Frasier (season 4)

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Frasier
Season 4
Frasier S4 DVD.jpg
DVD cover
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes24
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 17, 1996 (1996-09-17) –
May 20, 1997 (1997-05-20)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 3
Next →
Season 5
List of episodes

The fourth season of Frasier originally aired from September 17, 1996 to May 20, 1997 on NBC, consisting a total of 24 episodes.

Cast[]

Main[]

Recurring[]

Special guest[]

  • Marsha Mason as Sherry
  • Robert Prosky as T.H. Houghton (Episode: "A Crane's Critique")
  • Bebe Neuwirth as Lilith Sternin (Episode: "A Lilith Thanksgiving")
  • Patricia Wettig as Stephanie (Episode: "To Kill a Talking Bird")
  • James Earl Jones as Norman (Episode: "Roz's Krantz and Gouldenstein Are Dead")
  • Linda Hamilton as Laura (Episode: "Odd Man Out")

Special appearance by[]

Guest[]

  • Trevor Einhorn as Frederick Crane (Episodes: "A Lilith Thanksgiving", "The Unnatural")
  • Jane Lynch as Cynthia (Episode: "A Lilith Thanksgiving")
  • Jane Kaczmarek as Maureen (Episode: "Dad Loves Sherry, the Boys Just Whine")
  • Željko Ivanek as Dr. Arnold Shaw (Episode: "Death and the Dog")
  • Lisa Darr as Laura (Episode: "Four for the Seesaw")
  • Megan Mullally as Beth (Episode: "Four for the Seesaw")
  • Rosemary Murphy as Carol Larkin (Episode: "To Kill a Talking Bird")
  • Lois Smith as Moira (Episode: "Roz's Krantz and Gouldenstein Are Dead")
  • Harriet Sansom Harris as Bebe Glazer (Episode: "Roz's Turn")
  • Kathryn Joosten as Vera (Episode: "Roz's Turn")
  • Patrick Kerr as Noel Shempsky (Episode: "Ham Radio")
  • Pauley P. as Waitress (Episode: "Three Dates and a Break Up")

Episodes[]

See also: List of Frasier episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
731"The Two Mrs. Cranes"David LeeJoe KeenanSeptember 17, 1996 (1996-09-17)21.77[1]
Daphne receives a phone call from Clive, an old fiancé whom she ditched due to his lack of ambition and drive. She invites him to the apartment, where she introduces Niles as her husband, to Niles' delight. Clive ends up staying for dinner. Martin joins in the deception and deliberately complicates it, claiming to be a retired astronaut. When Roz arrives unexpectedly, Martin introduces her as Frasier's wife. Clive is now a successful businessman, and Daphne regrets trying to put him off. She and Roz both compete for his attention. Clive is appalled, and leaves, saying he is shocked they are related to Martin, who he calls that "sweet courageous old astronaut".
742"Love Bites Dog"Jeff MelmanSuzanne MartinSeptember 24, 1996 (1996-09-24)19.76[2]

Roz arranges a blind date for Frasier with her friend Sharon, a former professional golfer. They meet and are immediately attracted, until Bulldog enters. He disparages golf, so Sharon challenges him to a game. They leave together and quickly become an item, much to Roz's anger. Bulldog is then heartbroken when Sharon dumps him over the phone shortly before his show.

Guest Caller(s): Marv Albert as Jerry; Julius Erving as Mike; Bob Costas as Jake
753"The Impossible Dream"David LeeRob GreenbergOctober 15, 1996 (1996-10-15)14.5[3]

Frasier has a recurring erotic dream in which he wakes up in bed, hears the shower running and is shocked when the person who emerges is KACL's food critic, Gil Chesterton. He struggles to work out the meaning of the dream, eventually concluding that his show did not provide him with the challenge he needed, so his subconscious provided a problem for him to work out. Once he realizes that it what has been happening, he dreams that Sigmund Freud comes to his hotel room, and climbs into bed with him. The episode ends with waking up after this nightmare.

Guest Caller(s): Kieran Culkin as Jimmy; Christopher Durang as Rudy
764"A Cranes' Critique"Jeff MelmanDan Cohen & F. J. PrattOctober 22, 1996 (1996-10-22)15.5[4]
From an outdoor table at the Cafe Nervosa, Frasier and Niles spot T.H. Houghton (Robert Prosky), an author they idolised from childhood, whose one and only work was a landmark novel called Time Flies Tomorrow. Wanting to speak to him, they follow him, but lose track of him, later finding him at a sports bar talking to Martin, who he becomes friends with. When Houghton visits Frasier's apartment, he accidentally leaves his satchel behind, which contains a manuscript of his long-awaited new book. Frasier and Niles read it and consider it a masterpiece, but in trying to praise Houghton, they convince him that the novel is hopelessly derivative and he destroys it before it can be published.
775"Head Game"David LeeRob GreenbergNovember 12, 1996 (1996-11-12)20.41[5]

Frasier is about to spend a week in Aspen at a psychiatrists' convention, and he asks Niles to stand in for him at KACL. The first show goes badly. While making way for Bulldog in the studio, Niles meets a basketball player called Reggie, who is having trouble maintaining his focus during the game. Niles gives him two minutes' worth of advice in the corridor, and later that day Martin sees Reggie win a game for the Sonics on television. Niles is hailed as a hero in Seattle, and given VIP tickets to the next game, but he soon discovers that it was not his psychiatric expertise that Reggie believes helped him; it was his hair.

Guest Caller(s): Wendy Wasserstein as Linda
786"Mixed Doubles"Jeff MelmanChristopher LloydNovember 19, 1996 (1996-11-19)18.44[6]
Daphne breaks up with her boyfriend Joe. Niles decides to tell Daphne how he feels about her, but Frasier persuades him to wait for a day in order to consider it. The next day, Niles arrives at the apartment with a large bouquet of flowers, only to find that the previous night Daphne met a man called Rodney at a singles bar, whom she intends to go out with. Niles is despondent, but determined not to let it get him down, and asks Roz to take him to the same singles bar, where he meets a woman called Adelle. Rodney proves to be very similar in character to Niles, though neither Daphne nor Niles seem to realise it. Frasier and Niles later see him in Café Nervosa with Adelle.
797"A Lilith Thanksgiving"Jeff MelmanChuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-GiordanoNovember 26, 1996 (1996-11-26)19.57[7]
Lilith has arranged a meeting for Thanksgiving morning with the headmaster of the Marbury Academy, a very exclusive school, with the aim of getting Frederick in. As a result, the family goes to Boston. Lilith leaves Niles in charge of preparing the Thanksgiving meal, and Martin in charge of entertaining Frederick, while she and Frasier go to meet Dr. Campbell, who they infuriate with their desperate attempts to ingratiate themselves.
808"Our Father Whose Art Ain't Heaven"Jeff MelmanMichael B. KaplanDecember 10, 1996 (1996-12-10)16.93[8]

After a trip to the cinema, Martin complains that Frasier paid for the tickets when they had initially agreed that Martin would. The two of them decide that the next time they go out, Martin will pay. So when Daphne says she is cooking sheep's head soup for dinner, the three of them head off to Le Cigare Volante instead. After another argument about money, Martin refuses to pay, but he later tries to make it up by buying a painting from the restaurant. Niles and Frasier had effusively praised the painting so as not to offend the maître d', though in reality they disliked it. Martin is unexpectedly reduced to tears when he finds this out, which in turn reduces Frasier and then Niles to tears.

Guest Caller(s): John Cusack as Greg
819"Dad Loves Sherry, the Boys Just Whine"James BurrowsJoe KeenanJanuary 7, 1997 (1997-01-07)19.10[9]
Martin breaks up with his girlfriend Maureen (Jane Kaczmarek), but quickly starts a new relationship with Sherry (Marsha Mason). She is loud, boisterous and brash, and plays the banjo. Frasier and Niles soon take a disliking to her, but nevertheless pretend to like her for the sake of Martin's feelings; however, as spending time in her company gradually becomes more straining for both of them, they realize that they will have to confront Martin about her. Niles has won an award for an article he has written about a narcissistic opera singer, and learns that Martin intends to bring Sherry as his date to the awards ceremony.
8210"Liar! Liar!"James BurrowsChuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-GiordanoJanuary 14, 1997 (1997-01-14)18.06[10]
A discussion of the moral balance of polite lying leads to the recollection of a transgression the boys perpetrated against a bully in high school. They activated a fire alarm to avoid P.E. class and blamed the other student, who was summarily expelled. Feeling guilty, the brothers attempt to contact and reconcile with the man, only to discover that he is a convict. While visiting him, Frasier convinces both himself and the man that his expulsion led directly to his current situation. Frasier also learns that the man possesses a violent temper, and so does not tell him the full story of his expulsion. However, his guilt persists, and he decides to assuage it by smoothing over the bully's troubled marriage. Frasier meets with the man's wife, who says that their marital problems are caused by her sexual interest in danger, and then attempts to seduce Frasier just before her husband arrives. Frasier hides from the violent ex-con in his apartment, then uses his lighter to activate the room's smoke alarm so that he might escape.
8311"Three Days of the Condo"David LeeMichael B. KaplanJanuary 21, 1997 (1997-01-21)19.08[11]
Frasier has a new antique Japanese door knocker, which he claims "is said to bring peace and tranquility to any home it adorns". Minutes after he fixes it to his front door, he receives an angry note from Ms. Langer, the chair of the condo board, claiming that the knocker violates rules of hallway decoration. He decides to raise the issue in a rhetorical manner at the next condo board meeting, but Ms. Langer dismisses the request so abruptly that Frasier loses his temper, calls her a tyrant and storms out, to the applause of the other residents. Soon afterwards, Frasier is approached in the unlit car park of Elliot Bay Towers by a secretive figure, who wants him to stand as presidential candidate against Ms. Langer, for the good of the other residents. He is initially reluctant, but then Martin and Daphne start receiving angry notes as well, and Frasier decides it is time to take action.
8412"Death and the Dog"James BurrowsSuzanne MartinFebruary 11, 1997 (1997-02-11)15.26[12]

During a slow day on his show at KACL, Frasier decides to tell a story about the aftermath of Eddie's recent trip to the vet. The episode then continues in flashback. Eddie is not himself: he has lost his appetite, he is not sleeping, and seems generally listless. The vet says he is physically fine, so Martin worries that he may be depressed, and Daphne suggests taking him to a dog psychiatrist, to the chagrin of Frasier and Niles. The diagnosis is that Eddie senses depression elsewhere in the family, so they are encouraged to act positively when around him. They all wonder who could be the source of Eddie's depression, but it turns out that Eddie was depressed because he was missing his favorite toy. The story is interspersed with a parallel narrative about Roz dating a new tenant in Elliot Bay Towers.

Guest Caller(s): Patty Duke as Alice
8513"Four for the Seesaw"Jeff MelmanDavid LloydFebruary 18, 1997 (1997-02-18)15.40[13]
Frasier is having his flu shot live on his show, and despite his fear of needles, is determined to go through with it. Martin and Daphne are also there to get theirs, but Martin is late for meeting Duke and so they leave without getting their shot. Roz, meanwhile, has designs on the doctor administering the injections. Later, on a particularly busy day at Café Nervosa, Frasier and Niles struggle to get a table and so decide to share a table with two attractive young women. The brothers each begin to date one of the women, and the four arrange a weekend at a mountain cabin. However, at the cabin, Niles starts feeling guilty about his separation from Maris.
8614"To Kill a Talking Bird"David LeeJeffrey RichmanFebruary 25, 1997 (1997-02-25)17.15[14]
Niles is moving into an exclusive new apartment building: The Montana. Anxious to make a good impression, he plans to throw a dinner party for his new neighbours, one of whom is a young woman (Stephanie) who has taken a shine to Frasier. After being forced to part with his whippet, who he finally realises was essentially a canine substitute for his ex-wife Maris, Niles acquires a cockatoo called Baby. The bird is easily startled by sharp noises, such as the doorbell. This starts to cause problems on the evening of the dinner party, when she is traumatised by Frasier lighting the fire, and digs her claws into Niles' scalp. She subsequently refuses to let go, and grips tighter every time the doorbell sounds as the guests arrive. Frasier is compelled to play host, leaving little time to talk to Stephanie.
8715"Roz's Krantz and Gouldenstein Are Dead"Jeff MelmanWilliam Lucas WalkerMarch 11, 1997 (1997-03-11)17.36[15]

While out driving, Frasier and Niles discover Roz collecting litter from the side of the road with a group of other people. She explains that this is community service for a speeding offence, and she chose this option rather than visiting a retirement home, due to her fear of ageing. Frasier persuades her to confront her fear, but while playing checkers with an elderly gentleman (Mr Krantz), he dies mid-game. Frasier insists she persevere, but then another man (Mr Gouldenstein) dies while she reads to him. He accompanies her to her next visit, where he meets a blind elderly named Norman (James Earl Jones), who is a fan of Frasier.

Guest Caller(s): Eric Roberts as Chet
8816"The Unnatural"Pamela FrymanMichael B. KaplanApril 1, 1997 (1997-04-01)16.90[16]
Frasier's son, Frederick, is visiting him in Seattle for the week. He has requested a tour of Microsoft, which Frasier is having difficulty organising. He remembers that Roz used to date a Microsoft executive, and hopes she can help, but it turns out that he resigned soon after Roz dumped him. While on a tour of KACL, Frederick meets Bulldog, who is in need of another player to join the KACL softball team. Not wanting to disillusion the boy, Bulldog claims that Frasier is an expert softball player, but that he is unavailable for the next game because of the Microsoft tour. Frederick informs his father that he no longer wants to visit Microsoft; rather, he wants to see Frasier play in the softball game. Frasier must quickly learn how to play. Meanwhile, Niles is upset that Frederick has a crush on Daphne, and she enjoys spending time with him.
8917"Roz's Turn"Joyce GittlinJoe KeenanApril 15, 1997 (1997-04-15)15.98[17]
An on-air spot opens at KACL, and Roz decides to apply for it with Frasier's blessing. When the interview goes well, Frasier is happy for Roz but notes to Bebe that he will be very sorry to lose her if she does get the position. As a result, Bebe pulls strings to ensure Roz is taken out of the running. When Frasier finds out, he is furious and decides to fire Bebe, but finds it harder than expected when he calls round her office to do the deed.
9018"Ham Radio"David LeeDavid LloydApril 22, 1997 (1997-04-22)15.39[18]
To help celebrate KACL's 50th anniversary, Frasier decides to stage a radio murder mystery and enlists several of his coworkers to act in it. However, his constant criticism and over-directing cause one cast member to storm out, forcing him to bring in Niles – who has to read several parts, all in different accents, without benefit of rehearsal. The actual performance degenerates into chaos due to a string of mishaps and the script changes that Frasier makes on the fly to avoid overrunning. Niles finally gets fed up and kills off the remaining characters out of spite, causing the performance to end nine minutes early.
91
92		19
20		"Three Dates and a Break Up"Jeff MelmanRob GreenbergApril 29, 1997 (1997-04-29)15.77[19]

At a benefit evening for the Seattle Theatre Ensemble, Frasier is approached by three attractive women in the course of the evening, and each one gives him her number. He therefore finds himself with a three-day weekend coming up and a date on each day. On the first date, Frasier claims to be a dog-lover and an vegetarian to impress his date, but Martin and Sherry come back early and reveal his deception. The following evening, Sherry accidentally reveals to the second date that Frasier had a date with a different woman the previous night. Martin has broken up with Sherry, and she calls by to drop something off, just before Frasier's third date arrives. Despite his worry that Sherry will wreck this date, Frasier tries to understand why Martin broke up with her, and finds out that it was due to Martin's guilt over falling in love with someone else other than his late wife. He encourages them to reconcile.

Guest Caller(s): David Benoit as Doug
9321"Daphne Hates Sherry"Kelsey GrammerChuck Ranberg & Anne Flett-GiordanoMay 6, 1997 (1997-05-06)14.66[20]
A heat wave is sweeping Seattle, Frasier is battling the flu and in no mood to help anyone, Sherry is staying over with Martin more frequently, and Daphne is irritated by Sherry's constant undermining of her attempts to get Martin to do his exercises and eat healthier food. She then finds that Sherry has been giving her phone number to strangers to try to set her up, and storms out of the apartment. Unable to stay with friends, she goes to Niles' apartment, and asks to stay the night.
9422"Are You Being Served?"Gordon HuntWilliam Lucas WalkerMay 13, 1997 (1997-05-13)16.26[21]
Niles is in good spirits; his separation from Maris could soon be over, as he is suggesting marriage guidance counselling. However, a courier arrives with divorce papers. In a box of papers belonging to Martin, Frasier and Niles discover an old journal belonging to their late mother, which details with remarkable accuracy what appears to be the relationship between the brothers. Niles is shaken by his mother's assertion that he "constantly allows himself to be cowed and dominated, especially by females", and at this point reveals that he has not signed the divorce papers, but instead sent them back with a grovelling letter. The brothers break into her house and retrieve the letter before she reads it. Determined not to be pushed around any more, Niles signs the divorce papers. However, upon further reading of their mother's notes, they realise that the Frasier and Niles she was describing are laboratory rats.
9523"Ask Me No Questions"Jeff MelmanDan Cohen & F. J. PrattMay 20, 1997 (1997-05-20)19.23[22]
Niles asks Frasier's opinion on whether he and Maris are meant to be together. Frasier evades the question, and while Niles continues to wait for an answer after the meeting, Frasier is plagued by indecision. He talks to Roz, who encourages him to support his brother; he talks to Martin, who says he should not underestimate how much Niles values his opinion; he talks to Marta the maid, who claims that Maris has changed; and he talks to Daphne, who warns him that Marta may just want Niles back. Frasier even lets the problem interfere with a date that he has, with disastrous consequences.
9624"Odd Man Out"Jeff MelmanSuzanne MartinMay 20, 1997 (1997-05-20)20.01[22]
Frasier has reservations at an Italian restaurant for dinner, to celebrate Roz's birthday. She tells him she has a date, so he offers the opportunity to Niles (who has plans with Maris), then Martin (who has plans with Sherry), then finally Daphne (who has a date). In the end, he turns up to the restaurant alone, and finds himself surrounded by couples. He returns home after dinner feeling depressed about being forty-three and single. However, he finds that his answering machine contains two messages from a woman called Laura, who is flying to Seattle that evening to meet her sister, and has called his number by mistake. He spontaneously decides to go to the airport to meet Laura (Linda Hamilton), assuming that she is single, but quickly discovers that she is happily married.

References[]

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  5. ^ "Top Ranked Programs in Primetime for the Week of 11/11-11/17 as ranked by Nielsen Media Research". UltimateTV. Archived from the original on 1999-10-13.
  6. ^ "Top Ranked Programs in Primetime for the Week of 11/18-11/24 as ranked by Nielsen Media Research". UltimateTV. Archived from the original on 1999-10-14.
  7. ^ "Top Ranked Programs in Primetime for the Week of 11/25-12/1 as ranked by Nielsen Media Research". UltimateTV. Archived from the original on 1999-10-14.
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