Frasier: Difference between revisions

''They're calling again''"|'''[[Kelsey Grammer]]''', [[Do-It-Yourself Theme Tune|closing theme]]}}

In addition to Frasier and Martin, the rest of the main cast includes Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin), Frasier's sharp-tongued, upbeat producer, who is notorious for her healthy sex life and who soon becomes [[Like Brother and Sister|his best friend]]; Frasier's brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce), also a psychiatrist with a personality and line of interests very similar to those of his brother, with whom he shares a [[Heterosexual Life Partners|close-knit]] but [[Sibling Rivalry|intensely competitive]] relationship, who was a frequent visitor to the apartment and a companion in most of Frasier's complicated escapades; and Martin's physical therapist and housekeeper, [[The Cutie|cheerful, eccentric]] [[The Heart|young Englishwoman]] Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves). Martin's deceptively intelligent Jack Russell terrier Eddie, Frasier's coworkers at KACL, and Niles' [[The Ghost|unseen but outlandish]] wife Maris were the final touches to the core cast, which remained intact and unchanged throughout all eleven seasons of the show's run. Dan Butler, who played sports show host Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe, was listed in the opening credits for seasonsSeasons 4 through 6, but was billed as a guest star for all other appearances.

The show ran on [[Irony]] in all its forms, especially in the premise of a brilliant psychiatrist who can analyze and solve anyone's problems, but cannot for the life of him deal with his familial relationships, the bizarre situations he always gets himself into, or his own personal neuroses. For obvious reasons, psychological issues, mind games, and behavioral patterns was a major theme throughout the show and a source of much humor, as was the presence of family and the dynamics of parental and sibling relationships. The plots of the episodes usually revolved around Frasier or the other main characters accidentally overcomplicatingover-complicating their own or each otherothers's crises, powered by a sitcom-standard mix-and-match of [[Snowball Lie]], [[Fawlty Towers Plot]], [[Contrived Coincidence]], and the entire gamut of [[Comedy of Errors]]; but usually developed in a far more intricate, subtle, and sophisticated manner than most sitcoms, frequently subverting the very tropes they made heavy use of.

Over the years, notable [[Character Development]] occurred for all five main characters. The cast became more understanding and close-knit, Frasier's relationship with Martin improved drastically after they started living together, Frasier started a quest for a meaningful relationship, Niles and Maris divorced, and Roz got pregnant and became a single mother halfway through the show. However, the most notable story arc was the drawn-out, heartfelt [[Will They or Won't They?]] between a blissfully [[Oblivious to Love]] Daphne, and a shyly adoring Niles, who carried a silent torch for her for seven years. They had to go through a whole cavalcade of complications and roadblocks before finally confessing their love for each other and getting together in a [[Moment of Awesome (Sugar Wiki)|Moment of Awesome]] at the end of seasonSeason 7.

* [[Replacement Flat Character]]: (The Niles).

* [[Aborted Arc]]: Season 10 built up an [[Unresolved Sexual Tension]] between Frasier and Roz that culminated with Roz leaving the station due to jealously towards [[Romantic False Lead|Julia]]. When Season 11 rolled around, an A-team of Frasier writers (Joe Keenan, Chris Lloyd, Rob Greenberg) returned, declared seasonSeason 10 a misfire, and gracefully undid all the damage in two episodes.

* [[Actually Pretty Funny]]: ''"Voyage Of The Damned''" sees Frasier booked as a cruise ship entertainer along with several B-list celebrities whom Frasier is less than enthusiastic about sharing billing with ("You've booked me on a floating [[The Gong Show|Gong Show]]! ... of course I got top billing! I'm the only one up there I've ever heard of!"), one of whom is comedian Giggles O'Shea. Later, Giggles helps Frasier spice up his speech with a few jokes, which Frasier has to admit are really pretty good.

* [[All Love Is Unrequited]]: ''"The Ski Lodge''" features one of the most complicated love tangles ever. With an especially cruel twist, as once it's all sorted out, Frasier is left to come to the hideously painful realization that ''no one was lusting after him''.

*** Also, for most of the series, Niles and Daphne. {{spoiler|Niles eventually seemed to get over his crush on Daphne and move on... just in time for Daphne to [[Unrequited Love Switcheroo|develop a crush on him]].}}

* [[Ambiguously Gay]]: Gil Chesterton. He shows [[Camp Gay|every outward sign of being effeminitelyeffeminately gay]], but says he's married and makes several references to his wife over the years. But [[The Ghost|she's never seen]] (which Roz tries to call him out on), and he does things in quick gags like quoting lines from a romance novel clearly directed at Bulldog, and sneaking into a gay bar. Is he gay? Straight? Both, or curious, or just oblivious to how it all looks?''''It results in a crowning moment of funny when Gil says, of one of KACL's production staff - one just as ambiguously effeminate as himself - "between you and me, I always thought of him as being ''the other way''", and Roz responds with a confused "which way would that be!?"

** From ''"Roz And The Schnoz''", Roz has been having a [[Heroic BSOD]] the entire episode when she sees how massive her unborn child's grandparents' noses are.

'''Roz:''' ''(calmly at first)'' Oh yeah, and you were absolutely right, Frasier. Now I can see some of the qualities my baby can have. A great sense of humor... a sweet disposition... ''(angrish)'' '''a nose like an ANTEATER!!''' }}

** In one episode, two DJ's try to make a career out of [[Break the Haughty|publicly humiliating]] Frasier. He refuses to sink to their level and will only counter them by quoting famous authors. After all the ridicule, one of them manages to hit his [[Berserk Button]] by [[What Do You Mean It's Not Heinous?|correcting his pronunciation of]] "[[François de La Rochefoucauld|La Rochefoucauld]].".

** In another episode, Frasier takes a call on his show from a woman who is concerned about the fact that her husband keeps his late wife's ashes in their bedroom. The conversation ends with the sound of breaking ceramics, and the words, "Oops... I have some vaccuumingvacuuming to do."

** Also in "Ham Radio", when the cast is going through a reading of the original script with Bulldog as Mr. Wing (formerly Wang).

'''Roz:'''Stop! Chinese Embassy on line one! }}

'''Martin''': [sarcastic] Gee, ya think? }}

* [[Bachelor Auction]]: Frasier gets won by Kristina Harper (Claire Stansfield) in ''"Can't Buy Me Love''". Despite the fact she's gorgeous and completely adores Frasier, he [[Foregone Conclusion|blows it]].

* [[Bald Women]]: artistArtist Martha Paxton

* [[Baseball Episode]]: ''"The Unnatural''", which has Frasier attempting to play on the KACL softball team at the behest of Freddy. We don't see the match itself but judging from Frasier's "training" by Martin, he didn't do too well.

'''Frasier:''' Are you saying that your BIRD requires both a study and a library? }}

'''Frasier:''' You have THREE roofs over your head! }}

* [[Bilingual Bonus]]: If the viewer happens to speak French, they can catch the deliberately uppity yet nonsensical names of the restaurants that Frasier and Niles frequent, such as ''Le Cigare Volant'' (The Flying Cigar), ''Le Petit Oiseau'' (The Little Bird) and, arguably the best example, ''Quelquechose'' meaning literally "Something.".

'''Frasier''': '''''[[Crowning Moment of Funny|THIS MORNING YOU SAID NOTHING!]]''''' }}

* [[Bragging Theme Tune]]: A [[Show Within a Show]] example from the seasonSeason 7 episode ''"They're Playing Our Song''", in which Frasier is told to come up with a jingle to introduce his show. He gets a full orchestra and chorus for something really over the top.

'''Michael:''' Righ... mistuh fais thedun, wheti fai, forte fee... boom! }}

** Ferguson, the butler who served Frasier for one episode (played by [[Godspell|Victor Garber]]) is a bit of a subversion. While he's [[The Jeeves|a very proper British manservant]], when he's alone with Daphne in the kitchen, he drops his pretension and discusses Manchester United with her, explaining that it's his ''job'' to play the role of [[The Jeeves]]. (Needlessneedless to say, both Frasier and Niles delight in his subservient behavior, and even Martin finds a use for him, clicking his remote control for him.).

* [[Broken Aesop]]: In "''I Hate Frasier Crane'',", when Frasier decides to renege on fighting with a man who he had accepted an invitation to fight with, Martin is furious and brings up a past incident where Frasier decided not to fight a guy. An incident from Frasier's CHILDHOOD. His anger seems to stem from embarrassment at his son not being "man" enough to go through with such a fight. However, it's first [[Lampshade Hanging|lampshaded]] by Frasier how stupid it is that Martin won't be satisfied until he comes home with a black eye, and then [[Subverted Trope]] when Martin says he only wants Frasier to carry out promises he makes; once it becomes clear that Frasier is actually going to fight, Martin calls in the cops to break it up before things really get physical.

'''Frasier''': Roz, that didn't work when I was cut from pee-wee football, it's not gonna work now. }}

'''Lilith:''' I can empathize. Sometimes after a late night, I cover my under-eye circles with Liquid Paper. }}

* [[Camp Straight]] - : {{spoiler|Gil.}}

* [[Casting Gag]] -: Notorious chauvinist "Bulldog" Briscoe played by real-life openly gay activist Dan Butler.

** Daphne's family and its multitude of inconsistent [[British Accent|British Accents]]. Particularly on the part of the [[Fake Brit|Australian playing Simon]], who loves Mel Gibson and who Frasier once refers to as a "boomerang.".

'''Bulldog:''' "This stinks! This is total BS!" }}

'''Niles:''' ''(interrupting)'' I don’t care! Niles gotta have it! }}

* [[Character Development]]: Over the course of the series, previously [[Flat Character|defining]] quirks and personality traits are played down or deconstructed leading to more subtle characterisationcharacterization (e.g. Frasier and Niles' snobbery, Martin's crankiness, Roz's promiscuity, Niles' cleanliness).

* [[Characterization Marches On]]: Frasier was originally introduced in ''[[Cheers]]'' as a [[Romantic False Lead]] to Diane Chambers. When Diane dumped him, [[Woman Scorned|this made him almost psychotic]]; for example, he threatened Diane's [[One True Love]] Sam with a gun, considered strangling Diane, etc. In his own series, it would be hard to imagine Frasier doing anything so extreme. Of course, [[Love Makes You Crazy]]: Frasier has admitted his relationship with Diane post-dump was... volatile, and a glimpse of his old self rears its ugly head when he gives a [["The Reason You Suck" Speech]] to Diane in "The Show Where Diane Comes Back". He became more stable in his relationship with Lilith (before going berserk when ''she'' left him.).

* [[The Chew Toy]]: Frasier really is, but often deserves it for being a variant of [[Insufferable Genius]]. Especially during the seasonSeason 6 story arc when he {{spoiler|loses his job and becomes despondent and desperate}}.

* [[Christmas Episode]]: Several.

'''Frasier:''' And yet she's never been committed. "[[Brief Accent Imitation|I don't know why]]"! }}

* [[Companion Cube]]: Martin's chair.

'''Frasier:''' ''Maris...'' is my secret admirer? }}

* [[Compressed Vice]]: Happens to Niles a few times. One episode sees him become obsessed with one of his nephew Freddy's videogamesvideo games; another has him develop a fast food addiction.

* [[Continuity Drift]]: Quite how little the brothers are aquaintedacquainted with more "normal" pop-culture tends to vary over the series, for instance, in one episode Niles doesn't know what a double-header is, and in another he can correctly use the phrase "a scout from the majors". It could be seen as [[Character Development]], but it's not completely unilateral.

* [[Continuity Nod]]: In seasonSeason 11, Niles proves Frasier has a commitment problem by reciting every single one of Frasier's [[Girl of the Week|Girls Of The Week]] from the last four seasons.

* [[Cool Car]]: Something of a subversion in that the brothers pride themselves on having top-of-the-line saloons, but [[The Alleged Car|they often break down]]. This eventually led to the episode ''"Motor Skills''" where they attempt to improve their practicality.

* [[Courtroom Episode]]: "Crane Vs. Crane".

** Sam Malone (Season 2).

** Diane Chambers (Twice in dream sequences, once in a seasonSeason 3 makeup episode with [[Reality Subtext]] - Shelley Long and Kelsey Grammer had an on-set rivalry on ''Cheers'', but they made up in the course of filming the episode.)

** Woody Boyd (Season 6).

* [[The Cutie]]: theThe hypersensitive romantic novel writer.

* [[The Dandy]]: Both Frasier and Niles.

* [[A Day Atat the Bizarro]]: "Freudian Sleep", the "unusual dreams" episode.

* [[Deadpan Snarker]]: Frasier and Niles ''exist'' to point out flaws, criticisecriticize things of a perceived "lower class" and generally have fun at the expense of others. Especially Niles.

{{quote|'''Martin:''' Maris is learning German, huh? [[Sarcasm Mode|Just when you thought she couldn't get any cuddlier.]].}}

* [[Department of Redundancy Department]]: Niles during the plot of ''"IQ''", while under the influence of particularly strong anti-allergy medication.

'''Niles:''' Oh well you should talk! Look at your shaky hands and your twitchy eyes! [[GASP|*GASP*]] You were up all night drinking coffee all night last night, weren't you? }}

** In "Motor Skills", Roz got a puppy and Martin offered to give her some of Eddies old toys, and it took about forty seconds before the whole thing disintegrate into an extended metaphor of a mother and a daughter disagreeing on how to raise the grand-child. Bonus points for Roz mentioning that [[Lampshade Hanging|she got enough of that from her mother.]]

{{quote|''Damn it Martin! Just because I am not raising him your way doesn't mean that I am raising him the wrong way.'' }}

* [[Downer Ending]]: "Ask Me No Questions". Niles asks Frasier, in the midst of his reconciliation with Maris, if Frasier thinks they are meant to be together. Frasier realizes the huge impact this could have because Niles has always come to him for advice on big decisions and values his opinion highly, and while he believes that Maris has always been bossy, demanding and selfish, he also hears that she has become much nicer since the procedingsproceedings have begun and is a better person. After agonizing over what to do, he shows up at Niles's apartment late at night to give his answer: {{spoiler|no}}. Niles thanks Frasier for his advice and tries to say goodbye, when the [[Twist Ending]] kicks in--{{spoiler|Maris is at the apartment, Niles has taken her back, and judging from the bell rings and the whistle as she calls for him, she has not changed one bit.}}

* [[Erotic Dream]]: Frasier's [[Homoerotic Dream|homoerotic dreams]] about Gil Chesterton plague him in ''"The Impossible Dream''"; in the same episode Martin claims to have had one with Jane Mansfield. Niles has many about Daphne.

* [[Even the Guys Want Him]]: Dr. Clint Webber, a new radio personality at KACL in ''"The Perfect Guy''". This inspires great jealousy from Frasier, who schemes to find an exploitable weakness.

* [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin]]: Quite a few episode titles fall under this Trope, such as ''"The Show Where [former Cheers character] Shows Up''", ''"The 200th Episode''", and so on.

** Maris Crane, who is also [[The Voiceless]] for a significant amount of episodes. The writers certainly enjoyed toying with [[The Reveal]] of both, but settled for [[The Un-Reveal]] [[Rule of Funny|for the hell of it]]. Another problem, according to a seasonSeason 4 DVD special, was that the writers had ascribed so many bizarre features and qualities to her that no human could properly play the role.

* [[Fake High]]: Combined with [[Mushroom Samba]]. Niles gets a hash brownie, but Martin eats it without realisingrealizing what it is, and replaces it with a normal brownie. And even when Frasier actually explains what happened, Niles ''still'' doesn't realiserealize:

'''Frasier:''' Oh, knock it off, you imbecile. You're as sober as I am! }}

* [[Fat Suit]]: In ''"Freudian Dreams''", Jane Leeves wore a ridiculously ballooning fat suit that kept growing in every shot, as Daphne dreamt Niles was cheating on her because she was too fat from pregnancy pounds she was unable to lose.

* [[Flashback to Catchphrase]]: Martin says "I'm listening" when Frasier forces him to have a conversation in ''"You Can Go Home Again''".

* [[For Want of a Nail]]: ''"Sliding Frasiers''" is an episode based on ''[[Sliding Doors]]'', in which two paths of Frasier's life are examined on whether he chose to wear a suit or a sweater for a speed dating service. {{spoiler|After a week, Frasier's lives meet at the same point, showing no matter which choice he made, he ended up at the same destination.}}

* [[Fridge Logic]]: In-universe, Niles' seasonSeason 4 attempt to get Daphne to stay at his apartment is thwarted when she has to go back to Frasier's for her medication, giving her the chance to make up with Martin and Sherry. As Frasier points out, Niles is a doctor, and could just have written her a new prescription, '''''and''''' there is a 24 hour pharmacy near him. The realization puts Niles into a [[Heroic BSOD]].

'''Frasier:''' '''GET OUT!''' }}

{{quote|'''Frasier''': Don't look so shocked! Whom does it really harm if he unleashes Eddie once in a while? Come on, it's not as though he's alone in this beheviourbehevior. Mrs. Tortwurst, I've seen you do the same thing many times with your Fluffy. You know, if you ask me, not only is this behaviourbehavior harmless, it's laudable. Why, you should see the looks on the faces of the schoolchildren when he takes Eddie out to the playground!}}

** Many fans may mistake Martin's friend Duke for being this, but he does appear in two episodes ("Duke's, We Hardly Knew Ye" and "Where Every Bloke Knows Your Name"), played by John La Motta. In the latter, he's the only one in Martin's poker game not referred to by name, and is only identifiable if you've seen the actor's first appearance seasons earlier. Later in the series they seem to relegate him to off-screen roles. In "Cranes Go Caribbean", he's said to have come with them but spends the evening in the hotel room after getting a bad sunburn.

'''Frasier:''' That's it? An entire ''science'' devoted to '''''Hitler and Sybil'''''?! }}

** During a two part episode, Frasier dates famous lawyer Samantha Pierce. In the first episode, he's worried about being in the ''female role'', but in the second, "Desperately Seeking Closure", he realizes he's only in love with Pierce for her celebrity friends. She's dumbstruck when Frasier admits this to her as the reason of his breaking up with her. Then Lesley Stahl walks in.

'''Sam:''' ''(disbelief)'' What kind of sick bastard ''are'' you?! }}

** Then there's Bebe and her engagement to Big Willy, an octogenarian rich Texan, in ''"Where There's Smoke, There's Fired''".

'''Niles:''' Ah. ''(jealous)'' Mazel tov. }}

'''Bebe:''' Oh dear, you always know what to say. }}

* [[Gone Horribly Right]]: In the episode ''"Sweet Dreams''", Frasier tries to get Mr. Martin to stop being a corporate stooge and rehire Kenny. It works, but Mr. Martin gets other ideas as well.

'''Mr. Martin''': No, no more talk radio. From this moment on, the station is all latinoLatino music, all the time.

'''Frasier''': I beg your pardon? }}

** Then from ''"Dr. Nora''.", Frasier brings Dr. Nora's mother, thinking that her abrasiveness and hostility was due to a misunderstanding between her and her mother, disappointing Roz who wanted revenge, not seeking a peaceful reconcilliationreconciliation. Little did he know, Mrs. Nulhearn was a [[My Beloved Smother|shrill, grasping, moneygrubbing harpy]] whose first words to her daughter were '''"YOU LITTLE WHORE!"'''

* [[Halloween Episode]]: There are a number of episodes set at Halloween, usually focusing on the show's traditional madcap antics wrung though a themed costume party of some kind. A notable party at Niles' apartment where the guests all dress as classic literary characters centers around Roz being pregnant and many overheard conversations that lead to hilarious confusions about the situation.'''' The episode "A Room Full of Heroes" sees Frasier holding a Halloween party where each partygoerparty-goer comes as their personal "hero" (for instance, Martin comes as Joe DiMaggio, Daphne as [[Elton John]], Roz as [[Wonder Woman]] and Niles as his father); Frasier himself dresses as [[Sigmund Freud]], and one of the main jokes revolves around all the children thinking he eats brains.

* [[Have a Gay Old Time]]: In second season episode ''"Retirement is Murder''", Daphne once mentions to Frasier how Martin "knocked her up" that morning. When Frasier seems momentarily alarmed and asks her to repeat that, she clarifies that it means "woke her up."

'''Frasier:''' Oh, something else. You'd definitely be awake for it, though. }}

* [[Hide Your Pregnancy]]: Jane Leeves got pregnant late in the show's run and it was written as Daphne becoming fat due to compulsive eating, complete with a [[Fat Suit]]; she left the series to have the baby, by having Daphne going away to a spa in order to lose the weight (with the in-joke that Niles went to see her there, and she had "just lost 9 pounds, 12 ounces".). In the final season, Leeves' second pregnancy was merely incorporated into the storyline.

* [[Human Shield]]: Bulldog's deplorable behaviourbehavior in "Bad Dog" causes him to use ''a pregnant woman'' as a shield, and later on even {{spoiler|his own mother}}. As Frasier was the only one who saw what really happened, he spends the episode trying to get Bulldog to own up and stop taking advantage of the adulation.

"I'll reveal him for the power-hungry dictator that he is! And then '''I'll''' take over." }}

'''Cam:''' [[Bigger Is Better|Bigger!]] }}

* [[I Can't Believe It's Not Heroin!]]: An episode centers around ''beluga caviar'' being used for this trope. Frasier and Niles get involved with the distributing and smuggling of the stuff (parodied when {{spoiler|1=the U.S. Customs agents don't care about the caviar, but the ''DVDs'' for which the smugglers used the caviar as a front}}), and even consider cutting it with cheaper stuff, while Roz becomes a generally mellow caviar junkie who would attack Frasier because she thinks he's holding out on a fix.

* [[Ignore the Disability]]: Played with spectacularly in the episode "Roz and the Schnoz", when Frasier plays host to a couple who have [[Gag Nose|ridiculously large noses]] but are completely unaware of it. Neither is anyone else, until they're introduced one by one and must try to stifle their reactions. To make matters worse, the couple keeps inadvertently setting up [[A Worldwide Punomenon|nose-related puns]]: "Everyone who knows you knows you're the nosiest."

{{quote|'''Frasier:''' "My fellow psychiatrists, as I watched you on the slopes today I realisedrealized I had never seen so many Freudians slip!"}}

'''Frasier:''' ''(dripping with sarcasm)'' And still get change back from the nickel! }}

* [[In the Original Klingon]]: In ''"Star Mitzvah''", Frasier is tricked by Noel into thinking his blessing at Freddy's bar mitzvah is being translated into Hebrew - it's actually Klingon. The Trope is invoked by a geeky boy after Frasier makes a fool of himself.

'''Niles:''' ''(listening to them from his car radio)'' STOP TALKING! ''(Niles rear ends another car, causing the airbag to inflate in his face)'' }}

'''Frasier:''' ''(from the booth)'' Thank you, Roz, now that Seattle knows how we do things around here, perhaps you could let Noel know to keep his elbow off the mic button! }}

'''Ned Miller''': That I'm a drunk. That I'm incompotentincompetent at my job. That my wife is a big, fat slut!''

'''Frasier''': That is indefensible! Your wife is not overweight! ''(Realizes what he's said}'' }}

** Frasier's late seasonSeason 10 and early seasonSeason 11 love interest, Julia, seems this way at first. But it turns out she has only a very thin layer of gold, and really is a [[Jerk with a Heart of Jerk]].

** A list of people Frasier has slept with- {{spoiler|01. Claresse (The mature piano teacher he lost his virginity to, see Slow Tango In South Seattle), 02. Lilith Sternin, 03. Diane Chambers, 04. Nannet his first wife, 05. Roz Doyle, 06. Bebe Glazer his agent, 07. Kate Costas, station manager for a bit, 08. Sam's Fiance during a trip to Boston that we don't see, 09. Kelly Easterbrook the model who everyone else thinks is imaginary until the end, 10. Kaitlyn the artist who had nothing in common with Frasier but great sex, 11. Faye Moscowitz, 12. Cassandra Stone, 13. Lana/Lorna Lynnly, 14. Claire, 15. Charlotte, 16. Stephanie Walsh who we don't see but hear, when Frasier starts private practice again we meet her sister played by [[Sarah Silverman]], 17. Samantha Pierce the lawyer with whom he ends up in the girl's role, 18. Elevator Ellie, when he meets Charlotte (seasonSeason 11) he gets on the elevator with a woman he slept with but doesn't remember (she starts yelling at him showing he does need a matchmaker), 19. Duke's daughter Marie, and as I write this I remember 20. a woman at the station we see hiding in the booth with a bunch of other people for a little surprise party for Frasier. 21. Julia Wilcox}} For most people I struggle to get to ten.

*** In one episode he has three dates on the same weekend, {{spoiler|runs the same routine on all of them, but is rooster blocked by his father's girlfriend.}}

'''Frasier:''' "And why is she lying there? Because she's feeling all 'befevered' again?" }}

** Best example: Jackson Headley in ''"The Show Must Go Off''", who delivers a performance so hammy [[Brian Blessed]] would be proud.

'''Frasier:''' Niles! }}

* [[Lethal Chef]]: Daphne.

** Played straight in ''"The 200th Episode''" by Frasier's biggest fan who quit his job to devote his ''life'' to listening to, recording, ''and'' transcribing Frasier's show.

'''Frasier''': It's amazing they even let the woman drive! }}

'''Niles:''' Are you ''serious''? One hour of passion can sustain her for months. She stores it up like some sexual camel. }}

'''Niles''': That's why the legend says they were strangled with jumpropesjump-ropes. }}

* [[Mistaken for Gay]]: The show specialisesspecializes in these, and handles them with panache.

'''Alistair''': Can't say I was! }}

** Subverted in "Fathers and Sons": Martin is convinced Leland is the boys' actual father as he has so much in common with them, but as it turns out {{spoiler|he only loved Hester as a friend and trusted her with the fact that he was homosexual at a time when that could have ruined his career.}}

'''Niles''' and '''Frasier''': Latent. }}

* [[Mistaken Identity]]: An interesting twist in "Secret Admirer'"; Frasier mistakes himself for the object of {{spoiler|Maris'}} affections when it is actually Niles who is supposed to {{spoiler|receive the gifts}}.

'''Niles:''' You're a good brother, too. }}

* [[My Own Private I Do]]: {{spoiler|Niles and Daphne}} of the Elope First, Plan Later variety. It got really silly when they ended up having ''two'' fake ceremonies, before eventually spilling the beans.

** The seasonSeason 11 episode "Caught in the Act" has a gag about Kelsey Grammer having played the character of Frasier Crane for 20 years (first in ''[[Cheers]]'', then in ''Frasier''). In the episode, Frasier meets his ex-wife, who's had a long career as the children's entertainer "Nanny G":

{{quote| '''Nanny G:''' Frasier, if you knew how bored I am, being "Nanny Gee.". How trapped I feel.''

'''Nanny G:''' But nothing ever changes! Do you have any idea what it's like to play the same character for twenty years? }}

* [[Naked People Trapped Outside]]:

* [[New YearsYear's Resolution]]

** In ''"Out With Dad''", Emily tries to set Martin up with her uncle, Edward.

** In ''"The Doctor Is Out''", Frasier becomes the "boyfriend" of 60ish opera director [[Patrick Stewart|Alistair Burke]].

** "The Show Where Sam Shows Up".

'''Niles:''' Exactly where am I supposed to find whipped cream and a car battery at this hour? }}

'''Bulldog:''' What? Nobody went to camp? }}

* [[No Sympathy]]: Daphne tries to [[Defied Trope|defy]] this one in "Daphne Does Dinner"; after trying to throw a normal dinner party without the Cranes screwing it up as usual, she of course manages to screw it up, but when the offended guests start to collect their coats, she gives an impassioned speech about trying to salvage a nice, civilisedcivilized dinner despite all the hijinks. Just as she's talked them round, a bed falls through the ceiling.

'''Marta (Maris' housekeeper):''' "Missy Crane say, no you Dr. Crane, no other Dr. Crane, and no Crane with a cane!" }}

'''Roz:''' "Yeah, why confuse things?" }}

* [[Pensieve Flashback]]: Within "Daphne Returns", Frasier and Niles discuss how Niles puts Daphne on a pedestal.

'''Martin:''' I ''know''! Six burners and a griddle. Don't you guys ever talk about ''cars''? }}

'''Martin:''' ''(sighing)'' That's what I'm talking about. }}

'''Kenny:''' Victoria's Secret? Whoa, whoa, Rockefeller, I'm talking Kmart! }}

* [[Punny Name]]: The [[Shout-Out]] to the creators in the station's name (KACL) is an inadvertantinadvertent pun (cackle).

* [[Put on a Bus]]: Kate Costas (Mercedes Ruehl was uncomfortable with the routine of doing a weekly sitcom), and Julia Wilcox (the writers were not happy with the Season 10 romantic triangle between Frasier, Julia, and Roz.).

** In fact, ''"The Matchmaker''" won a GLAAD Award.

* [[Radio Drama]]: In ''"Ham Radio''", Frasier takes the reins and drives the cast to distraction.

* [[Radio Voice]]: All the callers to Frasier's show, which is quite logical. Interesting in that some of the dialogue for those scenes is written, some is ad-libbed to give it a more believable feeling of sponteneityspontaneity.

** ''"Shrink Rap''", in which both brothers undergo 'couples' counseling and outline the events which have led to their most recent relationship collapse. In general, they have a tendency to present themselves as being a bit more wise, thoughtful and put-upon than they probably would be in the real situation -- and the other immediately calls them on it. There's also a rather amusing bit where Niles recounts a story Daphne told about a couple who would frequently experience [[The Immodest Orgasm]] right next to her bedroom wall at night, and her over-the-top efforts to show them up, culminating in this exchange:

'''Niles''': ''(genuinely confused)'' ... [[Covert Pervert|Didn't she]]? }}

'''Martin:''' ''(taunting Frasier with Ronee)'' We really are ''lucky''! }}

* [[Replacement Flat Character]]: formerFormer [[Trope Namer]], The Niles.

'''Frasier:''' ''(smiling)'' Wasn't exactly a health club you were running there, Sam. }}

* [[Retcon]]: Back on ''[[Cheers]]'', the only family Frasier ever mentioned were his mother and dead father, both scientists. Awkwardness ensues for Frasier when Sam meets his brother and father in seasonSeason 2, at which point the issue is [[Hand Wave|hand waved]] by a claim that he and Martin were fighting when he said that. It leads to this memorable quote, after Martin is first offended to learn he was "dead" but also a "scientist" as if Frasier were ashamed of his working-class job (cop) and Frasier retorts: "You were dead-what did it matter?"

* [[Right Through the Wall]]: At least twice; once when Daphne is talking about how she shut up her loud neighboursneighbors by faking sex noises, and once when Frasier ''thinks'' Lilith is having sex in the next room, so moans and jumps on the bed so she thinks his sex is hotter than hers.

** This comes from an incident when [[Eddie Murphy]] was caught picking up a transexualtranssexual hooker, and insisted that he was just giving her a ride home.

* [[Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies]]. In ''"Ham Radio''", Niles got so upset at Frasier's over-directing a radio play, he decided to take action.

'''Niles:''' Thank you. Oh, and also Mr. Wing. ''(fake gunshot, and sound of muted bell on Mr. Wing's hat)'' And, of course, one final bullet for myself, so the mystery will die with me. ''(fake gunshot. Niles taunts Frasier)'' HA. }}

'''Niles:''' It's a telethon. }}

* [[Rousing Speech]]: In Frasier's mind EVERY speech and piece of advice he has given fits, but often other chracterscharacters will just tell him to be quiet. Sometimes played straight.

* [[Runaway Bride]]: {{spoiler|Daphne}}, who abandons {{spoiler|Donny}} and exits with {{spoiler|Niles}} in a Winnebago during the second part of the two-part episode ''"Something Borrowed, Someone Blue''". However, they are decent enough to face up the their jilted lovers in the episodes that follow.

'''Frasier''': Still 666, is it? }}

**** In ''"The Devil And Dr Phil''", Bebe's room number is 666.

***** In the final episode "Goodbye, Seattle":

'''Bebe:''' ''(cheerful)'' Don't you love this weather or what? }}

**** In ''"Roz's Turn''", when Roz considers taking Bebe on as an agent:

'''Frasier''': She doesn't have to! ''He'' worships ''her''! }}

'''Roz:''' '''''Oh my GOD!''''' }}

'''Roz''': Here we go! He's a tennis instructor, and his name is Brick. ''

'''Niles''': Well, where do you think I came up with the imagery? }}

*** Also his incessant overexplainingover-explaining of things that everyone already understands, even after they keep insisting that they already get it.

* [[Sadly Mythtaken]]: a rare case of Frasier fudging (or at least not being characteristically pedantic about) a classical reference; he refers to a hot day as "like the "Ninth Circle of Hell". This is a reference to [[The Divine Comedy|Dante's Inferno]], where the Ninth Circle is described as being incredibly cold.

** In one episode, Niles recognisesrecognizes the plumber who comes round to fix his toilet as a guy who bullied him at school, and Frasier advises him to settle the matter peacefully. He gives the affable ex-bully [[Epiphany Therapy]] that reveals his [[Freudian Excuse]] and elicits a tearful apology. Meanwhile, Frasier recognisesrecognizes the plumber's assistant as the guy who bullied ''him'', and as the guy obliviously recounts all the prnakspranks he played on his personal [[Butt Monkey]] at school, Frasier gets angrier and angrier until he eventually [[Hypocritical Humor|dunks the guy's head down the toilet]].

* [[Screaming Birth]]: The cabdriver in "Flour Child", {{spoiler|Daphne}} in "Goodnight Seattle".

** In the episode ''"Boo!''":

'''Niles:''' Frasier, you may want to call security. As I got off the elevator, I heard a woman screaming hysterically. }}

'''Niles:''' That wasn't her. }}

* [[Sdrawkcab Name]]: Tobor, Jackson Headley's science-fiction character in ''"The Show Must Go Off''".

'''Martin''': Who moved the mustard? }}

* [[Ship Tease]]: Frasier and Roz get this during a later episode, the scene card is titled [[Lampshade Hanging|'"Like Two Ships Sinking In The Night'"]] {{spoiler|Which becomes relevant after Kenny intrudes on them, [[Ship Sinking|making them realize it was all a mistake]] just before they made it.}}

** Frasier's explanation of his passionate kiss of KACL station manager Kate Costas in ''"The Adventures of Bad Boy and Dirty Girl''".

** [[Lampshaded]] by Frasier in "Analyzed Kiss", when kissed by Julia.

'''Frasier:''' Oh, no. I've been kissed to shut me up before. [[Genre Savvy|This was not that.]] }}

'''Frasier:''' Oh, I recognize that one. ''That'' was to shut me up. }}

* [[Sibling Yin-Yang]]: Inverted - Frasier and Niles are ''very'' similiarsimilar. It's their ''dad'' they clash with.

* [[Side Bet]] -: Niles and Martin, after finding out Lilith's husband has left her... for a man.

* [[Slobs Versus Snobs]]: A lot of the friction between Martin and his sons comes from his down-to-earth demeanourdemeanor contrasted with their haughty, status-seeking attitudes. Over time some of their differences were resolved.

* [[Slow No]]: Frasier provides a hilarious example at the end of seasonSeason sixSix when his latest [[Snowball Lie]] is exposed.

* [[Smite Me, O Mighty Smiter!]]: At points of great dispairdespair both Frasier and Niles have resorted to cursing the heavens.

'''Martin:''' ''(muttering)'' That prayer doesn't get answered around here. }}

** In ''"Daphne Hates Sherry''", Daphne is staying over at Niles' apartment, and he walks over to his stereo to turn on some music when Daphne mentions that she needs to get out of her hot, sweaty clothes. Cue Niles hitting the Eject Disc button.

'''Niles:''' If you could work the phrase "rat's ass" into there, you'd have it. }}

* [[Stop Being Stereotypical]]: This ''occasionally'' happens to Frasier and Niles, when they're around people even more snooty than themselves. Emphasis on the ''occasionally'', and it should be mentioned that they're not so much bothered by extreme snobbishness as much as stereotypically ''insincere'' snobbishness -- they have a ''genuine'' passion for all things high-cultured, intellectual, and ultra-refined, from academia to literature and the arts to proper ettiquetteetiquette to haute cuisine, and are disgusted by people who fake it.

'''Frasier''': ''THIS MORNING YOU SAID NOTHING!!!'' }}

** "The Show Where Woody Shows Up": In an homage to ''[[The Taming of the Shrew]]'', Frasier describes the karaoke night with Gil, Noel and Woody ending in a rousing number of "Anything You Can Do.". Subverted during the credits gag, when we see (but not hear) Gil and Noel's drunken duet.

* [[That Makes Me Feel Angry]]: Perfectly understandable in a show featuring two psychiatrists. Frasier's declarations can become [[ThisPunctuated! IsFor! SpartaEmphasis!|particularly epic]].

* [[That Was Not a Dream]]. "Frasier Crane's Day Off". Daphne inverts, subverts ''and'' [[Lampshadeslampshade]]s the Trope after Frasier raced to the studio in a fever and drug induced mania and made an utter fool of himself on the air (Roz: "Captain Kirk's got control of the bridge and he's gone insane.") When Frasier wakes up, Daphne reassures him it didn't happen and it was all a dream.

'''Daphne:''' [[For the Evulz|No fun telling him the truth now]], [[Victory Is Boring|when he's all doped up]]. [[I Have You Now, My Pretty|I'll wait till tomorrow morning]] - [[For Massive Damage|when he's good and lucid.]] }}

'''Frasier''': Niles, please don't try to be hip. You remind me of [[Bob Hope]] when he dresses up as [[Happy Days|the Fonz]]. }}

* [[TsundereTouché]]: Lana"Well played, God."

* [[Uncle Sam Wants You|Uncle Frasier Wants You]]: Frasier was dressed as Uncle Sam in ''"Crock Tales''".

'''Frasier: I WANT YOU'''... to wear those headphones! }}

'''Roz:''' Next time you say something like that, cover ''my'' ears. }}

'''Roz:''' Hey, wait up! }}

* [[Wham! Line]]: Frasier is high on painkillers as Daphne gives him a massage in ''"Back Talk''". The following lines even shocked the studio audience, who gave out a loud [[GASP]]

''([[Heroic BSOD|Cue Daphne BSOD]])'' }}

** Later, after Frasier tells Niles that Daphne is in love with him in the second part of ''"Something Borrowed, Someone Blue''", another wham line caused the studio audience to GASP! again, even more shocked. After Daphne told Niles how upset she was that Frasier told him how she felt about him, Niles responded, "No, Daphne, I'm glad he told me - '''''[[Anguished Declaration of Love|because I love you]]'''''."

** In ''"Halloween''", when everyone is speculating on who Roz's father is, after Frasier blows the secret that Roz might be pregnant.

'''Roz:''' ''(appearing)'' We do now. }}

** In another episode, it's revealed that Martin regularly goes to {{spoiler|to the parole hearings of the man who shot him.}} The episode ends on an unusually somber note, when Martin {{spoiler|is asked if he wants to make a statement, he stands up and says, "I've got nothing to say,", then leaves. He does this even though both the man and his mother had told Martin he's changed his ways and now repents his criminal actions.}} This subplot is never followed in later episodes, and Martin is never shown going to {{spoiler|the parole hearing}} again.

''[Niles mouths "I know that".]'' }}

* [[Where There's a Will, There's a Sticky Note]]: - inIn one episode, Frasier asks Niles and Martin to label any possessions of his they'd like to inherit in the event of his death.

* [[Whole-Episode Flashback]]: A popular narrative technique which was used often. Most notably in the penultimate episode ''"Crock Tales''" where an inanimate object is the basis for multiple flashbacks in different time periods of the show.

** The meaning of the lyrics, though whimsical, could be applied to Frasier's profession. Tossed salad can't be un-tossed and scambledscrambled eggs can't be un-scrambledunscrambled, just like some neurotic people can't be cured -- [[Fridge Brilliance|even by a psychiatrist]].

'''Niles:''' ''(excited)'' She doesn’t want to talk. When she says “get together” she means in the “You wear the crème fraiche, I’ll lick it off” sense. She’s cleared her schedule from seven till seven-thirty, that means foreplay AND cuddling! }}

** Roz in ''"Crock Tales''" bemoans her lack of a sex life.

'''Roz:''' Oh, that used to come with sex, too. }}

** In ''"The Adventures of Bad Boy and Dirty Girl''", Frasier has just had sex live on the air, making the papers ("I Won't Fink Says Kinky Shrink").

'''Frasier:''' ''(dripping with sarcasm)'' Well, doesn't that just put the cherry on the parfait. }}

** In ''"The Harrassed''":

''(Frasier has a priceless look of despair on his face.)'' }}

'''Niles:''' Ah. "[[Sarcasm Mode|Dear diary...]]" }}