Frasier: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Frasier: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 19, 2022

Frasier debuted on September 16, 1993, and quickly established itself not only as one of the top Sitcoms on NBC but also throughout the entire television landscape both in its generation and beyond. The show's 10-year, 11-season run saw 264 episodes grace TV screens and delight millions. That's not a miraculous achievement; other shows like Friends and The X-Files, just off the top of my head, have enjoyed similar success. Frasier, however, is a little more unique in that it was created as a spinoff of the (still) wildly popular 80s Sitcom Cheers (Blu-ray complete series set soon, please?) by the team of David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee, and it was just as successful. Frasier follows Cheers mainstay Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) who has left the cozy confines of America's favorite Boston-based bar for his hometown of Seattle, Washington where he practices psychiatry over the airwaves. The setting and the occupation alike allow for some rich dynamics, and the show capably merges humor and drama through wonderful characterization and interaction and compelling stories that add up to one of the most entertaining and rewarding shows from the 90s.

Official synopsis: Kelsey Grammer reprises his Emmy Award-winning role as Dr. Frasier Crane, a stuffy psychiatrist turned call-in radio host who struggles to follow his own advice. Frasier features an amazing ensemble cast, including John Mahoney as Martin, Frasier's gruff, ex-cop father, Jane Leeves as Daphne, the eccentric British housekeeper, and David Hyde Pierce in his Emmy Award-winning role as Dr. Niles Crane, Frasier's neurotic brother. Enjoy the show's most memorable moments like an uncomfortable visit from Sam 'Mayday' Malone (Ted Danson reprising his role from 'Cheers') in 'The Show Where Sam Shows Up,' Niles defending his adulterous wife's honor in a fencing duel in 'An Affair to Forget' and the emotional series finale, 'Goodnight, Seattle.' Frasier: The Complete Series features over 250 hilarious episodes.

Like practically all of the great Sitcoms of its, or any, era, Frasier's strength was found in the merging of the characterizations, performances, and the writing room. Everything else was just window dressing and set decoration to frame the show. What works here above all else are the character dynamics and the interplay amongst and the evolution of each character, whether considering the individual player or the larger ensemble. Granted, there are times when the show fails to noticeably evolve; it can remain in a fairly comfortable stagnation, especially in later seasons (and finally remedied in a classic two-hour series finale), but for the bulk of the series' runtime there is no mistaking the incredible dynamics in play that propel the show forward. Even when a particular episode's plot goes nowhere -- when a story was conceived and executed as nothing but season filler -- the characters are always marching forward with an ever-obvious momentum build at their backs and a sense of purposeful growth dynamic at work, both in whatever dramatic currents might exist and in the screwball type of comedy where the show usually found its voice. The show worked first and foremost because the audience could connect with and grow alongside these characters. Like the best TV shows, the development, evolution, and forward movement built a cordial, friendly relationship between the characters and the audience, and even with that full physical disconnect there was always an apparent emotional connect that drew the audience into the world and allowed millions to make friends with this legendary ensemble.

This is certainly in large part thanks to the work in the writers' room. That's not where the magic happens, but that's where the magic finds its footing, its purpose, and its direction. Certainty, like any TV show of any length -- even a great one like Frasier -- a few writing missteps make it into the show and result in some putrid episodes. Nevertheless, these are the exception rather than the rule. This is impressive in part because a very large team of writers contributed to make Frasier magic happen, and even with all of these credits the show generally plays with a singular voice and a singular direction; in essence, it never misses a beat. This is not unusual for shows to find a unified front even with a scramble of writing credits floating about a series run, but with a show like Frasier that encompasses so much material, so many characters, and so many situations that to keep it moving without any gross missteps speaks to the quality of the content and the excellence of the writing staff. Granted, Frasier has going for it a firmly established foundation in the aforementioned Cheers, which is certainly of some help to the writers, but it is nevertheless an impressive exercise in continuity to see the show maintain a high level of excellence with such a broad team. One of the big hat tips to the writing team must be for its ability to stay true to the Cheers foundation without forcing the audience to know that show inside and out before watching Frasier. While there is certainly some content that will be magnified by a deeper understanding of the larger universe, Frasier never demands that connection.

It's the cast, however, that pulls it all together, and Frasier's cast is certainly up to par. Grammer plays the title character with a veteran panache, as he should. Not only is he infinitely talented, but by the time the production wrapped he had been in Frasier Crane's shoes for two decades straight, on both coasts, and in front of millions of expectant fans. One of the great aspects of Grammer's performance is his ability to understand and deliver on the multifaceted character he plays. While there is certainly a core personality in place, Frasier can be all over the map from one moment to the next, which keeps him, his castmates, and the audience all on their toes. Beyond Grammer is a terrific ensemble that stayed together for the full series run. It's an interesting juxtaposition with cast and character consistency against the myriad of writers on the show, but it works season in and season out, episode-by-episode, and even moment-by-moment. The cast holds to a boundless energy even after a decade of service to the show, and even if some plot developments later on seem to tamper the dynamic somewhat, there's no mistaking that the show generally holds to a fantastic character stability, and the cast thrives on that routine.

Frasier further works because it never plays down its content. While the jokes and slapstick can push and pull it in different directions, there's a certain true-north alignment at work that sees the series largely remain focused on task and striving to hold to a timeless presentation dynamic. While its setting is always obvious, the show never really veers into social specifics that might poorly date it in the future. Even the comedy routines err more towards the timeless side of the ledger, and the result is a show that is very evenly keeled and generally adverse to radical change, which is one of the reasons why the finale, and the final few moments, work particularly well.

Frasier: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Paramount brings Frasier to Blu-ray with a gorgeous 1080p transfer. Seasons 1-9 hold to a native 4x3 aspect ratio, placing vertical "black bars" on either side of the 1.78:1 HD frame. Grain density generally holds to a flattering level throughout, offering a very distinguished appearance, though it does spike in the studio and a few other challenging lower light arenas. However, the bulk is steady and attractive. The result is a crisp, healthy image, one that is well textured and dynamic throughout. Viewers will be delighted to see so much of the show with so much authoritative crispness and definition. Colors are wonderful, too, particularly furnishings around the apartment and the various suits, neckties, and other clothes thy characters wear. Black levels are solid, whites are as well, and skin tones look healthy.

Later seasons do not fare quite as well. When the aspect ratio shifts in season ten from 4x3 to 1.78:1, the picture looks a little noisier, with less dynamic grain and more obvious compression issues. At worst, grain looks a bit frozen, and a general textural smoothness pervades the image. At best, seasons 10-11 look solid, albeit softer overall but still adequately filmic. The first ten seasons, however, look superb; all but the most jaded nitpicker should find it well above satisfactory.

Please note that this video review is based on a sampling of episodes from each of the eleven seasons; time simply does not permit a careful video analysis of every episode. This review, then, offers a general content overview. If there are any glaring video issues that are not addressed in this review, particularly any which are episode-specific, please kindly forward me a message so I may investigate and amend this review.

Frasier: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Frasier call into Blu-ray with a DTS-Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack. The presentation is fairly standard for a 90s Sitcom on Blu-ray, offering a more than adequate audio presentation with solid front-side width and good foundational clarity to all elements, whether dialogue, music, or support content. The laugh track offers good, distinguishable audience response, though the effect is largely imaged towards the middle. Music finds slightly more side stretch. Dialogue, of course, propels the show, and clarity is impressive throughout the run; it images nicely to the center as well. There can be a mild boominess to the track at reference volume, but overall, this is a well capable listen that suits the material as well as can be expected and as well as is necessary for this content. Again, as with the video review, this audio review is based on episode sampling.

Frasier: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This 33-disc set of Frasier: The Complete Series contains a fairly sizeable assortment of extras spread throughout the first three seasons, but after that there's nothing until the very last disc. Below is a breakdown of what is included, and where. Each season ships in its own Amaray case, and all are situated inside a form-fitting outer slip-box.

Season One, Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: For "The Good Son (Pilot):" Executive Producers/Co-Creators Peter Casey and David Lee.

Season One, Disc Three:

• Behind the Couch: The Making of Frasier (480i, 20:48): Looking at Frasier's birth at the end of Cheers, including scrapped ideas for a follow-up starring Grammer. The piece also looks at the casting and characters, transitioning the Frasier character from secondary in Cheers to primary in Frasier, building a brother character for Frasier Crane, casting, cast chemistry, recurring gags, the writer carousel, and more.
• Frasier Crane's Apartment (480i, 9:56): Set Designer Roy Christopher tours this key locale in the series and talks up some of the furnishings and props inside it.
• Season One Celebrity Voices (1080p, 14:54): Clips from the season featuring celebrities calling into the show.

Season Two, Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: For "The Matchmaker:" Director David Lee and Writer Joe Keenan.

Season Two, Disc Three:

• Marching On To Season Two (480i, 5:59): Further building the main character dynamics between Frasier, Niles, and Martin. It also looks at character evolutions through the first two seasons and why season two is superior from season one and following seasons.
• The Mystery of Maris Continues! (480i, 3:12): Looking at the success of this unseen character.
• Roz's Dating Tips (480i, 2:56): Looking at the Roz character in very brief detail, highlighting key moments revealing her libido.
• The Niles & Daphne Attraction (480i, 4:10): Looking at Daphne's character and the romantic underpinnings between these characters, primarily through show clips.
• And Then There Was Eddie (480i, 4:57): Considering the show's chief canine companion and mainly through highlight reel clips from the show.
• Season Two Celebrity Voices (1080p, 13:20): Clips from the season featuring celebrities calling into the show.

Season Three, Disc Three:

• The Crane Brothers Remember Season Three (480i, 12:50): Grammer and Hyde Pierce look at their character arcs and developments through the show's first three seasons. It also looks at Grammer's direction in the season, the Maris mystery development in season three, and more.
• A Conversation with Art Director Roy Christopher (480i, 8:30): Exploring key design elements, sets, geography, and more.
• Bulldog Crazy (480i, 2:07): Lightning-quick highlight reel clips featuring Dan Butler's character's top moments.
• The Mystery of Maris: The Break-Up Begins (480i, 2:22): Another highlight reel, this one exploring how Maris is utilized throughout the season.
• Season Three Celebrity Voices (1080p, 11:45): Clips from the season featuring celebrities calling into the show.

Season Eleven, Disc Three:

• Observations, Analyses and Good-Byes (480i, 16:50): Looking back on the show: stability, its stage characteristics, the core familial relationships the show explores, the secrets to the show's success, later series plot arcs and character growth, memorable moments, what makes the show work, and much more.
• Frasier Says Farewell (480i 13:21): Walking through the final moments, recalling emotions, the series' staying power, why the series worked, and more.

Frasier: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Frasier is one of the classic Sitcoms of its era, and Paramount has certainly done it right for this Blu-ray release. The picture quality is top-notch with only a noticeable dip in seasons 10-11. Audio is consistently solid. The extras come fast and heavy out of the gate but come to a dead stop after season three with the exception of season 11. This is a great buy and a must-own for every Frasier fan this Christmas. Highly recommended.