Frasier (season 1)

Frasier
Season 1
DVD cover
Starring	Kelsey Grammer Jane Leeves David Hyde Pierce Peri Gilpin John Mahoney
No. of episodes	24
Release
Original network	NBC
Original release	September 16, 1993 (1993-09-16) – May 19, 1994 (1994-05-19)
Season chronology
Next → Season 2
List of episodes

The first season of Frasier originally aired from September 16, 1993, to May 19, 1994, on NBC, consisting of a total of 24 episodes. ^[1] This premiere season was mostly directed by James Burrows (15 episodes), alongside Andy Ackerman (6 episodes). The other 2 directors were co-creator David Lee (2 episodes) and Rick Beren (1 episode).

Cast

Main

• Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane
• Jane Leeves as Daphne Moon
• David Hyde Pierce as Niles Crane
• Peri Gilpin as Roz Doyle
• John Mahoney as Martin Crane

Special guest

• Amanda Donohoe as Catherine
• John Glover as Ned Miller
• Bebe Neuwirth as Lilith
• Mako as Sam Tanaka

Special appearance by

• Dr. Joyce Brothers as herself

Recurring

• Dan Butler as Bulldog

Guest

• Kathleen Noone as Aunt Patrice
• Harriet Sansom Harris as Bebe Glazer
• Claire Stansfield as Kristina
• Patrick Kerr as Noel Shempsky
• Edward Hibbert as Gil Chesterton

Episodes

See also: List of Frasier episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
1	1	"The Good Son"	James Burrows	David Angell & Peter Casey & David Lee	September 16, 1993 (1993-09-16)	101 [2]	28.1 [3]
Dr. Frasier Crane, formerly of Boston, has recently arrived back in his birthplace of Seattle to restart his life following his painful divorce. His independence is soon compromised by the fact that his father, Martin, is incapable of living by himself and must move into Frasier's apartment. Guest Callers: Linda Hamilton as Claire; Griffin Dunne as Russell; John Mahoney as Martin
2	2	"Space Quest"	James Burrows	Sy Dukane & Denise Moss	September 23, 1993 (1993-09-23)	102	27.0 [4]
After Martin moves into Frasier’s apartment with his physical therapist, Daphne, and his dog, Eddie, Frasier struggles with the loss of his personal space and ensuing tensions with Martin. After repeatedly failing to get any kind of solitary time at home or work, he decides to try forging a bond with his gruff father. Guest Caller: Christopher Reeve as Leonard
3	3	"Dinner at Eight"	James Burrows	Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano	September 30, 1993 (1993-09-30)	103	25.7 [5]
Frasier and his brother, Niles, decide to treat Martin to a meal at fancy restaurant Le Cigare Volant in an attempt to improve his sense of style. Meanwhile, Niles meets Daphne for the first time and is instantly smitten, despite already being married. Guest Caller: Patti LuPone as Pam
4	4	"I Hate Frasier Crane"	David Lee	Christopher Lloyd	October 7, 1993 (1993-10-07)	104	24.2 [6]
After being insulted on Frasier's show for a bad review, newspaper columnist Derek Mann challenges Frasier to a fistfight. Although Frasier agrees in the heat of the moment, Martin is angry to later learn he has no intention of going through with it. After learning of the shame he put Martin through when he ducked out of a similar situation as a child, Frasier resolves to meet the challenge. Guest Callers: Joe Mantegna as Derek Mann; Judith Ivey as Lorraine
5	5	"Here's Looking at You"	Andy Ackerman	Brad Hall	October 14, 1993 (1993-10-14)	105	23.9 [7]
Frasier buys Martin a telescope as a gift. While looking through it, Martin spots a woman with whom he becomes romantically involved. Guest Caller: Jeff Daniels as Doug
6	6	"The Crucible"	James Burrows	Sy Dukane & Denise Moss	October 21, 1993 (1993-10-21)	107	22.4 [8]
Frasier throws a cocktail party to show off a new painting he has bought, but is humiliated by the artist, who declares it is a forgery. When Frasier's attempts to return the painting to the gallery fail, he plots revenge against the gallery owner. Guest Caller: Robert Klein as Gary
7	7	"Call Me Irresponsible"	James Burrows	Anne Flett & Chuck Ranberg	October 28, 1993 (1993-10-28)	106	27.0 [9]
Frasier gives advice to a caller, Marco, to break off his relationship with his girlfriend, Catherine (Amanda Donohoe), because of his inability to commit. Niles questions Frasier's ethics when he ends up going on a date with Catherine. Guest Callers: Bruno Kirby as Marco; Eddie Van Halen as Hank
8	8	"Beloved Infidel"	Andy Ackerman	Leslie Eberhard	November 4, 1993 (1993-11-04)	108	27.1 [10]
After accidentally seeing Martin having an emotional meeting with an old family friend at a restaurant, Frasier and Niles begin to wonder whether Martin had an affair while married. Guest Caller: JoBeth Williams as Danielle
9	9	"Selling Out"	Andy Ackerman	Lloyd Garver	November 11, 1993 (1993-11-11)	109	25.0 [11]
Frasier meets Bebe Glazer (Harriet Sansom Harris), a smarmy talent agent who sweet-talks him into doing a series of product endorsements. He finds himself conflicted when she arranges a television ad for a product he does not support, knowing that the money earned could go toward his son's college fund. Guest Caller: Carl Reiner as Roger
10	10	"Oops!"	James Burrows	Denise Moss & Sy Dukane	November 18, 1993 (1993-11-18)	110	23.2 [12]
Frasier is told a rumor that one of the KACL on-air staff is getting fired. When sportscaster Bob 'Bulldog' Briscoe is called into a meeting with management, Frasier assumes the rumor is true and accidentally reveals it to him. As a result, Bulldog quits the station while Frasier learns that his job was actually safe. Feeling guilty and feeling pressure from Martin, Frasier decides to go to the station manager and beg for Bulldog's job back, only to learn the rumor was true and it was actually Frasier who was about to be fired. Guest Caller: Jay Leno as Don
11	11	"Death Becomes Him"	Andy Ackerman	Leslie Eberhard	December 2, 1993 (1993-12-02)	111	25.3 [13]
After the premature death of Martin's physician, who was similar to Frasier in physique, behavior and temperament, Frasier begins to obsess about his own mortality. Putting his affairs in order, he becomes determined to find more about the physician to the point he decides to attend his shiva.
12	12	"Miracle on Third or Fourth Street"	James Burrows	Christopher Lloyd	December 16, 1993 (1993-12-16)	113	25.6 [14]
Frasier's plans for Christmas with Frederick, Martin and Niles are derailed after Lilith decides to take Frederick to Austria. Already angry, Frasier then has a bitter argument with Martin, and agrees to do the Christmas Day shift at the radio station, which proves depressing. Guest Callers: Mel Brooks as Tom; Rosemary Clooney as Gladys; Dominick Dunne as Jeff; Ben Stiller as Barry; Eric Stoltz as Don
13	13	"Guess Who's Coming to Breakfast?"	Andy Ackerman	Molly Newman	January 6, 1994 (1994-01-06)	114	30.4 [15]
Frasier is surprised to learn that Martin has been sleeping with a woman from his building. He then broadcasts this fact in his next show, embarrassing the woman and infuriating Martin. Feeling guilty, Frasier resolves to get them back together. Roz is going out with Noel Shempsky, a Star Trek addict. Guest Callers: Piper Laurie as Marianne; Henry Mancini as Al; Elijah Wood as Ethan
14	14	"Can't Buy Me Love"	James Burrows	Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano	January 20, 1994 (1994-01-20)	112	27.1 [16]
Frasier takes part in a bachelor auction, where he is "bought" by Kristina Harper (Claire Stansfield), a model. He invites her for dinner at his apartment, but when she arrives, Kristina announces that she has some urgent business and needs Frasier to look after her daughter, Renata (Ashley Bank). Frasier learns from Renata that her mother is neglectful, leading him to criticize Kristina heavily when she returns, only to discover that Renata had invented the bad behavior she described.
15	15	"You Can't Tell a Crook by His Cover"	Andy Ackerman	David Lloyd	January 27, 1994 (1994-01-27)	116	27.8 [17]
After Roz is scammed by a street con, Frasier claims to always be able to spot a criminal, so Martin challenges him to a test: several of his friends will come over to play cards, including one ex-convict. Frasier wins if he can spot the con.
16	16	"The Show Where Lilith Comes Back"	James Burrows	Ken Levine & David Isaacs	February 3, 1994 (1994-02-03)	117	33.1 [18]
Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) visits Frasier in Seattle, wondering if there's any chance of reconciliation after she finds a letter from him. Guest Caller: Timothy Leary as Hank
17	17	"A Mid-Winter Night's Dream"	David Lee	Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano	February 10, 1994 (1994-02-10)	115	32.8 [19]
After Niles has a fight with Maris, he and Daphne have a moment of mutual attraction during an attempt to make a reconciliation dinner. Daphne is stranded at Niles' mansion during a storm, and Frasier must reach them before they do something Niles will regret.
18	18	"And the Whimper Is..."	James Burrows	Denise Moss & Sy Dukane	February 17, 1994 (1994-02-17)	118	16.7 [20]
Frasier discovers that he has been nominated for a local broadcasting award, and becomes obsessed with winning it.
19	19	"Give Him the Chair!"	James Burrows	Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano	March 17, 1994 (1994-03-17)	119	29.8 [21]
Frasier is tired of Martin's favorite chair and replaces it, but Martin demands his old chair back. The old chair is easily located on the set of a school production, but the recovery proves more difficult. Guest Caller: Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Bruga
20	20	"Fortysomething"	Rick Beren	Sy Dukane & Denise Moss	March 31, 1994 (1994-03-31)	121	27.1 [22]
Worrying about impending middle age, Frasier strikes up a tentative romance with a shop assistant several years his junior. Guest Caller: Reba McEntire as Rachel
21	21	"Travels with Martin"	James Burrows	Linda Morris & Vic Rauseo	April 14, 1994 (1994-04-14)	123	25.5 [23]
Frasier, Martin, Niles and Daphne go on a road trip in a Winnebago. They drive over the border into Canada only to learn that Daphne is not allowed to leave the U.S. because she does not have her green card yet.
22	22	"Author, Author"	James Burrows	Don Seigel & Jerry Perzigian	May 5, 1994 (1994-05-05)	120	26.2 [24]
Frasier and Niles try to collaborate on a book about sibling relationships but end up brawling while developing a case of writer's block. Guest Caller: Christine Lahti as Laura
23	23	"Frasier Crane's Day Off"	James Burrows	Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano	May 12, 1994 (1994-05-12)	122	22.3 [25]
Frasier falls ill, and KACL restaurant critic Gil Chesterton (Edward Hibbert) tries to steal his time slot in his absence. Frasier begs Niles to take over to prevent this. When Niles unexpectedly runs the show with great success, a feverish Frasier begins to imagine plots against him, and decides to drag himself to the station no matter what. He locks Niles and Roz out of the studio and broadcasts in a state of delirium. Guest Callers: Mary Tyler Moore as Marjorie; Patricia Hearst as Janice; Steve Lawrence as Howard; Eydie Gorme as Lois; Tommy Hilfiger as Robert; Garry Trudeau as Louis; Steve Young as Blake
24	24	"My Coffee with Niles"	James Burrows	David Angell & Peter Casey	May 19, 1994 (1994-05-19)	124	29.7 [26]
Over their daily coffee, Frasier and Niles discuss life and happiness. For the first time, Niles acknowledges he may have feelings for Daphne. Frasier considers if he is happy with his new life in Seattle.

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Frasier

Viewers for Quality Television awards

• 1994 Best Quality Comedy Series – Nominated ^[27]
• 1994 Best Lead Actor in a Quality Comedy Series (Kelsey Grammer) – Nominated ^[27]
• 1994 Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy Series (David Hyde Pierce) – WON ^[27]
• 1994 Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Comedy Series (Jane Leeves) – Nominated ^[27]

Writers Guild awards

• 1995 Episodic Comedy ("A Mid-Winter Night's Dream") (Chuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-Giordano) – Nominated ^[28]

References

1. "Frasier: Season One". DVD Talk . Retrieved January 26, 2011.
2. "Frasier Season 1". TVIV.org. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
3. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . September 22, 1993. p. 3D.
4. Gable, Donna (September 29, 1993). "'Dave's World,' 'Harts' help CBS to victory". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
5. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . October 6, 1993. p. 3D.
6. Gable, Donna (October 13, 1993). "New shows pick up steam in ABC win". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
7. Graham, Jefferson; Gable, Donna (October 20, 1993). "'Home Improvement' powers to No. 1". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
8. DeRosa, Robin (October 27, 1993). "World Series earns CBS a win". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
9. DeRosa, Robin (November 3, 1993). "ABC usurps CBS as No. 1". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
10. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . November 10, 1993. p. 3D.
11. DeRosa, Robin (November 17, 1993). "Walters gives ABC a special boost". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
12. DeRosa, Robin (November 24, 1993). "CBS sweeps back to top". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
13. DeRosa, Robin (December 8, 1993). "'White Dog' has its day; CBS, its week". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
14. DeRosa, Robin (December 22, 1993). "ABC on top for 2nd week". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
15. DeRosa, Robin (January 12, 1994). "'Improvement' leads ABC charge". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
16. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . January 26, 1994. p. 3D.
17. DeRosa, Robin (February 2, 1994). "Super Bowl runs up NBC's score". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
18. DeRosa, Robin (February 9, 1994). "Lilith brings ratings to 'Frasier'". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
19. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . February 16, 1994. p. 3D.
20. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . February 23, 1994. p. 3D.
21. DeRosa, Robin (March 23, 1994). "Wednesday wins for ABC". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
22. DeRosa, Robin (April 6, 1994). "ABC gets help from 'These Friends'". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
23. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . April 20, 1994. p. 3D.
24. DeRosa, Robin (May 11, 1994). "ABC keeps hammering away". Life. USA Today . p. 3D.
25. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . May 18, 1994. p. 3D.
26. "Nielsen ratings". Life. USA Today . May 25, 1994. p. 3D.
27. "Viewers for Quality Television Awards (1994)". IMDb. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
28. "Writers Guild of America, USA (1995)". IMDb. Retrieved May 27, 2018.