Plot: What’s it about?
As the popularity with the TV show “Cheers” started to wane, the dawn of a new era was among the American viewing public. Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) became one of the more popular recurring characters on the aforementioned show. So it was fitting that he wasn’t ready to hang up the role just yet. As “Cheers’” reign ended, Grammer’s character packed up and moved to Seattle where he had a radio show and gave advice over the air. Gone was Lilith, though she does pop up from time to time in the series, but this ushered in a new (and perhaps funnier?) wave of characters that are equally entertaining as was the gang from that Boston bar we all knew so well. Fraiser is joined by his brother, Niles (David Hyde-Pierce, who ironically played almost the same character before the show started, in “Sleepless in Seattle”). Niles, like Norm before him, has a mysterious wife by the name of Maris, though he spends the show lusting after Daphne (Jane Leeves), Frasier’s father’s housekeeper.
Much of the same writing that made “Cheers” the phenomenon what it was also makes “Frasier” so beloved by audiences. It is now entering its eleventh season and is just as popular as ever. The initial season showed that it had legs and could stand on its own, not needing that “Cheers” juggernaut to propel the show and the ratings. With clever dialogue, Grammer’s superb acting and the already familiar character of Dr. Frasier Crane, the show was a no-brainer for success. In an ironic twist of fate, “Friends” will be going off the air, only to have a spin-off of its own to appear in the Fall of 2004. “Joey” will try and follow the same path that “Frasier” did with “Cheers”. Whatever the formula for success, “Frasier” more than lived up to the expectations with an impressive five year run as television’s Most Outstanding Comedy series (the Emmy’s, of course). Whatever your formula for success, episodes’ of “Frasier” are almost anywhere, but the real treat is to watch it season by season.
Video: How does it look?
As we might expect, the episodes are presented in their original full-frame format. Paramount had done a remarkable job with “Cheers” and though this is significantly newer, it looks just as good. Colors are bright, warm and vivid and I couldn’t find wrong with the images here. Being in Seattle, you would think that the colors would look washed out and oversaturated, but 99% of the scenes take place inside (as per most sit-coms). I couldn’t find many discrepancies with the transfer and though a bit lacking in the supplements department, the video presentation looks good.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio has been improved as well. Instead of their previous Dolby Digital 2.0 effort, this has a full 5.1 soundtrack that rocks in some cases. While dialogue is constant and clear throughout, the surround effects do kick in at the right moments and sound great. As I mentioned in the previous review, there isn’t a whole lot that a great audio track can do for this (it is still made for TV); but the inclusion of the Dolby Digital 5.1 track is a generous improvement and one that is welcome. Nice job.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Following much of the same format that “Cheers” does, the season contains a couple of commentary tracks and four featurettes. The tracks are standard, yet informative. Though I feel only true fans will want to give them a listen. As for the featurettes, they’re mostly filler, but the cast reflects on the upcoming (Season Two) season and we have some rather obvious subject matter here. Niles lusts after Daphne, though his wife Maris is nowhere to be found; hence we have a featurette on “The Mystery of Maris”. Eddie, the house dog, is rather talented and there’s a section devoted to him as well. Roz, Frasier’s loyal assistant on air, has her “Dating Tips” and that rounds out the supplements. “Frasier” is a show that only gets better with age, so we’re all looking forward to Season Three.
