Vic Rauseo Movies

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, Rovi

On the occasion of his three-year anniversary with KACL, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is given a present by Roz (Peri Gilpin) -- a tape of his very first broadcast. As he listens to the tape, Frasier flashes back to the events over the past few years. The balance of the story is something of a prequel to the first episode of Frasier, retracing our hero's steps as he made the big move from Boston to Seattle and his early, bumbling efforts to reconnect with his family. And as a bonus, this episode concludes with a roll call of all the celebrity "guest voices" who have lent their talents to the series. ~ 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

It is the 62nd birthday of Martin Crane (John Mahoney), but no one is in a festive mood. A series of quarrels between Martin and Daphne (Jane Leeves) coupled with the latest round of sibling rivalry between Frasier (David Hyde Pierce) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) threatens to put a damper on the evening. And just when it seems that nothing else can go wrong, Martin's birthday party is hit by a power outage that has plunged all Seattle into darkness. Using every vestige of professional skill that he can muster, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) tries to put a happy face on an extermely bleak situation. This was the final episode of Frasier's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) expansively asks his father, Martin (John Mahoney), to pick out a vacation spot for the two of them. Unfortunately for our hero, Martin elects to rent a Winnebago and travel to Mount Rushmore. The ensuing journey is fraught with anxiety for Frasier, not to mention his traveling companions Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Daphne (Jane Leeves). The worst comes when the little party inadvertently crosses the Canadian border -- something that Daphne, as a foreign alien, is legally forbidden to do. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

At the age of 20, child prodigy Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris) remains America's youngest practicing physician--not to mention one of the shyest and most self-effacing members of his profession--as Doogie Howser MD begins its fourth and final season. Besides Harris, most of the familiar regulars are still in attendance, including James B. Sikking and Belinda Montgomery as Doogie's parents, Max Casella as Doogie's roommate Vinnie, Lawrence Pressman as his boss Dr. Benjamin Canfield, Markus Redmond as orderly Raymond Alexander, and Kathryn Layng as Nurse Spaulding. Gone from the series are Doogie and Vinnie's former girlfriends Wanda and Janine; now Vinnie is playing the field, hoping to impress potential "conquests" with his talents as a burgeoning filmmaker, while Doogie is more or less going steady with Nurse Michele Faber (Robyn Lively). The season begins with a typical balanced blend of comedy and drama, as fledgling trauma surgeon Doogie tries to cope with the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. In later episodes, Doogie buys a gun after his family is robbed, only to be plagued by memories of the shooting victims he has treated; Doogie agrees to participate in a medical-school project in which he must endure the indignities of being a "typical" patient; Vinnie is inspired to make an all-pantomime film after meeting a hearing-impaired girl; a hospital visit from a friend of the Howser family raises the ugly spectre of child abuse; a confusing encounter with Michele leads Doogie and Vinnie to emulate Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson; and the Letter of the Law becomes an issue when Doogie discovers that one of his colleagues is a phony doctor--but a brilliant phony doctor! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Once again short of funds, Vera (Beth Howland) takes a second job as a radio deejay. Calling herself "Nightbird", Vera adopts an uncharacteristically sexy voice for her on-mike persona. Sure enough, our heroine attracts a huge fan following consisting of lonely males--and nearly wrecks her marriage to Elliot (Charles Levin) in the process. Watch for prolific character actor Stephen Tobolowsky in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Vera's police-officer husband Elliot (Charles Levin) would love to nab the rustlers who've been stealing cattle in the vicinity, but he hasn't got the evidence. Turning to Mel (Vic Tayback), Elliot suggests that the diner owner go undercover to help trap the criminals. Motivated less by civic responsiblity than by a $5000 reward, Mel agrees to the plan--even though his "clever disguise" probably wouldn't fool a cow, much less a cow thief. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Ready for a major role reversal? Well, that's just what happens when Mel (Vic Tayback) gives up his diner to become an executive employee for a major catering firm led by R.J. Meyerson (played by the great Richard Deacon). At the same time, the waitresses take over ownership of the diner, making them their own bosses for the first time. Needless to say, this situation results in major headaches for all concerned. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A pre-Cheers George Wendt shows up in this episode as Monty, a nebbishy Las Vegas busboy. Having previously been jilted by his girlfriend, Monty is unprepared for a second disillusionment when Alice (Linda Lavin) rebuffs his romantic overtures. The story climaxes with the first "within-the-episode" sighting of the sign in front of the diner--the same sign from which a despairing George threatens to jump! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Nature-loving Vera (Beth Howland) is outraged when the local Parks Department decides to cut down a 100-year-old tree in the front of the diner. Protesting this move, Vera chains herself to the tree and refuses to budge when the chainsaws and bulldozers arive. Ultimately, however, there is a mighty crash of lumber--and it is Mel (Vic Tayback) who bears the brunt of the damage. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

David Rounds makes his first series appearance as Wendell, the shy, self-effacing cousin of bombastic diner owner Mel (Vic Tayback). Newly arrived in Phoenix, Wendell develops a crush on waitress Vera (Beth Howland), but is too timid to declare himself--prompting Mel to dispense some macho-man advice to his nebbishy cousin. This episode was originally taped for Alice's fifth season, but held back until Season Six due to a Hollywood writer's strike. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Celia Weston joins the cast as Jolene Hunnicutt, a tough-talking female trucker. During a stopover at Mel's Diner, Jolene escapes her rapacious male driving partner by hiding in the ladies' room--at which point her partner leaves her stranded. With no other recourse, Jolene accepts a job as Mel's new waitress, thus filling the gap left by Belle (Diane Ladd in her final series appearance), who has quit to accept a singing job in Nashville. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi