Joe Keenan Movies

In the concluding half of Frasier's one-hour series finale, chaos piles upon chaos as Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) prepares to leave Seattle for a new job in San Francisco, Daphne (Jane Leeves) goes into labor, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) rides herd over Daphne's rambunctious brothers, and Martin (John Mahoney) and Ronee (Wendie Malick) are forced to hold their wedding two months earlier than planned. Meanwhile, Roz (Peri Gilpin) gets an unexpected promotion, and Frasier's latest love, Charlotte, is determined to go to Chicago, even if it means the permanent breakup of their relationship. But there's a surprise in store at the very, very end of the story that has been related in flashback during Frasier's plane trip. Originally telecast as a one-hour episode, "Goodnight, Seattle" has been divided into two half-hours for syndiation. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This episode marks the return of Frasier's first wife (even before Lilith!), children's entertainer Nanny G, a role played by Emma Thompson on Cheers, and Dina Waters in an earlier Frasier but herein essayed by Laurie Metcalf of Roseanne fame. Having arranged for Roz (Peri Gilpin) and her daughter Alice (Ashley Thomas) to get tickets for one of Nanny G's sold-out concerts, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) tags along, wondering if he will be able to romantically reconnect with his former wife. The results are surprising -- and not a little unsettling. Meanwhile, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) comes to grief trying to conceal an expensive purchase from his frugal spouse Daphne (Jane Leeves). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Co-created by Frasier alumni Christopher Lloyd and Joe Keenan, Bram and Alice starred Alfred Molina as Pulitzer prize-winning author Bram Shepard, and Traylor Howard as aspiring writer Alice O'Conor. Throughout her life, Alice had idolized the brilliant Shepard, so one can only imagine her reaction when she was informed by her mother that Shepard was actually Alice's biological father, and that he had abandoned her as a baby. Heading straight to New York for a reunion with her celebrated dad, Alice was determined to forge a strong and loving relationship, despite Bram's notorious selfishness and shameless womanizing. Despite his utter lack of parental instinct, Bram found himself adopting a protective stance toward the plucky Alice, especially when she displayed a predilection for dating men that were as old as her father -- and sometimes older. Sideline characters included Bram's assistant Paul Newman (Roger Bart), and the standard-issue obnoxious neighbor, Kate (Kate Finneran). Bram and Alice debuted on October 6, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the concluding half of Frasier's Emmy-winning season-seven finale, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) tries to bring Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Daphne (Jane Leeves) together for one last fond farewell before Daphne marries Donny Douglas (Saul Rubinek). Meanwhile, Daphne's boorish brother Simon (Anthony LaPaglia) continues putting the moves on Roz (Peri Gilpin) -- who, as Donny's ex-girlfriend, is not altogether unresponsive. A shocking revelation about Niles' current companion Dr. Mel Karnofsky (Jane Adams) sets off a chain reaction of calamitous events, culminating in perhaps the series' most famous season-ending cliffhanger. Originally telecast as a one-hour special, this episode has since been reedited as two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Future CSI co-star Marg Helgenberger makes a guest appearance in this Valentine's Day episode, in which Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) finally wears down his dad Martin's resistance and gets the older man to accompany him to the opera. Actually, this invitation is but a smokescreen, so that Frasier can "accidentally" run into his newest dream girl Emily (Marg Helgenberger). Uncomfortable to begin with, Martin is aghast when Emily's mother (Mary Louise Wilson) expresses an interest in him. To keep mom at arm's length, Martin drops a few hints suggesting that he is gay -- with catastrophic results for Martin's other son Niles (David Hyde Pierce). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Niles (David Hyde Pierce) is thrilled when he is appointed art critic for his favorite upscale publication. While Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is happy for his brother, he is also a tad jealous since he's always wanted to be a critic as well. In fact, Frasier is convinced that he would be excellent in this capacity on his own radio station. But first he must convince management -- or more specifically, the station owner's daughter Poppy (Katie Finneran), who never shuts up long enough to listen to anyone else. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

It is negotiation time again at radio station KACL, and Frasier's carnivorous agent Bebe Glazer (Harriet Sansom Harris) is prepared to pull out every underhanded trick in the book to secure a larger salary for her client -- and, of course, a bigger commission for herself. But Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) has decided to dispense with Bebe's services and put himself in the hands of a nicer and more scrupulous talent rep named Ben (Robert Stanton). Besides, the new agent has promised to arrange for a crane in the Seattle zoo to be named after Frasier! Alas, by the time this episode is over, our hero has been given "the bird" in an entirely different manner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Having been a background player for years, Roz (Peri Gilpin) yearns to be an on-the-air radio talent like Frasier (Kelsey Grammer). She gets her chance when a timeslot opens up on station KACL. Frasier and Daphne (Jane Leeves) offer to help Roz by participating in her audition tape, enacting the roles of a couple with sex problems. All seems to bode well for Roz until Frasier mentions the upcoming radio show to his predatory agent Bebe (Harriet Sansom Harris) -- who promptly conjures up her own battalion of auditionees. ~ Rovi

Although listed in the syndication package as the 101st episode of Frasier, this entry was originally advertised as the 100th program. Be that as it many, the episode's plotline honors another milestone: The 1000th broadcast of Frasier Crane's call-in advice show on Seattle radio station KACL. Accordingly, the city, headed by mayor Norman Rice (playing himself), prepares for "Frasier Crane Day," with a gala public rally at the Seattle Space Needle (where portions of this episode were filmed). There's only one missing ingredient: Frasier (Kelsey Grammer), himself, who is nowhere to be found! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In preparation for the annual Snow Ball, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) takes dancing lessons from Daphne (Jane Leeves). He hadn't actually planned to take her to the ball -- but that's how things wind up. Upon seeing his estranged wife, Maris, with her date, Niles determines to show her up by performing a tango to end all tangos. The climax of this ballroom duel is a major defining moment in the relationship between Niles and Daphne. This Emmy-winning Frasier episode was the first to be directed by series star Kelsey Grammer. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Radio station KACL is purchased by Big Willy Boone (Richard Hamilton) a flamboyant 85-year-old Texas multimillionaire. It turns out that Big Willy is engaged to Bebe Glazer (Harriet Sansom Harris), the redoubtable agent of Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer). Warned that the engagement will be broken off if she doesn't stop smoking within three days, Bebe turns to Frasier for help -- thereby setting up a situation that could either land Frasier a nationally broadcast radio show or a quick trip to the unemployment bureau. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Firmly and comfortably ensconced in its Tuesday-night timeslot, Frasier launched its third season on NBC. The basic character lineup was carried over from the first two seasons: Seattle radio psychologist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer), his brother and fellow "shrink" Niles (David Hyde Pierce), their retired policeman father Martin (John Mahoney), Martin's down-to-earth cockney caregiver Daphne Moon (Jane Reeves) -- for whom the very married Niles silently carried a torch -- and Frasier's sharp-tongued radio producer and call-screener Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin). Though Dan Butler was still receiving "special guest appearance" billing for the role of gonzo sports-show emcee Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe, the actor was methodically moving out of the recurring-character class and ever closer to "regular" status. Then, of course, there was Niles' imperious, fabulously wealthy wife Maris -- still much talked about but still never seen. Additions to the recurring cast during season three included Oscar-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl, who made a cluster of unforgettable appearances as Kate Costas, the headstrong, ratings-obsessed new manager of Frasier's home radio station KACL. The combative relationship between Frasier and Kate rather unexpectedly morphed into a torrid romance, culminating with a poignant airport farewell. Also making her earliest series appearances was Irene Olga Lopez as Marta, Maris' maid and go-between. Finally, Luke Tarsitano became the first of several young actors to essay the role of Frasier's son, Frederick. In the tradition of Kelsey Grammer's former Cheers co-stars Bebe Neuwirth and Ted Danson, Shelley Long made a return appearance as Frasier's former fiancée Diane Chambers in the episode titled "The Show Where Diane Comes Back." The hints dropped in this episode that Frasier and Diane might rekindle their romance were eclipsed by the turbulent events in the life of Frasier's brother Niles. It was during season three that Niles' marriage to Maris began to disintegrate, and also during this season Niles finally "declared" himself to Daphne in the form of a kiss (though they would not be genuine lovers for several seasons to come; Daphne was not yet about to be tied down to anyone, and Niles was still skittish about jumping into another relationship).

In what was now becoming an annual ritual, Frasier garnered several Emmy Awards during its third season. This time, the statuettes were doled out for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Editing (multi-camera production). The final Frasier episode of the season, "You Can't Go Home Again," offered a "prequel" to the events leading up to the first episode of season one. As a bonus, the episode ended with a roll call of all the A-list celebrities who had been heard as "guest voices" during the past three seasons, playing the various neurotics who placed calls to Frasier's radio show. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi