A nostalgic Christmas episode when “Must See TV” had America watching TV on NBC!
Click here to watch “Frasier, Season 1, episode 12” on Amazon
TITLE: Frasier – Season 1, ep. 12
TV YEAR: 1993
DURATION: 22 Minutes
COMPANY: NBC
Created by David Angell, Peter Casey, David Lee
Based on the Character “Frasier Crane” created by Glen Charles and Les Charles
Directed by James Burrows
Written by Christopher Lloyd
Producer: Tom Caltabiano, Lisa Helfrich Jackson, Aaron Shure
Executive Producers: Ray Romano, Rory Rosegarten, Phil Rosenthal, Stu Smiley
Co-Executive Producer: Tucker Cawley, Jennifer Crittenden, Lew Schneider, Steve Skrovan, Kathy Ann Stumpe
Supervising Producer: Jeremy Stevens
Coordingating Producer: Ken Ornstein
Music by Rick Marotta
Cinematography: Mike Berlin
Edited by Patricia Barnett
Casting by Lisa Miler Katz
Production Design by Sharon Busse
Set Decoration by Donna Stamps
Costume Design by Simon Tuke
Starring:
Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Frasier Crane
Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon
David Hyde Pierce as Dr. Niles Crane
Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle
John Mahoney as Martin Crane
When his son cannot spend the holidays with him, a melancholy Frasier learns the true spirit of Christmas from a group of strangers.
As I wait for more holiday films to be made available and easily accessible (as I am reviewing this in advance), I am going to review a few Christmas TV episodes for now.
A Christmas episode that I am reviewing is from “Frasier” season one, episode 12 titled “Miracle on Third or Fourth Street”.
In this episode, Dr. Frasier Crane (portrayed by Kelsey Grammer) is hoping to see his son for the Christmas holiday but when his son has other plans, it sets Frasier in a not-so-Christmas mood.
So, he decides to host his radio talk show and when he goes to a diner (the only thing open on Christmas day), he forgets his wallet and sees the spirit of Christmas through those who don’t have much.
For the most part, watching “Frasier” reminds me of the decade when NBC dominated with its “Must See TV” as “Seinfeld”, “Frasier”, “Wings” and “Mad About You” dominated Thursday night television.
For “Frasier”, it started in 1993, a spinoff of the hugely popular show “Cheers” and I absolutely loved this show. Dr. Frasier Crane has always been a fascinating character and those surrounding him, were just as fascinating and yet, very different.
I absolute loved the show and the joy it brought. But if anything, for this very episode, it was something that I enjoyed, because Christmas is not always the most jovial time of the year. Certain circumstance can curtail one’s holiday and in this case, Frasier who had a fun Christmas work party, just wants to enjoy the holidays with his son, Frederick.
But Freddy would rather watch “The Sound of Music” and not visit his father. Rather interesting is that Frederick, who lives with his mother Lillith in England, plays a major part in the 2023 return of “Frasier”.
So, Frasier is left in a bad mood and decided to not celebrate Christmas with family (since he’s in a bad mood) and goes to do his radio show during the holiday.
But the most touching scene is when Frasier, who left his wallet at work, can’t pay for his food and two homeless and diner patrons pitch in to pay for his meal. Despite Frasier being a wealthy doctor, and seeing the kindness during the holidays and being helped by those who don’t have as much as he does. It was interesting to see Frasier see life in a different light.
Click here to watch “Frasier, Season 1, episode 12” on Amazon
