Frasier

Frasier has a witty, ironic, heart-warming and occasionally self-deprecating humour. Kelsey Grammar's portrayal of the generous, bordering on vain Frasier Crane is brilliant and it is always funny when his gleefully executed pretensions are shot down by the other characters, especially his father and Roz. I think that the humour of the show would be non-existent without well thought out dialogue exchanges between each character. Each character has a depth to them so that you never feel like they're just present within the show as merely a form of comic relief. That said, there are some hilarious side characters, such as Bebe Glazer, who add a little anarchy to the social dynamic of the show and serve to test Frasier's character.

As a result, you have a show strikes a very good and thoughtful balance between comedy, drama and the always interesting and emotive character development throughout the show. For example, Frasier's relationship between his father, Niles and Daphne, Frasier and Roz, Frasier and Niles and so on. All these characters and the way they interact are very thoughtfully written and the comedy never feels contrived. They just bounce off and the way they react to one another forms the perfect chemistry for comedy and drama that any good show needs.

The character of Frasier is complex. He is a romantic who often over-analyses the relationships he's in, only to get disappointed when things don't work out as he had idealised (something I think is quite common). Although he often helps others, he does so because he craves attention from others. At his worst, he comes off as snobby and self-absorbed, particularly in the beginning of the show. At his best, he is very giving. I think that the other characters that come into his life brings the latter out in him and softens the self-absorbed side of his personality, making him a better person throughout the show. This character dynamic is similar to the way his brother Nile's character develops throughout the series, as well as their father.

As a result, the show is very much centred on people, on the importance of family, friends and helping others. I think the show does a stellar job at demonstrating that it is worth confronting and overcoming the many challenges that emerge out of forming relationships with people. If you are ever a bit miserable you can guarantee that Frasier's cast of characters will provide you with some much needed mirth, entertainment and maybe restore a little bit of faith in your fellow human.

I was pleased to see the Crane boys rewarded at the Emmys in 2004; a fitting tribute to 11 years of highly entertaining TV, the like of which I personally will miss terribly.

Reading some of the comments on this site prompted me to write that the characters created are all based on the premise that the two experts on life are constantly frustrated by their own shortcomings and are guided, ignorantly, by the other characters, who demonstrate that their own interpretations on how to run their lives supercede the tertiary-educated brothers.

I will sorely miss the interactions between all members of the cast and the ability of the show to hit the nail fairly and squarely on the head, when it comes to addressing the vagaries of interfamilial relationships. If you don't get this, you never will and you will never see the funny side of life.

I look forward to Australia receiving the most recent episodes, as we are still watching reruns from about 1998! Lucky us!

When I first immigrated to Canada I was living in a bachelor apartment which was too small for...well everything. The only entertainment I had was my little TV (small TV for a small apt). This show literally saved me from killing myself. If it wasn't for this show, I would have probably jumped out the balcony or something. Every time I came home in the evening from a fruitless job search, I would turn on the TV and started watching Frasier 2-3 hours straight. And all the situations portrayed in the show with an optimistic look on life really helped me a lot. Frasier became my TV psychologist.

This is an awesome show with very intelligent dialogs and conversations. The show begins with Frasier moving to Seattle from Boston (this character is originally from Cheers). He takes a job at a radio station as a radio psychologist. He is over-intellectual, over-refined, witty, sarcastic and a little snobby..but in a delightful way. However, he is still awkward with women, sometimes with his relation with his father and others. After all, he is a human being too. His brother Niles Crane is just like his older brother (maybe a higher IQ, was it 4 points higher??), only more neurotic and probably more insecure with women. Niles character was initially meant to be just a secondary character but as the show developed, his character became very essential. The situations that arise from his untold love for Daphne (Martin/Frasier's father's physical therapist) are just hilarious. Roz Doyle, Frasier's producer, is another important character who loves men just a little too much. But she is more complicated than just a simple fool-for-men character (wonderfully portrayed by Peri Gilpin). Martin Crane is probably the most rational, most practical of all and it is a wonder how Frasier and Niles fell so far away from the tree in that department. Daphne Moon, love object of Niles Crane, is a delightful young woman from Manchester, UK who lives in the same house and is practically a member of the Crane family. Although just a dog, Eddie is a very important part of the show. Eddie is so lovable and probably the best company of Martin Crane. There are so many other notable characters, such as Bulldog (a womanizer with sports-dude attitude), Maris, Niles' wife, who doesn't appear in the show at all but the jokes about her are enough to count her in as an essential character, and Frasier's ex-wife and son.

Overall, Frasier is an unforgettable comedy sitcom that has been superbly successful for 10 years and received many awards. And if I am not mistaken, Kelsey Grammar (Frasier) has the record as the actor who portrayed the same character in TV series for more than 20 years (Cheers and Frasier). I own the entire DVD box-set collection and recommend it to everyone who enjoys intelligent comedy.

Rather like Friends and Seinfeld, Frasier is one of those sitcoms of the 90's with mass appeal. While it probably isn't as internationally famous as "Friends" it is every bit as good as it. Over the years, "Frasier" has remained a consistently entertaining and ultimately satisfying sitcom. It always has fresh, witty material and hopefully will continue for another few years. The cast all work perfectly together, the overall effect is very good. "Frasier" is one of the best sitcoms on television today.

This is one of the funniest shows on tv. Kelsey, David and the rest work so well together and are very funny. No wonder it's won the emmy for best comedy all those years in a row. I can't believe Ally McBeal beat it out this year. I don't think that show is half as funny as Frasier. What makes it even better is that the show has Peri Gilpin who is the daughter of the great Jim O'Brien who was a newscaster/weatherman for Philly news. I see where she gets her talent! Anyway Frasier is a great show that anyone would enjoy!