Christopher Lloyd Movies

This mockumentary-style sitcom chronicles the unusual kinship of the extended Pritchett clan, a brood that includes patriarch Jay (Ed O'Neill), his younger Latina wife, Gloria, and her preteen son, Jay's daughter, Claire, and her family, and Jay's son, Mitchell, who lives with his partner, Cameron. ~ Joe Friedrich, All Movie Guide

A previously pampered society mouse must fight his way back to the comforts of Kensington after he is sent spiraling into an underground world filled with scavenger rats and villainous toads in a fun-filled family adventure produced by DreamWorks Animation and Aardman Features and featuring the voices of Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen, and Jean Reno. Roddy (Jackman) was living the high life when he first met Sid the sewer rat (Shane Richie), but that's all about to change when Sid decides to send the hapless mouse down the pipes and stealthily take his place in the lap of luxury. Though the bustling sewer city of Ratropolis isn't without its fair share of kind citizens, it is certainly no place for a pampered mouse with a taste for life's finer things. Upon making the acquaintance of scavenger rat Rita (Winslet), Roddy is certain that the pair can navigate their way back to the surface in Rita's trusty boat, the Jammy Dodger, but Rita's help doesn't come cheap, and the nefarious Toad (McKellen) is determined to rid Ratropolis of all things rodent. When Toad's hapless hench-rats Spike (Andy Serkis) and Whitey (Bill Nighy) fail to achieve acceptable results, the green meanie is forced to call in the cavalry in the form of legendary French mercenary Le Frog (Reno) to get the job done. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The eleven-year run of Frasier comes to an eventful climax in this episode, which is related in flashback as Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) recalls recent events to a fellow passenger (unseen for the most part) during a bumpy plane ride. It seems that his agent, Bebe (Harriet Sansom Harris), has found Frasier an enticing new job as a radio therapist on a San Francisco radio station -- and as a bonus, he will host his own nationally syndicated TV talk show. This, of course, will require Frasier to bid farewell to his friends in Seattle -- and to his new love Charlotte, who is still firm in her resolve to return to her hometown of Chicago. Meanwhile, several other momentous events are taking shape. As Niles prepares for the birth of his baby, he must endure the drunken pugnaciousness of his wife Daphne's (Jane Leeves) cockney brothers (guest stars Robbie Coltrane, Richard E. Grant, and Anthony LaPaglia). And thanks to an error made in booking their honeymoon suite, Martin (John Mahoney) and Ronee (Wendie Malick) are forced to move their wedding date up from July to May. The subsequent reception bids fair to be a disaster thanks to beastly hot weather and a veritable sea of cow manure; and when Daphne goes into labor, the only person available to help her is a young and callow veterinarian. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Although it was common knowledge in the industry that the eleventh season of Frasier would be its last, NBC did not make a formal declaration of the series' cancellation until late December of 2003. The decision had largely been made by star Kelsey Grammer, who had been playing the role of psychiatrist Frasier Crane for nearly 20 years (counting the character's previous tenure on Cheers) and felt it was time to move on. Truth to tell, the series had been declining in viewereship and quality over the past few seasons, but season eleven made up for its recent shortcomings with some of the best Frasier episodes ever.

The first installment picked up where season 12 left off, with Frasier's former producer Roz (Peri Gilpin) returning to radio station KACL, ostensibly because she didn't like her new job but actually because she hoped that Frasier would dump his latest amour, the beautiful but tactless Julia Wilcox (Felicity Huffman). This he did, only to enter into another bumpy relationship with Charlotte (Laura Linney), the owner of a failing matchmaking service. Whether Frasier and Charlotte would remain together or whether she would cut things off and return to Chicago was a major source of comic suspense throughout the season. Elsewhere on the romantic front Frasier's recently married brother, Niles (David Hyde Pierce), was anxious to start a family with his cheerful cockney bride Daphne (Jane Leeves), who was still employed as part-time caregiver for Frasier and Niles' ex-policeman dad, Martin (John Mahoney). Inevitably Daphne became pregnant, a plot development cooked up to accommodate the real-life pregnancy of actress Jane Leeves. This being a sitcom, the nine-month gestation was fraught with anxiety, not least of which involved Niles' former wife Maris, who though still an unseen presence managed to raise a ruckus by killing her hot-blooded lover Esteban. In fact, ex-wives dictated several Frasier scenarios during Season Eleven, with Frasier having memorable confrontations with both his first wife, children's entertainer Nanny G (here played by Laurie Metcalf), and his second spouse, domineering psychiatrist Lilith Sternin (who else but Bebe Neuwirth?). Also appearing was the issue of the Frasier- Lilith marriage, their son Frederick, played this time around by Trevor Einhorn. The most surprising amorous development during this season, sixtysomething Martin Crane fell in love with sexy lounge singer Ronee Lawrence (Wendie Malick), who as a teenager had been Frasier and Niles' babysitter! Ultimately, Martin proposed to the much-younger Ronee, setting a wedding date for July -- which thanks to a last-minute snafu had to be bumped up to May, coincidentally just in time for the birth of Daphne's baby. Frasier's final episode, the 60-minute "Goodnight, Seattle," may well enter the annals of TV history as the series finale to end all series finales. It took some doing, but this episode managed to incorporate virtually every "Last Show" cliché known to man, setting each one of them on its ear with a clever and unexpected twist: The chaotic wedding where everything that could go wrong does go wrong, the heroine going into labor at the wrong time in the wrong place, the leading man facing a profound change of job and location, and a "will they or won't they?" romantic entanglement -- all wrapped into a neat and hilarious package and topped off with a surprise ending. Just as in its glory days, Frasier bade farewell to its fans by garnering a whole new crop of Emmy awards, including honors for series regulars Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce and guest star Laura Linney, as well as statuettes for Outstanding Art Direction for a Multi-Camera Series, Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing, and Outstanding Multi-Camera Sound Mixing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As Season Ten of Frasier begins, Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Daphne (Jane Leeves) have bypassed their meticulously planned wedding by eloping to Reno, leaving a multitude of hurt feelings amongst their various family members in their wake. And Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Roz (Peri Gilpin) are still trying to make sense of their impulsive romantic night together. In later episodes, newly divorced KACL radio station owner Kenny (Tom McGowan), who has chosen a reluctant Frasier as his "mentor", briefly finds a kindred spirit in Roz's younger cousin Jen (Zooey Deschanel), a woman no one else can stand. And when his son Frederick (Trevor Einhorn) asks Frasier to deliver a speech in Hebrew at the boy's Bar Mitzvah, Frasier enters into a bizarre bargain with KACL's resident Star Trek freak Noel Shempsky (Patrick Kerr). The season is highlighted by a seriocomic three-part episode in which Niles (David Hyde Pierce) comes face to face with his own mortality when he undergoes heart bypass surgery, an event that has a curious effort on Niles' marriage to Daphne (Jane Leeves)--to say nothing of his brother Frasier's radio show. Later, Daphne will become an "official" Crane by dint of her hosting one of the worst dinner parties in recorded history. And, oh yes, there'll soon be a baby on the way--just as soon as Niles and Daphne get around to conceiving, that is. Also: the episode "The Harrassed" introduces future "Desperate Housewife" Felicity Huffman as KACL's new financial analyst Julia Wilcox, who by season's end will become the latest in a long line of women whom Frasier cannot live without. Frasier's ex-wife Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) shows up to ask a teeny-iny favor involving artificial insemination. And Dr. Phil McGraw becomes the object of Frasier's wrath merely by hiring Frasier's former agent, the redoubtable Bebe (Harriet Sansom Harris). As for the Crane brothers' dad Martin (John Mahoney), As for Martin, he tentatively reactives his relationship with Cora (Emily Yancy), the mother of Frasier's contentious neighbor Cam Winston. In in the season finale, Roz prepares to quit her job as Frasier's producer and leave Seattle forever--a decision largely motivated by her outrage over the burgeoning romance between Frasier and Julia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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, All Movie Guide

Season seven of Frasier came to a rousing finale with the now-legendary "Winnebago" elopement of Niles Crane (David Hyde Pierce) and Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves), just as Daphne was poised to wed Niles' lawyer Donny Douglas (Saul Rubinek). This of course does not rest well with Donny, who immediately initiates a lawsuit against Daphne, nor with Niles' vis-à-vis Melinda Karnofsky (Jane Adams), who has trapped the younger Crane in a humiliating sham marriage. But at least now Niles and Daphne are unafraid to tell the world that they were meant for each other all along. Meanwhile, Niles' older brother, radio shrink Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer), reluctantly becomes "mentor" to station KACL's young and bumptuous new owner, Silicon Valley billionaire Kenny Daly (Tom McGowan). Later on, Frasier dates the sharkish lawyer Abby (Teri Polo), who is defending Daphne against Donny; the troublesome "Dr. Mary" (Kim Coles) returns to aggravate Frasier when he hosts Seattle's annual Christmas parade; and Frasier's son Freddy (Trevor Einhorn) endures a chaotic camping trip with his dad and his grandfather Martin (John Mahoney). In other Season Eight highlights: "Sliding Frasiers" is a takeoff of the theatrical feature Sliding Doors, offering two alternate version of Frasier and Niles' Valentine's Day adventures; Roz (Peri Gilpin) incurs Frasier's jealousy when she replaces him as narrator for her TV space documentary, hiring astronaut-politician John Glenn instead; and Jean Smart returns as Frasier's contentious high school sweetheart Lana Gardner (formerly named Lorna Lynley, at least until the NBC legal department got involved), in a two-parter in which Frasier discovers the latest love of his life, a woman named Claire (Patricia Clarkson). In the season finale, Frasier plans a romantic vacation with Claire in Belize--only to learn to his horror that Martin, Niles and Daphne plan to go along for the ride. ~ 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

Leave it to the Frasier gang to take a perfectly enjoyable holiday like Christmas and cast a pall of misery over the proceedings. Specifically, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer), Daphne (Jane Leeves), Niles (David Hyde Pierce), and Roz (Peri Gilpin) show up separately at the offices of their favorite masseur (Albert Macklin), relating horrible recent Yuletide memories as they receive their respective rubdowns. Particularly amusing (at least for the viewer) are Niles' traumatic misadventures in a stalled elevator. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Shelley Long recreates her Cheers role as Diane Chambers in this episode (which, of course, was not Diane's first appearance on Frasier -- remember that surprise ending in the second-season episode "Adventures in Paradise"?). Arriving in Seattle full of stories of how wonderful her new life is in Malibu, Diane suddenly goes into one of her customary fits of hysteria and tearfully admits to former fiancé Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) that she has never been so miserable. Taking pity on Diane, Frasier agrees to do anything he can for her, even unto financing production of a play she has written -- which, much to his dismay, turns out to be a thinly disguised recap of Diane's life back in Boston with a group of disturbingly familiar losers hanging around a tavern and pining hopelessly over heroine "Mary Ann." This episode earned an Emmy award for Outstanding Editing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Arthur Miller's play The Crucible was first staged in 1953, it was widely acclaimed as a metaphor for the recklessness of Joseph McCarthy and his spurious crusade against communism. In its 1996 screen adaptation (scripted by Miller), the tone has been adjusted somewhat and plays as a warning against the dangers of political and religious extremism of all kinds. After a group of young women is accused of witchcraft in the Puritan community of Salem, Mass. in 1692, Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder) is held in suspicion of practicing magic. Abigail in turn levels charges against John Proctor (Daniel Day-Lewis) and his wife Elizabeth (Joan Allen). Abigail has a private grudge against the Proctors; while working as their servant, she had an affair with John, and when John ended the relationship and returned to his wife, Abigail was fired. Now the Reverend Parris (Bruce Davison) is hearing accusations and counter-accusations of misdeeds from all sides of the community in the wake of Abigail's charges, so he brings in Judge Danforth (Paul Scofield) to determine who is guilty or innocent. However, given the moral climate of the time, it seems someone has to be found guilty of witchcraft, even though firm evidence of wrongdoing is becoming hard to come by. This was the second screen version of The Crucible, though it was the first one in English; the previous version, filmed in France in 1956, starred Simone Signoret and Yves Montand. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Niles (David Hyde Pierce) continues to carry a torch for Daphne (Jane Leeves), but has not worked up the nerve to tell her so. The opportunity finally seems to arrive when Daphne needs comfort and solace after breaking up with her latest beau. Inspired by the situation, Niles prepares to pour his heart out to Daphne -- until Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) has strongly advises him not to. The upshot of this situation is quite startling...especially when Niles thinks he is "seeing double." ~ 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