Customer Reviews

Frasier: The Complete Third Season

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a wonderful collection for those who care only about seeing their favorite Frasier episodes or the ones they missed. Hands down, Frasier is the wittiest, most imaginative sitcom since the Dick Van Dyke show. Only the brilliant, much-missed MST3K made me laugh out loud as consistently. I own Frasier Seasons One through Three, and even though I love watching my favorite episodes a second or third time, the extras are disappointing. The Bulldog featurette and the Maris extras on this Season Three set are snooze-worthy. Why rehash the same material that's on the disc? We fans want behind-the-scenes footage, rehearsal footage, bloopers, deleted scenes, etc. We want to see John Mahoney flub his lines and crack everyone up! And we all know that Moose is hardly a one-take dawg. I'm sure the producers have plenty of outtake reels hanging around. More commentary, outtakes, bloopers, deleted scenes, please, for Season Four!!! Please listen to your fans, Kelsey!

Along with Friends and Seinfeld, Kelsey Grammer's Cheers spin-off, Frasier, dominated the prime time television landscape during the 1990's. Grammer plays the role of Dr. Frasier Crane who, fresh off of his divorce from Lilith, moves back to his hometown of Seattle where he lands a gig as a radio psychiatrist. Frasier's father, Marty Crane (John Mahoney), a Seattle cop recently shot in an attempted convenience store robbery is in need of physical therapy. Frasier and his brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) make an effort to mend their relationship with Marty whose plaid shirts and penchant for sports and beer strikes a dramatic contrast with their wine club, opera house culture. After a little prodding, Marty and his dog Eddie (Moose) move into Frasier's upscale apartment, and Frasier hires Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves), a housekeeper and physical therapist to look after the two cranes.

The entirety of the show takes place in mostly three places - Frasier's radio station where he works with show producer Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin), Frasier's apartment, and the favorite hangout of Niles and Frasier, Café Nervosa. A witty comedic exploration of the nation's clash of cultures (also illustrated by Frasier's run-ins with sports guy Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe), Frasier stands alone as one of the best-written shows in television history. Not a single episode can be considered a dud.

The Frasier (Season 3) DVD offers a number of hilarious episodes including the season premiere which heralds the arrival of a new station manager, Kate Costas (Mercedes Ruehl), with whom Frasier begins a passionate love affair. Given that Frasier is the voice of his peers in contract negotiations, the two compromise on employee salaries and agree to keep their romance a secret. One of the funniest episodes of the season (The Focus Group) centers around a superb focus group response for Frasier's show in which a lone participant, Manu (Tony Shalhoub of Monk fame), cites that he cannot stand Frasier. Consequently, Frasier badgers the man until he ruins his life...

Below is a list of episodes included on the Frasier (Season 3) DVD:

Episode 49 (She's the Boss)
Episode 50 (Shrink Rap)
Episode 51 (Martin Does It His Way)
Episode 52 (Leapin' Lizards)
Episode 53 (Kisses Sweeter Than Wine)
Episode 54 (Sleeping with the Enemy)
Episode 55 (The Adventures of Bad Boy and Dirty Girl)
Episode 56 (The Last Time I Saw Maris)
Episode 57 (Frasier Grinch)
Episode 58 (It's Hard to Say Goodbye If You Won't Leave)
Episode 59 (The Friend)
Episode 60 (Come Lie with Me)
Episode 61 (Moon Dance)
Episode 62 (The Show Where Diane Comes Back)
Episode 63 (A Word to the Wiseguy)
Episode 64 (Look Before You Leap)
Episode 65 (High Crane Drifter)
Episode 66 (Chess Pains)
Episode 67 (Crane vs. Crane)
Episode 68 (Police Story)
Episode 69 (Where There's Smoke There's Fired)
Episode 70 (Frasier Loves Roz)
Episode 71 (The Focus Group)
Episode 72 (You Can Go Home Again)

The DVD Report

Season three of "Frasier" didn't hit as many comic highs the series achieved in season two - the brothers don't let their egos destroy restaurants, for example. Instead, in these 24 episodes, we get the kind of acerbically funny, occasionally hilarious character comedy that we came to expect from the show. Niles, who in this season leaves Maris, finds his attraction to caretaker Daphne (Jane Leeves) intensifying, especially in the episode "Moon Dance," in which two two dance at a society bash. Meanwhile, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) has a prolonged fling with his boss (Mercedes Ruehl). In one memorable episode - "The Adventures of Bad Boy and Dirty Girl," the two accidentally broadcast their tryst. Frasier also has a close encounter with Diane Chambers (Shelley Long), who left him at the altar in "Cheers." (The episode, "The Show Where Diane Comes Back," features a classic "Cheers" spoof.) The shows frequently shun cheap laughs to build to a riotous conclusion. The extras are going downhill from the earlier collections.

First of all, let's get a few things straight. "The Simpsons", "Seinfeld", M*A*S*H", "Cheers", "All in the Family", etc. are all great landmark tv shows worthy of being called brilliant and some of the all-time greats. But there is no doubt that "Frasier" (1993-2004) is the most consistenly funny and brilliant sitcom in American TV history. The writing, acting, direction are all top-notch and reached their first creative peak with seasons 2&3. This set is ESSENTIAL for "Frasier" fans or anyone who wants to watch some of the best comedy writing of this century (not an exaggeration). Five consecutive Emmys speaks volumes of all this, but I cannot praise this show enough. I mean I love all the above named shows a lot, but once you've seen them 2 or 3 times they lose their value and laugh-out-loud quality (except for "Seinfeld"). "Frasier" on the other hand is timeless, and the episodes from this season can be watched over and over and over again 200 years from now and people will still be laughing because of the quality of writing and direction of this series. As far as international TV is concerned, I consider "Frasier" to be to the USA what "Black Adder", "Fawlty Towers" or "Only Fools and Horses" is to the UK, i.e. the best show the country has ever produced. I recommend getting seasons 1-2 first and then immediately purchasing this one. Trust me you will not be dissapointed. Long live the Cranes!!!

Frasier marked the end of the shows that thrived on quick wit and the constant juggle versus the occasional belly laugh. This collection is some of the best of the series and another reminder of an era that is started out with the likes of the Cosby Show, Night Court, Cheers and now is sadly coming to an end.

Admittedly, while I think that Season 3 is just a cut below Season 2 (perhaps the best ever, IMHO), there's still more than enough laughs, great acting and stories to make this third season of Frasier a must for your collection.

The first ten episodes chronicle the blistering relationship between Frasier and his boss, Kate Costas (a mannered, but still very good Mercedes Ruel). Their argueing and contempt for each other naturally leads to sparks which are detailed in the wonderful episode "Sleeping with the Enemy". Their relationship ends rather whimsfully in "It's Hard To Say Goodbye If You Won't Leave".

Plenty of guest appearences also helped to elevate this season, especially Griffen Dunne as a wheelchair-bound, yet very annoying person who wants to be Frasier's friend (in "The Friend"). Shelly Long reprises her "Cheers" character Diane Chambers in "The Show Where Diane Comes Back". This episode also features a re-creation of the famous "Cheers" bar (done in a stage play) and Frasier and Diane finally get some closure to their relationship. "Wings" and future "Monk" star Tony Shaloub gets in one of his typical brilliant characters in "The Focus Group".

And let's not forget the underatted actor Harry Yulen as the guy who can "fix things" in "Word to the Wiseguy". Yulen manages to be both a little creepy, yet somehow put upon by his unseen girlfriend. A great performance and a very good episode.

Frasier's agent-from-hell Bebe makes a great appearence in "Where There's Smoke, Their's Fired". Her line to Daphne ("I'll make you a star!") is delivered with all the enthusiasm and malevolence we expect from Bebe. And Frasier's relationship with Roz is put to the test in "Frasier Loves Roz". My favorite little scene from that episode happens at the end when both characters are standing on opposite sides of Roz's door. The final reaction by Frasier is both unexpected and very funny.

The highlight is the Emmy winning "Moon Dance". Directed by Kelsey Grammer and utilizing all the writing staff, this episode is perfectly done, hilarious, and ultimately touching as Niles confesses his love for Daphne, yet in a logical twist she misinterprets his words. A genuine classic and perhaps the single best episode featuring these two characters.

Extras:
"The Crane Brothers Remember Season 3" is an on-set interview (done perhaps in the last season of Frasier) of both Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce. Most of their reflections are centered on "Moon Dance". A nice, if not inspired documentary.

The rest of the extras dissapoint as they are nothing but edited scenes from the third season with a lame theme ("Bulldog Crazy" and "The Mystery of Maris") as well as the unnecessary "Celebrity Callers".

Why no bloopers is beyond me. Also missing is any "commentary", which would've been great on "Moon Dance".

Having said all that, Season 3 is still one of the best and funniest seasons of Frasier. So if you're a fan, what are you waiting for? Go out and get it!

Trivia bits:
- No Lilith this time out, a shame since Bebe Neuworth adds so much to the show.

- Kelsey Grammer got a major haircut before Season 3 began. A "short style" which he kept until the end of the series. For some reason (probably a practical one) the episode "You Can Go Home Again" which features a long flashback to Frasier's first radio broadcast in Seattle has Kelsey with short hair, which is inaccurate to his character at the time.

- The episode "Chess Pains" implies that Frasier thinks Martin is only vaguely aware of how to play chess. Yet in the first season, we see Martin playing chess ("Can't Buy Me Love") in front of Frasier.

- My understanding is, though it's not mentioned in the DVDs, that Jane Leeves ad-libbed the dance bit where she put her leg on David Hyde Pierce's shoulder (which is the single most memorable visual of the episode).

- This season features guest appearences by Griffen Dunne & Linda Hamilton, both of whom were the first two celebrity callers on the pilot episode "The Good Son".

This series just keeps getting better and better! After some of the highs from Season 2 (The Matchmaker, The Innkeepers, etc.), I didn't think it would be possible that the next season could meet the expectations of the fans of Frasier. However, they did with flying colors. The thing I love most about this show is its ability to go from side-splittingly funny farce to poignancy from episode to episode. One of my personal favorites from this season is "High Crane Drifter," in which Frasier is tormented by his neighbor's loud music and everyone's basic rudeness. I also love "Chess Pains", "She's The Boss" and "Moon Dance", the latter of which takes the Niles/Daphne relationship to another level (at least for Niles). The extra features are....OK....but they aren't the reason you're buying this set in the first place! What more do I have to say? BUY IT!!!!

Never mind people telling you something different about this show...Frasier is one of the best comedy series of all times. It is really hilarous, witty and a great family-and-friends portrait of modern life with its ups and downs. But most of all, the cast is superb. You really get to care about this people and their mutual relationships, like Daphne and Niles for instance. So then,I suggest we heed Dr Crane when he says "lets live for the little joys and surprises that life can afford us" and drink in this marvelous work of enjoyment. Don't you agree?

Frasier's season finale marks the start of a new era in the life of Dr. Crane. Remember, he didn't re-marry or settle on a new career...there's much more to come. It's possible Frasier's headed for Roz's small Wisconsin hometown to settle down, then retire in Hawai'i (Act 4). Can you imagine the comedic episodes, Frasier's upper-class style adapting to rural farm-town life?...maybe never, but years of great material.

I bought season three. No regrets. Side-splitting humor redux.

The episodes:

She's The Boss
Shrink Rap
Martin Does It His Way
Leapin' Lizards
Kisses Sweeter Than Wine
Sleeping With The Enemy
The Adventures Of Bad Boy And Dirty Girl
The Last Time I Saw Maris
Frasier Grinch
It's Hard To Say Goodbye If You Won't Leave
The Friend
Come Lie With Me
Moon Dance
The Show Where Diane Comes Back
A Word To The Wiseguy
Look Before You Leap
High Crane Drifter
Chess Pain
Crane Versus Crane
Police Story
Where There's Smoke There's Fired
Frasier Loves Roz
The Focus Group
You Can Go Home Again
& Special Features.

i really love this show, but for some reason the subtitle doesn't work well.
the 1st season is fine. for the 2nd, there seems to be no subtitle at all.
(maybe a few glimps of it at the 1st episode?) for the 3rd season, the subtitle is often scrambled and incomplete. it's a shame for such a show with great dialogues. is it so hard to make the subtitle right?