It's very easy to criticize a long running show for being "formulaic", "predictable" or "self-referential", so how can one of the most formulaic, predictable and self-referential shows of all time be so wonderful? How can it pertain such high quality and professionalism from the first days of pre-production to the very last scene of its finale? The reason Frasier is predictable or self-referential is not sloppiness or laziness. It's the consistent writing and the organic, ever developing characters. Just like real people, sometimes you expect the characters to act in certain ways, and they do. After watching all eleven seasons of the show, you can talk about one of the five main characters for hours, like you're talking about one of your best friends. They are not idealized. They are not perfect. What they are is human... except for Eddie.While noted psychiatrist and radio personality Dr. Frasier Crane is pivotal to the plot of most episodes, the balance (or lack thereof!) between the five main characters, sometimes Frasier's rivalry with his younger brother Niles, sometimes his conflict with his retired blue-collar father Martin, is the essence of the show. Daphne, Martin's live-in physical therapist, is often the negotiator between the Cranes. Frasier's producer Roz is arguably the least developed main character, but she is sometimes integral to the plot and she can be quite a scene stealer. This powerful ensemble of five is accompanied by equally brilliant support characters such as Bulldog, Bebe, Gil, and of course Lilith.On an objective scale I would probably give it 8 or 9 stars, because it inevitably loses its magic toward the end, especially after the resolution of the "will Daphne and Niles ever get together" subplot, but even at its worst, it is consistently funny and tasteful with very little amount of disappointing fillers. From the casting to the acting and writing, Frasier is arguably the most successful spin-off in TV history, and even without taking its parent show Cheers into consideration, it manages to stand on its own and it will always be one of the best situation comedies of all time.

This is, without question, the greatest sitcom there has ever been, and is ever likely to be. Being brought up in London in the 80's, such an accolade would usually be lavished upon Only Fools of Blackadder but Frasier is perfect.Not a big Cheers fan myself it came out of left field. The pompous psyciatrist has a family. Who cares???? Well you should. Every single character is played to perfection, every piece of slapstick sublime and for a nice change not a single episode is dumbed down for the masses. If you get it, brilliant. If you don't, go and watch Benidorm.David Hyde Piers is sensational as Niles (Frasier's brother) and John Mahoney adds much needed grounding to the boys and also heart wrenching sentiment as their father.Please watch this and then re-watch it. It can't get any better than this. Thanks for listening Dr Crane

'Frasier' not only is one of the best spin-off's of all time but also one of the best sitcoms ever.The first seven seasons of this show are as good as sharp, intelligent comedy and be. The central cast (headed by Kelsey Grammar reprising his 'Cheers' role spark so well of each other and the writing at times is great, combining pathos and farce with equal measure.But like many a good sitcom before it there was a dip in quality, starting around the season 8 mark. There is a lot of debate around 'Frasier' fans as to when this dip ended and the show regained its momentum, but for me it never matched the heights of the first seven years.But what a great seven year period it was!

It's hard to write a review spanning all the seasons of Frasier, but I remember Jeff Foxworthy's routine "We don't get the jokes of Frasier" which highlighted the class distinction between the shows that "common folk" watch and the Frasier viewers.I must admit I didn't really like Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe as he came across as way too forceful with no subtlety that's a hallmark of Frasier. I'm pleased his character was phased out half-way through the series, and not a moment too soon. Maybe there was one episode where his racism really caused an uncomfortable moment - where he did a horrible Chinese accent to mock a Chinese restaurant commercial on KACL - all on air! You think about it, the Chinese restaurant has paid big bucks to be advertised on KACL and you'd expect they'd get some dignity out of it. But no, Bulldog does the honors and trashes the restaurant. Okay, I get it, Bulldog was politically incorrect. He attacked political correctness. But the blindspot was that Bulldog never seemed to mock LGBTs. Never. Maybe there's an episode where he did, but if Bulldog is so politically incorrect, why were they off limits? I do wonder about this. Maybe an uncomfortable truth.