Many episodes of this are very well-written and acted. The characters and the interactions between them are often well-observed. The contrast between highly-educated people (including the protagonist and his brother, Niles) and less educated people (including their father, Martin, and Frasier's assistant, Roz) is used to good effect. The writers made some major mistakes: a) Some episodes are weak and boring, with little entertaining content. b) Roz is from Wisconsin, but she always speaks with a Texan accent. c) Daphne is from Manchester and retains her strong accent. However, she frequently switches from speaking in British English, to American English, and back again - sometimes within an episode.d) Frasier and Niles are patronising, arrogant snobs - which makes it difficult for viewers to like them.

I first watched Frasier during its initial run. I had never seen Cheers, but my mom had been a fan, so together we tuned in to Frasier and were disappointed when it came to an end. All these years later I've finally decided to give it a rewatch and I'm completely surprised that it managed to hold up as well as it did. The show is mainly about its titular character, a psychiatrist named Frasier Crane who has a radio show in Seattle and lives with his aging widowed father, Marty Crane after an injury in the line of duty forced him to retire. Marty, a salt of the earth type guy, often chaffes against his snobbish effette son, and his younger son, Niles Crane, a man so dandyish he makes Frasier look like a brute. Rounding out the cast is Frasier's radio show producer and eventual best friend, Roz Doyle, and Marty's live-in physical therapist/housekeep Daphne Moon. It's an easy show to watch, the plots are relatively simple, most episodes work as stand alones and there aren't too many long term plots. But it's also a joy to watch because these are characters who really love each other, with real relationship and connections on the line. There's not a weak actor among the main cast, but the stand out will always be David Hyde Pierce as Frasier's brother Niles. Does a more perfect casting exist? Not only is he physically similar to his show-brother Kelsey Grammar, but he is absolutely hilarious as the elitist, dandyish Niles Crane. A great show to watch, that manages to stay consistently great over the many seasons.

While "Frasier" is in fact merely a spin-off of the shrink character established in the long-running "Cheers", he's quite different in his own show. Which is a good thing: Years after leaving his favorite bar in Boston, Frasier works as a radio psychiatrist in Seattle; he's older, also more mature, oh, and at the same time his naivety concerning matters of the common man is easier exposed. Plus, he'd still eat a worm if someone were to give it only a French name. Frasier might be short-tempered, single-minded and self-absorbed at times, but he has his heart in the right place. As far as women are concerned he's charming, but all in all mostly hopeless, which on the other hand is part of the fun for the viewer as it makes him even more lovable and easier to connect with when keeps messing things up - despite the best of intentions. Then again he's snooty as ever, and has found a brother he never admitted to have in "Cheers". And finally there's dad with a hip problem who has permanently pitched a tent (or rather a tasteless chair) in Frasier's postmodern apartment. Aside from considerable taste differences to the culturally spoiled brats dad also brings his terrier Eddie with him, primarily good for winning staring contests with irritating shrinks.One thing soon becomes perfectly clear when watching the series: Kelsey Grammar (Frasier) and David Hyde Pierce (his brother Niles, psychiatrist too by profession) unmistakably form one of the rare comedic dream teams one finds hard to get tired of even after 11 years. Thanks to the brilliant writing staff especially the early seasons sparkle with witty comebacks, acid remarks, hilarious situations only snobs may chance upon finding themselves in. Furthermore the show sports a level of intelligence and cultural references that are entirely absent from many American shows, particularly sitcoms, served with frantic pace and spot-on delivery. While "Frasier" has a certain highbrow angle that lends the series its uniqueness, it can nevertheless be enjoyed on multiple levels: aside from sophisticated remarks of the side-splitting kind there's also slapstick and farce in the mix, and even the weaker episodes blow comparable situation comedies still out of the water. The sophistication that permeates the show clearly has something to do with the fact that "Frasier" turns out as a highly re-watchable offering, yes, even an addictive one, for there's always something new one can pick up in re-runs. That, and the fact that the characters are drawn so incredibly well makes the show an absolute winner. From physical therapist Daphne, Nile's desperate infatuation, over Frasier's producer and sleep-around Roz to station manager Kenny right down to the easily irritable Bulldog and the 11 seasons long unseen Maris, Nile's wife and doom - the writers gave all of these people recognizable personalities, even the invisible ones. Just like Frasier's radio sessions in fact give sound psychological advice. Instead of a quick laugh and fast food for the soul, you get the fun plus food for thought to go. And maybe an urge to grab some coffee. In that respect we close the circle, lift our cup and say: Cheers!

'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!