The original Frasier Rewatch

[Athena]

If you are interested in rewatching the original show, we can organize it in this thread. Please feel free to suggest possible schedules, must watch episodes, etc. I could also create Season threads if there is enough interest as well.

[Ms Blue Jay]

Back to my Season 9 rewatch.

Daphne's reverse proposal?  Re-proposal? back to Niles after Niles found her father was very sweet.

And I liked watching Cora and Frasier trick Martin and Cam, that was really fun, until Cora and Martin's kiss which unfortunately was made incredibly awkward by John Mahoney.  LOL.

Watching Frasier and Roz talk FOR AN ENTIRE EPISODE about how they had sex the previous one was so uncomfortable. I wonder if anyone on the planet was ever asking for the two of them to hook up.  It's not as bad as Rachel Green and Joey Tribbiani, but it's close.

Edited April 15, 2023 by Ms Blue Jay

[Annber03]

3 hours ago, Ms Blue Jay said:

Daphne's reverse proposal?  Re-proposal? back to Niles after Niles found her father was very sweet.

I love that scene so much. The way Niles just wordlessly grabs Daphne's hand and leads her out of the apartment so they can go elope...<3. 

Quote

Watching Frasier and Roz talk FOR AN ENTIRE EPISODE about how they had sex the previous one was so uncomfortable. I wonder if anyone on the planet was ever asking for the two of them to hook up.  It's not as bad as Rachel Green and Joey Tribbiani, but it's close.

Ha, eh, I've come across a few Frasier/Roz shippers out there, so yeah, they exist :D. I personally don't mind the idea, either, though I also totally understand and respect the show ultimately deciding not to go that route, for a whole host of reasons.

I do love Frasier working to make sure things between him and Roz are okay after all of that :). He's so worried that their friendship's been completely ruined and it's really touching to see how much he cares about her and doesn't want to risk losing that bond. 

[chessiegal]

I noticed in a rerun tonight on COZI that the guest caller was Brooke Adams. Some years ago, that would have meant nothing to me, but since I've been binging on Monk, I know she is married to Tony Shaloub. She had a role in "Mr. Monk and the Kid".

[Lois Sandborne]

Is this where we just talk about the show now? Because the algorithm did its job and served this up to me: 

It got me thinking about where I would want to eat in Frasier's Seattle. It would be hard to pass up the chance to have a dessert made by Faye, Fabulous Faye, so I'd probably go for Le Cigare Volant. But I'd hate to miss out on whatever the experience is at The Salad Experience, so it's a tough choice.

On 4/15/2023 at 4:07 AM, Annber03 said:

Ha, eh, I've come across a few Frasier/Roz shippers out there, so yeah, they exist :D. I personally don't mind the idea, either, though I also totally understand and respect the show ultimately deciding not to go that route, for a whole host of reasons.

I'm a romantic and a dyed-in the wool shipper, but I never wanted Frasier and Roz to be a couple. To me they're not even compatible as opposites who complement each other. But (eventually) (and most of the time lol) they're great friends. But I can accept that the show had them sleep together once and talk it over so it never needed to come up again. Kind of like Lilith and Niles; they needed each other in that brief moment, but ultimately it didn't change their relationship.

[Anela]

If this is only on paramount, then I can't do a re-watch. I don't have cable. 

[AD35]

On 4/23/2023 at 8:53 AM, Lois Sandborne said:

It got me thinking about where I would want to eat in Frasier's Seattle. It would be hard to pass up the chance to have a dessert made by Faye, Fabulous Faye, so I'd probably go for Le Cigare Volant. But I'd hate to miss out on whatever the experience is at The Salad Experience, so it's a tough choice.

I'd be willing to give Farmer Jack's Chicken Chicken Chicken a try (I think that's the name).

[Annber03]

2 hours ago, AD35 said:

I'd be willing to give Farmer Jack's Chicken Chicken Chicken a try (I think that's the name).

I hear the chicken there is very good :D!

[Guest]

23 hours ago, Anela said:

If this is only on paramount, then I can't do a re-watch. I don't have cable. 

It’s also on Hulu and Peacock. But it is leaving Peacock in 5 days. 

[Anela]

On 4/26/2023 at 1:47 AM, Dani said:

It’s also on Hulu and Peacock. But it is leaving Peacock in 5 days. 

Thanks. I have peacock for a while, and Hulu.  

[MSterling]

15 hours ago, Anela said:

Thanks. I have peacock for a while, and Hulu.  

Don't overlook your library. Mine has all 11 seasons on DVD.

[the-grey-lady]

On 4/25/2023 at 4:27 PM, AD35 said:

I'd be willing to give Farmer Jack's Chicken Chicken Chicken a try (I think that's the name).

I'd grab a bite at The Timber Mill. I'll make sure to leave my tie at home, enjoy the salad bar (one trip only, please), and ask them to leave bacon bits off my baked potato (I don't eat bacon because of the nitrates).

[Annber03]

5 minutes ago, the-grey-lady said:

I'd grab a bite at The Timber Mill. I'll make sure to leave my tie at home, enjoy the salad bar (one trip only, please), and ask them to leave bacon bits off my baked potato (I don't eat bacon because of the nitrates).

That would be my pick, too. It just seems like the sort of restaurant I could see my family going to for dinner. I bet they'd have good French fries or burgers or something. 

Plus, I don't wear ties, so I wouldn't have to worry about anyone cutting mine off when I arrived :p. 

[Blue hues]

I never got into into when it first came out, but now find myself watching it and liking it, on Cozi TV.  There was an eery coincidence in an episode I just saw.  In the episode where Frasier meets an unknown woman, who leaves voice mails, at the airport, the woman’s voice says she’s arriving on American Airline flight 11, which just a few years later was one of the planes/flights involved in 9/11.  Chilling.

[Annber03]

My mom and I also caught the episode last week where they had Frasier Crane Day to celebrate Frasier's 1,000th radio broadcast. At the end of the episode, they showed clips from an actual Frasier Crane Day event that the cast held in Seattle. 

The date of that particular Frasier Crane Day celebration?

September 11th, 1997. 

[Blue hues]

43 minutes ago, Annber03 said:

My mom and I also caught the episode last week where they had Frasier Crane Day to celebrate Frasier's 1,000th radio broadcast. At the end of the episode, they showed clips from an actual Frasier Crane Day event that the cast held in Seattle. 

The date of that particular Frasier Crane Day celebration?

September 11th, 1997. 

Another irony… the producer of the show was killed on the AA flight 11 on 9/11, heading to LAX that dreadful morning.  It was the Boston to LAX route.  

[Sarah 103]

Favorite Episodes in No Particular Order:

Midwinter Night's Dream

Moon Dance

Ham Radio

Room Service

The Ski Lodge

Merry Christmas Mrs. Moscowitz 

Three Valentines (the only reason it's on the list is for the Niles segment)

Honorable Mention goes to any episode where someone is throwing/hosting a party. 

 

Edited October 9, 2023 by Sarah 103

[Annber03]

Can't argue with that list. All favorites of mine as well :D. 

[ofmd]

On 10/9/2023 at 9:23 PM, Sarah 103 said:

Favorite Episodes in No Particular Order:

Midwinter Night's Dream

Moon Dance

Ham Radio

Room Service

The Ski Lodge

Merry Christmas Mrs. Moscowitz 

Three Valentines (the only reason it's on the list is for the Niles segment)

Honorable Mention goes to any episode where someone is throwing/hosting a party. 

 

I highly approve of this list!

I might add the one where Frasier wants to set up his new boss with Daphne, only to discover he was accidentally dating him himself.

(I'm bad with titles.)

Oh, and one of my absolute favorites is the real-time one where they are in the café - mostly F and N - but everyone else stops by... Breakfast With Niles?

Edited October 10, 2023 by ofmd

[Annber03]

19 minutes ago, ofmd said:

I highly approve of this list!

I might add the one where Frasier wants to set up his new boss with Daphne, only to discover he was accidentally dating him himself.

(I'm bad with titles.)

"The Matchmaker". Another classic :D. "There's something I have to tell you. Dad wanted to, but I won the coin toss."

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Oh, and one of my absolute favorites is the real-time one where they are in the café - mostly F and N - but everyone else stops by... Breakfast With Niles?

That one sounds like "Shutout in Seattle", from your description :). 

[ofmd]

My Coffee with Niles!

I just found this very helpful resource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Frasier_episodes

And now I'm thinking of another rewatch of seasons 1-3.

Edited October 10, 2023 by ofmd

[SoMuchTV]

Has anyone recently watched season 1 on Prime? The reboot/revival/sequel/ whatever has inspired me to go back to the real thing, and around the middle of s1 I’m starting to see oddities. Like, for a given episode, the title, description, and screencap are from three different episodes. What actually plays may or may not be one of those.  And sometimes the CCs are for a different episode. Plus, I seem to randomly get 4x3 or 16x9 versions. This is on a smart tv and two different fire sticks, so I don’t think it’s my device. 

I can get it on Hulu as well, and it looks to be better, but since Prime is my only ad free option, I’d like to be able to watch there. 

Anyone else seeing an issue? 

[benteen]

I need to do a rewatch of the original Frasier. Although I think the new show has gotten better in recent weeks, it definitely lacks rewatchability. I wouldn't rewatch any of the new episodes while I would rewatch tge original Frasier in a heartbeat. The comedies I have enjoyed over the past few years I would rewatch and in some cases, have.

[ichbin]

I'm on my second rewatch.  First was a few years ago.  I can't believe how many times I have laughed out loud.  This show holds up so well!  One thing I only now noticed is the slight animated change to the title card graphics each episode. I don't remember that from watching when it first aired and I think my first rewatch was probably on Netflix where I could avoid the opening intros. I'll go back to the new episodes after I finish this rewatch because the original is just so damn good!

Edited November 20, 2023 by ichbin

[SoMuchTV]

I'm rewatching for pretty much the first time since the original airing.  I'm most of the way through S3, and only just realizing that Frasier's fancy schmancy apartment apparently doesn't have in-unit washer & dryer.  I think two episodes in a row, Daphne has come in the front door carrying in a laundry basket.  Oh well, I guess people who live there just send their laundry out with a service.

Which leads to point two:  I know they always introduce Daphne as Martin's physical therapist or home health aid or something similar, but my gawd, that poor woman appears to be the chief cook/cleaning lady/dog walker/everything else they need to run a household!  I hope at some point behind the scenes she negotiated a salary commensurate with her responsibilities!

[Harry24]

22 hours ago, SoMuchTV said:

I'm rewatching for pretty much the first time since the original airing.  I'm most of the way through S3, and only just realizing that Frasier's fancy schmancy apartment apparently doesn't have in-unit washer & dryer.  I think two episodes in a row, Daphne has come in the front door carrying in a laundry basket.  Oh well, I guess people who live there just send their laundry out with a service.

Which leads to point two:  I know they always introduce Daphne as Martin's physical therapist or home health aid or something similar, but my gawd, that poor woman appears to be the chief cook/cleaning lady/dog walker/everything else they need to run a household!  I hope at some point behind the scenes she negotiated a salary commensurate with her responsibilities!

I can’t remember which episode it is, but later on it’s revealed that Frasier converted the space with the W/D hookup into storage for his hats (IIRC).  That may be the episode where he ends up buying Daphne a car at the end.

[SoMuchTV]

As I posted recently, I’m rewatching from the beginning, and I’m now on s04e01, The Two Mrs. Cranes. Where Martin reminisces about driving the moon-crane, among other things. Is there a more LOL episode than that, because if so, I want to skip to that immediately. 

[tessaray]

3 hours ago, Harry24 said:

I can’t remember which episode it is, but later on it’s revealed that Frasier converted the space with the W/D hookup into storage for his hats (IIRC).  That may be the episode where he ends up buying Daphne a car at the end.

It's much, much later (s9e20) - Cam Winston is part of the episode. But the episode where he buys Daphne a car is s2, where Frasier keeps getting caught in Daphne's room and she threatens to quit.

[Annber03]

33 minutes ago, SoMuchTV said:

As I posted recently, I’m rewatching from the beginning, and I’m now on s04e01, The Two Mrs. Cranes. Where Martin reminisces about driving the moon-crane, among other things. Is there a more LOL episode than that, because if so, I want to skip to that immediately. 

He is so fun in that episode, he's just having a blast totally messing with everyone as he is and it's great :D. I also love how Niles and Daphne mirror each other's actions at various points, with the way they both look towards the door or at Martin at the same time, or sit down on the couch together. 

(Regarding funny Martin moments, last weekend my mom and I watched a couple of the Christmas episodes, and I was just losing it at the bit in "Perspectives on Christmas" where Martin starts talking about being in that play, trying to sing his song, only to be interrupted when Eddie runs off with the baby Jesus doll. That entire rant is just pure gold from start to finish XD.)

[Irlandesa]

1 hour ago, SoMuchTV said:

As I posted recently, I’m rewatching from the beginning, and I’m now on s04e01, The Two Mrs. Cranes. Where Martin reminisces about driving the moon-crane, among other things. Is there a more LOL episode than that, because if so, I want to skip to that immediately. 

I don't always agree with IMDb ratings but they have Season 5's The Ski Lodge as their top-rated episode (S5.E14) and Ham Radio (S4.E18) as the second top-rated episode. 

I do like Ham Radio, but I don't think it's on the same level as The Two Mrs. Cranes for me.  On the other hand, The Ski Lodge was one episode I thought of when I read your question.  I don't know if I pegged it as quite the classic when I first watched it, but it has gone up in my estimation over the years. 

I don't know if I'd put it above The Two Mrs. Cranes in terms of the number of laughs, but it certainly comes close.

[tessaray]

Broad comedy and farce isn't my thing (putting it mildly) but for some reason I can't stop laughing during Roz and the Schnoz (s5e21). 

[Panopticon]

23 hours ago, Annber03 said:

(Regarding funny Martin moments, last weekend my mom and I watched a couple of the Christmas episodes, and I was just losing it at the bit in "Perspectives on Christmas" where Martin starts talking about being in that play, trying to sing his song, only to be interrupted when Eddie runs off with the baby Jesus doll. That entire rant is just pure gold from start to finish XD.)

I adore that episode! I watch it every Christmas. I love the moment when Daphne realizes that Martin isn't dying after all, as well as Frasier/Niles trying to teach Martin to hit the note.

[Annber03]

6 minutes ago, Panopticon said:

I adore that episode! I watch it every Christmas. I love the moment when Daphne realizes that Martin isn't dying after all

I love the way everything Martin says just sounds so wrong when Daphne overhears it. "Now tell me what I'm supposed to say when I see Jesus for the first time?" 

Quote

as well as Frasier/Niles trying to teach Martin to hit the note.

"Try it, Dad!"

"No, I'm afraid with three of us doing it, it might look stupid." 

[andidante]

I recently bought the DVD series and I forgot how funny this show was! The writing was top notch and I love all of the characters. I think Martin is my favorite.

[SoMuchTV]

On 12/30/2023 at 6:31 PM, SoMuchTV said:

I'm rewatching for pretty much the first time since the original airing.  I'm most of the way through S3, and only just realizing that Frasier's fancy schmancy apartment apparently doesn't have in-unit washer & dryer.  I think two episodes in a row, Daphne has come in the front door carrying in a laundry basket.  Oh well, I guess people who live there just send their laundry out with a service.

Which leads to point two:  I know they always introduce Daphne as Martin's physical therapist or home health aid or something similar, but my gawd, that poor woman appears to be the chief cook/cleaning lady/dog walker/everything else they need to run a household!  I hope at some point behind the scenes she negotiated a salary commensurate with her responsibilities!

Quoting myself because I’m now up to season 9 on my rewatch (and apparently I remembered nothing from watching it as it originally aired) and I’m even more peeved to learn that they could have had an in-unit washer/dryer all along, but the space was being used for Frasier’s hat closet. (Remind me, have we ever seen Frasier wearing a hat?) And not only is Daphne responsible for doing the laundry, but also for losing a sock?  Again, I hope she’s being paid royally for this “other duty as assigned” for her physical therapist job. Does she even still live there?

[SoMuchTV]

On 12/31/2023 at 5:21 PM, Harry24 said:

I can’t remember which episode it is, but later on it’s revealed that Frasier converted the space with the W/D hookup into storage for his hats (IIRC).  That may be the episode where he ends up buying Daphne a car at the end.

Oh right, I remember you posted this now. Hopefully this will merge with my previous post. 

[ljenkins782]

I've been watching some of the seasons I tended to avoid in my typical rewatching (seasons 8-10 and half of 11 with the exception of certain episodes) and found a new Frasier moment that is just genius line delivery by Kelsey.

It's the episode where Martin forgets to mail the insurance payment and Frasier asks what his new insurance rate will be to renew. He doesn't like what he hears and sets the phone down going "Scandinavian shyster! Cold-hearted, glad-handed, highway-robber, phony big-toothed smiling son of a bitch insurance man!"

I don't think anyone could have delivered that line as perfectly and hilariously as Kelsey Grammer, it's just amazing.

[shapeshifter]

11 hours ago, ljenkins782 said:

It's the episode where Martin forgets to mail the insurance payment and Frasier asks what his new insurance rate will be to renew. He doesn't like what he hears and sets the phone down going "Scandinavian shyster! Cold-hearted, glad-handed, highway-robber, phony big-toothed smiling son of a bitch insurance man!"

I don't think anyone could have delivered that line as perfectly and hilariously as Kelsey Grammer, it's just amazing.

Coincidentally, I happened to catch that line too yesterday while in the bath.
The script used the comedic Rule of Three, with Frasier spouting 2 more colorful derisions about his insurance agent, each time failing to properly hang up the call on his cell phone (a not uncommon occurrence when all cell phone users were new users) and finally angrily barking at the agent for not having yet hung up himself.

But then Frasier insists on contacting the dreadful friend of Roz, whom Frasier had lived to regret going on a date with (who is an insurance agent), and, of course, a comedy of disasters ensues — at which point I didn’t want to watch anymore.

Edited May 2 by shapeshifter

[andidante]

I just started season 6. I don't think I have watched much of seasons 8-10 so not sure why they are so bad? Did the writing change or something?

[shapeshifter]

2 hours ago, andidante said:

I just started season 6. I don't think I have watched much of seasons 8-10 so not sure why they are so bad? Did the writing change or something?

Regarding part of season 9 and all of seasons 10 & 11:
deadline.com/2021/09/david-angell-september-11-kelsey-grammer-remembers-frasier-creator-1234827674/

[andidante]

8 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Regarding part of season 9 and all of seasons 10 & 11:
deadline.com/2021/09/david-angell-september-11-kelsey-grammer-remembers-frasier-creator-1234827674/

I had heard about that. So sad! 

[Panopticon]

On 5/2/2024 at 8:40 AM, andidante said:

I just started season 6. I don't think I have watched much of seasons 8-10 so not sure why they are so bad? Did the writing change or something?

There are still very good episodes in those seasons, just not as consistently as in earlier seasons. To me, it feels like a slow natural decline after they resolve the tension between Niles and Daphne, move Martin on to the next phase of his life, and leave Frasier himself as kind of stagnant. 

[ByTor]

One of my favorites is Martin Does it His Way, but there's something that bugs me. Considering what music snobs Frasier and Niles were, why did they make the opening of "She's Such a Groovy Lady" sound like the Sesame Street theme?