It’s no hidden secret thatFrasierwas a well-written, beloved, and cherished sitcom. Throughout eleven seasons, the series amassed 318 nominations for various industry awards. While awards are a testament to quality, the one thing those awards cannot reveal is specificity. Especially when it comes to pinpointing what has now become iconic moments of hilarity.
So, what makesFrasierstand out above the rest? Probably the show’s approach to humor.Frasierhad an internal approach to humor where our main characters spent their time navel-gazing. Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and his brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) were simply too well off to have real problems. Their biggest problems are things like fighting the condo board to put up a new door knocker or the fight to win the title of corkmaster at their wine club. This internal approach helped the series become one of the biggest comfort watches of all time, with the funniest and bestFrasierepisodes becoming iconic.
15"The Seal Who Came to Dinner"
Season 6, Episode 8 (1998)
When Niles decides to throw a fashionable dinner party for his dinner club, he picks Maris' stylish country home by the shore as the spot for his swaray, hoping the event and atmosphere will help win him the club’s prestigious annual award: the Golden Apron. Everything goes according to plan, but shortly before the guests arrive, Niles and Frasier discover a deceased seal has washed ashore, and unable to move it, it begins to emit a foul odor that sours the entire evening.
“The Seal Who Came to Dinner” is aclassicFrasierepisode that sets everything up nice and neatly before throwing a humorous and outrageous wrenchinto the scenario that always catches audiences by surprise. The one thing that could go wrong just happens to be one that none of the brothers have any control over, leading to them spitting out various (and hilarious) excuses and explanations for the unpleasant smell. —Andrea Ciriaco
14"To Kill a Talking Bird"
Season 4, Episode 14 (1997)
After moving into a new place, Niles has his new neighbors over for dinner and as he hopes to make a good first impression, his night hits a snag when his new pet cockatoo won’t get off his head. Throughout the night, he and Frasier try to figure out how to remove the bird while also coming up with various ways to hide Niles and his new friend without revealing the problem to the dinner guests.
The funny Crane brothersfind themselves in another absurd dilemma in “To Kill a Talking Bird” when Nile’s new feathery friend wants to join the festivities. Between the bird moving from Nile’s head to shoulder and the ridiculous ways the brothers try to hide it, this isoneFrasierepisode that will have audiences laughing non-stop until their sides can’t bear it anymore. —Andrea Ciriaco
13"Travels with Martin"
Season 1, Episode 21 (1994)
When Frasier, Niles, Martin (John Mahoney), and Daphne (Jane Leeves) decide to go on a cross-country trip in a new RV to Canada, ridiculous and hilarious antics ensue between them which is expected of any typical family vacation. Aside from the comedic moments the travelers experience together, Daphne gets into a jam when they try to return to the United States, leading the guys to have to think quickly on their feet.
“Travels with Martin” pulls humor from the traditional family vacation but also puts Niles and Frasier completely out of their element, creating the perfect situation for comedy gold. While the boys try to adapt to their unusual outdoor surroundings, the group engage in the expected bickering and nonsense that any genuineFraiserfan would expect, making thisone of the top funniestFrasierepisodes in the entire series. —Andrea Ciriaco
12"Halloween"
Season 5, Episode 3 (1997)
While at a Halloween costume party for a library benefit, Frasier learns that his assistant, Roz (Peri Gilpin), might be pregnant and swears to her that her secret is safe with him. Unfortunately, his promise is slightly broken when he lets it slip that she might be pregnant, but in a classic case of mixed-up telephone, Niles is led to believe that Daphne is the one who is pregnant but with Frasier’s baby.
“Halloween” takes the classic miscommunication scenario to new hilarious heights with Niles' costume choice and his level of intoxication, which leads to a series of mishaps and misgivings between the characters that are hysterical.The festive Halloween episodedoes touch on a serious subject but with the show’s own unique twist that lightens the overall situation and ends on a happy note for everyone, including Roz, cementingthisFrasierepisode not only one of the funniest but also one of the most sentimental in the show. —Andrea Ciriaco
11"The Ski Lodge"
Season 5, Episode 14 (1998)
In “The Ski Lodge,'” Frasier invites everyone, including Niles, Martin, Daphne, and her supermodel friend, all to a fancy ski lodge for a nice getaway, As they all arrive and settle into the cozy cottage, a series of encounters are ultimately set in motion that leads to everyone having quite a memorable vacation.
There are plenty ofFrasierepisodes that involve mix-ups and miscommunication, but Season 5, episode 14 might be one of the funniest in the series as it puts almost everyone in a vulnerable, slightly embarrassing situation that every viewer can relate to in some shape or form. It follows a love…square of sorts as Frasier is interested in Daphne’s friend who is, unfortunately, interested in Niles and, well, everyone knows who Niles is interested in.With a series of misread cues and bedroom hopping, this is without a doubt one of the funniestFrasierepisodes of all time. —Andrea Ciriaco
10"Look Before You Leap"
Season 3, Episode 16 (1996)
Leap Day comes around once every four years. To celebrate, Frasier is convincing everyone to take a big leap in their personal lives. After his father, Martin, his radio producer, Roz, and Martin’s live-in physical therapist, Daphne, leaps all go horribly wrong, Frasier changes his plans but doesn’t dodge the leap day curse.
This episode is packed with physical comedy gold. From Marty’s post-traumatic flight disheveled appearance to Frasier’s 360-degree turn, live on PBS, to hiding his sweaty brow while he struggles to remember the words to “Buttons and Bows,” each member of the principal cast has a moment to truly shine. For any trueFrasierfan, just the mention of “Buttons and Bows” will produce a chuckle. It’sa classicFrasierscenario: Frasier sets out with good intentions that ultimately blow up in his face. However, it’s a classic for a reason, which is why viewers continued to tune in week after week.
9"Morning Becomes Entertainment"
Season 7, Episode 19 (2000)
No ranked episodic list forFrasierwould be complete without a Bebe Glazer (Harriet Sansom Harris)-centric episode. Bebe is Frasier’s agent, and after KACL takes Frasier’s radio show off the air for a week, Bebe gets Frasier and Roz a trial run on a TV morning show as part of a contract negotiation strategy. However, when Roz shows up sick, it’s up to Bebe to fill in.Bebe becomes addicted to the spotlight and attention, and from there, her mastery of manipulation skills takes on new heights.
Bebe Glazer appeared in nearly every season ofFrasier.Harris' performance really put this character on the map. Some might call it overacting, but Harris' over-the-top physicality is devilishly delightful to her character’s personality. Nobody else could’ve pulled off the quiet cheekiness in this episode of riding off on a donkey quite like Harris did. Sunsetting Bebe’s days in the spotlight and a return to normal for Frasier. Harris is an absolute gift to the series, and “Morning Becomes Entertainment” solidified that.
8"The Life of the Party"
Season 5, Episode 22 (1998)
Concerned about their lack of a love life, Martin inspires his sons to throw a “Marty Party.” This is a party Martin used to throw in his youth, where the guest list consisted of only singles. Niles hosts the event at his residence at The Montana, and, in classicFrasierstyle, everything begins to go wrong. Martin’s hair dye stains Niles' furniture (leading to a very hilarious tag at the end of the episode), Frasier and Niles fight over the same girl, and eventually, a very pregnant Roz goes into labor.
Ever notice how Roz seems to have big life moments in Niles' apartment? Her pregnancy gets confirmed and announced publicly at The Montana in Season 5, Episode 3, “Halloween,” and amid the Marty Party, her water breaks. Then again,something catastrophic always seems to occur whenever either brother hosts a soirée. This string of bad luck never stops them from hosting more dinners, parties, and get-togethers, though. And whenever the ensemble gets together, whether the supporting cast, audiences know and love, or a new mix of guest stars, that’s when the magic occurs. Most likely, Peri Gilpin (Roz) will have a recurring role in theFrasiersequel series. Bonus points belong to “The Life of the Party” for Daphne’s sudden use of Yiddish after attending her first Bat Mitzvah. The callbacks throughout the episode are unmatched.
7"Don Juan in Hell: Part 2"
Season 9, Episode 2 (2001)
Frasier needs a little time alone and heads to a cabin in the woods to clear his head. Confused about the status of his love life, Frasier is visited by all of his former loves. All of which turn out to be figments of his subconscious. Watching Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth), Diane (Shelly Long), Nanette (Dina Spybey-Waters), and his mother (Rita Wilson) interact and diagnose Frasier is a delight. But those aren’t the only former lovers. At one point, every single woman Frasier has ever dated appears at the door.
Frasier’s supporting castis often the difference between a sink-or-swim episode. Frasier left alone with his own neurosis is just the markings of a madman, but surrounding him with four strong, competent women, and suddenly it’s comedy. At the heart of it,Frasier is a hopeless romantic who hasn’t had the best luck with love. He can’t figure out why it always goes south, but as Frasier discovers in this episode, “I’m alone because I’m afraid to be alone?!” It’s this brilliant journey of letting go of the past, merging psychiatry with situational humor, that makes this episode a cut above the rest.
6"Ham Radio"
Season 4, Episode 18 (1997)
In honor of KACL’s 50th anniversary, Frasier pitches the idea of recreating the very first mystery KACL ever aired. It’s a traditional radio drama with loads of bit parts and sound effects needed. Casting all his KACL colleagues and eventually recruiting Niles and Daphne’s services, Frasier’s eagerness to perfectly execute a shortened version of the originalNightmare Innleads to chaos. He alienates the one professional actor who is holding down the bulk of the show, playing multiple parts. Gil Chesterton (Edward Hibbert), KACL’s food critic, takes too many creative liberties with his part after his character’s glorious speech is cut. In fact, the only person who nails their job is Noel Shempsky (Patrick Kerr), who is in charge of the sound effects.
One cannot deny the skills needed to execute a radio play well, but to execute an amateur performance in a mediocre radio drama that’s progressively falling apart within a TV show is next level.Every single performer knocked it out of the park, bronzing casting’s decision to hire each of them in the first place. Especially Hibbert, whose repeated delivery of hisNightmare Inncharacter’s “boyhood in Surrey” speech has left a lasting imprint on viewers everywhere.
