Critic Reviews

Unlike "Daddy Dearest," it's a warm, compassionate, story about a human problem the baby boomer generation sooner or later will be dealing with: what to do with geriatric TV set as they get on in years. It's not a big busy ensemble sitcom like "Cheers," more a one-man show for Grammer. But it's cozy, involving, socially relevant and marvelously amusing. [16 Sept 1993, p.93]

For this one half-hour, Frasier is high-class entertainment. Grammer does scowling exasperation as well as any actor in America (it's hard to imagine an actor who could get more laughs trading looks with a dog), the fraternal relationship is wonderful, and the work-place material works perfectly (thanks to another fine supporting performance from Peri Gilpin). [16 Sept 1993, p.C7]

One of the best things about the second season of Frasier is the way the series has come to mix its high and low humor.

A series that constructs its characters and situations with care and skill from the start rather than relying on seeking to confirm expectations. [16 Sept 1993]

Situations are on target, characters are strong, the dialogue bright. Nothing's extraneous as director James Burrows keeps a tight rein on the brisk, smart exercise.

In a season of too many three-child sitcoms, Frasier reminds viewers how good an adult sitcom can be. In its own way, Frasier is a family sitcom, one with meaning for middle-aged children. The father character brings a dark, but not oppressive, tone to the show, and Mahoney offers a performance full of pain and bitter humor. He gives Frasier a weight that other sitcoms, even Cheers, rarely have. [16 Sept 1993, p.G1]

So far, Martin and Daphne have been good for a few solid laughs per show,but the indispensable costar has proven to be Frasier's brother, Niles, played by David Hyde Pierce.

One of the small miracles of Frasier is the way the show's high-strung, highbrow characters have managed to become mass-appeal favorites.

Frasier can be a beautifully written and acted farce. Yet, in its sixth season, the show is more often sliding into repetition.

Whenever it sticks closely with the Crane brothers ... this likely final season of 'Frasier' often ranks with some of the series' best work.