David Angell

The ninth season of Frasier serves up the "payoff" for the setup established at the end of Season Eight. Once again, Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) is stuck at a romantic crossroads, torn between his devoted lover Claire (Patricia Clarkson) and his loose-cannon high school sweetheart Lana (Jean Smart). As he thrashes out this dilemma, the viewer is treated to a fantasy sequence featuring Frasier's ex-wife Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) and his former Cheers vis-à-vis Diane Chambers (welcome back, Shelley Long!) This season features the series' 200th episode, in which Frasier celebrates his 2000th broadcast as radio station KACL's resident phone-in therapist. Later, Kristin Chenoweth guest-stars as Frasier's new agent Portia Sanders, who is even more obnoxious than his former agent Bebe Glazer (Harriet Sansom Harris),if such a thing is possible. Our hero also has a run-in with Lilith's con-artist brother Blane (Michael Keaton), who claims to have turned over a new leaf and "found God". Meanwhile, Frasier's retired-cop dad Martin (John Mahoney) gets a job as night watchman, and soon has cause to regret it. Martin also tries to patch up a feud between Frasier and his neighbor Cam (Brian Stokes Mitchell) by pretending to be in love with Cam's mother Cora (Emily Yancy)--or is he just pretending? In other romantic news, the relationship between Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Daphne (Jane Leeves) reaches a new plateau when they decide to move in together--only to un-decide when Daphne's overbearing relatives show up en masse. Similarly, Niles' elaborate preparations to propose to Daphne are squelched by the omnipresence of her whining mother (Millicent Martin). Season Nine is distinguished by several of Frasier's most memorable episodes. "Three Blind Dates" features West Wing's Allison Janney as an artist who goes out with Frasier and ends up despising him. In "Deathtrap", Frasier and Niles try to solve what they think is a murder while visiting their childhood home. And best of all, "Cheerful Goodbyes" reunites Frasier with his former Cheers compadres Cliff (John Ratzenberger), Carla (Rhea Perlman) and Norm (George Wendt). The season finale finds Niles trying to reunite Daphne's estranged parents, which causes a rift between himself and Daphne--but not so big a rift that the aren't able to run off and elope rather than go through with the lavish wedding that their families have planned: an elsewhere, longtime verbal scrappers Frasier and Roz (Peri Gilpin) end up sleeping together--much to the surprise of both! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the concluding half of Frasier's eighth-season opener, outraged lawyer Donny Douglas (Saul Rubinek) and infuriated plastic surgeon Mel Karnofsky (Jane Adams) draws up plans to get even with their respective mates Daphne (Jane Leeves) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) for running out on them (Niles had sped off in the same Winnebago used by Daphne to escape her wedding to Donny). As Donny prepares to sue Daphne for breach of promise, Mel sharkishly promises to divorce Niles, with whom she had earlier eloped -- but only under certain humiliating conditions. Originally telecast as a 60-minute special, this episode has since been reedited as two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season Seven of Frasier opens as Daphne Moon (Janes Leeves), cockney caregiver for the Crane brothers' ex-cop dad Martin (John Mahoney), prepares to marry Niles' nutty lawyer Donny Douglas (Saul Rubinek)--if Martin and Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) will cease their meddling that is. Soon thereafter, Frasier's prickly producer Roz (Peri Gilpin) finds out how macho radio sports-talker Bulldog (Dan Butler) truly feels about her (truly, he'd love to feel about her--all over!); Frasier's ex Lillith (Bebe Neuwirth) and their son Frederick (Trevor Einhorn) descend upon Seattle for Thanksgiving; and, of utmost importance, Daphne's wedding plans hit a snag during the series Christmastime two-parter when it finally dawns upon her that Niles (David Hyde Pierce) is madly in love with her (funny, she's just about the only person in the solar system who hasn't already figured this out!) Also: Jean Smart makes her first appearance as Frasier's short-fused high school sweetheart Lorna Lynley (Smart would return, but her character would be rechristened Lana Gardner for legal reasons); Martin finds himself in the uncomfortable position of posing as the gay lover of his own son just to avoid meeting someone he'd rather not see; Kim Coles guest stars as Roz' temporary assistant, a woman who drives Frasier crazy by calling herself "Dr. Mary" and dispensing advice to his listeners--but whom Frasier is afraid to complain about because she is black. As the season closes, the day of the Daphne-Donny wedding arrives, and with it Daphne's overbearing mom Gertrude (Millicent Martin) and her mooching brother Simon (Anthony LaPaglia). And of course the last episode is a "cliffhanger"--and WHAT a cliffhanger, as Daphne runs away from her own wedding in the company of...aw, come on, you know who! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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, All Movie Guide

It is the first anniversary of Frasier Crane's (Kelsey Grammer) move from Boston to Seattle. To mark the occasion, Frasier and brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) meet for coffee and conversation at Café Nervosa. Coming up with a "deceivingly complex" question, Niles unexpectedly throws Frasier for a loss. As a result, Frasier begins to rethink the wisdom of his move -- a thought process interrupted by the redoubtable Roz (Peri Gilpin), followed in quick succession by Daphne (Jane Leeves) and Martin (John Mahoney). As this final episode of Frasier's first season rushes to a close, the storm clouds have really begun to gather...and not just in the sky above. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Anxious to settle down and find true love, Sam (Ted Danson) must first suppress his womanizing instincts. To this end, he joins a support group for sexual compulsives. Meanwhile, Rebecca (Kirstie Alley), who has heretofore protested that she is interested only in wealthy and powerful men, falls hard for a handsome, blue-collar plumber named Don (Tom Berenger). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Helen (Crystal Bernard) reluctantly accepts the financial assistance of Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian (Steven Weber) in her efforts to land a position with the Nantucket String Quartet. Unfortunately, the annoying eccentricities of her fellow musicians drive Helen crazy, but she agrees to stay on for the sake of the Hackett brothers. Before this situation is resolved, we are treated to tantalizing glimpses of the amateur musical triumph "Phantom of the Oprah," starring Fay (Rebecca Schull) as Oprah Winfrey! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, Helen (Crystal Bernard) draws up plans to audition for the Nantucket String Quartet; unfortunately, her beloved cello was lost at sea at the beginning of season four, and she hasn't the money to buy a new one. At the suggestion of Brian (Steven Weber), Helen takes on a second job at a fish-packing plant, but the results are disappointing (and rather odious), sending our heroine further down in the dumps. At this point, Brian and Joe (Tim Daly) generously open their own wallets to help Helen -- but the situation is still far from resolved. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Brian (Steven Weber) has reunited with his ex Carol (Kim Ulrich), who also has a history with Brian's brother Joe (Tim Daly). Figuring to be the final victor in this sibling struggle, Brian whisks Carol off for a (hopefully) romantic rendezvous in Nantucket. But Carol can't get Joe off her mind, and before long it looks as though the saga of the Hackett brothers' battle over the same woman has entered a new phase -- or is it simply the same old phase all over again? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Created by several of the same people responsible for Cheers, Wings began its first season in a Thursday-night time slot right after its "sister" series. In the opening episode viewers are introduced to Joe Hackett (Tim Daly), the no-nonsense owner of Sandpiper Air, a one-plane charter service headquartered on Nantucket Island. When his father dies, Joe receives as his legacy a strange sealed box -- and is also reluctantly reunited with his scapegrace brother Brian (Steven Weber) who, six years earlier, had run off with Joe's fiancée Carol. Upon opening the box, the two brothers are immediately sent off on a wild-goose chase -- which turns out to be their late father's puckish method to bring Joe and Brian back together again. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fans of Cheers greeted the series' sixth season in a heightened state of anticipation and anxiety: Now that series regular Shelley Long (Diane Chambers) had left the show, would her replacement be on the same lofty, laugh-getting level? And how would Cheers owner Sam Malone (Ted Danson) respond to a new female sparring partner? Well, for one thing, Sam no longer owned Cheers. When his marriage to Diane fell through, Sam sold the bar to a huge corporation and used the money to purchase an expensive yacht, whereupon he embarked on a round-the-world cruise. Season six picked up six months after Sam's impulsive act; by this time, the yacht had sunk and Sam was flat broke. Returning to Cheers, Sam hoped to at least secure employment as a bartender, but his prospects looked dim indeed when he found himself clashing with the bar's new manager: Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley), a smart, sassy, and sexy young woman who had no intention of succumbing to Sam's charms. Indeed, she declared early on that she was interested only in wealthy men who could advance her career -- men like her immediate boss, Evan Drake (Tom Skerritt). Despite getting off on the wrong foot with Rebecca, Sam was re-hired -- as an assistant to head bartender Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson), who had, himself, been hired by Sam two years earlier. Other changes amongst the regulars: Waitress Carla (Rhea Perlman), now married to hockey player Eddie LeBec (Jay Thomas), gave birth to twins (Elvis and Jesse), bringing the number of children under Carla's roof to eight (and she became a grandmother during this season!). Also electing to make their union legal were psychologists Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) and Lilith Sternin (Bebe Neuwirth). And when not tending bar, Woody began pursuing an acting career, while accountant Norm Peterson (George Wendt) occasionally moonlighted as a house painter. Having spent the better part of season six trying to get into the pants of the rich and desirable Evan, Rebecca was left in the lurch when Drake was transferred to Japan. Would she finally "give in" to the persistent Sam or would she start casting about for another millionaire swain? (The answer, of course, would not be forthcoming until the following season). The departure of Shelley Long apparently had no negative effect on Cheers' popularity: The series remained comfortably in third place in the ratings, just below its Thursday-night NBC "neighbors" The Cosby Show and A Different World. The series also managed to earn another Emmy award, this time for editor Andy Ackerman, and was nominated in ten additional categories. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Carla (Rhea Perlman) prevails upon Cliff (John Ratzenberger) to find her a nice new house at a low price. This Cliff does, only to discover that Carla's new domicile was built on the site of an old prison graveyard. In the fine tradition of Abbott and Costello, Carla and Cliff endeavor to prove that her house isn't haunted by spending a long, long night in the spooky old place. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide