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Amazon.co.uk Review
After a distinguished run of Emmy-winning seasons, Frasier is, by its ninth season, in something of "a tiny lull" (as Frasier describes the state of his radio talk show career in the episode "Junior Agent") when its guest stars took home more Emmys than the much-decorated ensemble (Anthony LaPlaglia, reprising his role as Daphne's besotted brother, Simon, in the two-parter, "Mother Load"). But Frasier still shows signs of its usual brilliance in balancing farce and sparkling wit. After the hour-long season-opener, in which Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) explores his unhappy love life with the help of subconscious incarnations of Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth), Diane (Shelley Long), and a hippy to whom Frasier was briefly married (who knew?; and where's Nanny G?), the series shakes off the melancholia of the previous season. The world still gets the best of Frasier and assaults his dignity, be it the driver of a Humvee who hems him in his parking space; his neighbour nemesis, Cam Winston (Brian Stokes Mitchell); or Lilith's con-artist brother (Michael Keaton), who, in "Wheel of Fortune," arouses Frasier's worst suspicions when he shows up at his doorstep in a wheelchair. But Frasier at long last emerges triumphant in "Juvenilia," in which he gets the best of three smarmy teen radio hosts subjecting him to a fierce on-air grilling. Character developments this season include Roz (Peri Gilpin) falling in love with a garbage man (Tony Goldwyn), Niles (David Hyde Pierce) at last proposing to Daphne (Jane Leeves), Martin (John Mahoney) taking a job as a security guard, and Frasier and Roz sharing a one night stand. A series milestone, Frasier's 200th episode, features Adam Arkin as Frasier's most devoted (read "obsessive") fan. "Cheerful Goodbyes" reunites Grammer with Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, and Paul Wilson from Cheers on the occasion of Cliff Claven's retirement. Other memorable guest star appearances include Tony-winner Kristin Chenoweth as "The Junior Agent," the inexperienced, but tenacious former assistant to Frasier's pit bull of an agent, Bebe (the always exquisite Harriet Sansom Harris), and Brian Cox as Daphne's father, whom Niles is determined to reunite with his estranged wife. Frasier's ninth, unlike Beethoven's, hits some off-key notes (happily, the character of Kirby, the slacker with the Sideshow Bob hair, is gone after this season), but when everything is in harmony (as in "Bla-Z-Boy," in which Martin's beloved chair is accidentally (?) destroyed), it's still capable of a classic or two. --Donald Liebenson
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Season 9 of Frasier is arguably the weakest of the show so far. I give it only 3 stars, with a heavy heart, but I am judging it against the previous seasons, which have been generally outstanding. There are some very funny moments between Frasier and Niles but you get the feeling Frasier needs to move on.
I enjoyed "Room Full of Heroes", "Bla-Z-Boy", "The Love You Fake" and "Cheerful Goodbyes" but there are no standout episodes of comic farce that would enter the hall-of-fame (like season 4's "Ham Radio" or season 5's "The Ski Lodge"). In fact I don't even remember most of the other episodes. This is due to some weak writing and lack of fresh ideas, which you would expect by the ninth season of any show.
The Niles and Daphne story has now developed to them being an item, but as much as you wanted them to get together they just don't seem right as a couple. Watching Niles in his hopeless yet hilarious pursuit of the oblivious Daphne made for so many great moments in the first six seasons, but that edge to their story has now gone. To compensate, the writers decided to develop sub-plots involving Daphne's strange family. While Daphne's mother (Gertrude Moon) and brother (Simon Moon) were nicely introduced in season 7, we get an unwarranted overdose of Mrs Moon in this season, which makes you wonder why earlier recurring characters like Bulldog were axed.
If you are new to Frasier go to season 1 and work your way up to season 7; you will enjoy comedy of the highest calibre. If you're not, then watch it by all means but don't have high expectations.
I enjoyed "Room Full of Heroes", "Bla-Z-Boy", "The Love You Fake" and "Cheerful Goodbyes" but there are no standout episodes of comic farce that would enter the hall-of-fame (like season 4's "Ham Radio" or season 5's "The Ski Lodge"). In fact I don't even remember most of the other episodes. This is due to some weak writing and lack of fresh ideas, which you would expect by the ninth season of any show.
The Niles and Daphne story has now developed to them being an item, but as much as you wanted them to get together they just don't seem right as a couple. Watching Niles in his hopeless yet hilarious pursuit of the oblivious Daphne made for so many great moments in the first six seasons, but that edge to their story has now gone. To compensate, the writers decided to develop sub-plots involving Daphne's strange family. While Daphne's mother (Gertrude Moon) and brother (Simon Moon) were nicely introduced in season 7, we get an unwarranted overdose of Mrs Moon in this season, which makes you wonder why earlier recurring characters like Bulldog were axed.
If you are new to Frasier go to season 1 and work your way up to season 7; you will enjoy comedy of the highest calibre. If you're not, then watch it by all means but don't have high expectations.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have to agree with the reviewer who said that the core of Frasier's success is the dialogue between the three central male characters. At different times this can be poignant, incisively insightful, and downright side-splitting. It has been the reason for the series massive success but somehow, at the beginning of series nine the writers lose the plot and start introducing (or cementing in place) new characters and writing storylines with an undertone of resentment and aggression. The humour is still there but in less plentiful supply. The majority of this series is like this - sparks of the old humour heavily overshadowed by introspection and bickering. But then, in the last few episodes the writers seem to regain their optimism and start to reproduce the sharp, witty, and positive dialogue of the earlier series. Cam Winston is a success - albeit a little uni-dimensional - but Daphne's mother and father add nothing except more of the gratingly embarrassing counterpoints best provided by her brother alone.
As a Frasier fan I have to say that this is very good but not, as a whole, up to the standard of the earlier series.
As a Frasier fan I have to say that this is very good but not, as a whole, up to the standard of the earlier series.
57 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
To put this season in context, the preceding season 8 is not regarded very highly, and rightly so. Whereas seasons 1-7 (particularly the first 4 seasons) are probably as high a standard, and as consistently funny, as any comedy ever made, the loss of the dynamic between Niles and Daphne meant season 8 lacked the spark of previous years.
So, how does Frasier recover it`s first weak season? Definitely, there are some seriously funny episodes in season 9. "Bla-z-boy" is one of the strongest episodes of the entire run, never mind this season. The tension between Martin and Frasier is wonderful, as Frasier can`t accept the fact his longest successful relationship is the one with his father. Similar tensions are showcased in "Room Full Of Heroes", but this time it`s Niles who offends Martin. A personal favourite episode is "Wheels of Fortune", a brilliantly cast Michael Keaton as Lilith`s half-brother Blaine, who plays on Frasier`s good-natured side with the perfect scam. Watching Frasier and Martin catching a cricket that has sneaked into the apartment in "The First Temptation of Daphne" is great; as always, my favourite moments are dialogue between Grammar, Hyde-Pierce and Mahoney.
Low points - I don`t know what others think of Millicent Martin as Daphne`s mother, but I always found her incredibly annoying! And she is in too many episodes! New characters weren`t needed in Frasier, the original half-a-dozen were strong enough to carry things on...one massive exception is the superb Cam Winston! Another development that was definitely not needed was a bizarre development between Frasier and Roz in "The Guilt-Trippers". Especially when viewed retrospectively, considering Roz`s reluctance to leave Frasier`s side in season 10/11, this episode comes a little out of the blue for my tastes. Like most fans, I love Roz, but she has a literally rubbish storyline throughout the series, as she dates a garbage-man. Considering that Roz would date anything in the first few series, it doesn`t quite feel right that she would be so superficial as to question whether she should date someone who doesn`t also "work in an office".
As always, the episodes with top-class banter between Frasier, Niles and Martin are the strongest, and there are enough to save the series. 4 stars is the bare minimum...some great episodes, but probably a few too many that seem to be filler. Better than season 8 though!
So, how does Frasier recover it`s first weak season? Definitely, there are some seriously funny episodes in season 9. "Bla-z-boy" is one of the strongest episodes of the entire run, never mind this season. The tension between Martin and Frasier is wonderful, as Frasier can`t accept the fact his longest successful relationship is the one with his father. Similar tensions are showcased in "Room Full Of Heroes", but this time it`s Niles who offends Martin. A personal favourite episode is "Wheels of Fortune", a brilliantly cast Michael Keaton as Lilith`s half-brother Blaine, who plays on Frasier`s good-natured side with the perfect scam. Watching Frasier and Martin catching a cricket that has sneaked into the apartment in "The First Temptation of Daphne" is great; as always, my favourite moments are dialogue between Grammar, Hyde-Pierce and Mahoney.
Low points - I don`t know what others think of Millicent Martin as Daphne`s mother, but I always found her incredibly annoying! And she is in too many episodes! New characters weren`t needed in Frasier, the original half-a-dozen were strong enough to carry things on...one massive exception is the superb Cam Winston! Another development that was definitely not needed was a bizarre development between Frasier and Roz in "The Guilt-Trippers". Especially when viewed retrospectively, considering Roz`s reluctance to leave Frasier`s side in season 10/11, this episode comes a little out of the blue for my tastes. Like most fans, I love Roz, but she has a literally rubbish storyline throughout the series, as she dates a garbage-man. Considering that Roz would date anything in the first few series, it doesn`t quite feel right that she would be so superficial as to question whether she should date someone who doesn`t also "work in an office".
As always, the episodes with top-class banter between Frasier, Niles and Martin are the strongest, and there are enough to save the series. 4 stars is the bare minimum...some great episodes, but probably a few too many that seem to be filler. Better than season 8 though!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Poor Quality?
Having only just started watching this series the first thing that struck me was the awful picture quality; the colours seem washed out, rather like watching a worn out VHS... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Paul T.
What on earth happened to Frasier???!
First I would like to make clear that I have always been a great fan of Frasier. Some episodes I can watch again and again: Ham Radio, An Affair to forget and anything with the... Read more
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Satisfied Customer
Perhaps losing some of its earlier "Wit" this series still provides a good laugh considering some of the rubbish shown on T/V.
Published on 14 Mar 2010 by Mr. D. L. Lilley
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Series 8 was a slight dip, but the team are back on form with this one.
Published on 1 Feb 2010 by Mr. Js Whale
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Even a relatively weak series of Frasier is better than the best most other sitcoms have to offer and Season 9 is probably the weakest, this almost entirely being due to those... Read more
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Great serie
Frasier is a comedy serie with such great actors. I can see it several times. A pity that Kelsey doesn't do comedy anymore.
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One of the Best.
Loved the show from day one. My wife is now addicted after watching this series. There are so many very funny personalities in the show. Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2009 by G. Boundey
Not Frasier at its best, but still great television
Season Eight is often described as the weakest of Frasier's run, and though I agree to a certain extent, I enjoyed it for the most part, apart from the very boring and mildly... Read more
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Frasier season 9 pack - poor qaulity edition
Frasier's season 9 is great - just like any other Frasier season - but this DVD edition is very poor in terms of quality which made me very disappointed. Read more
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Frasier stikes again
I adore Frasier and I was very sad when it ended. I believe they still hold an annual Frasier Crane day in Seattle. How I would love to go and hunt down Frasiers building. Read more
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