With its witty dialogue sophisticated character development and classic slapstick situations FRASIER is a prime example of television comedy at its finest. Centered around pompous psychiatrist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) and his call-in radio show in Seattle the series' brilliant ensemble cast includes his prim and proper brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) their gruff retired-cop father Martin (John Mahoney) live-in home care assistant Daphne (Jane Leeves) brassy radio producer Roz (Teri Gilpin) and a charismatic Jack Russell terrier named Eddie. Featuring guest appearances by Jean Smart Senator John Glenn Patricia Clarkson Bebe Neuwirth and Anthony LaPaglia this collection presents all 22 episodes of the series' Emmy Award-winning eighth season.System Requirements:Running Time 521 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR UPC: 097360419948 Manufacturer No: 041994
Seemingly not content to win all those Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series, Frasier made a convincing bid in its eighth season for Best Drama. Make no mistake, Frasier still serves up its unique blend of sophisticated wit and farce with the usual panache. But season 8 finds Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) in a contemplative mood and mid-life crisis mode. The episode "Frasier's Edge" resonates throughout the season, as a lifetime achievement award and a suspect (only to Frasier) congratulatory note from a mentor sends him into a characteristic tailspin. "Thank you for honoring my life," a subdued Frasier remarks at the awards ceremony. "I just wish I knew what to do with the rest of it." It is just one of several powerful moments on which many of the season's best episodes fade out. In the season finale, Frasier finds himself torn between a new, "perfect" woman in his life, Claire (Patricia Clarkson), and the tempestuous Lana (Jean Smart reprising her Emmy-winning role, and winning her second consecutive statuette). In an affectionate phone call with Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth), he asks, "Do you think I know how to be happy?" In the cleverly constructed "Sliding Frasiers," which takes its cue from the film Sliding Doors, parallel Valentines Day storylines illustrate how "the tiniest decision can change your whole destiny." In "Cranes Unplugged," Frasier feels like he and his son Freddy are growing apart, but on a predictably disastrous camping trip, they manage to share "a golden moment." John Mahoney, too, gives an Emmy-worthy performance in "A Day in May," as Martin attends a parole board hearing for the man who shot him.
But it's not all sturm and drang. "The Show Must Go Off" features an Emmy-winning performance by Derek Jacobi as a former Shakespearean actor Frasier rediscovers at a sci-fi convention and mounts a one-man show, only to discover that he is a talentless ham. In "Motor Skills," Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and Frasier enroll in an automobile repair class and take on unaccustomed roles as the class bad boys. This season also resolves all the obstacles keeping Niles and Daphne (Jane Leeves) apart, including a lawsuit by jilted groom Donny (Saul Rubinek), the vindictive schemes of Niles's jilted fiancée, Mel (Jane Adams), and Niles and Daphne's own illusions about each other. For longtime viewers with an emotional investment in Frasier and company, this is a richly satisfying season worthy of this gold-standard series. --Donald Liebenson
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Buyer Beware:
I was spoiled by the A+ writing, directing, and ensemble acting of the first 7 seasons of "Frasier." But Season 8 is where the cracks in the series' artifice begin to form. There are a couple of standout performances: Derek Jacobi as hammy Shakespearean actor, Jackson Hedley, and Illeanna Douglas as station manager Kenny's wife, shine in episodes that are worthy of earlier seasons. And, the scene where Roz breaks up with her French-only-speaking boyfriend using Frasier to translate for her is... more info
great, just a little problem:
The DVDS are great, but some of the plastic was not intact and the first DVD does not stay on.
The Best Season EVER!!!:
The Best Season EVER!! And a good climax as well. Do not miss this season. Buy it!, you won't regret it! I guarantee it!.
As funny as ever:
As always, the snob brothers are hilarious. How can two people take snobbery to such a laugh a minute? These episodes will be revisited again and again. Highly recommend this for those that want to laugh.
