Niles (played by David Hyde Pearce). The pair's incessant one-upmanship is another key source for the shows comedy and manifests itself in every aspect of their lives. Both Niles and Frasier are qualified psychiatrists, but Niles never misses a chance to remind his brother that he is the only one with his own practice (while Frasier has 'sold-out' to the glamour of radio psychiatry).
Like brothers the world over, the Crane boys argue and disagree over everything. In this show, subjects likely to provoke argument run the gambit from social etiquette to the correct way to poach a quail. Despite the Crane boys' pretention to high culture, the show has distinct elements of slap stick and lower-brow comedy (usually provided by Martin, Roz or Eddy), which has helped to catapult the show to worldwide success. I find after watching a couple of series and really getting to know the characters, you can see the jokes coming from a fair way off. To be fair, this doesn't detract from the enjoyment of watching the show as the delivery of the punchline is always impeccable.
Frasier is perpetually unlucky in love, and the shows real romantic saga is between Niles and Daphne Moon, Martin's physiotherapist who lives with the Cranes. Though married to the comically repulsive Marris, Niles remains infatuated with Daphne and a good portion of the shows narrative is devoted to his pursuit of her.

I do however, have one moderate gripe with this show that is worth mentioning. Daphne Moon is from Manchester, and as the actress who plays her is English, there are no problems with her accent or dialogue. Around series 8 or 9, Daphne's family become involved in the show and her mum and dad portray a fairly stylised but passable couple from the North of England. They are stereotypes, but affectionately portrayed. However, somehow Daphne's brother, also supposedly from Manchester, has THE WORST fake cockney accent I have heard since Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. He is from Manchester, so why does he speak like a 1920's peasant from London's East End? I'm pretty sure that the actor who plays him is American and God alone knows how he passed the audition. Being from London myself, his voice grates on me every time he speaks!

That being said, I still completely love this show, despite the farcical accent of Daphne's brother. I always think that one of the traits of a truly great TV program is that you end up caring deeply about its characters. They have the ability to make you laugh and smile and you feel for them when luck desserts them. That is undoubtedly the case with Frasier. Kelsey Grammar is such a talent and I am sure that the show would still be funny and original if they carried on making it forever. I can only say that I wish they would.

Summary: 11 series of pure quality