frasier

Residuum – Season 3

January 14, 2021 Taryn Cheal Episodes, Season 3 Episodes 00:37:01 0 Comments

Podcast Episode Synopsis: We mostly talk about our favourite ladies from this season and then embarrass ourselves for your entertainment (we hope!).

I’m glad Lauren gets to talk more about Bebe Glaser. She is definitely an underrated character in the show and Lauren has a very impressive way of highlighting her that I very much appreciate.

Bebe Glaser takes a huge breath of smoky air from her bag that is on fire.

I think we maybe have talked about “It’s Hard to Say Goodbye If You Won’t Leave” almost as much as we have talked about “Look Before You Leap”. And I love that we get a glimpse of Kate as a Horse Woman.

Kate Costas beams at Frasier
Kate, likely thinking about jogging. Season 3, Episode 10

Did you think you would get out of here without us gushing about Roz? That was silly of you. You can hear in this clip that she is key to Frasier’s success on the radio and her no nonsense approach is able to cut through Frasier’s crap and produce a quality program. His ideals are no match for her know-how.

And just you wait, you thought you would also get out of here without more talk about “Look Before You Leap”? Silly you. The set up for this episode is classic peak Frasier. Everyone in the scene gets swept up in Frasier’s rhetoric, including Frasier himself. A note about Daphne’s haircut: it is nothing like Princess Diana’s!? I get wanting to look like her and I get that this is supposed to be a ridiculous haircut she gets, but you have to actually cut your long hair if you want to try to get the Di.

Frasier holds up two hands to convince people to do something.
This is the face of a man you can trust. Season 3, Episode 16

Episodes to Check Out

“Look Before You Leap” and “Martin Does it His Way”

What would a podcast in 2020 be without acknowledging that “things have been weird”? And with that, thank you for listening and we will see you next season. To quote Frasier “Goodnight everybody, we love you”.

Roz – Season 3

January 14, 2021 Taryn Cheal Episodes, Season 3 Episodes 00:22:18 0 Comments

Podcast Episode Synopsis: We talk about our hero, Roz, follow her pursuit of career success, and enjoy her really great relationships with the people in her life.

Oh goodness folks. We love the Roz episode and I feel like you can hear it in Lauren’s voice at the top of the show.

Why oh why do the Roz episodes of Frasier have to stink so much? They just generally are not super. But at least we get some good Roz content out of it, because she lifts whatever scene she is in.

The adventures of Roz and Kate seems like a show we should all watch. These two strong women helping each other succeed in a world that is built for men? Yes please.

Roz Doyle and Kate Costas
She’s right behind you, Roz. Season 3, Episode 1.

Lauren has her eyes on the prize when it comes to Roz and she very astutely points out that Roz, likewise, has her eyes on the prize for her career. Kate represents a world of possibility for Roz’s future career, and it’s nice to have some moments that show that Roz is working hard for what she wants.

Roz and Daphne have a really lovely relationship that I love to see. I feel like it is unique for this time that they have a generally uncomplicated, supportive friendship and that they are always willing to help each other out in whatever they need. They initially bonded over their professional relationship to Frasier but they have built the relationship into so much more.

And now we get to get into it! Roz’s style is everything in this season. She has always been gorgeous but this transition really gives the people what they want. If I don’t get to talk about Lilith at least I get to gush over what a smoke show Roz is.

The pantsuits. Season 3, Episode 1.
I mean.
Pant. Suits.

Episodes to Check Out

“The Focus Group” and “She’s the Boss”

Martin – Season 3

January 14, 2021 Taryn Cheal Episodes, Season 3 Episodes 00:22:52 0 Comments

Podcast Episode Synopsis: We get into the scoobidy doobidy of it all, chess games, and the excellence that is families supporting each other.

“Martin Does it His Way” is such a delightful episode. It is great to see more of Martin’s life and interests. It is also so lovely to see Niles and Frasier want something great and exciting for their dad and encourage him and help him. We really love families who actively support each other. I wonder what that’s about.

Chess is boring, I think we can all agree. But this is a nice use of chess to unpack the relationship between Martin and Frasier. And it’s a great moment for Martin to get to put his snobby son in his place.

Martin surveys a chess board
Martin outwits Frasier at chess, we all win. Season 3, Episode 18

Martin is a great dad. He knows when to step in and help out his stubborn son. We should all be so lucky.

Martin Crane beams at Frasier after getting him the outlaw laser robo geek.
What a good dad. Season 3, Episode 9

He is also a real goofball and that is so incredibly enjoyable. It’s fun to see the teenage embarrassment that Frasier and Niles still have about their weird dad and I love seeing Martin continue to torture them with it.

I definitely do suggest watching “Martin Does it His Way” and enjoying the heck out of Kelsey Grammer’s performance of “She’s Such a Groovy Lady” at the funeral service. Oh goodness it cracks me up.

Frasier gives the audience a thumbs up sign.

Episodes to Check Out

“Martin Does it His Way”. This time there can only be one!

Sexuality – Season 3

January 14, 2021 Taryn Cheal Episodes, Season 3 Episodes 00:20:36 0 Comments

Podcast Episode Synopsis: We talk Frasier knocking boots with his boss, healthy breakups, and sneak in some Roz. You’re welcome.

I have so many feelings about hand waving around the union stuff, because unions are super important. But I did my best throughout the series to keep it to myself. Lauren steers me off of my union-defending tirade by talking about the great depiction of a casual sexual relationship between two consenting adults. Let’s have more relationships like this in the media, because they exist and they are a-okay and healthy.

Kate Costas played by Mercedes Ruehl.

Speaking of healthy, I love the normalization of the dissolution of relationships shown in this season. That is something that most people go through one way or another in their lives and we need to stop treating it like it is a failure on anyone’s part. Maybe I should try to keep this recap a little lighter? But first, care to hear more of my thoughts on unions? Juuuuust kidding.

Roz and Frasier are lovely together and we definitely talk about this more in our Roz episode. We’re all for more depictions of friends who support each other and keep each other accountable.

Roz and Frasier have a heart to heart.
We love Roz. Season 3, Episode 22.

Lauren will take any opportunity to talk about When Harry Met Sally. And that wagon wheel coffee table. I know what I’m getting her for the holidays.

Y’all should know I will take any chance I get to talk about charming Marty. He’s just a delight and I am glad he gets a relationship in this season. It’s also great that the captain is a woman in the clip. Let’s all check our assumptions.

Daphne gets a boyfriend!! What a revelation for one of our fave characters.

Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves) flirts with Frasier's contractor, Joe.
It’s Joe! Season 3, Episode 5.

Bulldog sucks. We can all agree. But thanks Dan Butler for changing how we look at him (when we are watching Bulldog through our fingers over our eyes).

Episodes to check out

“It’s Hard to Say Goodbye When You Won’t Leave” and “Sleeping with the Enemy”

Cast – Season 3

January 14, 2021 Taryn Cheal Episodes, Season 3 Episodes 00:26:18 0 Comments

Podcast Episode Synopsis: We talk about some of our favourite guest stars and then bag on Kelsey Grammer.

Donald O’Connor is a great example of how this show was able to get some of the best guest stars. He is a legend in musical theatre and the show perfectly showcases him here.

Donald O'Connor wearing a red fireperson's hat.
The great Donald O’Connor calling Frasier “Sparky”, Season 3, Episode 19

We have wanted to talk about Noel Shempsky for a while and I am so glad we get to delve into him, especially when he has some real standout moments this season. His special fainting ability is just one adorable aspect of his personality. He really owns it, and I love it.

I personally enjoy the callers a lot. It sends me down internet rabbit holes, but fun bit of trivia, I tend to come up with the references off the top of my head when we record. So I hope you enjoy literally the first thing I can think of for these accomplished actors.

Sigourney Weaver and Ray Liotta in a car in the movie Heartbreakers
The best film of 2001, Heartbreakers.

Blair Brown played Nina. We came up with it shortly after recording. And Fringe is truly great.

It is time we get to talk about Shelley Long. A living legend who rules. Shelley Long is absolutely delightful in her episode. Diane really gets the best of Frasier and he is increasingly powerless against her.

Shelly Long as Diane Chambers in Frasier (season 3)

Episodes to Check Out

“The Show Where Diane Comes Back” and “The Adventures of Bad Boy and Dirty Girl”

Representation – Season 3

January 14, 2021 Taryn Cheal Episodes, Season 3 Episodes 00:27:01 0 Comments

Podcast Episode Synopsis: We discuss the impressive resume of Mercedes Ruehl, the excellence that is Tony Shalhoub, and the abundance of white nonsense that this show has for us.

Hey! We are working on ourselves and changing up the focus of this episode is part of it.

Lauren kicks off the show by talking about the absolute bonkers plot of the Oscar winning film The Fisher King. No thank you, will not be watching. Thankfully we are able to steer back to some enjoyable chat about the talents of Ms. Ruehl.

Kate Costas confronts Frasier

“I’m not one of those for whom antique is a verb” is a genuinely classic line. I wish we could all slip it into conversation more.

Tony Shalhoub is just great. If you haven’t watched him drink a ton of tomato juice in the Catskills then you are missing out. And the early morning workout romper! It’s glorious!

Abe Maisel doing his calisthenics in the Catskills
Tony Shalhoub in his beautiful onesie.

Anyways, he is a delight in this episode despite the bland, lazy representation of an Arab-American. Tony Shalhoub brings his all to his roles, and good job him. Side note: if you haven’t watched the Tony performance from The Band’s Visit where he just stares into the eyes of Katrina Lenk while she sings, I suggest you do. He is shockingly captivating while not really doing anything.

Frasier and Manu sit in front of Manu's burned newspaper stand.
This is after Frasier spills Yoo-hoo on his dockers. Season 3, Episode 23.

As always, I appreciate Lauren’s rundown of BIPOC actors. It is nice to hear that there is small progress, but not enough. Forever and ever, not enough.

Bulldog and Pete in the recording booth at KACL
It’s Pete! Played by actor Michael Whaley. Season 3, Episode 4

Ah, white nonsense. I do think our whole podcast could be called “We Like This Show, But It Is All White Nonsense”. Maybe we will discuss a name change. Also, maybe I should keep a running tally of Frasier’s literal crimes.

Has anyone thought about My Girl recently? It is a genuinely scarring movie for (presumably) children. It involves multiple dead bodies, a young woman transitioning into a new stage of her life without any solid guidance or support, severe allergies that are not well explained for children, and Jamie Lee Curtis putting blue eyeshadow on the corpse of an elderly woman.

Episodes to Check Out

“It’s Hard to Say Goodbye if You Won’t Leave” and “The Focus Group”

Siblings – Season 3

January 14, 2021 Taryn Cheal Episodes, Season 3 Episodes 00:21:40 0 Comments

Podcast Episode Synopsis: We get into some favourite sibling storylines like the two brothers trying to work together, looking for new friends, and competing for prestige.

Ah, the brothers in couples counselling. This is a delightful premise that the show is able to really take advantage of because these two characters are well-versed in what good counselling should be like. They are able to use the space to air their grievances but they are also ultimately still just themselves, which means they act like petty brothers.

Fraiser, a couples counsellor, and Niles site in a room with leather recliners and a black and white wall.
More people should go to couples counselling. Season 3, Episode 2

I feel like Niles shines in “The Friend” more than he has any right to. Classic David Hyde Pierce. I just love his anger at being left behind and how he both lashes out by trying to give Frasier a taste of his own medicine and also patiently waits for him to come back to him. It’s just perfect.

Niles and Frasier clink espresso cups at Café Nervosa.

Ohhhh the wine club and dinner party storylines are so excellent. Frasier and Niles face failure at every turn but they just keep trying. Both of these stories also are a wonderful showcase for the pretentious society they dream of fitting into. We know they just never will because they want it too badly. It is *chefs kiss*.

Niles holds a silver spittoon for a blindfolded Frasier to spit his wine into during a tasting practice.
Note the use of a spittoon. Season 3, Episode 5

I really love the energy between Frasier and Niles in “Crane vs Crane” because they both dig their heels in without fully considering what it looks like to the outside world. Their pettiness gets the best of both of them and neither looks great at the end of the day. Niles, while correct about Harlow’s mental stability, can’t help but ham it up for the camera, and Frasier is just wrong and trying to make his brother look bad. It fits perfectly in with the relationship between these two.

Episodes to Check Out

“Crane vs Crane” and “Shrink Rap”

Women – Season 3

January 14, 2021 Taryn Cheal Episodes, Season 3 Episodes 0 Comments

Podcast Episode Synopsis: We get to talk about female bosses and the new facets of Daphne’s developing character.

Ah, Kate Costas. She is a really welcome addition to the show. While the “they fight until they kiss” story isn’t great, the characters have palpable chemistry and an enjoyable relationship.

Kate Costas and Frasier Crane argue in Kate's office.
Mercedes bleepin’ Ruehl. Season 3, Episode 1.

Hey everyone, the fact that Lilith isn’t in this season is a supreme bummer. I didn’t even bother to make a Lilith count for the posts. It is really sad for me. At least Shelley Long is here to get us through these dark days. I do make the most out of this opportunity to talk about Lilith as much as humanly possible.

Shelly Long as Diane Chambers
Shelly Freakin’ Long. Season 3, Episode 14.

It is so lovely to see Jane Leeves get some real story, finally. It only took three seasons to give her something to do beyond react to the lives of the men around her. I also appreciate Daphne’s complicated feelings about Frasier’s question. It is good to be told the truth but you can also be upset about it.

Lauren really surprised me with her kind gift of Lilith facts. I love Bebe Neuwirth so much. I am looking forward to season 4 where she hopefully makes a triumphant return.

Bebe Neuwirth in Jumanji
Bebe goddamn Neuwirth.

During nonsense corner and following, eagle-eared listeners will get a soundbite of my small child returning home. Classic pandemic recording. That kid is truly fantastic, so please enjoy.

Episodes to Check Out

“Moondance” and “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fired”

Niles – Season 3

January 14, 2021 Taryn Cheal Episodes, Season 3 Episodes 00:23:54 0 Comments

Podcast Episode Synopsis: We talk about Niles’ new life without Maris and we discuss the importance of Niles Crané.

Well let’s start it off with single Niles. This is a fun change for the character and allows David Hyde Pierce a bounty of opportunities to show off his amazing talents. Also, I would pay money to see Niles in jeans. They’re probably 90s tapered jeans, right?

David Hyde Pierce as Niles Crane holds up a pair of blue jeans.
FACT. The jeans are tapered. Season 3, Episode 8.

It’s a lot of fun getting to hear more about the mythic Maris. The writers do a great job of making this caricature of a woman somewhat believable in just the right ways.

I can’t wait for more Niles and Freddie stories. Watching this stuffy guy interact with a kid he loves a lot is catnip to me. Lauren uses the term “famous” quite loosely here in relation to Super Fudge.

Uncle Niles is the best.

It’s hard to overstate how much Niles Crané means to us. It’s just really, really special.

Niles and Frasier sit on Frasier's couch
What a groovy lady. Season 3, Episode 3.

A note on cremains. Try as you might, basically you will definitely inhale some, AT BEST.

Episodes to check out:

“Martin Does it His Way” and “The Last Time I Saw Maris”

Writing – Season 3

January 13, 2021 Taryn Cheal Episodes, Season 3 Episodes 00:34:53 0 Comments

Podcast Episode Synopsis: Flashbacks, a pom kapoose, and smoking, oh my.

This flashback episode is really elegantly executed. The writers do a really good job of reminding us where Frasier was three seasons ago and showing how important those relationships that we have learned to love are and how far they have come. Also, a nod to the actors who are able to get back into older versions of their characters quite seamlessly.

I love professor Lauren. She is super smart and great. And you know what else I love? “Look Before You Leap.” It’s a truly wonderful episode. I wish I could always be watching it. Something we never really discuss about this episode is that Daphne’s haircut is just her hair blown up like Roz’s in “The Innkeepers,” it’s not a haircut at all.

I am very glad we got to get into the “Buttons and Bows” of it all. I truly never knew any of these things before looking into this. I think The Paleface needs to be thrown into the sea.

Fraiser performing "Buttons and Bows"
“…and blow my nose, I’m all yours in buttons and bows”

Ah, intertitles. They are great, and very hard to talk about. But I thank Lauren for putting up with my game and wildly guessing at plots of things. She is a real sport.

A black intertitle card with white text reads "Huh?"
An intertitle from “Look Before You Leap”, Season 3, Episode 16

I think we all could use a spinoff of the life of Bebe and Big Willy, if he had lived. But really, don’t smoke, no matter how well Bebe sells it.

Bebe Glazer gives her smoking speech
The GREAT Harriet Sansom Harris. Season 3, Episode 21.

Episodes to check out

“Look Before You Leap” and “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fired”

About Café Nervosa

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